corta765 Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 A few months ago I posted about Peter Kings piece discussing the strength of good teams being the players who start are guys they drafted and that is the true goal for a good roster. Most teams have somewhere between 5-8 players starting that were drafted by that franchise. The top teams have nearly half their starters or more be drafted guys or undrafted free agents. It goes without saying that if you can build a homegrown roster you have done a good job finding the right pieces and salary cap wise you have some cost certainty as opposed to bidding on free agents at a higher price. So how does the 2019-2020 roster look heading into the season? Here are my presumptive starters: QB: Josh Allen (Drafted) RB: Shady McCoy WR: John Brown WR: Robert Foster (Drafted) WR: Cole Beasley TE: Tyler Croft LT: Dion Dawkins (Drafted) LG: Quintin Spain C-:Mitch Morse RG: Cody Ford (Drafted) RT: Ty Nsekhe Offense four starters drafted with the assumption Ford makes it in. Zay Jones could be argued as one of the WR's and long term Dawson Knox hopefully becomes the TE starter. Additionally guys like Wyatt Teller and Devin Singletary could emerge. I think long term the Bills need either Foster to develop into a true #1 guy or they need to draft a guy like that to solidify the offense. DE: Jerry Hughes DT: Ed Oliver (Drafted) DT: Star Lou/Jordan Phillips DE: Trent Murphy MLB: Tremaine Edmunds (Drafted) WLB: Matt Milano (Drafted) SLB: Lorenzo Alexander CB: Tre White (Drafted) SS: Micah Hyde FS: Jordan Poyer CB: EJ Gaines/Levi Wallace (Drafted) The defense has at least 4 starters drafted with Levi Wallace the possible NCB depending on scheme and how he does. What is nice with the defense is they have guys like Harrison Phillips, Taron Johnson, & Levi who all can jump in if needed which is a good sign of depth. My hope is in the next year or two they can find a good DE in the draft to finish off the youth movement they have created. Overall this is a lot better then last year where the Bills had at the start of the season maybe 5 guys who were drafted as part of the core for the roster that season. Like I said a pass rushing DE and a good WR in the draft would solidify a really solid core they are developing for the long term. 6
mannc Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 2 minutes ago, TigerJ said: Foster was a UDFA Neither was Wallace.
Bray Wyatt Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 (edited) 12 minutes ago, TigerJ said: Foster was a UDFA 9 minutes ago, mannc said: Neither was Wallace. I think he means they werent FA and were brought in as rookies (and I believe for the intents and purposes of this thread UDFA would be the same point as a draftee), but yes they were not drafted Edited May 16, 2019 by Bray Wyatt 6 1
NoHuddleKelly12 Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 Absolutely agree with the OP’s overall point about home grown talent versus cap-crashing FA pickups. Of course, this FO had little choice this offseason considering the dearth of long term talent drafted by Overdorf , Whaley, et al, but long term their vision is clear. Also, unsurprisingly the QB is most important for that, such as Seahawks being able to parlay Wilson’s rookie deal with the first iteration of that Super Bowl roster.
corta765 Posted May 16, 2019 Author Posted May 16, 2019 1 hour ago, TigerJ said: Foster was a UDFA Covered that above said drafted and UDFAs. Still counts as someone they went after without much financial concern
atlbillsfan1975 Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 This is a great topic. I feel like finding 4 eventual starters out of each draft is a goal. Strive for 16 starters homegrown each season. 1
John from Riverside Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 Good topic...it IS how you biuld a winning team..... and not just drafting and keeping players...but drafting and keeping players at positions that get PAID.....you do that you are in good shape. 1
ngbills Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 True to some extent. However, there is a big difference between good starter and starter. Many drafted guys start because teams suck at that position. That is much different than drafting a long term starter. 1
corta765 Posted May 16, 2019 Author Posted May 16, 2019 (edited) 4 minutes ago, ngbills said: True to some extent. However, there is a big difference between good starter and starter. Many drafted guys start because teams suck at that position. That is much different than drafting a long term starter. Very true its why the 2015 team is the biggest waste and misuse of talent since the SB days. If you look at the amount good starters they had and the failed results it still is mind blowing. Edited May 16, 2019 by corta765 1
ngbills Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 22 minutes ago, corta765 said: Very true its why the 2015 team is the biggest waste and misuse of talent since the SB days. If you look at the amount good starters they had and the failed results it still is mind blowing. On that 2015 roster guys recently drafted by Bills that are NFL starter quality. Offense Watkins Woods Glenn Henderson Wood Miller Goodwin Def Dareus Brown Bradham Darby Gilmore Brooks McKelvin A Williams 4
Aussie Joe Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 The real key to having success with players you draft is thinking enough of them to sign them to a 2nd contract after their rookie deal is finished.. It seems like it’s been a while since the Bills have done this with one of their picks and its likely Shaq Lawson won’t be breaking that drought... Hopefully a few from the 2017 class will be retained.. 1
corta765 Posted May 16, 2019 Author Posted May 16, 2019 27 minutes ago, Aussie Joe said: The real key to having success with players you draft is thinking enough of them to sign them to a 2nd contract after their rookie deal is finished.. It seems like it’s been a while since the Bills have done this with one of their picks and its likely Shaq Lawson won’t be breaking that drought... Agreed. While Shaq might not be signed Milano, Edmunds, & Tre White all seem likely to need big deals which is a great thing. 1
aristocrat Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 I think trading for a player should be seen as similar. We traded a drafted player and got a long term starter with shady and Jerry. 1
Ed_Formerly_of_Roch Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 Another interesting thing to look at on the list of names, how many were just signed to their 2nd contract? Getting FA around 26 to 28 isn't bad either as likely will not grow too old to preform up to their contract. A couple of 34 YO signings aren't bad for leadership, but other than Ty N none signed over 30
corta765 Posted May 16, 2019 Author Posted May 16, 2019 36 minutes ago, aristocrat said: I think trading for a player should be seen as similar. We traded a drafted player and got a long term starter with shady and Jerry. I do agree with this and it is a fair point. 1
MJS Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 Taron Johnson is the nickel corner. That's pretty much a starter these days. 2
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 Context is everything. I’m reading the headline wondering what that two bit clothing company has to do with Bills players. (No knock on corta765 or his analysis. Just my inability to see the meaning. ?) 1
LSHMEAB Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 If Vosean Joseph can bulk up a bit, I could see him supplanting Zo at SLB. His natural position is WILL, but I'd like to see them put the best 3 on the field and I believe he's gonna be another 5th RD. LB gem. Not sure he can make that transition to SLB, but it'd be great. Considering how prevalent 2 LB sets have become, it's gonna be tough for him to earn playing time and he's not gonna take Milano's job. I'm sure they'll find a way to get him on the field if he's who I THOUGHT HE WAS.
John from Riverside Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 3 minutes ago, LSHMEAB said: If Vosean Joseph can bulk up a bit, I could see him supplanting Zo at SLB. His natural position is WILL, but I'd like to see them put the best 3 on the field and I believe he's gonna be another 5th RD. LB gem. Not sure he can make that transition to SLB, but it'd be great. Considering how prevalent 2 LB sets have become, it's gonna be tough for him to earn playing time and he's not gonna take Milano's job. I'm sure they'll find a way to get him on the field if he's who I THOUGHT HE WAS. I am with you but I will say this.....if all Joseph every ends up becoming is a solid backup to Milano and a special teams demon at a 5th round pick.....it is still essentially a win because you need those guys as well. Gonna be hard to replace Zo
Recommended Posts