Roster needs going forward and how they'll be filled: a style question

[BringBackOrton]

5 minutes ago, billsfan1959 said:

 

WR is truly the top need for this team this off season. The 2020 class has more "potentially" good WRs than we have seen in a long time and I am all in on taking one in the top two rounds and several overall. However, "potential" is all you are getting from the draft. Outside of a true top 5 pick talent, WR may be as tough to predict as QB in regard to how well he may do in the NFL.

 

I think the Bills should also address WR through free agency, or a trade, as well as the draft. Green is great when he is available - but, he has missed 13 games in the last 3 years and will be 32 going into next season. I would prefer they not choose someone who has had recent injury problems and hope they do not have more. This is a position they have to hit on for this offense to get better. The options may be limited in free agency, so, maybe they can find a willing trade partner.

 

 

I think Beane would have no problem paying for a top WR. He did, in fact, consider Antonio Brown and I don't think it was the simply the money that stopped him from pursining it any further.

I think you go FA and draft for all positions. Or trade. 

 

Our OL strategy worked quite well last year. Pickup a couple guys via draft and FA and see who is best. If we sign another decent WR and then draft one, that’s perfect, same with DE, especially with Hughes’ on the downslope. Ideal scenario would be 2 years from now, your young guys would be coming into their own while the older FAs have only a year or two left on their deals but still contribute.

[Kirby Jackson]

1 hour ago, Joe in Winslow said:

As I see it, this team has four glaring needs in the following order:

 

1) A true #1 receiver. Look, I get it. Brown's had an amazing year, but he clearly lacks the size necessary to compete for contested passes.

2) A RT that's actually capable of blocking people. Cody Ford is pretty clearly not the answer here, as was evidenced on the last series of the last drive.

3) A DE capable of creating consistent pass rush. Shaq, while having the best season of his career is clearly a second-tier kind of guy, a Ryan Denney/Aaron Schoebel type.

4) A RB to pair with Motor. Need more size and youth at this position.

 

The question then is, HOW would the team best address these four areas of need? I'm of the opinion that we should be looking at FA for the WR and RT positions (as well as drafting a WR), while drafting the DE and RB. I reckon that if the team does it that way, it would allow them maximum flexibility in the draft. Agree/disagree...if so, why?

 

 

 

 

I’m 100% with you on the needs Joe. I think that I would address them like this:

- Sign Larry Fitzgerald to play the “x.” He fits perfectly for what we need and may come for a year or 2 to chase a ring (can’t believe I’m saying that). He still can play. 

- I’d draft a WR in the 2nd. You will get a guy in the 2nd that would have went in the 1st in every other draft because of the depth of the class. You may get a DoVonta Smith, or Tee Higgins or Antonio Golden-Gandy there. The receiver class is so loaded.
- I’d draft Yetur Gross-Matos or A.J. Expensa in the 1st to be the pass rusher.

- I’d re-sign Shaq and cut Murphy. Shaq would start and Gross-Matos or Epenesa would rotate in to rush the passer. 
- Sign Jack Conklin to play RT. You are probably looking at like 4 years $48M with $30M guaranteed.
-  I’d add a back like Carlos Hyde in FA. He’s having his best year but he’s a guy that you know can get you some yards still. He feels like a decent backup to Motor and can get 8-10 carries a game. 
- I’d draft a back as well. I’d want a guy that is an ideal “3rd down back” to complete the group. Someone like JJ Taylor out of Arizona would be interesting to me. 
 

Other than the needs addressed above I think you are looking for a replacement for Lorenzo, potentially a number 2 CB and maybe a kicker. 

Edited December 23, 2019 by Kirby Jackson

[billsfan1959]

1 minute ago, BringBackOrton said:

I think you go FA and draft for all positions. Or trade. 

 

Our OL strategy worked quite well last year. Pickup a couple guys via draft and FA and see who is best. If we sign another decent WR and then draft one, that’s perfect, same with DE, especially with Hughes’ on the downslope. Ideal scenario would be 2 years from now, your young guys would be coming into their own while the older FAs have only a year or two left on their deals but still contribute.

 

Absolutely agree. Loved the strategy they took last year and I think it is the blueprint for building and maintaining a perennial division contender

[atlbillsfan1975]

I like your list Joe. 
might I suggest we add CB there someplace?

while I like Levi, I think he might be suited as a third CB depth player. He could split time with a rookie draft pick next year. Maybe a guy from a lower level school who needs a little time to adjust to the speed of the game. 
 

