BigAl2526

The fact that he won't count against the practice squad limit means everything. The Bills can stash him there for a couple years while he learns how to play American football, and then decide how much more time and effort they want to invest in him. Unlike Christian Wade, he's also young enough that taking some time to learn how to play will still leave him enough years to have a decent career if he is able to make the transition.

There were other backs available who combined both more speed and better size. I assume Beane knew all about them and chose to draft Davis instead. I figure they must have known what they were doing.

At this point the DE's on the roster (besides the new guys) consist of Von Miller, (even though he's listed as a LB) Greg Rousseau, Kingsley Jonathon, A J Epenesa, and Kameron Cline. That's hardly a crowded room. Von Miller and Rousseau are the likely starters though nobody knows how effective Miller will be at 35 years old and recovering from an injury that rendered him close to useless last season. Epenesa is going to have a roster spot. After that there's not much. Kingsley Jonathon seems to have a bit of juice, but hasn't really done anything. Cline is more of a DE/DT tweener who is never going to do much in the way of pressuring the passer and generating sacks. It looks to me as if there is plenty of room for one of the kids to make the team. Solomon looks like the obvious favorite over Ugwoegbu based on college production, though Ugwoegbu has decent measurables.

There were no elite safeties in the 2024 draft. If you wanted a quality safety with the polish to step in and make you not miss Poyer of Hyde, then you needed to shell out significant dollars for another of the free agents, like Mike Edwards or better. The draft might have had safeties with a bit more polish and experience, but Bishop has about the best combination of athleticism, size and technique of any pure safety in the draft. I don't think Bishop will start in September, only because Rapp has experience and knows McDermott's system. I would guess Bishop is starting by about mid-season.

That's my biggest worry with the whole draft experience. Maybe the Bills will continue to explore improving their WR room, but I suspect they'll find the pickings pretty slim or the cost pretty high.

Lovely, a cornerback with some speed.

Unfortunately, he's slower than Coleman.

I think the Bills need more speed outside at the receiver position. for that reason, I'm feeling a little disappointed. I hope the Bills don't end up paying a price for that lack of speed.

I'm wary of Taylor Rapp's ability in pass coverage, so I think it was really important to get a quality safety in this draft. I think Bishop fits the bill. Rapp might start out the season as a starter, but I wouldn't be surprised if Bishop starts before the end of the season if Rapp gives up too many big pass completions.

When he plays, can the Bills have an extra player on the field so his entire name can be displayed. It won't fit on one jersey. I'm guessing he's a backup this season at least.

Being an international pathways player, I don't think he'll count against the roster (like Christian Wade) if the Bills want to keep him around. He pretty much has zero football experience, but phenomenal athleticism. If he learns fast, he could be really good in a couple years.

Undersized, but speedy. He's pretty much limited to slot corner on defense, and Taron Johnson is going to get the lions share of reps there for the foreseeable future. He'll make his money on special teams and wait for a chance to play on defense. Good pick at that point in the draft.

He was not the guy I might have hoped for. That said, I'll wait and see. His 40 time was pedestrian at the combine, and I think the Bills need some speed on the outside, but he was terrific (and fast) in the drills. I'd still like to see the Bills try and find a second receiver in the draft with a bit of size and speed. Devontez Walker is still on the board I think.

It tells me they didn't think the two Xaviers were decent values at the spots where they would have had to take them. Beane is very cognizant of value, especially in the first round. I won't know until this evening if they think there is a WR worthy of the 33rd spot in the draft.

The jury is still out for me. I think the Bills need to come out of the draft with a quality receiver that has some speed and athleticism. I don't know what their thought process was regarding Brian Thomas Jr., Xavier Worthy and Xavier Legette. I don't know if they tried to trade up for Thomas and failed to get a fair deal or they didn't think he represented a good value where they would have had to move. My assumption is they didn't like the value of the two Xaviers where they would have had to take them. Obviously, other teams had different opinions. Only time will tell who's right, and only time will tell if Beane's strategy will pan out in getting a quality receiver at a place that represents good value.

I would love to ask Beane if there were any players he would have tried to trade up for if they fell sufficiently, or if perhaps they actually did try to swing a trade and couldn't get a deal done. As far as Worthy and Legette are concerned, I think it is obvious Beane didn't think they represented good value to the Bills at the spots they traded away. I honestly don't know who they will draft at 33, or if Beane will trade down again.

If the Bills want Franklin, I could see them trying to trade down again.

