Joe Marino (Locked on Bills): Two names he is hearing in 1st for Bills: Jonah Williams, DK Metcalf

[RyanC883]

Between a blue-chip WR and a blue-chip OL/DL/LB, you take the later all the time.  No team wins a SB because of a "disruptive" WR.  You can win because you have a disruptive OL.   The difference between DK and a WR who is available even in round 3 is not that great, IMO.   The OL/DL "elite" pickings go down after Rd. 1.   IMO

[LABILLBACKER]

If the top 8 teams bail on QBs then its likely that Oliver is gone.  Wouldn't be opposed to Jonah, but DK's limited route tree concerns me.   Prefer TJH.....

[mjt328]

This regime has been very stingy at leaking information.  I doubt anyone outside the front office's inner circle knows more than 2-3 weeks ago.

I'm a believer that actions speak louder than words.  And what I've been seeing from One Bills Drive makes me doubt OL or WR at #9.

 

When free agency started last month, Brandon Beane already knew what this draft class looked like.  He and the scouts had been studying it for over 12 months.  He knew which positions were deep.  He knew which positions were strong.  He knew which positions were weak.  And yes, he already had a pretty good idea which 4-5 guys may be BPA at the #9 slot.

 

With that in mind, he signed a whopping SIX offensive linemen - any of whom could end up in the starting lineup.  He signed FOUR wide receivers, including two who are expected to get significant offensive snaps.  He signed TWO potential starting corners to play opposite Tre White.  At the same time, he made absolutely no effort to address the 3-Tech position despite losing Kyle Williams to retirement.  Although he showed clear interest in upgrading the pass rush (specifically Ezekiel Ansah), he never actually signed anyone.  And after releasing Charles Clay, neither of his tight end signings can be considered dependable starters.

 

All signs point to us targeting a DT, TE and Edge rusher in the early rounds. 

 

[Thurman#1]

36 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

If he were a plug and play pro bowler for 10 years he wouldn’t be an option at 9. He isn’t Quentin Nelson. 

 

 

 

Gurley went at #10. Zack Martin at #16. Kuechly at #9. Tyron Smith at #9.

 

They're out there. Not every year but reasonably often.

 

Not sure I see one this year unless Oliver somehow falls.

[purple haze]

2 hours ago, MAJBobby said:

I also think both at last one will be there at 12-15 once the Bills slide down and pick up an extra second.

Yep.  I see the Skins trading up for Lock.  Bills take Williams/Dillard at 15.  Trade back into first and grab DK/AJ/Fant/Wilkins in 20s.

[BillsFan17]

3 hours ago, dlonce said:

The notion that anyone inside the Bills is going to allude to who they are drafting is absurd.

 

Any name dropping at this point is fodder. Also, there’s no way the Bills are using 9 to draft Metcalf.

 

How many guys had Edmunds going to the Bills last year? I’d say there’s a better chance the Bills trade up this year to get who they really desire.

Allen was linked to the Bills though by many.

Thursday can’t come quick enough.

The Bills draft two incredibly raw, but immensely high ceiling players in the first last year. They liked the potential so much they even traded up. Hence why not many people linked Buffalo to Edmunds, it was assumed Edmunds would be going higher than where our second first rounder was.

 

Back to the original point, if you gauge Beane based on last year, its evident a player like Metcalf is exactly the type hed gamble on.

[gobills1212]

2 hours ago, Cornette's Commentary said:

The most explosive WR with a run defense that ranks toward the bottom of the league.  BRILLIANT!

The run D REALLY seems to worry you huh?

It was actly kinda funny at first but now id actly like to take a time out and make sure youll be ok if things dont swing your way on Thursday? (Doomsday??) Just asking as a concerned fellow board member!

Edited April 22, 2019 by gobills1212

[billspro]

29 minutes ago, Logic said:

There are legitimate reasons that BOTH guys make sense for the Bills, and reasons they don't.

DK Metcalf -- The Bills LOVE height/weight/speed guys. They've shown under Beane that they're willing to take big swings on supremely physically gifted players, even if they're high risk. Case in point? Both Josh Allen and Tremaine Edmunds. While they've made nice additions to the WR corps, adding a guy like Metcalf would really elevate it to the next level. He would also be able to ease into the pros, as the Bills don't immediately need him to be a #1, since they already have a Foster/Brown/Beasley starting trio. On the "reasons they wouldn't take him" list? Beane, McDermott, and Daboll have all said at one time or another that they don't necessarily think you need a "true #1" WR.

