The Myth of the Bills over-focusing on defense in the Draft and FA

[folz]

I constantly see posters say that Sean and Brandon have focused too much on the defensive side of the ball when it comes to drafting and free agency. This just is not true. But, of course, once something is believed, it is hard to get people to see differently. So, this idea just keeps getting bandied about.

 

The only thing that could be said/griped about is maybe that the Bills have spent too many first round picks on defense. But that's it. You can't even say too many premium (or Day 1 and Day 2 picks), as you will see below. The first round is the only place where you can say the Bills have gone defensive heavy, but people say it like it has been a rule across all drafts, all rounds, and every year of free agency (as a whole). 

 

Since 2017, the Bills have drafted 44 players: 21 on defense, 22 on offense, and 2 STers. So, overall, the Bills have drafted 1 more offensive player than defensive players over the last six years. Below is a breakdown by round:

 

Round 1: 5 on defense, 1 on offense (though we should note that another 1st round pick was used on Stefon Diggs, so technically 2 on offense)

Round 2: 2 on defense, 4 on offense

Round 3: 2 on defense, 4 on offense

Round 4: 1 on defense, 1 on offense

Round 5: 3 on defense, 5 on offense

Round 6: 5 on defense, 4 on offense, 2 STs

Round 7: 3 on defense, 3 on offense 

 

So, yes, 5 defensive players to 1/2 offensive players in round one. But rounds 1-3 combined, it's 9 defensive players to 9 offensive players. Rounds 1-5 combined, it's 13 defensive players to 15 offensive players.

 

And how about free agency? [It was hard to get exact FA numbers as some sites include rookie free agents that made the team and some did not, some included the Bills resigning their own low-tier free agents and some did not. I tried to focus on free agents coming from other teams to the Bills in a particular off-season...but by no means are these numbers definitive.]

 

But, to the best of my quick researching ability, since 2017, the Bills have brought in 33 defensive free agents, 47 offensive free agents, and 2 Special Teamers. 

[Special Teamers in my numbers are kicking specialists only, for players like Taiwan and Tyler M, they were listed as either offense or defense depending, despite really being STs]

 

So, since Sean McDermott arrived, the Bills have brought in (approx) 54 defensive players total, 69 offensive players total, and 4 Special Teamers total.

 

I'm guessing that this assumption of being defensive-heavy is coming from the disparity in the first round picks, and the Bills going heavy defensive line the last two years. But again, overall, the Bills have not over-focused on defense when you look at their full tenure, it has only been in regards to first round picks. And I'm sure it doesn't help the perception that those first round picks on defense (outside of Tre White), didn't come in as dominant players right away (Tremaine, Ed, Greg, Kaiir), if they had, I doubt anyone would be complaining that they are over-drafting defense. But, then again, when you are drafting in the bottom-half of round one, it is tough to get one of those guys that just comes in as a rookie and shines right away, so they have drafted a bit for potential (knowing that these players would need grooming time).

 

You can totally question the Bills draft/FA strategy or the individual players they are bringing in (I want more offensive line help too), but this idea that they only focus on defense is as the thread title states, a myth.

 

Go Bills!

 

 

 

 

[RoyBatty is alive]

Thanks and I agree.

 

This board is victim to incredible recency bias and groupthink.  A few posters come up with an idea and suddenly is is all the rage and many accept it as gold.  Another current and similar thread is we need one offensive minded head coach and also Dorsey sucks, blah blah blah.

[Shaw66]

Well, I agree, and thanks for putting this together, but the first round is more important than any other round.   The defense would be just as good, and the offense markedly better, if Beane had found one or two offensive linemen in the first round.  

[CNYfan]

It was mostly the Basham and Bernard picks that have people scratching their heads.  

[msw2112]

I agree with this.  Basham has proven to be a depth player only, which is not good for 2nd round pick and Bernard has, to date, not even achieved that status.  Hopefully, a full offseason in the weight room and playbook will pay dividends for Bernard.  I'm not holding my breath, but some guys do develop slower than others, and he is/was no doubt undersized and underweight for the position.

