Focus On The Offense Draft

[H2o]

This is a draft I would like to see if we decide to address the defense in FA with proven NFL players, one that solely focuses on putting young talent around Josh. 

 

Round 1 - #25. Jahan Dotson / WR / Penn St. - Dotson stands at 5'11" weighing about 185-190lbs. He has speed to burn you deep, is solid in his route running with the ability to slip away from defenders, and he has a knack for finding the soft spots in Zone coverage. He improved every year while at Penn State. He knows when to high point the ball and when to use his body to shield off defenders. He can line up on the outside or play out of the slot. He's a versatile playmaker with speed who would immediately find a role in this offense. 

 

Round 2 - #57. Zion Johnson / OG / Boston College - The IOL needs some work. The OL really has problems with the more physical front 4's in the league. The only saving grace they have is Josh being so flippin' athletic that he can elude 80-90% of the pressure they allow. Zion goes a long way to fixing that. There was a noticeable uptick in his physicality this year on the field and he showed well in the Senior Bowl practices. This is a good spot to work on upgrading the OL. 

 

Round 3  - #89. Kyren Williams / RB / Notre Dame - What kind of world would we live in if I didn't mock a Notre Dame player to us? Seriously though, Williams is an Austin Ekeler clone. Same size, same running style, same speed, same hands out of the backfield, solid blocker, he could be a 3-down RB in the NFL. This would be an upgrade to our backfield that allows Dorsey to open things up even more for Josh. A guy the defense will have to watch out for both running the ball and slipping out into pass routes. 

 

Round 4 - #126. - Charlie Kolar / TE / Iowa St. - At 6'6", 260lbs this is another toy for Josh and this offense. He can play in line or he can split out as he did both at Iowa St. He has the size as already noted, reliable hands, enough speed to lose LB's in coverage, is a solid blocker, and has a good sense of where the soft spots in Zone coverage will be. He would be especially hard to handle in the Red Zone for opposing defenses. Definitely an upgrade at the #2 TE position on this roster, with the ability to slide into that #1 role if Knox gets injured or prices himself out of our range in 2023 FA. 

 

Round 5 - #166. Obinna Eze / OT / TCU - Eze is another mammoth of a human being at 6'8" and 335lbs. He has a total of 36 starts at LT under his belt between his time at Memphis and at TCU. He could be a versatile piece to backup numerous positions along the OL. 

 

Round 6 - #184. Tre Turner / WR / Virginia Tech - Going to the WR well again in Round 6. Turner improved at least some aspect of his game every year while at VT. He's also a 2 sport star for VT playing basketball for them as well. The QB situation at VT really hampered his ability to show what he can do, but he is a smooth route runner, has outstanding ball skills, and good body control. He could end up being a steal in the 6th Round. 

 

Round 6 - #203. Daniel Barker / TE / Illinois - Another swing at a TE as we can agree it was one of the weaker positions on the offensive side of the ball. Barker is another guy who possesses talent, but suffered from inconsistent QB play. He's more developmental that Kolar, but he has all the tools to be a #2 TE on an NFL roster. 

 

Round 7 - #228. Ryan Wright / P / Tulane - The search for the all elusive consistent punter in the NFL continues, for us anyway. Wright averaged 47.5yds per kick on 51 attempts. Out of those, 16 of those 51 punts went for over 50 yards and 17 of them were pegged inside the 20 yard line. It's worth a 7th to take a shot on a punter at this point. 

 

Round 7 - #243. Andrew Stueber / OL / Michigan - This is another OL depth piece as we look to find ways to upgrade the unit. Stueber is another guy who is just a massive human at 6'6" and 340lbs, but he has played all over the OL in his college career. Versatility and some ability to work with is all you can ask for at this point in the draft. 

Edited February 11, 2022 by H2o

[78thealltimegreat]

I’m not going to disagree we have a lot of high picks and money on the defensive side of the ball and supposedly two of the elite defensive minds between our head coach and DC.

 

The guy who is our franchise has an entire receiving corps that all run 4.6 minus Isiah whose probably leaving..let’s get the man some more help 

[DCbillsfan]

I agree that WR is a need.  I'd put it as a top 3 need along with CB and IOL.

 

Cap space is an issue and so is CB depth.  White is hurt, Wallace is a FA, leaving just Jackson and Johnson.