Jonah Williams -- McDermott mentioned the o-line as one of the team's "identity position groups". He believes that the offensive line should set the tone for his football team. Obviously, the multitude of offensive linemen the Bills have already brought in show that McDermott is serious about this. Well, with Williams' study habits and work ethic and football IQ, he would set the perfect tone in the OL room and be a leader on day 1. He also, as everyone knows, is a guy that Daboll is already quite familiar with. The Bills have more of an "inside look" at this guy than any other team in the draft. As for "reasons they wouldn't take him", I can think of only one: If they don't believe he can be a tackle in the NFL, they won't take him. I doubt they'd take a guy they view as a guard at 9. I just don't buy that. So if the Bills DO take Jonah Williams, you can darn sure bet they view him as a long term LT or, at worst, RT.

 

Great post. I really hope Metcalf is the pick. Saying that, the Bills have the best intel in the league on Williams. If the Bills take him I will be confident he becomes a franchise LT and if the Bills pass on him I think it’s likely he is only a quality guard.

15 minutes ago, purple haze said:

Yep.  I see the Skins trading up for Lock.  Bills take Williams/Dillard at 15.  Trade back into first and grab DK/AJ/Fant/Wilkins in 20s.

 

I would be shocked if Metcalf fell out of the top 15. I still think he is pretty much a lock for top 10.

24 minutes ago, mjt328 said:

This regime has been very stingy at leaking information.  I doubt anyone outside the front office's inner circle knows more than 2-3 weeks ago.

I'm a believer that actions speak louder than words.  And what I've been seeing from One Bills Drive makes me doubt OL or WR at #9.

 

When free agency started last month, Brandon Beane already knew what this draft class looked like.  He and the scouts had been studying it for over 12 months.  He knew which positions were deep.  He knew which positions were strong.  He knew which positions were weak.  And yes, he already had a pretty good idea which 4-5 guys may be BPA at the #9 slot.

 

With that in mind, he signed a whopping SIX offensive linemen - any of whom could end up in the starting lineup.  He signed FOUR wide receivers, including two who are expected to get significant offensive snaps.  He signed TWO potential starting corners to play opposite Tre White.  At the same time, he made absolutely no effort to address the 3-Tech position despite losing Kyle Williams to retirement.  Although he showed clear interest in upgrading the pass rush (specifically Ezekiel Ansah), he never actually signed anyone.  And after releasing Charles Clay, neither of his tight end signings can be considered dependable starters.

 

All signs point to us targeting a DT, TE and Edge rusher in the early rounds. 

 

 

You could be right. I wouldn’t sleep on the Khalen Saunders and Maxx Crosby predraft visits though, they might address those needs in the third and fourth. 

[John from Riverside]

3 hours ago, NewDayBills said:

Wouldn't mind Jonah Williams at LG and if Dawkins struggles we bump him out to LT. Miles Sanders in RD2 followed by a trade up for Dalton Risner. Championship. 

What do we do with Spain?

[ghostwriter]

1 minute ago, John from Riverside said:

What do we do with Spain?

Backup.

[John from Riverside]

Just now, NewDayBills said:

Backup.

LOL

[BuffaloBaumer]

I can't believe anyone actually believes ANYTHING they hear from the teams before the draft even happens...too funny

 

[BillsfanAZ]

Just like most drafts the cant miss players will be gone by pick 5 or 6. For the first time in a long time I am confident in a Bills GM that will make the right pick for what they are trying to do. There will be multiple players at #9 that will not be a reach and can help the Bills. It will be a matter of opinion as to who likes the pick or not but the player will be worthy of being picked there. I think most draft guys can make educated guesses but I doubt there are any leaks coming from OBD. 

[gobills1212]

53 minutes ago, KOKBILLS said:

 

So...

 

No one can possibly know...But there is no way they are taking DK?...Even though no one inside will ever let the info out?...

 

I will tell you this...DK is being dinged by people who either A) Did not bother to watch him, dig in and grind, and are over-concentrated on cone drill times...Or...B) People who watched him and don't know what the hell they are watching, or refuse to consider the many, many factors that contributed to what they are watching...

 

Translation...Do not take my word...I know for certain The Draft Network is stacked with Scouts that DO watch...Multiple games..They understand the nuances of the position...They know what they are seeing and they also know the areas where a prospect can improve through NFL Coaching...DK is the #5 overall Prospect on their consensus board...That can't be overstated...The Bills pick 9th...He's a top 5 prospect on many boards...he's CLEAN off the field...He's dedicated and LOVES football...He's a massively hard worker...He's unassuming but super confident...He's 100% a process-type prospect...100%...That is not to say whatsoever that he is a finished project...Or even close to being finished...But anyone  who thinks there are all these things DK cannot do, outside of being a cat-quick Cole Beasley type of slot ...They are just flat wrong...