Edited February 24, 2023 by msw2112

[LABILLBACKER]

26 minutes ago, folz said:

I constantly see posters say that Sean and Brandon have focused too much on the defensive side of the ball when it comes to drafting and free agency. This just is not true. But, of course, once something is believed, it is hard to get people to see differently. So, this idea just keeps getting bandied about.

 

The only thing that could be said/griped about is maybe that the Bills have spent too many first round picks on defense. But that's it. You can't even say too many premium (or Day 1 and Day 2 picks), as you will see below. The first round is the only place where you can say the Bills have gone defensive heavy, but people say it like it has been a rule across all drafts, all rounds, and every year of free agency (as a whole). 

 

Since 2017, the Bills have drafted 44 players: 21 on defense, 22 on offense, and 2 STers. So, overall, the Bills have drafted 1 more offensive player than defensive players over the last six years. Below is a breakdown by round:

 

Round 1: 5 on defense, 1 on offense (though we should note that another 1st round pick was used on Stefon Diggs, so technically 2 on offense)

Round 2: 2 on defense, 4 on offense

Round 3: 2 on defense, 4 on offense

Round 4: 1 on defense, 1 on offense

Round 5: 3 on defense, 5 on offense

Round 6: 5 on defense, 4 on offense, 2 STs

Round 7: 3 on defense, 3 on offense 

 

So, yes, 5 defensive players to 1/2 offensive players in round one. But rounds 1-3 combined, it's 9 defensive players to 9 offensive players. Rounds 1-5 combined, it's 13 defensive players to 15 offensive players.

 

And how about free agency? [It was hard to get exact FA numbers as some sites include rookie free agents that made the team and some did not, some included the Bills resigning their own low-tier free agents and some did not. I tried to focus on free agents coming from other teams to the Bills in a particular off-season...but by no means are these numbers definitive.]

 

But, to the best of my quick researching ability, since 2017, the Bills have brought in 33 defensive free agents, 47 offensive free agents, and 2 Special Teamers. 

[Special Teamers in my numbers are kicking specialists only, for players like Taiwan and Tyler M, they were listed as either offense or defense depending, despite really being STs]

 

So, since Sean McDermott arrived, the Bills have brought in (approx) 54 defensive players total, 69 offensive players total, and 4 Special Teamers total.

 

I'm guessing that this assumption of being defensive-heavy is coming from the disparity in the first round picks, and the Bills going heavy defensive line the last two years. But again, overall, the Bills have not over-focused on defense when you look at their full tenure, it has only been in regards to first round picks. And I'm sure it doesn't help the perception that those first round picks on defense (outside of Tre White), didn't come in as dominant players right away (Tremaine, Ed, Greg, Kaiir), if they had, I doubt anyone would be complaining that they are over-drafting defense. But, then again, when you are drafting in the bottom-half of round one, it is tough to get one of those guys that just comes in as a rookie and shines right away, so they have drafted a bit for potential (knowing that these players would need grooming time).

 

You can totally question the Bills draft/FA strategy or the individual players they are bringing in (I want more offensive line help too), but this idea that they only focus on defense is as the thread title states, a myth.

 

Go Bills!

 

 

 

 

Someone explain to OP that 1st round pick has substantially more allocation points than a 6th or 7th round pick.  The offensive players brought in from FA are dumpster dives.  This math doesn't work.  It's not just quantity,  it's quality from 1st round draft picks to bottom of the barrel FA pick ups.  

[Matt_In_NH]

This has been my thought too since the meltdown started after the Bengals game, however someone posted an interesting article recently that broke it down in some more detail showing a point system that awards more for first round picks than later round picks.  I found that interesting.  You should definitely count Diggs as the 1st and 4th he did cost, that brings it in some.  I do think it is overblown, just like the fire everybody crowd who wants to get rid of the coach and GM because they have failed in the playoffs.  The Bills have won more games than 1 team the last three years, lets blow that up?  Nah, lets find a way to get over the hump.  

 

as a 48 year old who lived the SB years, the drought and now today's run I say take a step back and enjoy the ride..this team is great, there are no guarantees they will win the SB but they have a great chance to, as good as any team does right now.   Lots of big games, national games, our team and city is talked about all the time.  People are a little overhyped in nonsensical criticism.

