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I disagree on Collins, he’s a hammer. He is strong enough to shed blocks from the OL and can disengage quickly. Would be a huge improvement over Edmunds in run support. You bump Edmunds into Milano’s old spot and let him cover. This may not be the thought process of Beane, I’m just thinking out loud. Won’t pretend to act like I know what OBD is thinking.

No but I am 100% convinced the Bills are 100% committed to Edmunds at MIKE. I am also not as sold on Collins as a guy who can come in and play MLB day 1 either. He is talented but that would be a big adjustment.

I don’t think that they see any problem with Edmunds continuing at MLB...after already investing three years in him there...and I just can’t see them moving him to make another player they drafted fit in.... If they pick Collins they will be making him fit into another position that isn’t MLB... Just my view ...

A few people have said this here but it’s wishful thinking in my view.. it’s never even been hinted at as a possibility by McBeane.... talking about Edmunds switching

Jabril moves like a gazelle and he hits hard. Could you imagine? Edmunds is 6’5 250lbs and then we add Jabril who is 6’4 230lbs. That’s a lot of size and speed in our front seven. I think he’s a mid 2nd to early 3rd round prospect, he will go early 3rd at the latest. Whatever issues he has I think McDermott can help him through it. He’s very fast and can hit hard. Think if we could add a hybrid LB/S in rounds 3-5 on top of adding a player like Jabril we’d be in good shape.

That would be ideal but I have my doubts that the Bills want to move Edmunds

Zaven Collins would take over as the MLB, Edmunds would be bumped outside.

I won't argue on Edmunds, to me with his size he always read to me SLB not MLB. Either way we agree we need better pass rushers, it's just a matter of how we do it. I think we need 1 as I think Addison and Hughes are solid options but missing another guy.

Hardy was a freak of nature. #1 overall pick kinda' physical talent. Charles Johnson was also a stud player in his 24-28 year old range. The Panthers got them with 6th and 3rd round picks, respectively. Roughly the same range the Bills have used picks on Bam Johnson and AJ Epenesa. I think both of those guys can improve but not likely to see them become much like that pair. I do think they've been uncharacteristically unfortunate the way the pass rusher cookie has crumbled for them.........but they also mishandled Edmunds, IMO.......he should have been an edge guy from the start. Maybe their over-confidence that they could fill the position like they did in Carolina came into play in decisions but in general I think they've had some misfortune there. You gotta' get right in front of him though because reportedly he can't turn his head.

I think every draft is different though. This draft in particular there doesn't appear to be great depth, especially at positions of need for the Bills. Also with covid restrictions on the 2020 college season, the combine, and player meetings, scouting the mid-rounds is a lot harder than usual. And it is unlikely in any draft that you'll get a player at #30 that you have a 1st round grade one. So it's a matter of value. Let's say a player that Beane has a 1st round grade on drops to #25, and he has to give up our low 3rd round pick to get him. Would you rather have one player with a 1st round grade, or two players with a 2nd round grade and a borderline 3rd/4th round grade? It isn't as clear cut as "more picks give you more chances." If you give a player a 1st round grade it's because you believe he can impact the team from day 1 and become a franchise cornerstone player. If you trust your scouting you should always value that type of player more than 2 players that you just see as moderate contributors. Of course the risk comes from the fact that if you trade up you HAVE to be right about the player. Trading up for Edmunds doesn't look too good in retrospect because he hasn't shown that he can definitively be a franchise cornerstone which is what you expect from your 1st round players.

Be surprised, be very surprised. We get this every single year, though it's usually only a few people and at a different position every year. A couple years ago there were some who thought we should go 1 and 2 at WR. People have said this before at LB, they've said it before at Edge ... it just goes on and on. Yet it never happens, and for good reason. I mean, every once in a while a stupid team does it, but not the Bills and certainly not this smart FO. It doesn't make sense. And this year far less than ever. Too many needs, too few chances in terms of money and picks to address those needs. And it's nonsense that Edmunds played decent at best. He played poorly early when he was injured and he played very well once he got better. And yeah, Mahomes really made him look bad. We should trade for one of those LBs who don't look bad against Mahomes, like, like um ... well, like nobody really. I guess you could say Devin White, but though he did look good, an awful lot of that was simply how well the DL was pressuring the QB. Mahomes with time makes everyone look bad, everyone. If we get rid of Milano, the odds on getting rid of Edmunds become miniscule, and they're low already, absent regression or injury or that kind of thing. Some fans here don't like Edmunds but the Bills love him and that's the bottom line.

I agree that it's unlikely that we go LB 1 and 2, but I wouldn't be surprised if we did (if Milano walks). McDs defense depends so heavily on LBs and I just don't see beane and mcd paying big money for edmunds that played decent at best this year, and got absolutely toyed with by mahomes. We will have to get Milanos replacement this year, and we could bring up edmunds replacement as well. Going into 2022 with two solid LBs on cheap rookie deals, instead of having to exercise edmunds or pay premium for a FA.

