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You actually think this kid at 215,soaking wet, will set an edge better than 245 lb Edmunds. Kiper said on the coverage that once someone gets inside his pads, he's toast. He's got good instincts and a good motor, but he's got to get into the weight room.

Last year, a bad punter did indeed hurt them, probably cost them home field, maybe even a championship. Hence the draft pick. I'm going to take a little solace in what Beane said about competition, and while it might be boilerplate, and necessary to say it, I think between the lines Beane and McD know what cost them last year and where they need to improve and they've been doing exactly that: from coaching (OL, ST) to pass rush (#40) to cornerback (1st rounder). Except of course Edmunds

Thanks. Good explanation. I agree about the Keuchle-Edmunds comparison; there is no comparison. Keuchle was a classic middle linebacker against the run (not a Butkus, but a guy who could plug the line between the tackles, as well as being a solid asset in pass defense. Edmunds is better in the passing game, but not the force in the middle. The question is how much the wave will turn toward running. I don't think it will turn too much. Baseball, basketball, and football are big businesses trying to create a successful product to put on TV. Baseball is struggling because the game has evolved in a way that makes the product worse on TV, and they're tinkering with the game to try to solve that problem. Basketball has figured out that three point shots and letting little guys fly around the court is a good TV product. And the NFL clearly understands that the elegance of the passing game sells better than Alan Ameche plowing up the middle. The NFL wants more games like 13 seconds, with explosive plays, so I can't see them letting the running game become dominant again. I think we see that in the run on receivers in the draft. All those little fast guys are receivers, not running backs. You'd need a lot of rule changes to make it better for offenses to deploy all those guys as running backs. I think where that trend is going is toward more Deebos. I think that's clearly what McBeane were thinking in this draft. Cook is a Deebo-type - not so powerful, but a guy who truly can play both running back and receiver and hurt you at either position. And I think they see Bernard as a Deebo-defender, a guy they can put on the field who can play both run defense and pass defense - if the Bills are playing the Niners and Bernard is on the field, McDermott's defense will be able to adjust and matchup okay, wherever Deebo lines up. That's who Poyer, Hyde and White are, that's who Milano is, that's who Johnson is, but all of those guys are more one than the other. Bernard and Cook are more like true two-position players.

I agree with what you are saying, I was simply responding to the fact we don’t see the same D scheme from Carolina where the MLB would set an edge and the others would run to the ball because Edmunds gets trucked every time he takes on a lineman. I agree, I don’t think that’s the D that’s been built here and I don’t think this D will be the right one for the future as the wave turns towards running again, but for now, it serves to slow down the pass.

I think you and have McDermott have a different vision. McDermott's vision is to put as many fast, attacking players on the field as possible. That's who Poyer and Hyde are. That's who Edmunds and Milano are. That's who Rousseau is. He's not worried that his guys aren't monsters - he wants guys who can cover space and attack all over the field. McDermott wants a team full of McDermotts - undersized over-achievers. I remember what Mike Tomlin said about being a receiver on a team that had McDermott at defensive back. He hated practicing against McDermott, because he was just so damned tenacious, all the time. I think that's what McDermott sees in Bernard. Bernard may be McDermott's defensive coordinator in ten years.

Again, Bernard allowed ZERO touchdowns in 983 career coverage snaps. He also had 16 sacks and is considered an excellent blitzer. If the Bills go to more 4-3 sets they'll be better versus the run and it's unlikely he'll be a liability versus the pass. As for playing time besides playing in 4-3 sets he'll also backup both Edmunds who has missed 4 games in 4 seasons and Milano who has missed 11 games in 5 seasons. He'll be on the field plenty.

