ColoradoBills

I'm usually the guy that is not for trading up or down BUT this year if a top OL or WR is not at 27 then trade down some if you can.

Totally agree, he is a dark horse for a good S prospect. The best I hope for is S depth and to replace Siran Neal as a ST guy for a $2M savings.

I started this thread to try to get my head around that question. There are so many moving parts. If Edmunds leaves, they have to replace him with a 3rd round minimum I would think. MLB is too important in whatever D McDermott runs to go later. A 1st or 2nd has to go to something on the OL. Be it G, C or T. That's already a big ask for the draft to fall that way. The 3rd top 3 could go in a lot of different ways depending on FA. I just see a WR in the top 3 tough, but I sure would like it. It's going to be tough for Beane, but I'm in on a strong OL, replacing Edmunds and let the rest of the chips fall where they may.

I probably should not have said that in my OP. I do believe Brown improved on run blocking. That I am sure of. IF, and I know it's a debatable IF, he ends up starting at RT the only thing I feel will work is the other 4 OL are strong and that would include an extremely strong RG. I think they could scheme around Brown at RT and give him another year to see what he could be.

Would be tight even with Edmunds not signing. Don't get me wrong I'm for anything to protect and give Josh more time. It would mean I think that there would be no mid-level FA WR and about a 4th or later WR drafted. The D would have some plugs versus prime players. That being said, I do firmly believe Josh can make mediocre WRs better and good receivers great, given more time. It's the hill I'm going to die on this year!

Interesting. You're going with 2 FA and 1 Rookie. Also, you are the first to put Bates in a backup role. I was high on Bates, but he didn't perform at RG as well as I wished. I do think his best position is LG with a backup C role. Your reply along with many others all revolve around what is going to happen with Morse and the future at Center like I suspect. Beane HAS to see this too. It starts with my OP Question #1, and everything flows from there. As to Edmunds left to walk. I think that is going to happen. I didn't until just recently. That would be great, but the money would be the issue I feel.

Diggs is frustrated just like us fans. Lots of reasons as to why but none of them are a simple bumper sticker answer. Josh is a great QB but he is only one guy. Diggs will get more balls and the O will perform better is Josh has a little more time to throw the ball before he runs around like a chicken with his head cut off. It's not the only thing that needs to happen, but it would be a start.

I see Ike as G depth, not a starter.

Yes, but wouldn't you want an FA at RG instead of a late round rookie? I fear starting both rookies at RG and RT.

It would leave the G position pretty bare. Bates and a late draft pick? Like others, I'm in the "draft 2 OL" not 3. Too many rookies could be an issue. That's why an FA at G seems rational. I'm for drafting a C fairly early if Bates is not the long-term answer at C.

He's going to cost, but at around $10M I think he is at the top of the "doable" list. Anything more I feel is just not feasible with the cap situation.

I apologize and will look up the thread. I did a search and didn't see. Also, I took some time off the board after the CIN game so I wasn't around at the beginning of the month. If the mods want to merge it's fine with me. Let me ask you what are your thought of a FA who could start both RG and RT like Wylie? Totally agree. 3 rookies would be a disaster. Do you have any options at RG? My thoughts would be a strong RG would help Brown IF he ends up being a starter.

What's your thought of Wylie as an FA for RT?

If you think that consider what my Option #1 is above.

My thoughts go like this: If Bates is the heir apparent C, then he needs to start to train to be that. He needs to take all the 2nd team C snaps and should only be considered depth at G going into the season. That leaves 2 G positions to fill. One in the draft and one in the FA seems proper. I like the idea of pursuing a player in FA like Andrew Wylie from KC. He has played both RG, LG and RT for KC and has played pretty good at all positions. His "Market Value" on Spotrac is under $5M per year. If he (or a similar player) can be secured it takes one G spot out and gives Brown some good camp competition at RT. Then draft a full time Day 1 starter at G. I would need help with who and what round, but I would be willing to even consider Round 1.

I'm in the "fix the OL first crowd" so this is my #1 priority for the off season. Going into FA and the Draft this is where to OL is right now. I am going under the assumption that all 5 of last year's OL stay on the team (I think they should). LT - Dawkins (Doyle backup) LG - Open (Bates played RG but he seems better at LG, many see him as Morse's replacement at C) - (NO LG backup) C - Morse (A huge unknown going forward both with health and cost) (Bates backup) RG - Open (No Backup) RT - Brown (Inconsistent but improving) (No RT backup) On the roster and going to camp (so far) are former PS players (C-Mancz, T-Anderson, T-Van Demark) It seems to me the #1 question is the future of Ryan Bates. Is he earmarked at age 26 to replace Morse at C? If not, is he the future at LG? Question #2 who is the RG starter? (Day 1 Rookie or FA?) Question #3 is Spencer Brown locked to be starting RT? Question #4 is after all the above answers, who is depth? I would like to hear what some options are from the board. I will post this OP now and give my thoughts, as of right now, in a reply post.

It will be interesting to see if a team goes after "Dirty Red" with a $3M contract or not. Being over 30 he may find his worth is ST only for a bit over vet minimum. Jones, Kumerow and maybe Neal all could be gone. If that happens re-signing Matakevich for around $2M would be worth it for me.

Josh and the offense were bipolar all season. For my money it stemmed from the Daboll to Dorsey change. I'm not saying Daboll was elite as OC but the team on O had a scheme and a way to set up Ds. Dorsey did a lot of good things but couldn't put good "specific" game plans together to take advantage of the oppositions D's weaknesses as well as Daboll. Us fans will just have to hope that Dorsey improves at his job. You can't change the OC again IMO. Next year will tell if Ken is the guy or not. Beane has to improve the OL and with some innovative offensive play calling all will be better. The continuous injuries on D were a challenge. Some important UFAs will walk this year and Beane will have to plug that the best he can.

I had more than one discussion on Hodgins or Kumerow. I said Hodgins should make the 53. Many took the Kumerow side and then he ended up on IR. When Hodgins was called up and then waived, I wasn't a fan. I do believe that Hodgins would have stayed on the 53 if it wasn't for all the DB/DL injuries and the ST considerations. FWIW, I don't mind a couple of ST only aces, I'm just not a fan of 4-5.

Well, it takes 2-3 years to evaluate a draft so.....................................?

Dane Jackson is a RFA and is in an interesting position for Beane to make a decision on. If they sign him to a "Right of 1st Refusal" he would cost $2.6M this year if no one offers a better deal. If a team does and he walks the Bills get a 7th round pick. I'm not sure what Beane should do. I keep going back and forth. If Benford is moving to S is $2.6M too much for depth? Will another team offer a contract and Bills at least get a 7th?

McKenzie and Crowder were the perceived answer at slot receiver last year and now it looks like having Shakir and Hodgins would have been the better choice going into this season. I'm not a McKenzie "hater" but I think we all have seen his ceiling.

Beane is in a pretty good spot at 27 for a team who has a 1st round grade in a position of non-need for the Bills to trade back and pick up a late 3rd or early 4th. Other than that, I think he should wait for the draft to come to him. Then again, if Torrence is as good as some pundits say and can anchor the RG position (which has been a revolving door for years), I'd go that route if he is still available. I'm not a huge college fan so don't criticize my internet scouting too much! LOL.

I mentioned him. Thanks for your input.

It's kind of orange with a little blue.