Brandon

I don't think he's a hybrid player. He's a zone CB with good size, and given his pro day testing, looks like an athletic freak. If he doesn't make it at CB, then you move him to safety, but I'd give him his first shot at CB.

I think you're right. In terms of realistic Bills picks at 28 and what I expect they'll actually do, I have DeJean #2 on the board before the 2nd tier WRs (Latu being #1, though a bigger stretch to be available at 28).

That's kind of where I'm at on McConkey. I'm not saying he's the same guy, but if you wanted a Diggs replacement, he's around the same basic size, speed, athleticism profile, and is a good route runner and gets separation as well. Hits all the marks on character, work ethic, etc. And they've shown tons of interest in this type of player at WR, too. Again, I've been wrong before. I'll probably be wrong Thursday night. But just based on the types of guys they've brought in for visits and that projected as early round picks the last two or three years, and even their higher profile FA/trade acquisitions including Diggs, McConkey seems like a clear favorite at 28 to me.

IMO, McConkey is not a slot guy, though he'll probably play there some. He's about the same size as Diggs, actually, maybe a little lighter. He's also bigger than many of the high round WR prospects they've brought in over the last two or three years. I don't think the Bills are as concerned over size at WR.

I think the production issue is valid and it's something the Bills would have to look into. Is it more about McConkey or Georgia's offensive system? Also, were they limiting him to some degree since he had some nagging injuries? I don't know.

Agreed, and to me, I thought it really showed up after the catch. Sure, if he catches it in stride and can hit the afterburner, he's a major problem. But in traffic, if he can't, if he has to turn and run and the defender is in decent position, he's usually not going anywhere. Very surprised to see how many short passes with little to no RAC out of a guy with that kind of speed and burst.

They used him that way to some degree, but his average depth of target the last two years was over 12 and generally in line with the other top prospects.

I can buy that on Thomas. I watched all his targets yesterday. The straightine speed is absurd, no doubt about it, and maybe thats enough for a mid/late 1st. Everything else...meh. I'm not going to argue if they pick him, I've been wrong before. I just don't see it.

McConkey just seems like the best all around WR prospect outside of the top 3 to me and he aligns with what the Bills seem to value... excellent separation, route running, downfield speed and YAC ability. I think he's very likely to develop into a guy who catches 80 passes for 1,000-1,200 yards per season. I'll take that at 28. I like Legette as well and would not be unhappy if the Bills select him 1st.

I think they'll either stay at 28 or trade up a few a spots. I think the pick will be one of this group...Laiatu Latu, Cooper Dejean, Ladd McConkey, Xavier Worthy and Troy Franklin.

I think they're both more like top 40 guys, but I would not be surprised to see one of them sneak into the last few picks of R1, especially if the WR run starts earlier than expected. I'd also add, I think the Bills value speed, separation and route running with less concern over size. If that's true, it would seem to put those two in consideration for the Bills.

The 2000 draft class is generally considered one of the worst ever. Not many teams did well that year.

Agreed, but I would also add Pearsall to that group.

Apples to oranges. He's a DE. Those guys are DTs.

Yes, he has stated that he has met with the Bills multiple times. These lists can be useful for gauging positional interest, but don't assume they're complete.

Injuries were an overwhelming factor at LB by that point in the season. Maybe they add one late in the draft to compete for the last spot on the roster, but no, they don't have a significant need for a LB unless they have concerns about Milano's return this year.

If the Bills want defense from this draft, they can do a hell of a lot better than this.

Even Erik Flowers had good sack totals in his final year in college. Kneeland...best season was 4.5 sacks twice...and one of the worst 10 yard split times (to clarify, of the DE group) at the combine. He's getting some late 2nd projections, but seems like an early day 3 guy to me. If that's the pick, I think I'm just going to give up.

I should have stopped reading at Kneeland in R1.

Projectile vomit alert.

I'm not a huge fan of trading up for Thomas, but I get it. Although I think Polk will go a round later, I'm not going to argue considering that I think Pearsall could go late R1.

I certainly wouldn't argue against it. They looked like a team that needed a 1st or 2nd round investment at WR even before the season ended. Now, they've lost both Davis and Diggs. Curtis Samuel gives them a few more options, but I'd still fully support WR picks at 28 and 60. Aside from safety, I think the defensive needs align more with depth, anyway, at least for 2024, and they have plenty of 4th and 5th round picks to address those.

I completely agree with that and I would also add that, just looking at the types of early round prospects they've brought in over the last two or three years, most fit that same basic profile. Jordan Addison, Tank Dell, JSN, Zay Flowers, Jalin Hyatt, John Metchie...Less emphasis on size, more on route running potential and separation. You could even throw in their higher profile veteran acquisitions...John Brown, Cole Beasley, Stefon Diggs, Emmanuel Sanders, Deonte Harty, and Curtis Samuel. I'm not saying they're all the same guy, but there's a basic pattern there.

I think I'll pass on that one.

Ladd McConkey. Aside from the speed, quickness, and route running, he's also very good after the catch.