Edmunds is as good and the same age as any baker. They paid Milano. Buffalo plays nickel more than any team. I dont see that changing. Edge, Cb, pass catcher in that order imo rd 1.

Pass rusher has been our number 1 need since the AFC championship game and McD said it himself - And we have basically punted during free agency since the elite pass rushers were too rich for us - we did get Obada, but how much of an impact he is going to have is to be seen (I am excited to see what he can do). That means basically it is one of two positions that every observer from here to Timbuctoo expects the Bills to target in the draft (the other being CB 2). Josh Allen basically admitted as much when he said he expects the Bills to go defense heavy in the draft. I have basically 3 Edge Rushers - Kwity Paye, Greg Rousseau and Jaelan Phillips in some detail (I also looked at Jayson Oweh and Azeez Ojulari is somewhat less detail) - and here are my pre-draft thoughts on their relative strengths and weaknesses. These 3 have been the consensus first rounders for over a year now. Kwity Paye appears to have the highest floor and I love his refugee story and he will be a pretty safe pick - but I have concerns about his ceiling. I think he is a slightly more powerful Shaq Lawson without any shoulder issues that derailed Lawson's rookie campaign. He gets in position for run blocks pretty well - but on the flip side he does get blocked easily despite being in position. He plays a lot lighter than his stated 261 lb weight. My biggest concern about him is that he gets faked too often (like Edmunds on his rookie campaign)- I think he will be a bit of a liability in the run game. He is an athletic freak and keeps fighting to win against the Olineman (so has a great motor). But he does not appear to have an overpowering first move trait that will lead to quick wins at the LOS. And you want a first rounder to not just hold his own but dominate at least once in a while. I usually pay more attention to 10 yard split timings than the 40 yard dash and he was a trifle slow at 1.66 secs. Here is one highlight video Jaelan Phillips is another athletic freak. He has all the right measurables and had an outstanding 2020 campaign with 7 sacks in just 10 games. He has an explosive first step and a decent motor. I thought speed was a weakness till he ran a 1.59 10 yard split on his pro-day. The only red flag is the medical history. He is young and I am not worried about his wrist injury - looks to have healed well. But concussions are another animal altogether. If it was serious enough for him to quit football (and come back ofc), I am worried. IF medical issues are not a concern - he is the clear no. 1 choice. But the concussion history is real. McD's familiarity with Manny Diaz will hopefully help in the Bills getting some insider info on the medicals - but no coach can ethically say anything bad about his player - so I dont know. Here are his highlights! Drool away. Greg Rousseau was a consensus top 10 (maybe top 5) pick after the 2019 season. And he has not played a game since then and more importantly has no injury concerns. You dont get 15.5 sacks in a P5 conference by accident folks. That too after becoming a starter only 5 games into the season. First - the guy is a legit 6'6" with an 83 inch wingspan - see how many times the offensive player thinks he has eluded Rousseau - but still gets run down. That is the wingspan showing - you cant acquire it. Dont get fooled by his slow 40 yard time - that is pretty useless for a D lineman. His 10 yard split was a scorching 1.57 secs. That tells you how quickly he can get off his blocks. And Rousseau has the best motor of all three guys. Several of his sacks are where he actually chases guys down. Let us see Mahomes try to run away from him. And dont knock him for opting out. It was the smart decision given the uncertainty of the college season at the time. He makes immediate money for his family, does not risk injury and still gets drafted early. Coming to the reason the pundits (like PFF) are bailing on him 🙄. His pro day performance across the board - yes his 40 time was slow but that is a useless drill at his position. He bench pressed 21 times - and that is actually fantastic given his nearly 35 inch arms! He also has 11 inch hands to grab the QB and hold on. The broad jump and vertical jump are again completely useless for a Dlineman. The only drill that should cause concern is the 3-cone - which actually does speak to his bending and change of direction ability. He knocked the obstacle down on his first two tries and then was clocked a slow 7.5 on his third attempt. Anyone would be slow running a third time. Even if he is bad on that drill relative to his peers - the game tape doesnt lie. The guy has amazing bend. Apparently he did put on some weight in 2020 - but a summer of conditioning with the Bills staff and he will be in top shape come September. I am a bit old school - I think of every combine standout as Mike Mamula and rely more on game tape. He has the highest ceiling of the three. Take Montez Sweat and JPP and mix them up and you get Rousseau. What is there not to like? Dont believe the pundits on this one and seize the opportunity. Bottomline: My pick order would be 1. Greg Rousseau 2. Jaelan Phillips 3. Kwity Paye. If the Bills are convinced Phillips' medicals are not worrisome - I dont mind going 1. Phillips 2. Rousseau and 3. Paye. Phillips has the best burst and Rousseau the best motor. If I am worried about Brady / Brees like QBs who get rid of the ball early - I'd go Phillips. If I am worried about the Wilson / Mahomes / Allen / Lamar type, I go Rousseau. Or jsut wait till one is taken and trade up to take the other. These two guys are elite talents who would likely have gone top 10 in a normal year. It is time to shoot the moon folks! We have a decent line but, as McD observed, we need difference makers - not just decent players. And these two are difference makers - way more than Kwity Paye. The offensive draft strength (OLs, QBs, WRs) in 2021 gives us a shot at one of these two (at least one should be there at 20+) and we should trade up to get him.

