QB Draft confessional

[MarlinTheMagician]

I have been a strong TT supporter for a host of reasons.  But I think we need a QB who can get it down the field.  So while I wish TT the very, very best, I think it is time to get a QB.  McDermott and Beane will know better than I by far, but based on what I know I would like:  Baker.

[ProcessTheTrust]

I was intrigued with the idea of TT from the start but wasn't happy he was only put against Cassel and EJ to "win" the job. I thought back then if he had any halfway decent comp, he wouldn't have won the job. I pulled for him to progress, but very early in his 2nd year I was convinced he was never going to change. Great back up to have but never going to be The Guy. That said, I won't be too upset if they decide to keep him if they make a move to draft our future...if they allow him to play his style, on the move, and if/when he gets hurt, move on to the rookie without looking back.

[Sweats]

41 minutes ago, JR in Pittsburgh said:

When Ryan leaf and Peyton Manning were coming out, I told people that Leaf was a sure thing and Manning was the 1999 equivalent of “meh.”

 

so, not sure I have a lot of credibility. 

 

 

 

 

I think you've just lost whatever credibility you ever had left.

 

Aye Carumba

[K D]

Last year they had Deshaun Watson and Mahomes on the board and I thought they should have just taken whoever they thought was the best one. A lot of people thought that it would be Mahomes. I was not high on either but they needed a QB and either one was just as good as Trubisky. When they traded down I posted and said this will haunt us and we will watch these QB's career and wonder what if.

 

Year before I didn't like any of the top guys. I did not believe Wentz would be any good because of the competition he faced and going to the pros and starting right away would be too big of a jump. Admittedly I didn't give him much of a chance because of where he played. People kept mocking to us Dak in the 3rd and I wanted them to take him real bad. I thought he was just as good as the top 2 if in the right offense. Connor Cook in the 2nd made sense too but I though he would go round 1 and I didn't think he was worth the pick because of his attitude. Cardale made zero sense and I got online to voice my displeasure and I was told I was wrong.

 

Year before that the only person I liked was Jameis Winston. I saw him as the best QB since Luck to come out. I did not think Mariota would pan out.

 

This year it's Josh Rosen. He is far and away the best of the bunch. If he falls because of his entitled attitude they would be dumb not to try and trade up to get him. He's the best QB since Winston and I think he can be better. Winston raped and stole and was still #1 and you aren't going to take the best QB since then because he acts like a know it all? That's silly to me. When he is in the pro bowl in 2 yrs come back and look this up and laugh about how he did not go #1.

[drf1835]

I thought Trent Edwards would succeed. Then I was optimistic about Nathan Peterman before he played against San Diego. Now, I say, although my first two calculations perhaps were a bit premature or a bit off, ok maybe a lot off,  three is the charm, as Baker Mayfield is our franchise guy. He is stocky and cocky, elusive and  and with good enough arm, talent and intangibles that he will lead us to our first Super Bowl win. Do not draft china dolls, fumble rooskies, those who would fold under pressure, and those who  are one dimensional. I am ok with Alex Smith for a few years though, before Mayfield plays. Let him learn and trust the process, and not give the job to him from day one. So, trade away our two #1's and one of our second rounders, to move up to number four in the draft, to draft Mayfield.. And get on the phone to our trade buddies in KC, to trade for Alex Smith. 

[The BLUES Brothers]

I appreciate the honesty and the candor of this confessional...Takes guts and shows character plus - based on College film - it really is crazy how it turns out for some.

 

Personally I wanted TT to succeed since he is a hard worker and because I met him so it makes it easier to root for a good guy like that.  Selfishly - had he clicked, then we wouldn't have to use sacred Draft Capital to get another.

 

I am not as knowledgeable as the Draft Gurus on here (love reading their insight) but the guy I wanted when watching back in the day was Big Ben and he went just 2 picks before us.

 

This year I think the Bills will go for Rudolf because he checks off the character and  playing 3/4 seasons as a starter boxes.  

[Teddy KGB]

I think every bills qb since Flutie is trash.  

 

I think we should have went after Watson or Trubisky last year.  

 

I think we should target Rosen, if he isn’t an option we must try Mayfield, Rudolph, or Darnold.  