 

Beane will re-work some contracts to create space but Wallace is gone imo creating a huge hole.  My guess is Bills draft a CB in 1st round and maybe sign a vet CB to a short term deal.

[BuffaloBillyG]

I would love an offense centered draft, but just don't see it. 

 

I am more thinking I'd like some OL guys in FA that we don't have to wait 2-3 years to develop. As far as weapons, I would love DJ Chark if he hits FA. Good size/speed mix. 

 

At least after FA we ahould have a good idea where the draft focus will be.

[Niagara Bill]

Lot of needs to come. Dline, CB, WR?, Oline, RB, could all use some major help. 

The draft focus may depend on free agents. If we can get a defensive end or a major online immediate help then focus becomes clear.

A rookie CB, or RB can play right away, a rookie WR can really help support our great starters. 

[Greg S]

For those who don't know FA starts March 16th at 4:00 p.m. is when teams can start signing players. However they can begin talking to players and negotiating with players on March 14th.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

4 minutes ago, DCbillsfan said:

I agree that WR is a need.  I'd put it as a top 3 need along with CB and IOL.

 

Cap space is an issue and so is CB depth.  White is hurt, Wallace is a FA, leaving just Jackson and Johnson.

 

Beane will re-work some contracts to create space but Wallace is gone imo creating a huge hole.  My guess is Bills draft a CB in 1st round and maybe sign a vet CB to a short term deal.

 

I'd probably just go BPA.  It won't be a QB, a S, or from the looks of it a pass rusher.  So if its a lineman, or WR, or CB, or whatever.  The goal should be to find a star player in that spot.  

 

Like i doubt he makes it to us - but Jordan Davis would be a game changer for the defense.  Basically helps all of your pass rushers by adding an insanely strong athletic 1T.  Jameson Williams would be a good fit as he gets to come along at his own pace.  

[NewEra]

At this point, I’m not at all enamored with Dotson @ 25.  Give me London, Wilson, Williams, olave or Burks over him.  I’d rather wait til round two and grab a WR and use 25 on an OL, probably Zion (because I don’t see him making it to us in round 2).  

Edited February 11, 2022 by NewEra

[BuffaloBillyG]

5 hours ago, Niagara Bill said:

Lot of needs to come. Dline, CB, WR?, Oline, RB, could all use some major help. 

The draft focus may depend on free agents. If we can get a defensive end or a major online immediate help then focus becomes clear.

A rookie CB, or RB can play right away, a rookie WR can really help support our great starters. 

Right now to my eyes (and granted not everyone listed will end up a FA) IOL and WR are 2 of the deepest areas of the FA market. I'd like to see the Bills get 1 WR there and draft one as well. 

Edited February 11, 2022 by BuffaloBillyG

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

8 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

Right now to my eyes (and granted not everyone listed will end up a FA) IOL and WR are 2 of the deepest areas of the FA market. I'd like to see the Bills ***** 1 WR there and draft one as well. 

 

I think it depends who the WR is.  I'm not giving someone 10-12M AAV, to just end up using davis/diggs for the majority of outside snaps.  I suppose diggs could flex inside more, but Bease is still likely to play.  

[BuffaloBillyG]

39 minutes ago, dneveu said:

 

I think it depends who the WR is.  I'm not giving someone 10-12M AAV, to just end up using davis/diggs for the majority of outside snaps.  I suppose diggs could flex inside more, but Bease is still likely to play.  

Agree. Someone I've been mentioning (often) is Chark. Coming off a season ruined by injury he may be had a bit cheaper on a 1-2 year "prove it". Being a LOT of WR talent is projected to hit FA (again, that may change) he may find a bit cooler a market then he may want.

 

SPOTRAC has him listed at a projected $11.9M estimated value. That would put him above my comfort level. However a cool market may put him more plausible. 

 

Just to put this into perspective for some...coming out of college Chark ran a 4.34 40. Tyreek Hill ran a 4.29.

 

Oh and Chark is listed at 6'4". Beane does love rare athletes and is looking for Hill like speed....

Edited February 11, 2022 by BuffaloBillyG

[pennstate10]

I agree that speed at WR is one of Bills top priorities. Along with CB and yes, more DL. 
 

Dotson would be an excellent pick. Only real negative is size. He’s fast (4.33), runs excellent routes, and has elite ball skills and hands. And was highly productive despite having an erratic QB.   He may not be available at 25. 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

1 hour ago, DCbillsfan said:

I agree that WR is a need.  I'd put it as a top 3 need along with CB and IOL.