 

I agree no one knows...I completely disagree that DK is not fully in the conversation at #9 overall...They may very well go another way...But he's in the conversation...?

 

This is 4 different Scouting Reports on DK...4 different sets of eyes...1 basic conclusion...Stud...https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/d-k-metcalf

 

 

Cheers to that. 

I find my view this year is much more relaxed than last year. We need a TE, and X WR, Pass Rush Specialist and one could argue OL. I have ideas etc on how each could be accomplished as most do but when the bullets turn live and the board starts falling into place as long as one of these weaknesses are addressed great. You could argue them anyway you can imagine - having a skill WR grow with Allen as a go to OR having a TE outlet saftey valve grow with Allen and be his go to guy as well. Gotta protect the investment and he cant throw downfield w/o protection! And wouldn't it be nice to have someone to pressure the QB besides Jerry? And so on and so forth. All of these are valid agruments and points and I think there are qlty options avbl for each. Its only when you work youself into a tizzy that one is more important than the other or that there is 1 CORRECT answer like mr run D poster that you become pissed and dissapointed. 

Point is i think itll be much harder to dissapoint this year opposed to last.

[JM57]

4 minutes ago, BuffaloBaumer said:

I can't believe anyone actually believes ANYTHING they hear from the teams before the draft even happens...too funny

 

There was mostly silence on the Bills and Allen until the last 48 hours before the draft last year. I don't believe anything I hear this week. Ben Allbright was definitely tooting the Allen to Buffalo horn but other than that it was a lot of nothing.

Edited April 22, 2019 by JM57

[purple haze]

13 minutes ago, billspro said:

I would be shocked if Metcalf fell out of the top 15. I still think he is pretty much a lock for top 10.

I don't believe he goes top 10.  Too many questions.  It's possible but I doubt it.  15-25 is my prediction.

[YoloinOhio]

9 minutes ago, BuffaloBaumer said:

I can't believe anyone actually believes ANYTHING they hear from the teams before the draft even happens...too funny

 

I don’t think this came from “the team”... 

[hjnick]

2 hours ago, Cornette's Commentary said:

Fine.  Have it your way.  Have fun watching Metcalf and Allen sit on the sidelines, as they watch the run defense get torched week in and week out.

Maybe we can find a Manu-Manu the Slender in the later rounds that can gum up other lineman and open up Edmunds to stay clean and make some tackles...

[KOKBILLS]

6 minutes ago, gobills1212 said:

Cheers to that. 

I find my view this year is much more relaxed than last year. We need a TE, and X WR, Pass Rush Specialist and one could argue OL. I have ideas etc on how each could be accomplished as most do but when the bullets turn live and the board starts falling into place as long as one of these weaknesses are addressed great. You could argue them anyway you can imagine - having a skill WR grow with Allen as a go to OR having a TE outlet safety valve grow with Allen and be his go to guy as well. Gotta protect the investment and he cant throw downfield w/o protection! And wouldn't it be nice to have someone to pressure the QB besides Jerry? And so on and so forth. All of these are valid arguments and points and I think there are qlty options avbl for each. Its only when you work yourself into a tizzy that one is more important than the other or that there is 1 CORRECT answer like mr run D poster that you become pissed and disappointed. 

Point is i think itll be much harder to disappoint this year opposed to last.

 

Agreed...

 

I do think folks get a little too enamoured with that Top 10/1st Rd pick being the be all, end all...

 

The truth is good players are Drafted all over...Of the PFF Top 12 DT's in 2018 5 were 1st Rd picks, 2 were 2nd, 2 were 3rd, 1 4th, 1 5th, and one undrafted...The Bills have 10 picks this year and they will get help later in the Draft...They've actually had some success beyond the 1st round recently...Dawkins dropped off a little last year, but he's a late 2nd Rd pick starting at LT in the NFL...A healthy Taron Johnson is one of the best slot CB's in the NFL and he was a 4th Rd Pick... Matt Milano was a 5th Rd pick...Robert Foster was undrafted...

 

I think the Bills need to feel they are getting the best player possible at #9...Regardless of position...We are all going to have our favorites...And if they go against my favorites they are going to hear about it...?

 

Seriously though...They need to take the guy they love...?

[NewEraBills]

2 hours ago, Jamie Mueller said:

 

Strange... almost all of the analysis I've read on the Bills free agent signings strongly disagrees with you. I'm guessing they cobble together a pretty good O-line... even if they don't draft anyone that plays there.

 

I'm not saying those guys won't become starters, I'm saying they are not penciled in.  Only Morse is penciled in.  Everyone else is going to have to earn it and to me that doesn't preclude adding additional talent to the group early.