 

 

[DCOrange]

I liked and still like Tyrod. I didn't expect much from him when he originally signed, but I knew a guy that had connections to the team and he was telling my family that Rex favored Tyrod the whole way. I still think Tyrod is roughly an average starting QB; he's just a unique QB that is best suited to be playing on a team with a great defense and WRs that can go deep. I was also told that going back a little further, the previous regime badly wanted Eddie Lacy the year he was in the draft. I also had a heads up that the Bills were secretly in love with EJ Manuel a few months before the draft and were letting the media run wild with the Nassib connection to hide their interest.

 

Going back to past draft classes:

2013: I didn't love any of them, but if forced to choose, I preferred Nassib and Geno. As I mentioned though, I had a heads up about the interest in EJ...I remember absolutely hating his film but the Bills loved his personality and physical tools and were hoping they could coach him up the way Marrone did with Nassib at Syracuse. Of course the plan was never for EJ to play as early as he did but their plans went out the window very quickly.

 

2014: Manziel was my #1 QB. I didn't (and still don't) like Bridgewater at all. I was meh on Bortles; thought it was a reach at #3 but thought he was fine in general as a 1st round pick. I liked Garappolo a lot, but I may have subconsciously been rooting for him just due to him coming from a small school. I still think Manziel would have been a good QB if not for his addiction problems.

 

2015: I loved Jameis. I liked Mariota a lot. The Bucs were my childhood team and I still watch almost all their games, so I was extremely invested in that draft class. I always preferred Jameis but I would have been happy with either guy. The rest of that class was pretty awful; I thought Petty at least had some potential, but he was just a developmental guy and the rest were garbage.

 

2016: I loved Wentz. I preferred Paxton Lynch over Goff. I despised Cardale. I also was told that Buffalo planned to take Dak at that spot but obviously the Cowboys beat them to the punch by a couple of picks.

 

2017: I viewed last year's class like this: there was a QB prospect for all types of philosophies; no Andrew Luck-level prospect, but you could get a good prospect for any type of QB that you prefer. I personally loved Mahomes. My rankings were Mahomes, Watson, Kizer, Trubisky, Webb, in that order.

 

This year, my rankings are (not necessarily who I think will be best, but the order in which I'd take them):

1. Lamar Jackson

2. Sam Darnold

3. Josh Allen

4. Baker Mayfield

5. Josh Rosen

6. Kyle Lauletta

7. Logan Woodside

8. Luke Falk

9. Mason Rudolph

Edited January 22, 2018 by DCOrange

[prissythecat]

I'd like to see the BB confessional for each draft.  

[DallasMac]

Not a fan of TT going into the season.  It was clear what he could do at this point.  Hated the Ej pick, wanted Geno.  Liked Barkley.  Loved Jameis but did not like Mariota.  Liked Wentz and Goff but not Lynch.  liked Bridgewater and couldn't believe he fell as far as he did.  Really wanted Trubisky or Watson last year and wanted no part of Mahomes.  I'll take Darnold or Rosen.  Allen if they let him sit bc he needs to work on his touch.  Do not want Baker or Jackson at all.  Would settle for Rudolph.

[TigerJ]

When Tyrod beat out Manuel, I thought there would be improvement in QB play, and I think I was right.  I gradually came to believe that Tyrod had a lower ceiling than the Bills needed at QB to become more than a borderline playoff team.  That's were I've been for about a year.

 

In the draft, I don't think it is likely to be feasible to trade up where Buffalo can draft one of the top 2 QBs (Rosen or Darnold) and I've heard enough about Rosen's attitude, I don't think I'd want him anyway.  I would not be upset if Buffalo drafted someone from the second tier when their picks come up at 21 and 22.  I consider the second tier to include Josh Allen (though some include him at the top with Darnold and Rosen.  With Allen in that second tier are Mayfield, Rudolph, and Jackson.  I also think it's possible that Buffalo will wait until the third tier.