[uticaclub]

25 minutes ago, msw2112 said:

I agree with this.  Basham has proven to be a depth player only, which is not good for 2nd round pick and Bernard has, to date, not even achieved that status.  Hopefully, a full offseason in the weight room and playbook will pay dividends for Bernard.  I'm not holding my breath, but some guys do develop slower than others, and he is/was no doubt undersized and underweight for the position.

Bernard was selected for special teams, another area we spend too much cap on

Edited February 24, 2023 by uticaclub

[Mango]

1 hour ago, folz said:

I constantly see posters say that Sean and Brandon have focused too much on the defensive side of the ball when it comes to drafting and free agency. This just is not true. But, of course, once something is believed, it is hard to get people to see differently. So, this idea just keeps getting bandied about.

 

The only thing that could be said/griped about is maybe that the Bills have spent too many first round picks on defense. But that's it. You can't even say too many premium (or Day 1 and Day 2 picks), as you will see below. The first round is the only place where you can say the Bills have gone defensive heavy, but people say it like it has been a rule across all drafts, all rounds, and every year of free agency (as a whole). 

 

Since 2017, the Bills have drafted 44 players: 21 on defense, 22 on offense, and 2 STers. So, overall, the Bills have drafted 1 more offensive player than defensive players over the last six years. Below is a breakdown by round:

 

Round 1: 5 on defense, 1 on offense (though we should note that another 1st round pick was used on Stefon Diggs, so technically 2 on offense)

Round 2: 2 on defense, 4 on offense

Round 3: 2 on defense, 4 on offense

Round 4: 1 on defense, 1 on offense

Round 5: 3 on defense, 5 on offense

Round 6: 5 on defense, 4 on offense, 2 STs

Round 7: 3 on defense, 3 on offense 

 

So, yes, 5 defensive players to 1/2 offensive players in round one. But rounds 1-3 combined, it's 9 defensive players to 9 offensive players. Rounds 1-5 combined, it's 13 defensive players to 15 offensive players.

 

And how about free agency? [It was hard to get exact FA numbers as some sites include rookie free agents that made the team and some did not, some included the Bills resigning their own low-tier free agents and some did not. I tried to focus on free agents coming from other teams to the Bills in a particular off-season...but by no means are these numbers definitive.]

 

But, to the best of my quick researching ability, since 2017, the Bills have brought in 33 defensive free agents, 47 offensive free agents, and 2 Special Teamers. 

[Special Teamers in my numbers are kicking specialists only, for players like Taiwan and Tyler M, they were listed as either offense or defense depending, despite really being STs]

 

So, since Sean McDermott arrived, the Bills have brought in (approx) 54 defensive players total, 69 offensive players total, and 4 Special Teamers total.

 

I'm guessing that this assumption of being defensive-heavy is coming from the disparity in the first round picks, and the Bills going heavy defensive line the last two years. But again, overall, the Bills have not over-focused on defense when you look at their full tenure, it has only been in regards to first round picks. And I'm sure it doesn't help the perception that those first round picks on defense (outside of Tre White), didn't come in as dominant players right away (Tremaine, Ed, Greg, Kaiir), if they had, I doubt anyone would be complaining that they are over-drafting defense. But, then again, when you are drafting in the bottom-half of round one, it is tough to get one of those guys that just comes in as a rookie and shines right away, so they have drafted a bit for potential (knowing that these players would need grooming time).

 

You can totally question the Bills draft/FA strategy or the individual players they are bringing in (I want more offensive line help too), but this idea that they only focus on defense is as the thread title states, a myth.

 

Go Bills!

 

 

 

 

Beane inherited the 10th most expensive line in the NFL.

 

He then made it the most expensive in 2019, 2020. 2nd most expensive in 2021. They did drop to 17th this year. But are currently the 3rd most expensive DL in cap dollars for 2023.

 

All the while spending a 1, 1, 2, 2, and 3rd round picks on the DL alone. That same unit has regularly been a top 5 paid unit across the league.
 

You can break it down however you want. But our spend vs return has been abysmal. 

[Doc Brown]

3 minutes ago, uticaclub said:

Bernard was selected for special teams, another area we spend too much cap on

You take him in the fifth round (where he should’ve gone) or lower if you’re thinking backup/special teams guy on a cost controlled rookie deal.