I don’t know exactly what to make of Beanes approach to WR. A piece of me thinks Beane and McDermott will try to find their WR in FA. Then pick a mid rounder to begin developing or using as a specialist like KC did with Hardman.  The draft will be used to  focus early rounds  on DE, oline, and CB. 
 

I do think Spain is offered a 3 year deal.

 

RB will be filled in the draft and FA. 

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

6 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I’m 100% with you on the needs Joe. I think that I would address them like this:

- Sign Larry Fitzgerald to play the “x.” He fits perfectly for what we need and may come for a year or 2 to chase a ring (can’t believe I’m saying that). He still can play. 

- I’d draft a WR in the 2nd. You will get a guy in the 2nd that would have went in the 1st in every other draft because of the depth of the class. You may get a DoVonta Smith, or Tee Higgins or Antonio Golden-Gandy there. The receiver class is so loaded.
- I’d draft Yetur Gross-Matos or A.J. Expensa in the 1st to be the pass rusher.

- I’d re-sign Shaq and cut Murphy. Shaq would start and Gross-Matos or Epenesa would rotate in to rush the passer. 
- Sign Jack Conklin to play RT. You are probably looking at like 4 years $48M with $30M guaranteed.
-  I’d add a back like Carlos Hyde in FA. He’s having his best year but he’s a guy that you know can get you some yards still. He feels like a decent backup to Motor and can get 8-10 carries a game. 
- I’d draft a back as well. I’d want a guy that is an ideal “3rd down back” to complete the group. Someone like JJ Taylor out of Arizona would be interesting to me. 
 

Other than the needs addressed above I think you are looking for a replacement for Lorenzo, potentially a number 2 CB and maybe a kicker. 

 

Punter as well?

 

O.o

 

[MAJBobby]

1 hour ago, Joe in Winslow said:

As I see it, this team has four glaring needs in the following order:

 

1) A true #1 receiver. Look, I get it. Brown's had an amazing year, but he clearly lacks the size necessary to compete for contested passes.

2) A RT that's actually capable of blocking people. Cody Ford is pretty clearly not the answer here, as was evidenced on the last series of the last drive.

3) A DE capable of creating consistent pass rush. Shaq, while having the best season of his career is clearly a second-tier kind of guy, a Ryan Denney/Aaron Schoebel type.

4) A RB to pair with Motor. Need more size and youth at this position.

 

The question then is, HOW would the team best address these four areas of need? I'm of the opinion that we should be looking at FA for the WR and RT positions (as well as drafting a WR), while drafting the DE and RB. I reckon that if the team does it that way, it would allow them maximum flexibility in the draft. Agree/disagree...if so, why?

 

 

 

 

 

this is How I address these three positions.

 

WR - Draft 1st round (Laviska Shenault Jr)

DE - FA (Re-Sign Shaq Lawson, Sign One of Yannick Ngakoue, Bud Dupree or Matt Judon)

RT - Sign Jack Conklin

RB - Draft Zach Moss

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

1 hour ago, Joe in Winslow said:

4) A RB to pair with Motor. Need more size and youth at this position.

Christian Wade May fill that role if he’s learned anything on the PS all season long.  
 

[Kirby Jackson]

3 minutes ago, Joe in Winslow said:

 

Punter as well?

 

O.o

 

That’s another that I can go either way with. He’s inconsistent but has had his moments. If a clear opportunity to upgrade is available go for it but you could do worse. That’s kind of how I feel on the corner too if they bring back Kevin Johnson. Kevin Johnson and Levi Wallace are certainly serviceable. 

[BringBackOrton]

11 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I’m 100% with you on the needs Joe. I think that I would address them like this:

- Sign Larry Fitzgerald to play the “x.” He fits perfectly for what we need and may come for a year or 2 to chase a ring (can’t believe I’m saying that). He still can play. 

- I’d draft a WR in the 2nd. You will get a guy in the 2nd that would have went in the 1st in every other draft because of the depth of the class. You may get a DoVonta Smith, or Tee Higgins or Antonio Golden-Gandy there. The receiver class is so loaded.
- I’d draft Yetur Gross-Matos or A.J. Expensa in the 1st to be the pass rusher.

