MasterStrategist

Yeah one thing Beane does do, is alignment "need" with value. I'd have to look closer at those Eagle rosters heading into draft, to compare to Howie. But looking back at consensus on this board: 2024: Coleman was nowhere near consensus. Cole was a popular pick at time, Carter was similar to Keon. 2023: Kincaid and OCT were by FAR the consensus, 2 players that some didn't think would last to us. Dorian was a surprise, more than Carter in 2024 2022: everyone knew we were going CB rd 1, Cook was popular pick for those that actually evaluate RB talent, and Bernard was a surprise to consensus....but there were few posters that could foresee his future at MLB 2021: about as consensus as it gets/and very predictable coming off a weak DE season. Basham was a consensus 1st rounder, Spencer was a slight unknown to some (smaller school). Bottom line, Beane looks for "untapped" potential and tends to overvalue "need" vs "quality" at times. I think this years draft is more indicative of 2023, where we could go either way with Round 1 (DL or CB). Beane hasn't pinned himself in a corner like 2024 or 2022 at least.

I don't look at "barely cracking" 1k yards. Cook took over/was a key reason Jaoh didn't have to be superman in certain games last year. Those are other guys are bell cow types. Sure, Cook isn't that. But outside of Barkley, Henry, Gibbs- I'm not taking any other back with the elite acceleration, vision, and ability to make big plays than Cook. Sure, Davis could hit 1k yards for us too. At 4 YPC, and little juice compared to Cook. I've dropped stats before supporting Cooks YAC, his contact agility and elite acceleration to the edge is top 5. To each their own, our offense became more balanced because of Cook- that's a fact. OL helped, but Cook and Bradys playcalling were key. If we let Cook walk after 2025, that's going to leave a much bigger hole than people will admit. Cook will be paid, Beane would be smart to keep his homegrown talent in this case. Not to mention your comps: for real on Williams, Irving, Hall? Lol, honestly that's a horrible take. And your last comment about "not seeing anything elite" about Cook. I think you're further off base with that comment. Again, these discussions are pointless though. We're both fans, I dont know your background and if some how Cooks social media is bothering you, like it has some other fans/causing you to bias your judgment than that's another issue. Bottom line, we will invest at RB one way or another next offseason (if not sooner with an extension). Be it a 2nd or 3rd round pick, free agency, spending $$$ on Cook can be borrowed from elsewhere --- it's all a tradeoff. To me, Cook is our 2nd best offensive player behind Josh. Someone who just put up 18 total TDs in just his 3rd season and has vast improvement year to year --- again, Gtd $s is what it will be about, essentially 1 less backup at $3m and retaining a 2nd or 3rd rounder to use on another position is a no brainer to me

With our recent drafting, I'd rather keep Cook if offered a 2nd (which would never happen). All this speculation from people is crazy. Cook isn't going to hold out/hold in, he'll ball out this year for a major payday in 2026+. Bills get the benefit of a motivated/very talented player and can re visit the option of extending him next offseason. I've said this many times, but if I'm Beane I'm offering a 3 year extension (thru 2028) for $26m gtd and potential for $12-$14m aav. That's going to be the going rate for Cook, at a minimum, come next offseason. Guys like Gibbs coming up for contract soon, we will see 4-5 RBs making premier money---- Cook is in that top echelon (top 5 RBs) if people want to admit it or not, given his age and low mileage, and significant improvement year to year --- with others in that top group aging out in 2-3 years max.

I know, my point was for people to stop looking at these "prove it deals", as some comparison for Cook. Barkley had the same/similar with Philly--- now he's getting paid. And my point on 2025, was for people to notice Henry is taking up $12-13m in cap space. Aav means squat, cap and gtd $ is the true story. Again, if we want to compare Cook- go find a young / top 10ish RB, entering year 4 with his stats. Not many. And as I've said numerous times, the aav is just a tabloid for agents to gloat....gtd $s is the true benchmark.

Henry made $8m per year, on a 1 yr prove it contract. That's like saying Saquon isn't worth his money, after he played on a 1 year proce it deal. Henry signed for 2025?

