corta765 Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 This is a look at where the Bills are at in regards to their 2018 depth chart not including any additions FA/Draft. I will highlight the needs and grade each spot, but not say Sam Darnold for sure will be the new starting QB etc... QB: Nathan Peterman Grade: D- Draft Need: Round 1 or 2 at latest. The only reason I didn't put this as an F is Peterman is still young and raw so there is a small chance he could be a serviceable backup. Tyrod will be let go because of his cap hit which will give the Bills some more space. The Bills need to draft a QB in either round 1 or 2, a stop gap solution like a Josh McCown will be viewed by fans as an utter failure. RB/FB: McCoy, DiMarco Grade: B- Draft Need: Rounds 4-7 somewhere in there and perhaps a guy in FA also. McCoy himself is an A+, but they have nothing after him in depth and DiMarco has been average at best. Lately you can find pretty serviceable RB in the later rounds as Kareem Hunt and other recent rookies have shown. Given the Bills needs they would be wise to address this later in the draft. WR: Benjamin, Z. Jones, Andre Holmes, Brandon Riley Grade: C+ but partially incomplete Draft Need: Rounds 3-6 or FA. The WR position has been a weakness this year but you could also say its hard to judge because the QB play has been so weak. Assuming Benjamin can stay healthy and Zay keeps developing that isn't a bad starting point, but they could use a WR like Torrey Smith-esq in the draft or FA to add another dimension on offense. TE: Clay, RFA's Thomas & O'Leary Grade: B- Draft Need: Rounds 5-7 or FA This position has actually been an area of strength IMO this year for the Bills. Clay has been quite good all season, Thomas has made some good plays, and even O'leary has grown a bit into a competent player. I really don't see the Bills doing much here unless there is a guy in the draft during the late rounds they really want. Given their needs elsewhere this isn't as large. Offensive Line: Wood, Incognito, Groy, Miller, Ducasse, Glenn, Mills, Dawkins Grade: C+ Draft Need: Rounds 2-6 and FA The offensive line is like a tale of two cities. Wood & Incognito are pretty good and dependable, but Mills Glenn Ducasse & Miller are all major weak links or injured to the point their value isn't there. Even with Dion Dawkins looking like a good find for the Tackle spot the Bills desperately need another guard and tackle in the draft and free agency for depth. I don't think they far away from being a Top 10 unit again but they need to fix some areas badly and probably trade or cut Glenn if they can for cap reasons. Defensive Line: Hughes, Lawson, Davis, Washington Grade: D- Draft Need: Rounds 1-3 and FA It's crazy to think that as recently as the 2015 season the Bills had one of the most feared D lines in football but that sadly has evaporated quickly. With Marcell Dareus traded and Kyle Williams most likely retiring after this year and slowing down with age this year the Bills are incredibly weak at DT. Jerry Hughes is an enigma at DE who is talented and makes some plays but also needs good running mates to really hit his stride. After that Adolphus Washington is very average and Shaq Lawson is looking more and more like a player who won't hit his potential. Realistically the Bills need to draft a DT with one of their 1st or 2nd round picks who can start and sign a guy for example like Dontai Poe to give the DT position some real teeth again. DE they can try and add some depth in FA and maybe they could draft a guy in rnds 3-5, but Hughes and Lawson are serviceable enough for another year. Linebacker: Lorenzo Alexander, Matt Milano, Tanner Vallejo, Nordly Capi, & Deon Lacey Grade: C- Draft Need: Rounds 1-3 and FA I was going to put this as a D also but Milano has looked very promising to the point that they mayyy have one spot filled if he keeps playing the way he has and if the coaching finally just lets him start. Alexander is not a bad guy for pass rushing and I think would be serviceable as a depth guy. BUT they desperately need a LB with speed that can cover potentially even more then they need a DT. They will need to not only draft a LB in rnd 1-2 but also add a guy in FA who can be solid starter. I hated that they didn't resign Zach Brown or someone talented like him this offseason because he was a far more solid option then what they currently are running. CB: White Grade: Incomplete (White B+ though) Draft Need: Rounds 2-5 and FA Tre White already looks like a bonefied star and 10 year starter at CB so that helps tremendously building the rest of the CB group. I listed this grade as incomplete because EJ Gaines and Leonard Johnson are FA's. With both in the lineup when they are healthy I would say the CB group grades out at a solid B to B+ range. But I don't see the Bills signing Gaines after a certain dollar amount and he may get more money on the open market. Johnson is more a 4th CB spot then nickel so we will see how the Bills value him. IF the Bills let both walk they will need a new CB2 and NCB plus depth. If that is the situation they need to draft a guy and add a solid veteran in FA. Safety: Poyer, Hyde Grade: A- Draft Need: Rounds 5-7 or FA The Bills hit home runs this off season with the signing of Hyde & Poyer. I don't think anyone could have predicted how good each would end up playing and at least Hyde deserves a Pro Bowl bid if not Poyer also. They do need to draft a guy or more likely add a veteran so if an injury hits they have a capable backup something they did not have on roster this year when Poyer was out. Overall the Bills have more holes then they probably can fill in one draft and they will need to add another impact player or two in FA to help truly strengthen the roster. One issue I see arising is the Bills moving a decent amount of capital to grab the QB they want. If the Bills give up a 2nd and a 3rd to jump and grab their guy at QB, that only leaves them with a 1st, 2nd, and a 3rd to fill needs at LB, DT, OL, & CB. And that is making the assumption that the guys you draft in rounds 1,2, and possibly 3 all can start. I don't think the Bills are in the worst situation either, shrewd drafting and FA can certainly help to build on the areas of strength they have. But the room for error will be quite low for this draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBillies Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 After QB, we need 1st/2nd round OL talent, then D-Line/LBs. This is the year to draft by position need (vs strictly best talent on board regardless of position). QB, OT, LB, OG, DT(s), DB depth, late-round flyers. Gonna have to address CBs, RBs, WRs, TEs in ways other than the draft (retain current guys or FA). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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