- I’d re-sign Shaq and cut Murphy. Shaq would start and Gross-Matos or Epenesa would rotate in to rush the passer. 
- Sign Jack Conklin to play RT. You are probably looking at like 4 years $48M with $30M guaranteed.
-  I’d add a back like Carlos Hyde in FA. He’s having his best year but he’s a guy that you know can get you some yards still. He feels like a decent backup to Motor and can get 8-10 carries a game. 
- I’d draft a back as well. I’d want a guy that is an ideal “3rd down back” to complete the group. Someone like JJ Taylor out of Arizona would be interesting to me. 
 

Other than the needs addressed above I think you are looking for a replacement for Lorenzo, potentially a number 2 CB and maybe a kicker. 

NO

 

NO MORE OCTOGENARIAN BANDAIDS.

 

No more Andre Johnson’s. No more Vontae Davis’s. No more Mike Tolberts. No more Frank Gores. ENOUGH.

 

Trade for Thielen over signing Larry Fitzgerald’s corpse.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

11 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Sign Larry Fitzgerald to play the “x.” He fits perfectly for what we need and may come for a year or 2 to chase a ring (can’t believe I’m saying that). He still can play. 

nothing against LF but that’s maybe for a season.  What about the next and the next?

 

 

[Whitey13]

1 hour ago, Cripple Creek said:

I’d go all in on Cooper to wrap up WR.  We need production right away, no growing pains.

 

RT...either way will work, more likely to fill the need via FA though, I think.  We aren’t drafting high and we need to make sure that position is solidified.

 

DE...likely have to draft, unless you move Edmunds to the outside and use his rush skills more. That would allow you to get a run stuffer which you can do in the draft.

 

RB...either or. 

 

I'm not as sold on Cooper as a lot of fans seem to be. 

 

From the games I've watched with him and some scoreboard watching (which isn't great I know) he seems to have issues with drops and disappearing in games. I was watching the Eagles/Cowboys game last night and I don't really remember Cooper making much of an impact in a game the Boys really needed.

[MAJBobby]

 

 

A Bigger, Stronger, more Talented version of McKenzie

 

And then come back in the later rounds and get someone like Chase Claypool (His timed speed at Combine going to make or break his draft position)

 

 

Edited December 23, 2019 by MAJBobby

[mjt328]

Outside of Amari Cooper (who is very inconsistent himself), the 2020 free agent WRs aren't very impressive.  It's hard to get excited about AJ Green, when you consider his age and recent injury history.  At the same time, this is considered an absolutely fantastic draft class for the position.  So if I'm Brandon Beane, at least one of those Day 1-2 Picks is in the reserve for a top receiver.  I wouldn't be opposed to spending two picks.

 

I'm a big believer that RB is a position for youth, and should be obtained through the draft.   As much a someone like Derrick Henry could help this team, I'm not wasting any salary cap space on another veteran runner.  As usual, there are expected to be some really good mid-round options.  So I'm targeting a versatile/tough between-the-tackles RB around the 3rd-4th Round to complement Devin Singletary.

 

Although I believe Cody Ford should be given more time to develop, I also believe we should hedge our bets with him at Right Tackle.  He's clearly been the weak-spot on the O-Line, especially against speed rushers.  If we are going to be a true contender next year, we can't sit around waiting for another young player to not be  liability.  I think we should go after a veteran upgrade to Ty Nsekhe.  Then if Ford doesn't show improvement in training camp, we can bump him inside for good.

 

Defensive End surprisingly has some decent options in free agency - assuming a lot of these guys don't get franchised or re-signed by their current teams.  And the draft options don't look great for a team drafting in the mid-20s.  Personally, I would offer Shaq Lawson an extension (along with Jordan Phillips).  Then go after someone like Jadeveon Clowney or Yannick Ngakou to add to the rotation.  Don't worry about investing a good-sized contract, because Trent Murphy can be released with little cap hit, and Jerry Hughes will be on the last year of his contract.

 

With the cap dollars we have available, I'm also prioritizing Cornerback in free agency.  Levi Wallace and Kevin Johnson are both very solid depth.  But I wouldn't mind an upgrade across from Tre White.

