Punch Posted April 11, 2014 Posted April 11, 2014 Fair enough, and that's good with me. But Witten, Gates, Julius Thomas, Jordan Cameron....can't all be wrong, right? Davis took years and a new HC to become what he is today and the others I just mentioned were 3rd or 4th rounders....if you would like, take a look at recent 1st round TEs and compare to what they put out versus those Drafted later.. Eifert and Pettigrew come to mind I think the TE position is going to continue attracting more 1st round attention as NFL offenses evolve--- we've already seen RBs drop out of the 1st entirely last year and likely again this year. It's not because there's no talent, it's because priorities change. Freakish athletes like Kellen Winslow Sr., Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates were anomalies but are now the type of football players being developed from an early age to play the position. I don't know if Ebron is as good as the hype, but I know most of the OTs drafted in the top 10 over the past decade have not justified their draft position. In a deep draft for OTs, I'd rather take one in the 2nd and trust Marrone's coaching ability.
BigBuff423 Posted April 11, 2014 Posted April 11, 2014 I think the TE position is going to continue attracting more 1st round attention as NFL offenses evolve--- we've already seen RBs drop out of the 1st entirely last year and likely again this year. It's not because there's no talent, it's because priorities change. Freakish athletes like Kellen Winslow Sr., Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates were anomalies but are now the type of football players being developed from an early age to play the position. I don't know if Ebron is as good as the hype, but I know most of the OTs drafted in the top 10 over the past decade have not justified their draft position. In a deep draft for OTs, I'd rather take one in the 2nd and trust Marrone's coaching ability. And that's fine, I'm not advocating for taking OT...I'm not against it either....but I am definitely against taking a TE in the 1st round and certainly in the top 10....and it's cool if we don't see things similarly, but Julius Thomas and Jordan Cameron were recent Draftees and Eifert was last year, and didn't do so well....about as expected for a Rookie, but that's kind of my point...otherwise, TEs just don't make that boom impact in their Rookie year, generally and even the extremely gifted TEs, ala Vernon Davis, take time and the right situation to truly flourish...but all in all....I've come to the point that last couple years, for the first time in a long time, I trust Whaley et. al. to know how to handle the Draft, and that's despite the question mark remaining re: EJ's development...so if they think Ebron or any other TE is worth a 1st round pick, then so be it...once that uniform is on, I'll root and rally for that player like they were my own kid....but can it freakin' be May 8th already???!!!
Punch Posted April 11, 2014 Posted April 11, 2014 And that's fine, I'm not advocating for taking OT...I'm not against it either....but I am definitely against taking a TE in the 1st round and certainly in the top 10....and it's cool if we don't see things similarly, but Julius Thomas and Jordan Cameron were recent Draftees and Eifert was last year, and didn't do so well....about as expected for a Rookie, but that's kind of my point...otherwise, TEs just don't make that boom impact in their Rookie year, generally and even the extremely gifted TEs, ala Vernon Davis, take time and the right situation to truly flourish...but all in all....I've come to the point that last couple years, for the first time in a long time, I trust Whaley et. al. to know how to handle the Draft, and that's despite the question mark remaining re: EJ's development...so if they think Ebron or any other TE is worth a 1st round pick, then so be it...once that uniform is on, I'll root and rally for that player like they were my own kid....but can it freakin' be May 8th already???!!! NFL GMs disagree with that thinking, that's my point. Julius Thomas and Jordan Cameron were both raw coming out of college, but it doesn't matter where TEs were drafted in the past--- it matters what NFL GMs think in 2014, which is based on where NFL offenses are trending. Personnel moves tend to follow those trends, which is why TEs will continue to move up in the draft. Year after year, there are more dynamic specimens developed in college. I agree, I will trust Whaley and company with however they've built their draft board.
SJDK Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 Ebron ran a 4.6, he doesn't block and he's not Vernon Davis
Buffalo13 Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 Not only is he considered to be clearly the best TE in this draft.. He is considered as one of the best we athletes in this draft. He is a match up nightmare the perfect advantage a 2nd year QB needs.... Ebron even give the Bills the flexibility to play two TE sets.... I continue to watch videos on him, and he has weaknesses but they can be coached up but his physical gifts and natural abilities CAN NOT... Example his ability to locate the ball in traffic. Elevating at the peak of the catch (he goes an gets it) Body Control ect... If We Pass on him we'll regret it Maybe. But I don't know if any team in the league regrets not taking Gronk in the top 10. Even Jimmy Graham. It's hard to pull the trigger on a TE in the top 10 even though times are changing. Also, with Ebron specifically, I question his physicality. He's an elite athlete but he's going to get banged around way more in the NFL than he did in college and I'm not sure that's the way he wants to play. I'm not saying I wouldn't take him or that I'd be pissed if we do, but I'd certainly be more nervous about him than one of the OTs.
Solomon Grundy Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 Jake Matthews and Troy Niklas would be a great addition to the Bills organization. May be a great addition to the community as well. They have been subjected to life in the NFL. If they don't have the opportunity to acquire them, I wouldn't be opposed to a combination of Barr/Mack and Jace Amaro. I'm still on the add a pass rush specialist kick and Amaro's skill set is similar to Ebron's. A bit raw, but can learn from Chandler, Moeaki .
Maury Ballstein Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 Reading this thread makes me wanna stay far away from Ebron at 9. Can't block....only scored 3 Td's.....college qb wasn't bad as some say jmo. Brynn Renner sleeper qb according to some outlets...should get drafted. Give me the Matthews/asj or niklas combo please. Anything but Lewan or Ebron early.