 

Cap space is an issue and so is CB depth.  White is hurt, Wallace is a FA, leaving just Jackson and Johnson.

 

Beane will re-work some contracts to create space but Wallace is gone imo creating a huge hole.  My guess is Bills draft a CB in 1st round and maybe sign a vet CB to a short term deal.

 

Agree.  Also feel CB (and RB) are the two positions rookies can come in an excel at right away.  With limited money makes sense to bring in and start a rookie CB.

 

Think Davis has done enough to establish himself as a legit #2 at a minimum "co-#2" so from a needs standpoint you're really looking at a slot guy unless Beasley does return and a burner, but more for the #4 or as I called Davis a "co-#2" so maybe the burner and Davis switch in and out on plays and situation.  Slot position is s bit longer learning curve so don't think drafting a rookie for that spot makes sense either to step in year 1.  Davis and even Diggs have shown you don't need to draft a WR in the 1st round or even on day #2.

 

There are some needs too on defensive side, depending what happens with Phillips NT could be a high need and even if Phillips does resign, still may need backup help.  We had 11 defensive lineman on this years 53, while we often sat decent players on game day, we also have many of them are FA this year: Hughes, Addison, Butler, Obada, and Zimmer.  Plus a 6th guy Star, that's could be cut due to high salary. 

 

You also need to have what I call a "landing spot" in other words don't draft a guy where there's not a roster need.  We have 3 OT's on the roster for 2022, not really a need for another.

 

Do agree on drafting a punter though, maybe even in the 5th

Edited February 11, 2022 by Ed_Formerly_of_Roch

[Bookie Man]

Zion Johnson at 57 is ambitious.

[Thurman#1]

2021:  4 offense, 4 defense

2020:  4 offense, 2 defense, 1 STs

2019:  4 and 4

2018:  4 and 4

 

That's how it's gone for the Bills in the draft. And that's how you'd expect for a team that is primarily a BPA drafting team.

 

FA is different. That's where you pick your position of need and go find somebody.

 

I get that you didn't really expect all offense. But I think they'll be about half and half, as they generally are.

[Brandon]

I'd like to see them pick up a CB in the first three rounds, but I agree, this draft should lean toward the offensive side.  Given that this may be Beasley's last year and that they're likely losing McKenzie and Sanders,  I think it would make a lot of sense to bring in someone like Dotson in the first or second round to get them a year to learn the offense and be ready for a bigger role next year and still have some chances to help now.   I also completely agree with bringing in some interior OL help,  plus adding some decent competition at RB. 

[DCbillsfan]

2 hours ago, dneveu said:

 

I'd probably just go BPA.  It won't be a QB, a S, or from the looks of it a pass rusher.  So if its a lineman, or WR, or CB, or whatever.  The goal should be to find a star player in that spot.  

 

I suspect Beane will go BPA but guessing WR/CB in first 2 rounds. He usually fills the roster to some degree before the draft to allow flexibility.  DT1 is an area where I believe they could handle through free agency.  Re-sign Phillips and sign a guy.  I think Star may get cut.

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

Just looked at the list of upcoming FA for the Bills, there are 8 offensive, 8 defensive , and T Jones on ST

 

However of the 8 on offensive, only really one to two that were counted on much: Trubisky, Breida, Kumarow, Hart, Bates/Boettger (lumped them together as kind of took eachothers spot) and even McKenzie, and Sanders contributions were more limited.  The only one you really need to worry about replacing on that list is Bates/Boettger.

 

Where on the defensive side, of the 8, the only one who didn't contribute much and wouldn't be missed at all was Butler and to a lesser degree Neal.  The other 6 will all need to be replaced to some fairly high level.

 

So would tend to agree with many of the comments doubt it will be a substantially higher number of draft picks on the offensive side unless they concentrate a high majority of FA signings on one side of the ball.

[Dablitzkrieg]

This team needs a pass rush and that needs to be the focus,  as well as another CB

[JohnBonhamRocks]

Haven’t scouted much, but I like the positions addressed with the first 2 picks. 
 

As a Fighting Irish fan I can say I’d be pumped to get Kyren…

 

but we know Beane would never draft a HB in the 3rd round! /s