I'm not certain about anything. McConkey may be a more complete receiver at this point, but the Bills may feel Mitchell has more upside due to his athleticism. Then again, there is the nagging question of Mitchell's health long term with the alleged type 1 diabetes. Troy Franklin is likely too much of a reach. There are some who still think of Keon Coleman as a 2nd round value, but I just can't get past that 4.61 40. Then the other day some pundit made the comparison between Kelvin Benjamin and Keon Coleman. Gag! I think the Bills feel the need for speed with KC as a perennial rival (and having just drafted Worthy), Not to mention Miami wanting to dethrone Buffalo in the AFC East with their speed.

It's not a huge deal, but any time a player projected by most to go later than the Bills' pick (Michael Penix to the Falcons) that is good for the Bills.

When teams drive up the market like this, the effect in the near term on the draft could be that other teams needing receiver help will be more likely to look for help in the draft than among the remaining free agents or trade acquisitions who would be looking for new deals. That would mean it is more important for the Bills to get a WR early rather than hoping for a quality guy to slip through almost two full rounds.

I make no special plans except to watch the draft as I am able. As it happens, my wife and I are committed to attend a Thursday night Bible Study, and I likely won't be able to start watching the draft until about 8:30. I don't mind missing the first five to ten picks since I don't see the Bills trading up that high. When I get home I'll settle down with my TV and computer. I have certain websites that I rely on during the draft: NFL.com of course for their draft tracker and scouting reports, NFL Draft Buzz for their scouting reports (a little different perspective), and drafttek.com which creates repeated computer generated 7 round mocks after every draft pick. As the league moves deeper into the draft, Drafttek has a tougher time keeping up and the new mocks may only happen a few times each round, but they try the best that they can.

Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State - Cardinals Rome Odunze, Washington - Chargers Ladd McConkey, Georgia - Chiefs Brian Thomas Jr., LSU - Jaquars Xavier Worthy Texas- Dolphins Bonus Bills pick - Legette (after trading out of Round 1

My approach to the draft is, I think, a bit different from that of most fans. I have prospective draft picks I am most interested in as Bills picks. This draft is no different. Brian Thomas Jr dropping would be nice, or perhaps a modest trade up to get him. If the Bills don't trade up and Thomas is not available at 28, which is the most likely outcome for the Bills, my preference is for a trade down, no lower than 12 spots. At that point, I would pick in order of preference: Mitchell, Legette, McConkey, Franklin or Worthy. However, my reaction to the Bills picking any one of those at 28 would not be, "Oh, the Bills made a terrible mistake." Instead, it would be, "OK we'll see how this pans out." I figure Beane and the Bills know what they're doing in this whole process. They are more knowledgeable than me and have access to far more information than me. They aren't infallible, they are far less fallible than I am when it comes to evaluating draft talent. As far as the receivers Buffalo will have to choose from, every one, including Thomas has downside risk to be aware of. Thomas has some questions about his effort and is route running in not well developed. Legette has questions about his experience, lets deep throws into his body and may struggle some in zone coverage. McConkey wasn't as productive in college as he might have been with a pretty high floor and perhaps not as high of a ceiling as some others, struggles some with his catch to run transition and with contested catches. Mitchell may be a type one diabetic and that he was a #2 in college. He struggles with press coverage, like McConkey he's inconsistent transition from pass catching to running and struggles with contested catches. He's also not much of a blocker, something Buffalo values in its receivers. Worthy is small and very light and could be vulnerable to injury in the rough and tumble NFL. He sometimes struggles with zone coverage and his production dropped in 2023 despite being targeted more. The lack of size also means he can get knocked off his route at the LOS. Franklin may be taller, but he's even skinnier than Worthy. He's had a tendency to turn and run before securing the catch, thus leading to drops. That's not to say the Bills should avoid all of them, just that you're taking something of a chance with anybody they will have the opportunity to draft.

Ruff might get the Sabres into the playoffs, if that is their goal. I don't see him taking them on a deep playoff run.

Yeah, that's my opinion too. Marshawn Kneeland is a big time reach in round one. Roman Wilson is a good receiver and a reasonable value in round 2, but a near clone of Shakir and Samuel. The Bills are left with hoping Shorter, Hollins or Shavers can be a big time athletic receiver with size on the outside. The later rounds are OK I guess, except that Cody Schrader still doesn't get them a big change of pace running back who can give them tough yards in a short yardage situation. It's the first two rounds that make this mock a disaster for Buffalo.