BuffaloFan68 Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 After the free agent moves we have made & reading a lot of mock drafts, I've come up with 2 conclusions. 1) the Bills will select Mosley in the first round to give us the best young LB group in the division & 2) Bucky Brooks is either clueless or trying to create a smoke screen.
#34fan Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 (edited) I'm becoming more and more at peace with the idea of a franchise tackle at #9. If a kid is truly good enough, then why not? Plus, for a team with needs, and an inexperieced coaching staff, this draft could become a total cluster#$%. -Take the tackle. Then go get your "big threat" receiver. If the staff does their research, it'll be hard to f#@ that combo up. TE can wait. A few solid TE's will be available in later rounds to UDFA. Too high bust potential for Eric Ebron to be taken with our #1 pick. Edited April 13, 2014 by #34fan
Coach Tuesday Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 I'm becoming more and more at peace with the idea of a franchise tackle at #9. If a kid is truly good enough, then why not? Plus, for a team with needs, and an inexperieced coaching staff, this draft could become a total cluster#$%. -Take the tackle. Then go get your "big threat" receiver. If the staff does their research, it'll be hard to f#@ that combo up. TE can wait. A few solid TE's will be available in later rounds to UDFA. Too high bust potential for Eric Ebron to be taken with our #1 pick. I'm starting to think Jake Matthews goes top 7, so take him out of the discussion. And I'm also starting to think that Bridgewater falls to 9. If that happens, we're in a prime trade-down position. Someone like, say, Arizona, who needs a young QB and could be willing to go up to 9 to get him.
thebandit27 Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 I'm starting to think Jake Matthews goes top 7, so take him out of the discussion. And I'm also starting to think that Bridgewater falls to 9. If that happens, we're in a prime trade-down position. Someone like, say, Arizona, who needs a young QB and could be willing to go up to 9 to get him. Just starting to think that? (J/k) If Matthews fell to 9, it would be an upset of grandiose proportions...and yes, the Bills would be ecstatic. Bridgewater is in for the Geno-style fall...maybe all the way out of round 1 IMO.
Buffaloed in Pa Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 Some people are finally getting the Ebron value right. No at nine. Same goes for Mosely. Did you watch his bowl game. Horrible. These two are not worth the ninth pick. Oh yeah Ebron has a lot of drops also.
thebandit27 Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 Some people are finally getting the Ebron value right. No at nine. Same goes for Mosely. Did you watch his bowl game. Horrible. These two are not worth the ninth pick. Oh yeah Ebron has a lot of drops also. Actually, many of us have felt this way for some time, and it doesn't mean that we're right. Time will prove Ebron's value, not our collective opinion. I mean, I still remember when you told me I was clueless for saying that I thought Everette Brown would be a colossal bust.
Buffaloed in Pa Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 I was right on Colston,Burfict,Dion Jordan,Maybin,Orakapo,Tank Carder, Nassib and many others.
thebandit27 Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 I was right on Colston,Burfict,Dion Jordan,Maybin,Orakapo,Tank Carder, Nassib and many others. Please dude...everyone on this board has been right and wrong about dozens I players. And the issue I took was with your attitude toward others' opinions, not your de facto opinion
Maury Ballstein Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 Did he just drop a "kid" on ya ? Still listening to early 90's hip hop ? What were your soothsaying ways telling you about burfict and orakpo ? You should see if mike mayock needs a partner.
Luxy312 Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 Let's just talk top-10 picks that are TE's for a second. The first presumption is that if you're picked that high that there's hype about you as a player. Out of the 17 top-10 TE picks since 1960, there's only one in the HOF and that's Mike Ditka. There's only 2 currently still playing in the NFL in Vernon Davis and Kellen Winslow and neither of those guys will ever be HOF worthy. They're just not good enough. Now look at other recent top-10 guys (last 20 years or so) and you're looking at Kyle Brady, Ricky Dudley, and Junior Miller. Gronkowski and Graham were 2nd and 3rd round picks. So for me, it comes down to this. Would I rather have Ebron in the first with the chance that he's a Ricky Dudley or Junior Miller or would I want Troy Niklas or someone similar in round 2-3 with the chance that they're a Gronk or Graham? Honestly, that's a really really easy decision for me.
BuffaloRebound Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 Let's just talk top-10 picks that are TE's for a second. The first presumption is that if you're picked that high that there's hype about you as a player. Out of the 17 top-10 TE picks since 1960, there's only one in the HOF and that's Mike Ditka. There's only 2 currently still playing in the NFL in Vernon Davis and Kellen Winslow and neither of those guys will ever be HOF worthy. They're just not good enough. Now look at other recent top-10 guys (last 20 years or so) and you're looking at Kyle Brady, Ricky Dudley, and Junior Miller. Gronkowski and Graham were 2nd and 3rd round picks. So for me, it comes down to this. Would I rather have Ebron in the first with the chance that he's a Ricky Dudley or Junior Miller or would I want Troy Niklas or someone similar in round 2-3 with the chance that they're a Gronk or Graham? Honestly, that's a really really easy decision for me. I'm not a big fan of Ebron at #9, but Tight Ends are basically big WR's now. Impact is much greater now than ever before. Look at the numbers some of these guys have put up in the last 3-4 years. Gronkowski and Graham would be top 10 picks today, probably top 5, if they came out of college as clean prospects.
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