[The BLUES Brothers]

23 minutes ago, DCOrange said:

I liked and still like Tyrod. I didn't expect much from him when he originally signed, but I knew a guy that had connections to the team and he was telling my family that Rex favored Tyrod the whole way. I still think Tyrod is roughly an average starting QB; he's just a unique QB that is best suited to be playing on a team with a great defense and WRs that can go deep. I was also told that going back a little further, the previous regime badly wanted Eddie Lacy the year he was in the draft. I also had a heads up that the Bills were secretly in love with EJ Manuel a few months before the draft and were letting the media run wild with the Nassib connection to hide their interest.

 

Going back to past draft classes:

2013: I didn't love any of them, but if forced to choose, I preferred Nassib and Geno. As I mentioned though, I had a heads up about the interest in EJ...I remember absolutely hating his film but the Bills loved his personality and physical tools and were hoping they could coach him up the way Marrone did with Nassib at Syracuse. Of course the plan was never for EJ to play as early as he did but their plans went out the window very quickly.

 

2014: Manziel was my #1 QB. I didn't (and still don't) like Bridgewater at all. I was meh on Bortles; thought it was a reach at #3 but thought he was fine in general as a 1st round pick. I liked Garappolo a lot, but I may have subconsciously been rooting for him just due to him coming from a small school. I still think Manziel would have been a good QB if not for his addiction problems.

 

2015: I loved Jameis. I liked Mariota a lot. The Bucs were my childhood team and I still watch almost all their games, so I was extremely invested in that draft class. I always preferred Jameis but I would have been happy with either guy. The rest of that class was pretty awful; I thought Petty at least had some potential, but he was just a developmental guy and the rest were garbage.

 

2016: I loved Wentz. I preferred Paxton Lynch over Goff. I despised Cardale. I also was told that Buffalo planned to take Dak at that spot but obviously the Cowboys beat them to the punch by a couple of picks.

 

2017: I viewed last year's class like this: there was a QB prospect for all types of philosophies; no Andrew Luck-level prospect, but you could get a good prospect for any type of QB that you prefer. I personally loved Mahomes. My rankings were Mahomes, Watson, Kizer, Trubisky, Webb, in that order.

 

This year, my rankings are (not necessarily who I think will be best, but the order in which I'd take them):

1. Lamar Jackson

2. Sam Darnold

3. Josh Allen

4. Baker Mayfield

5. Josh Rosen

6. Kyle Lauletta

7. Logan Woodside

8. Luke Falk

9. Mason Rudolph

What is it about Rudolph that you have him last?

Certainly his throwing motion isn't as long but that and pocket presence can be coached, but curious why last of the crop above?

Thanks in advance

[Gordio]

1 hour ago, JR in Pittsburgh said:

When Ryan leaf and Peyton Manning were coming out, I told people that Leaf was a sure thing and Manning was the 1999 equivalent of “meh.”

 

so, not sure I have a lot of credibility. 

 

I think a lot of people felt the same way.  Leaf had all the physical attributes to be the guy.  Just didn't have any redeeming intangibles which is often times, especially at QB(where the intangibles are so important) are much tougher to measure.  I guess when in doubt go with the strong pedigree, which PM certainly had.

 

I did something similar telling people RG III was going to be a better pro than Luck.  Although who knows if Luck comes back from this shoulder injury. 

 

[wppete]

I dont think Tyrod is bad he is just way too canairvative with his check downs. He has to take chances downfield. I think the best thing we can do is move on bring in another veteran and draft a QB in the 1st round. 

[BringBackFergy]

I was always a Brady fan...during high school in CA and college in Michigan. I wanted the Bills to draft him in the 4th round.

 

Desean Watson - I knew from wayy back this kid was gonna be special.

 

Wentz - I think I was one of the first on this board saying how he would dominate the NFL.

 

As for this year's draft...there's a few sleeper picks I like but I'll wait and see how everyone else goes on the record.

[DCOrange]

35 minutes ago, Beef on Weck said:

What is it about Rudolph that you have him last?

Certainly his throwing motion isn't as long but that and pocket presence can be coached, but curious why last of the crop above?

Thanks in advance

To be clear, I think Rudolph is a fine choice around the 4th round or so. He's just a very blah prospect IMO.