 

With my other draft picks, I'm prioritizing Linebacker.  Hopefully we can convince Lorenzo Alexander to come back another season.  And I absolutely love Matt Milano/Tremaine Edmunds as our main starters.  But this is one position that would absolutely kill us if there were injuries.  We need depth badly.

 

 

[ALF]

4 minutes ago, SlimShady'sGhost said:

Christian Wade May fill that role if he’s learned anything on the PS all season long.  
 

 

He could be a 3rd RB but a bruiser for short yardage and blocking is a need. Gore was good to mentor Singletary but I think it's time for him to retire.

[Billsfan1972]

25 minutes ago, oldmanfan said:

The Bills have 90 million in cap space, are going to the playoffs,  have a dynamic young QB, and a coach that is well respected by the players.  Last offseason they knew they needed to give Allen help, and what did they do?  Befed up the lines in free agency, and added Brown and Beasley in free agency, both of whom are playing well.  And you think they can't target and acquire the FAs they want?  They just did last year.

 

Your obsession with this 300 yard nonsense is pathologic, and as I have said before you really need help. 

No the fact this team for 3 years has not thrown for 300 yards & ranked 29th, 30th & a big jump to 24th (27th in passing) this year with this schedule in Offense is an embarrassment/joke.

 

Yep I enjoy offense & love watching the Saints, Baltimore, KC, GB, Minn & all teams who can put up points.  

 

As said I hope I'm 100% wrong & McD goes all in on O & spends the majority of the $90 million on that side.

 

Go back to your 10-7 barnburners you yearn for.

[Kirby Jackson]

7 minutes ago, BringBackOrton said:

NO

 

NO MORE OCTOGENARIAN BANDAIDS.

 

No more Andre Johnson’s. No more Vontae Davis’s. No more Mike Tolberts. No more Frank Gores. ENOUGH.

 

Trade for Thielen over signing Larry Fitzgerald’s corpse.

Fitzgerald has 71 catches for 759 yards and 4 TDs. He’s the guy that can get you 8 on 3rd and 6 all day long. He is not anything like those guys at the end of his career. 

[H2o]

Everything I'm seeing for the RT market in FA is iffy at best as far as being an upgrade because I think the better OT's like Conklin, Bulaga, and Daryl Williams will stay with their respective teams. Nsekhe is still probably the best option we have at this point. It will likely be another draft pick spent if they see Ford as a G rather than a RT. I see Jedrick Willis from Alabama as a possible Day 2 guy if we go that route. If we want to go day 3 to address the OL I like guys like Jared Hilbers from Washington, Matt Peart from UConn, and Charlie Heck of UNC.

 

For the DE position you have a few options that will be FA's. Clowney, Ngakoue, Robert Quinn who has had a really good year for Dallas, and Emmanuel Ogbah lead the way. I do believe we need to re-sign Lawson. He has really stepped up his game this year and has earned a new contract from us if he wants to stick around. After that, your guess is as good as mine. I like Clowney, but he is going to want to break the bank. I like Ngakoue, but I worry about his size @ 246lbs as far as being an every down contributor who can set an edge. Quinn is going to be 32 next year and you have to wonder if his production can be consistent for another 2 or 3 years. Ogbah is young and has really scratched the surface of what he may be, but he has battled some injuries in his first few years. If we go with the draft in this regard as well I like Yetur Gross-Matos from Penn St., Terrell Lewis from Alabama, Khalid Kareem from Notre Dame, Kenny Willekes from Michigan St., Bradley Anae from Utah, and Curtis Weaver from Boise St.  

[Kirby Jackson]

9 minutes ago, SlimShady'sGhost said:

nothing against LF but that’s maybe for a season.  What about the next and the next?

 

 

The very next line I discuss drafting Higgins, Smith or Golden-Gandy....

[Cripple Creek]

1 hour ago, Gugny said:

 

 

Look at youse two on the same page.  And I agree with the bofe of you.

 

I’d add LB to the list but I didn’t want to appear contrary.

[BringBackOrton]

2 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Fitzgerald has 71 catches for 759 yards and 4 TDs. He’s the guy that can get you 8 on 3rd and 6 all day long. He is not anything like those guys at the end of his career. 

Frankie was averaging 4.6 YPC  last year. 

 

Old guys produce until they fall off a cliff. I don’t want Larry breaking down in November. I want a 28 year old.

Edited December 23, 2019 by BringBackOrton