He only started his final year in college but he was a heavy part of the rotation before that. I mean maybe that is what the Bills thought but to me Epenesa was a high floor, relatively average ceiling guy though. I don't put him in that Edmunds, Allen, Oliver category at all. Look at their RAS profiles (Relative Athletic Score) ie. how athletically gifted are they compared to their peers at the position (it's out of 10). Allen - 9.67 Edmunds - 9.74 Oliver - 9.87 Epenesa - 4.09 Not disagreeing with your premise that they like athletic freak types in the first round, but Epenesa doesn't belong in that conversation.

As I recall, the story on Epenesa was that he had limited reps in college, and was not polished at his position, but had natural ability, especially in his upper body, and hands. He had a talent for throwing opponents off balance, and using chop moves, and such to take away an offensive lineman's leverage. Or something like that. But I think, like Allen, and Edmunds, they saw high potential in a less polished player. Maybe a better way of looking at it is that, in their earlier draft picks, they're placing a higher priority on the ceiling than the floor?

I have Oweh at #53. He is polarizing. I am record elsewhere as to my concerns with him. I can imagine Beane and McDermott liking him... what it comes down to for me is there could still be a lot of options at edge left on the board they might feel they can get one later. On Epenesa not sure I'd say he has any special athleticism. He was drafted on his production I think. Allen, Edmunds, Oliver... yes athletic traits were big in those picks and I agree the Bills value them. Just not sure Epenesa quite fits that mould.

Interesting. Out of curiosity, where do you have Oweh on your board? Because I wonder if Beane/McD don't have him higher than you (or most) would, and I'm just saying that based on their draft history. Josh Allen, Edmunds, Epenesa-- all drafted high on their merits of athleticism, and potential, but with limited experience, or pro-ready ability. It seems to me that Oweh fits that mold precisely.

Alas, Beane will NOT return my phone calls, so I will live with the picks they make. As long as the pick is not a RB, I'll prob be ok with the pick as we are pretty loaded. I was estatic w/ the Josh Allen and Edmunds picks, not very happy w/ the Ed Oliver pick, and thought we paid a little too much for Diggs (compared to the Hopkins trade) but wanted to get Diggs. So I've been happy with most all our first round picks (or trade for that player). Yes, I trust this front office. With the draft and the bargain bin pickups that Beane have worked out.... this dude is on top of it.

Beane’s saving grace is that he nailed the Josh Allen pick, outside of that his drafts have been mediocre, but because he found our franchise QB, that alone makes him a good GM. Outside of Gabe Davis, what has he really done? Many of his other picks were mediocre. Not only that, outside of Josh Allen, Wyatt Teller was his second best pick and he was traded away for nothing. Jury is out on Epenesa and Oliver, but it looks like Ford was a miss as well. Some of his other picks are decent but not great, Edmunds is probably the most divisive player on the team. Moss, Singletary, Knox, Harry and Taron Johnson are all solid players but not homeruns by any stretch of the imagination. I would not question Beane’s job security however, but honestly, once again, outside of Allen his drafts have been mediocre. I do trust him 100% though in the sense that I am aware of the fact that he knows far more about football than I’ll ever know, but many of his picks have been underwhelming objectively speaking.

Man, I really Hope we trade Edmunds today. Okay not really, but it comes up in just about every post so I figured what the heck. I love draft day & have for a long time regardless of where the Bills pick because I absolutely love football. It's pretty cool to see the reactions of the draftees, the fans and the talking heads and consequently I find some of the most annoying sports people to be those that go out of their way to say "DERRRR I don't care about the stupid draft!!!!". On a different note...what network are all of you going to be watching for draft coverage? I'm a little town because I actually sort of like Mel Kiper but really can't handle Chris Berman (not even sure if he's going to be part of it) so I think I will opt for the NFL network. Can't go wrong with Rich Eisen, even though he's a Jets fan 😉

What does this have to do with bashing Edmunds?

An Edmunds bash. You’re surprised?

Aqib Talib is pretty good when he has a good guest but he needs to check his facts. He said that the Palmer brothers were probably last pair of brothers playing together in NFL - Two brothers, brothers of Tremaine Edmunds, currently play for Steelers.

Werner would accidentally solve all of the Bills’ problems. He’s the instinctive Mike that would force them to kick Edmunds outside, where Tre would become a 10-15 sack guy easy. All of a sudden you’ve got a killer defense.