2003Contenders Posted March 7, 2011 Posted March 7, 2011 If the Bills don't draft Newton in the first (thinking he's a franchise QB), then they should just absolutely forget about trying to find their "franchise" QB of the future in this draft. Newton looks like the only one who has the chance to be. Kaepernick will take years before he could reach Fitzpatrick's level of play today. So to me, that's just throwing away a second round pick that could be used for a very good to great starting OG, DT, LB, OT. Agreed about the QBs in this year's draft. Unless they see a genuine upgrade over Fitzpatrick (and IMHO there are only maybe 3-4 such guys) in this year's draft, it would be foolish to waste an early pick on the position. The only caveat that I would add is that the Bills do need to address the QB situation somewhat. Since they have wisely appeared to put an end to the Brohm experiment, that leaves just Fitz and the developmental Levi Brown. What happens if Fitz goes down? That's why, in the last couple of rounds, I wouldn't mind them picking up a Frank Reich type (someone like McElroy), who is probably never going to be a starter but is polished and savvy enough to be a quality backup from day one.
tennesseeboy Posted March 7, 2011 Posted March 7, 2011 We should help our team the best way we can with our draft, starting with the number 3 pick. The five "franchise" label name players seem to be Derius, Quinn, Peterson, Fairly, and AJ Green. Since there are three defensive linemen and defensive line is our major weakness, I suspect we will pick one of them. Moving down and getting a Von Miller type of player at the mid round would be great if we can couple that with an extra second and third rounder. Lots of options here.
Alphadawg7 Posted March 7, 2011 Posted March 7, 2011 Agreed about the QBs in this year's draft. Unless they see a genuine upgrade over Fitzpatrick (and IMHO there are only maybe 3-4 such guys) in this year's draft, it would be foolish to waste an early pick on the position. The only caveat that I would add is that the Bills do need to address the QB situation somewhat. Since they have wisely appeared to put an end to the Brohm experiment, that leaves just Fitz and the developmental Levi Brown. What happens if Fitz goes down? That's why, in the last couple of rounds, I wouldn't mind them picking up a Frank Reich type (someone like McElroy), who is probably never going to be a starter but is polished and savvy enough to be a quality backup from day one. I would argue that the FO sees a need for a QB more than you and some posters think and view several guys as prospects with the potential to be an upgrade. They have publicly showed support for Fitz while still noting they need to find a franchise guy. They use the excuse that they love Fitz, but he is getting up there in age and want to find a guy who can be the man for the next 10 years. If anyone buys that I have some magic beans for sale you should look at. 1. Fitz is only 28...he is young enough to be the man for at least the next 8 to 10 years in todays NFL if they really thought he could play at that level. 2. In comparison, Rodgers is 27...does anyone believe for a second that the GB FO after next season is going to start saying they need to draft his heir apparent because Rodgers will be getting up there in age? I mean to say a 28 year old QB is not young enough to be a long term solution is ridiculous. So, while they publicly praise Fitz, its pretty clear its to keep from rattling his cage too much because no HC of GM is going to be considering using a high draft pick on a team with so many holes on a QB if they believe in their 28 year old QB. I am sure some Fitz die hard is going to flame this too, but a little common sense indicates the FO doesn't believe Fitz to be someone who can be the man for this franchise, otherwise QB would not be in play anywhere in the first 4 rounds of this draft. Anything is possible, but I fully expect a QB to be chosen in the first 2 rounds. Cam, Gabbert, Mallet, Ponder, Locker, and Kaepernick are all prospects with high cielings and if they can reach their potential would be upgrades over Fitz (but like any prospect, there is no guarantee they will). Each come with their own amount risk, but I believe one of these guys will be on this roster come 2011 TC.