 

I think he has a very low ceiling. I think his best case scenario is to become a poor starter. There isn't anything about him that you can really hang your hat on. The velocity on his throws are probably below average or average at best. His ball placement is average at best. His athleticism is below average. He plays in a one-read system. There just isn't really anything there to get you excited IMO while the others all have at least something (maybe Falk as the exception; he's pretty similar to Rudolph but I slightly prefer him).

 

In order:

Lamar: Athleticism, arm strength, dramatic improvements to accuracy, experience going through progressions

Darnold: above average athleticism, ball placement, lots of flashes

Allen: Athleticism, arm strength, experience going through progressions

Mayfield: Mobility, ball placement

Rosen: Arm strength, above average ball placement, experience going through progressions

Lauletta: Ball placement

Woodside: Ball placement

Edited January 22, 2018 by DCOrange

[Chuck Wagon]

2011 - Badly wanted Cam, remember when everyone in the national media laughed at Buddy Nix in February for wanting Cam, then we was the consensus #1 pick by April.

 

2012 - I really badly wanted Wilson.  Was jumping for joy when they traded up and he was on the board, then they took TJ Graham, and I remembered "oh yeah, I'm a Bills fan".

 

2013 - I liked EJ the best but I didn't want to take him before round 3.

 

2014 - Certainly wanted nothing to do with Manziel.  I thought Aaron Murray or Zach Mettenberger would be a steal late.  Liked Carr the best of the "1st round" QBs.

 

2015 - Thought Jameis would be a superstar.  Wasn't sold on Mariota transitioning, liked Hundley the best of the later round QBs.

 

2016- Loved Cardale where we got him.  Thought Conner Cook would be ok.  Was not a believer in Dak, I thought there was too much Tebow in his game.

 

2017- Liked Watson the best and Mahomes a close second, thought we should have taken either one with our pick.  I'm still intrigued by Davis Webb.  I think Peterman sucks.

[North Buffalo]

I have given up trying to figure out QBs in college except when obvious.. Luck..  can be a top QB.  

[Chuck Wagon]

15 minutes ago, DCOrange said:

To be clear, I think Rudolph is a fine choice around the 4th round or so. He's just a very blah prospect IMO.

 

I think he has a very low ceiling. I think his best case scenario is to become a poor starter. There isn't anything about him that you can really hang your hat on. The velocity on his throws are probably below average or average at best. His ball placement is average at best. His athleticism is below average. He plays in a one-read system. There just isn't really anything there to get you excited IMO while the others all have at least something (maybe Falk as the exception; he's pretty similar to Rudolph but I slightly prefer him).

 

In order:

Lamar: Athleticism, arm strength, dramatic improvements to accuracy, experience going through progressions

Darnold: above average athleticism, ball placement, lots of flashes

Allen: Athleticism, arm strength, experience going through progressions

Mayfield: Mobility, ball placement

Rosen: Arm strength, above average ball placement, experience going through progressions

Lauletta: Ball placement

Woodside: Ball placement

 

Nice to see other people who aren't immediately writing off Jackson.  I still like Darnold and Rosen more than him, but I'd put Jackson 3rd.  I have irrational (maybe rational) hatred of Mayfield, I think he's a moron who is too small and makes too many bad choices both on and off the field.  Blows my mind that people who didn't want Watson or Mahomes last year are now stumping for Mayfield.  Allen / Lauletta / Woodside are admittedly blindspots I have, but my gut feels like Allen is riding Wentz's coat tails a bit.

 

[DCOrange]

25 minutes ago, Chuck Wagon said:

 

Nice to see other people who aren't immediately writing off Jackson.  I still like Darnold and Rosen more than him, but I'd put Jackson 3rd.  I have irrational (maybe rational) hatred of Mayfield, I think he's a moron who is too small and makes too many bad choices both on and off the field.  Blows my mind that people who didn't want Watson or Mahomes last year are now stumping for Mayfield.  Allen / Lauletta / Woodside are admittedly blindspots I have, but my gut feels like Allen is riding Wentz's coat tails a bit.

 

 

I tend to favor upside when I choose QBs, and Allen has arguably the most upside in the entire class if he can sort out his footwork issues. He's got some serious issues with his footwork and I think it explains at least some of his accuracy issues.