 

They pry thought he could eventually replace Milano after 2023 and would be the primary extra lb in the few times they go away from their base defense in the meantime.  Whiff of an evaluation and maybe a little bit of hubris went into that pick. Who knows though.  Maybe he’ll shock us and take a gigantic leap over the next couple years.  

 

[Mango]

2 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

You take him in the fifth round (where he should’ve gone) or lower if you’re thinking backup/special teams guy on a cost controlled rookie deal.

 

They pry thought he could eventually replace Milano after 2023 and would be the primary extra lb in the few times they go away from their base defense in the meantime.  Whiff of an evaluation and maybe a little bit of hubris went into that pick. Who knows though.  Maybe he’ll shock us and take a gigantic leap over the next couple years.  

 

This. I don’t think they got fancy. Or Bernard was a luxury pick.

 

I think they thought he would be a player. Which I think is actually worse. If they were getting cute that’s a much easier fix than being that wrong. 

[Doc Brown]

1 minute ago, Mango said:

This. I don’t think they got fancy. Or Bernard was a luxury pick.

 

I think they thought he would be a player. Which I think is actually worse. If they were getting cute that’s a much easier fix than being that wrong. 

Plus there was all this talk of the offenses switching to a more run heavy approach last year which never really materialized like I thought it would.  Maybe they underestimated Taron Johnson.

[Mr. WEO]

59 minutes ago, CNYfan said:

It was mostly the Basham and Bernard picks that have people scratching their heads.  

 

Epenesa

[uticaclub]

43 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

You take him in the fifth round (where he should’ve gone) or lower if you’re thinking backup/special teams guy on a cost controlled rookie deal.

 

They pry thought he could eventually replace Milano after 2023 and would be the primary extra lb in the few times they go away from their base defense in the meantime.  Whiff of an evaluation and maybe a little bit of hubris went into that pick. Who knows though.  Maybe he’ll shock us and take a gigantic leap over the next couple years.  

 

Watching the rest of their picks not develop. I wouldn’t count on it. 

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

1 hour ago, folz said:

I constantly see posters say that Sean and Brandon have focused too much on the defensive side of the ball when it comes to drafting and free agency. This just is not true. But, of course, once something is believed, it is hard to get people to see differently. So, this idea just keeps getting bandied about.

 

The only thing that could be said/griped about is maybe that the Bills have spent too many first round picks on defense. But that's it. You can't even say too many premium (or Day 1 and Day 2 picks), as you will see below. The first round is the only place where you can say the Bills have gone defensive heavy, but people say it like it has been a rule across all drafts, all rounds, and every year of free agency (as a whole). 

 

Since 2017, the Bills have drafted 44 players: 21 on defense, 22 on offense, and 2 STers. So, overall, the Bills have drafted 1 more offensive player than defensive players over the last six years. Below is a breakdown by round:

 

Round 1: 5 on defense, 1 on offense (though we should note that another 1st round pick was used on Stefon Diggs, so technically 2 on offense)

Round 2: 2 on defense, 4 on offense

Round 3: 2 on defense, 4 on offense

Round 4: 1 on defense, 1 on offense

Round 5: 3 on defense, 5 on offense

Round 6: 5 on defense, 4 on offense, 2 STs

Round 7: 3 on defense, 3 on offense 

 

So, yes, 5 defensive players to 1/2 offensive players in round one. But rounds 1-3 combined, it's 9 defensive players to 9 offensive players. Rounds 1-5 combined, it's 13 defensive players to 15 offensive players.

 

And how about free agency? [It was hard to get exact FA numbers as some sites include rookie free agents that made the team and some did not, some included the Bills resigning their own low-tier free agents and some did not. I tried to focus on free agents coming from other teams to the Bills in a particular off-season...but by no means are these numbers definitive.]

 

But, to the best of my quick researching ability, since 2017, the Bills have brought in 33 defensive free agents, 47 offensive free agents, and 2 Special Teamers. 

[Special Teamers in my numbers are kicking specialists only, for players like Taiwan and Tyler M, they were listed as either offense or defense depending, despite really being STs]

 

So, since Sean McDermott arrived, the Bills have brought in (approx) 54 defensive players total, 69 offensive players total, and 4 Special Teamers total.