PromoTheRobot Posted March 7, 2011 Posted March 7, 2011 QB in the 3rd. Either Kaepernick, Mallet, Ponder or McEvoy. PTR
ddaryl Posted March 7, 2011 Posted March 7, 2011 I don't like a QB in the 2nd, I don't see the point. would yo rather we draft a 2nd round talent QB at #3.... all of the QB talent in this draft is 2nd rd talent
Orton's Arm Posted March 7, 2011 Posted March 7, 2011 Rounds 3 and beyond are pretty hard to predict as there are so many surprise slips and players taken surprisingly high once you get the first 2 rounds done. But as far as your first 2 picks go, I would be quite pleased with Quinn and Kaepernick 1 and 2. Quinn, Bowers, Fairley, Dareus all will make me happy from a defensive stand point, and there are things I like and dislike about each, so neither one of them is really an over whelming favorite in my book. That being said Quinn is probably my least fav or the 4 because he comes with more risk, but not by an overwhelming amount. I would also be ok with Gabbert or Newton at 3, but since Ponder, Mallet, Locker, and Kaepernick could be available in the 2nd and I see as much potential and risk in them as I do Gabbert and Newton, I would prefer D first, QB second. If we go QB at 3, then would like to see D front 7 in the 2nd of course. I agree with most of what you've written, and I think we have the same overall philosophical approach. But there are a couple points of difference: How well a quarterback handles the mental aspects of the game is, to me, of vital importance. Before I'd even consider a QB at third overall, I'd need to see strong evidence that he's going to be very good at handling the mental aspects of the game. I just haven't seen that evidence with Newton. Even if the Bills were to take a QB like Gabbert, or some other non-defensive front 7 player in the first round, they could easily justify taking a RT in the second. RT is as big a need on this team as any. Then I assume they'd go with an ILB in the third. That would give them a starting LB corps of Moats and Merriman on the outside, and Poz and the third rounder on the inside. I realize the defensive front-7 needs more than just that. But it's not like the Bills are going to eliminate all their holes in a single draft. If Merriman proves a disappointment in 2011, then the Bills would go into the 2012 draft looking for an OLB, as well as at least one upgrade for their defensive line.
3rdand12 Posted March 7, 2011 Posted March 7, 2011 (edited) You guys are getting a respectable dialogue going. I hope we wait till three for Kaepernick? or my choice Ponder even better. I agree we should not go for one our second pick this draft. Fitz knows the deal and Chan is a strait shooter i think, maybe Nix likes to spin the wheels a little. Fitz IS the man going into this season because they are not going FA to pick a QB up. Fitz knows he is going have to become a teacher in time. Just not how soon. So he should be pretty well motivated. I dont think thats a worry of him just a bonus. I am not a Matthews fan yet. And there is alot of depth right about that time so we need biggest meanest at ILB. But the front, the big fellas, should be our focus should be starting there and working towards the dbs. Its tough because we do not know at all about Merriman but if we get one of those pass rushing Ends available it may not matter much. So my order would be Dareus, ilb, Ponder, pass DE, some more depth at db because as mentioned Mcgee is not his former self and McKelvin struggled on big plays last year. We need to fill some other areas. I am not quite sure how we will look at the guard position if Wood stays at center! Moving hangman over or into rotation But i was hoping for FA TE and a RT. Could Bell move to right if we found a better option at left tackle? You folks have covered a lot of ground in these 10 or so pages and a good bit to consider. Edited March 7, 2011 by 3rdand12
Alphadawg7 Posted March 8, 2011 Posted March 8, 2011 I agree with most of what you've written, and I think we have the same overall philosophical approach. But there are a couple points of difference: How well a quarterback handles the mental aspects of the game is, to me, of vital importance. Before I'd even consider a QB at third overall, I'd need to see strong evidence that he's going to be very good at handling the mental aspects of the game. I just haven't seen that evidence with Newton. Even if the Bills were to take a QB like Gabbert, or some other non-defensive front 7 player in the first round, they could easily justify taking a RT in the second. RT is as big a need on this team as any. Then I assume they'd go with an ILB in the third. That would give them a starting LB corps of Moats and Merriman on the outside, and Poz and the third rounder on the inside. I realize the defensive front-7 needs more than just that. But it's not like the Bills are going to eliminate all their holes in a single draft. If Merriman proves a disappointment in 2011, then the Bills would go into the 2012 draft looking for an OLB, as well as at least one upgrade for their defensive line. I actually pretty much agree with most of what you just said. The things you havent seen in Newton are the same things I worry about to, which is why I wouldnt love the pick, but I still wouldnt hate it just because of his upside. I totally agree that RT is as big of a need as any, but like you said, you cant fill all the holes in one draft. So, if they go QB at 3, then they probably BPA at another hole like DE or RT. If they go defensive front 7 at 3, then I think they grab a QB in the 2nd if there is still one available they like that high...if not then the lines on either side of the ball are probably where they go.