Still not getting the point of scaling back Cook. And what you're saying is a mix of "let's see what we have in Ray" and "let's keep Cook fresh for later in season". News flash: preseason is there for a reason (check off the Ray box). And Cook is already on a lighter load, and you're main point is to scale that back even further? Again, clueless. Ill let you have the last comment if you want it, because trying to talk common sense with you just isnt working. And I won't quit my day job, it simply makes too much

Clueless, all i have to say. Some takes on here not sure what you guys do for a living but stick to the day job. Why would we want to "phase out" our best Rb? You say, so we can let "Davis start to find his groove". How about we play our best players and try to win the SB. This isn't rocket science, stop trying to overthink a simple concept that Cook is our best RB. Trying to rationalize past stats/Yada Yada, Cook has simply put in the work in offseasons and raised his level of play in several critical areas. Not sure how any common sense, would suggest to reduce Cooks playing time. Wow, another level of crazy going on now.

Makes zero sense to scale back Cook. And your reasoning is to trade away our best RB, 18 tds LY, at the deadline for what would likely be a 3rd rd pick at best? When we will very likely get a 3rd round comp the following year, if he's no signed back. Zero reason to trade Cook midway thru a year, let alone prior to, unless we get a 2nd.

Fair, not sure why I forgot him...lol. Thx, and yes CMC is worth that. I'd never trade a top 50 for Cook, but I love him on our team...so it'd be a difficult decision to deal him. Still think the likelihood is very minimal, but would probably be enough for Beane for pull the trigger (2nd rounder).

Legit asking, who is the last RB dealt for a top 50 pick? It won't happen and we're a better team with Cook on the roster. Lots of time to get a potential extension done, even if it goes into early next offseason.

Haha all good, I get it. I would say Cook is elite with vision/acceleration, and he's worked very hard to improve his contact agility (yards after contact). That last comment is a big reason his production, in terms of TDs, shot up. Just like your prior "season predictions", which was amazing with Shakir. I think Cook can get to 14+ TDs (running+receiving) in 2025 again. His trajectory is upward. We are hoping for the same thing, keeping Cook. Hopefully Beane finds a way.

I'm not about to look up the stats but Ty wasn't in there for pass pro only. It wasn't that simple. He was out in routes quite often. When I have time, I'll go find the prior stats/or start tracking by watching his 3rd downs.

100% agree. Some posters can't see it and the guy you're going back and forth with, also said Ray Davis would be getting 50% of carries LY. Some ppl let go, and some have issues realizing their stance is allowed to change. 18 TDs isn't elite in the NFL...news to me

I like your posts @Alphadawg7. but you're wrong occasionally...this is one of those. Love to have Joe Brady hold a press conference and set the fans straight. People also said Cook couldnt be a "good" two down back either, until he was given more looks/ie: is it a coincidence Joe Brady helped Cook flourish? My point is, Cook can be a 3 down player, Bills want to keep a rotation and it's not much different than McD and the Dline. Same concept. Watch Cook leave and get more opportunities on 3rd down, and thrive. It's about opportuinies/coaching philosophy. I'd also say Cook has elite traits, he may not be a top 5 overall back in a traditional sense. Dude is a homerun threat and playmaker, I think he's proven he's elite in regards to the tune of 18 TDs. If we rather put Ty Johnson in to run pass routes on 3rd down, perfect. He's very good at that. But let's not act like Ty/journeyman is in there because Cook can't pass pro OR any other reason. It's about keeping Cook fresh, and all teams do it.

Which should hit that 5 yr mark I discussed, right? At a minimum. Again, it's not all about $... I was simply saying in the next 5 years you could easily recoup most of the PSL expense...With Josh for next 5, I'm not concerned with the math lol. An investment not from a $ perspective and you know that. An investment from you're not buying into a Season ticket holder, with a PSL, for a short term benefit. Most are thinking of buying these with the intention of keeping tickets for a while---hence my comment. At least I'm not buying tickets to "make $", I was simply stating it's possible to go enjoy half or over half the games and not be financially impacted from the PSL.