I think there's a lot more logic that went into it than you say, but there's a part of me that agrees with you on the result. What I've said about the draft was it was a B, with some great upside and some real downside. I don't think you can be sure that you're right in what you say, but you describe the real downside possibilities of this draft - that the Bills got a decent corner in the first round and no long-term starters after that, except maybe a punter. The class has a look that is very different previous Beane drafts, and I've wondered if that was by design or because Beane guessed wrong and things fell badly. I say there's more logic because I think what happened is sort of what Beane described. He had one first round talent left on his board, and it was coincidentally at a position of need, so he did the sure thing, traded up, and got the corner. What that did, however, was hamstring in the second and third round, because that fourth pick was what would have let him make a more dramatic move in the second round for a full-time starter prospect, maybe a lineman or a receiver. Instead, stuck at the end of the second with no practical way to move up (he has said he doesn't like trading future picks), he didn't see any really good starter value. So, he traded back, which is the right thing to do if you don't like the value on the board. Now, you say that Cook was a high third value, and I simply don't get into discussions with people about what the actual value of prospects is. You say third, but Beane certainly could have had him as a low second. The guy certainly seems like a perfect fit for the Bills offense, so he might very well have been valued highly for that reason. And although I see him this season as a situational back, he has some characteristics that suggest he could be a full-time starter before too long. Getting a guy in the second round who wins the starting job is always a good pick. Then, you come to Bernard, which is where I think your argument fails. You say Beane panicked in this draft, but taking Bernard was the opposite of someone panicking. Beane's pick seems to have surprised everyone, and that could have happened only if Bernard was their BPA. If the first two picks had, in Beane's mind, gone badly and he panicked, the panic move would have been reaching for player at a position of need, reaching for an OG or a receiver, like reaching for Shakir. Beane says he would have taken Shakir in the fourth, and if he panicked, he would have taken him in the third. Instead, he took a guy who was on no one's radar, and I think that can only mean that the Bills see a role for Bernard that is bigger than would appear from his draft profiles. Maybe they see him as a five-year captain of the special teams. I think they see him as a situational linebacker in the 4-3, a defense I think they'd like to run more. Why? Because if a trend toward more running hasn't begun, last season at least seemed like the end of the more-passing trend. Several teams drove their offense with good running balanced with good passing, and going with a 4-2 base defense left the Bills exposed to the run. And if Bernard really works out, maybe he takes Milano's job and MIlano moves to the middle, ending the Edmunds era (or the MIlano era). I don't know what the plan is, but it's pretty clear to me that the Bills have something in mind for Bernard that is more than a spot player role. I can't say I'm as enthused about Shakir as some, but we'll see. And I agree, nothing much happened beyond him, although I'm intrigued that the Bills may see a future safety in Benford. If Beane found a 2023 or 2024 starting safety deep in the 2022 draft, that would be a big win. But that's pure speculation at this point. So, I don't think Beane panicked. I think there was solid thinking behind what he did. However, this draft could end up being as disappointing as you describe. This is the first Beane draft that has the potential of being a largely empty draft.

Step one, have a LB who can actually set the edge, Edmunds gets tossed like a rag doll.

I’d agree with this. I think the depth of the roster is grossly overstated to be honest. The offense is good and the WRs have looked good because you have Allen covering flaws. If Diggs misses time, I think the O is in trouble. Maybe Davis is ready to step into the spot light, but we don’t know. He hasn’t taken the #1 role and proven it doesn’t matter who you put in him like Diggs has. I think there were quality guys that could have been taken in the second, frankly I thought they should have gone up a couple spots and secured McBryde as he was coming down the board. Knox is going to command big money next season and I would have been looking at a short term up grade, long term replacement scenario, the depth at TE is thin. There was line help available and LBs that made sense too. Reaching for a RB was not a good play. I don’t really agree Hall was the only one they could want, but I didn’t see any point in drafting Cook, you have the same skill set on the roster in Duke Williams and you saw the market value of it in McKissic, why spend a second on that? Totally agree on the throw away pick at OL, the guy has next to zero chance of making the practice squad, seemed like another complete waste. You should go BPA unless there is a glaring hole to fill with a player that’s nearly equal. They didn’t, they haven’t, and it’s hurt a lot. This regime has forced pick after pick for need, it needs to stop and people need to quit believing Beane is drafting BPA, he’s not. From his very first draft he has forced picks to fill holes, even Allen was a forced pick, obviously that was a great one, but then Edmunds to fill their LB scheme, to Ford, to Oliver etc. they have gone with intentions to fill holes, not just take the best talent, that’s how you end up missing great players.