Pass the Pipe Posted March 8, 2011 Posted March 8, 2011 the Buffalo Bills select: Patrick Peterson, cornerback LSU! I am surprised this is not getting more run, best player in the draft, large body of work, special team sensation, Terrence McGee wrong side of 30, Drayton Florence walk away FA, Youboty FA, McKelvin not a lock down corner & turnover specialist, and management seems to love their young defensive linemen drafted last year? I heard Buddy mention deep deep linemen/pass rushing depth in the draft. I almost think this is a lock.
RunOJRun Posted March 8, 2011 Posted March 8, 2011 Here's my prediction... The Bills will drop jaws throughout the NFL when, at the direction of Ralph Wilson, they draft BYU sensation Jimmer Fredette with the #3 pick. Wilson will cite Fredette's ability to put points on the board, strong moral character, leadership qualities, and upstate New York roots as the reasons for the pick. Wilson, of course, has no idea that Fredette is actually a basketball player.
DUTE Posted March 8, 2011 Posted March 8, 2011 This may be the lamest post i have ever seen. Are you trying to be funny? Well obviously you were attempting to be so let me be the first to tell you that you failed miserably.
AReed Deep For 7 Posted March 8, 2011 Posted March 8, 2011 This may be the lamest post i have ever seen. Are you trying to be funny? Well obviously you were attempting to be so let me be the first to tell you that you failed miserably. +1
Phil Hansen Forever Posted March 8, 2011 Posted March 8, 2011 This may be the lamest post i have ever seen. Are you trying to be funny? Well obviously you were attempting to be so let me be the first to tell you that you failed miserably. At last a sane response to dumb ass postings.
White Linen Posted March 8, 2011 Posted March 8, 2011 I think the Bills could pick Peterson or Green. Not saying that would be a surprise in regards to those players being worthy of going that high, but rather a surprise that the Bills would actually do it, considering their desperate needs in other areas. But I think it is entirely possible.
Bronc24 Posted March 8, 2011 Posted March 8, 2011 FAIL. The fact I am contributing to this thread makes me physically ill.
Astrobot Posted March 8, 2011 Posted March 8, 2011 I think AJ Green or Julio Jones would be the biggest surprise. Going with an offensive player when you have a stable full of pretty strong players at that position would surprise me. Just like last year with CJ Spiller. Cam Newton would be a surprise pick at #3; we have him at #15 on our new Big Board with Gabbert #11. I could see a trade-down, but that would surprise me, too. I think the least chancy pick is Peterson, followed by Von Miller (admittedly at a more needy position), followed by Cameron Jordan.
coldstorage5 Posted March 9, 2011 Posted March 9, 2011 he'll be better, than Flowers, Mccargo, Tuttle,.. the list goes on
OldTimer1960 Posted March 9, 2011 Posted March 9, 2011 the Buffalo Bills select: Patrick Peterson, cornerback LSU! I am surprised this is not getting more run, best player in the draft, large body of work, special team sensation, Terrence McGee wrong side of 30, Drayton Florence walk away FA, Youboty FA, McKelvin not a lock down corner & turnover specialist, and management seems to love their young defensive linemen drafted last year? I heard Buddy mention deep deep linemen/pass rushing depth in the draft. I almost think this is a lock. Great, we can put Peterson, Spiller and McKelvin back for KO and punt returns and have the best return potential ever in the NFL. And they'll need it after giving up 200 yards rushing per game again this year. Nobody will ever know if Peterson can cover anyone as no offense will be foolish enough to abandon gouging the Bills run defense and dominating time of possession on the way to easy wins. Seriously, I don't know if Peterson is the best player in the draft or just a very athletic over-size CB who will end up having to move to safety and a good KR. Whatever, without being able to stop the run or generate a pass rush, the Bills could put the best 4 DBs in the history of the NFL back there and continue to get toasted every week.
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