I agree there were not OL standing out in round 2. As for round 3.... that is one of my issues. They clearly did have at least some level of interest in Parham - he had a top 30 visit here. They also knew surely in doing that his likely draft range was early 3rd to early 4th. I caveat this with I have not seen Bernard play. Maybe he is so outstanding and was so much higher on their board that they had to take him.... but looking at impact now amd going forward... maybe both are backups in year 1. But Saffold and Edmunds are both FAs so maybe both could potentially have a route to be starters in year 2. So with those things being equal their instinct is ties go to the defensive player. That does frustrate me somewhat.

another reason I couldn’t give it an A. We did not get an Edmunds replacement B+ is good.

Ideally the DT gets him. Edmunds gets lost so much that I could see the OP’s position being a backup plan or the plan until Edmunds is replaced. He’s just not a difference maker and between him and Knox next year, I’m keeping Knox.

I think the plan at TE is the Texas A&M UDFA guy with the 1 RAC score. If he actually plays well, he will be here next year. If not, we have OJ and Knox for now, and can draft OJ replacement and likely resign Knox. The Edmunds plan confuses me. The lack of IOL is concerning.

I would love to see some 4-3 under sets with Edmunds as the SAM setting the edge on the line and Milano and Bernard running to the football. Used to be a staple for the them in Carolina but have not seen it much here.

Could be true. We didn’t have a 4th though, so we would’ve had to trade picks next season or the rest of our picks to trade up. He may have been gambling that one of the Pass catchers slid. Of the 7 picks prior to 57, Thornton, Pickens, Pierce, Moore and Mcbride went. There’s definitely a chance that he thought one would slide to us and he wouldn’t have had to give up any picks. A roll of the dice. Edmunds- I figured they’d let him play out the season and see what happens. That looks like the plan, unless they extend him. considering the selection of Bernard, Is Milano capable of playing inside? That’s the real question? If so, maybe that the plan. Watching them llay, both Milano and Bernard are better in coverage and rushing the passer. Edmunds is better vs the run imo. Can Milano become better vs the run and man the middle? Idk. Bernard seems like a nice situational coverage/blitzing Lb as a rookie.

Maybe blindly, but I trust Beane. I agree with your recap except for the concerns about the run on receivers. My opinion is, if Beane thought any of them were worth getting, he would have made the move to get them. The only thing that surprised me was the lack of TE and MLB drafting. I only say this because they met with a ton of them before the draft. The Edmunds plan remains and enigma to me.

We are in a tough spot with Poyer. We have something like 30 contracts expiring after the season and 6 of them are starters. Estimates are next years cap is $225M and the Bills only have $9M in space before rookie contracts. We should get some cap relief after the 2023 season, but we may have some casualties to navigate it. Think this is where trading Edmunds becomes the most beneficial. Sure having $12M available now is great. But if we can also roll that over to next year. Trading Edmunds now could tie down Knox and Poyer next offseason. Otherwise I would like to not risk the change on what we are all hoping is a special season.

They certainly have a theme with the type of players they prefer to pick. High character, hard workers, humble, team first, smart, etc. And they’re not afraid to look at a player not only for what he is now but what he can be with their training and coaching. I’m pretty psyched for Shakir. Like a lot of their other picks, I’m sure they’ll work him in slowly. Everything I’ve read about him sounds super positive. I saw scout quotes that thought he could go as high as mid-second round, but I also saw scout quotes that said he was completely average at everything and the scout wouldn’t even consider him for a UDFA signing. Whatever, opinions are all over the place this year. The main knocks I saw on him were the short arms and teams being unsure of how to best utilize his skill set. I mean, if those are really the only two things keeping you from adding this guy to your team then, I dunno, you’re kind of a dummy. It certainly appears he has enough positive traits to compensate for the areas he lacks in. Bernard is also intriguing. Super under the radar pick but he’s super smart, productive, if a little undersized. Beane will go for a player who has all the traits you want except elite size. I remember when they drafted Milano, he was like 6’0” 219 coming out of college and had played safety early on at BC. I thought he was too small to play linebacker but he’s been nothing but a perfect fit in this system and a solid player. Heck, the most athletically gifted player with elite physical tools (Edmunds) is the one that gets dragged non-stop by a lot of the online Bills fan community. Basically, if you’ve got the desire to get better along with the other traits I named above plus at least average athleticism, then you’ve got a chance to make it on the Bills roster. They’re gonna maximize what they already do well and do as much as they can to improve in the areas that most need it.

Did a good amount in the offseason on the offensive line and when bates mace his way into the starting lineup down the stretch they started playing great. We were one corner away from being the superbowl champs imo and we’ve gotta start getting prepared for edmunds’ exit as well.

The team is far from stacked at the OL. But its time to move on. Hopefully this kid can be the AJ Klein role on the cheap this year. Edmunds never leaves the field. I rag on him all the time, but the dude is durable and plays in every defensive alignment. He even lines up outside three or four snaps a game.

You also have to take into consideration what the teams look like now. Chiefs/Packers lost Hill/Adams. Our draft probably adds another two top 100 picks if we traded away Diggs. Last year I thought our Defense was a paper tiger. Above average, but not the #1 Defense. That was more a product of schedule than play on the field. This year… This might be the legit #1 Defense. Von-Jones-Oliver-Rousseau Epenesa-Phillips-Settle-Basham-Lawson Edmunds-Milano Bernard-Dodson Elam-Taron-White Jackson-Neal Poyer-Hyde Hamlin-Johnson That Defense, on paper, has absolutely absurd potential. Talent, depth, it has everything.

Left out the first part... BACKUP OR ROTATIONAL. If he's a backup, I would assume he would come in for Milano if he gets hurt. If he's rotational I would assume it was Edmunds he'd replace due to his cover skills or he could come in as the 3rd backer. Sorry I forgot I was on the internet, where people read/hear what they want to.

Why would we take Milano out ever? hes a 4 down linebacker and the best we have at the position. Edmunds should be coming out on passing downs, when he doesnt it kills us.

I did see his Sugar Bowl performance but didn't initially put the face (number) to the name. Saw him in a couple games through out the season last year and from that little exposure and seeing his measurables from the combine he's a Milano type of LB. High motor, all over the field, great athleticism. We won't know anything until we see how the Bills plan on utilizing him in their scheme. Is he a back up or rotational? Who does he come in for? Edmunds? Milano? 3rd backer? It will be interesting to watch this offseason. My hope is that he gives the staff enough that they feel they can move on from Edmunds, who has been mediocre his entire career and has yet to develop in the Kuchely type of MLB everyone swore he would.

I gave it a B+ because the team focused largely on positions of specific need. When you don't have a lot of big gaping talent holes, I think you can do this, and Beane did it in a measured manner. Elam - we needed an infusion of top end talent at the position, regardless of White's status for the beginning of the year Cook - again, adding talent to the room, especially on the pass catching side. Zach Moss was already two steps out the door, and we're not likely to give Singletary a big second contract either Bernard - LB was a sneaky need for this team and we needed an infusion of talent behind Edmunds & Milano. Ask yourself if you would want any of the ST depth guys behind those two playing significant snaps on defense this year... Shakir - different body type, but this feels like Gabe Davis 2.0. Great value for the draft position and can step in and contribute in many versatile ways Araiza - what more do we need to say except I never want to see Matt Haack in a Bills uniform ever again