 

I'm guessing that this assumption of being defensive-heavy is coming from the disparity in the first round picks, and the Bills going heavy defensive line the last two years. But again, overall, the Bills have not over-focused on defense when you look at their full tenure, it has only been in regards to first round picks. And I'm sure it doesn't help the perception that those first round picks on defense (outside of Tre White), didn't come in as dominant players right away (Tremaine, Ed, Greg, Kaiir), if they had, I doubt anyone would be complaining that they are over-drafting defense. But, then again, when you are drafting in the bottom-half of round one, it is tough to get one of those guys that just comes in as a rookie and shines right away, so they have drafted a bit for potential (knowing that these players would need grooming time).

 

You can totally question the Bills draft/FA strategy or the individual players they are bringing in (I want more offensive line help too), but this idea that they only focus on defense is as the thread title states, a myth.

 

Go Bills!

 

 

 

 

never let facts get in the way of a good narrative 

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

2 hours ago, folz said:

I constantly see posters say that Sean and Brandon have focused too much on the defensive side of the ball when it comes to drafting and free agency. This just is not true. But, of course, once something is believed, it is hard to get people to see differently. So, this idea just keeps getting bandied about.

 

The only thing that could be said/griped about is maybe that the Bills have spent too many first round picks on defense. But that's it. You can't even say too many premium (or Day 1 and Day 2 picks), as you will see below. The first round is the only place where you can say the Bills have gone defensive heavy, but people say it like it has been a rule across all drafts, all rounds, and every year of free agency (as a whole). 

 

Since 2017, the Bills have drafted 44 players: 21 on defense, 22 on offense, and 2 STers. So, overall, the Bills have drafted 1 more offensive player than defensive players over the last six years. Below is a breakdown by round:

 

Round 1: 5 on defense, 1 on offense (though we should note that another 1st round pick was used on Stefon Diggs, so technically 2 on offense)

Round 2: 2 on defense, 4 on offense

Round 3: 2 on defense, 4 on offense

Round 4: 1 on defense, 1 on offense

Round 5: 3 on defense, 5 on offense

Round 6: 5 on defense, 4 on offense, 2 STs

Round 7: 3 on defense, 3 on offense 

 

So, yes, 5 defensive players to 1/2 offensive players in round one. But rounds 1-3 combined, it's 9 defensive players to 9 offensive players. Rounds 1-5 combined, it's 13 defensive players to 15 offensive players.

 

And how about free agency? [It was hard to get exact FA numbers as some sites include rookie free agents that made the team and some did not, some included the Bills resigning their own low-tier free agents and some did not. I tried to focus on free agents coming from other teams to the Bills in a particular off-season...but by no means are these numbers definitive.]

 

But, to the best of my quick researching ability, since 2017, the Bills have brought in 33 defensive free agents, 47 offensive free agents, and 2 Special Teamers. 

[Special Teamers in my numbers are kicking specialists only, for players like Taiwan and Tyler M, they were listed as either offense or defense depending, despite really being STs]

 

So, since Sean McDermott arrived, the Bills have brought in (approx) 54 defensive players total, 69 offensive players total, and 4 Special Teamers total.

 

I'm guessing that this assumption of being defensive-heavy is coming from the disparity in the first round picks, and the Bills going heavy defensive line the last two years. But again, overall, the Bills have not over-focused on defense when you look at their full tenure, it has only been in regards to first round picks. And I'm sure it doesn't help the perception that those first round picks on defense (outside of Tre White), didn't come in as dominant players right away (Tremaine, Ed, Greg, Kaiir), if they had, I doubt anyone would be complaining that they are over-drafting defense. But, then again, when you are drafting in the bottom-half of round one, it is tough to get one of those guys that just comes in as a rookie and shines right away, so they have drafted a bit for potential (knowing that these players would need grooming time).

 

You can totally question the Bills draft/FA strategy or the individual players they are bringing in (I want more offensive line help too), but this idea that they only focus on defense is as the thread title states, a myth.

 

Go Bills!

 

 

 

 

Lol the whole point is they don't ACTUALLY spend premium picks on offense. 

 

The one time they've had a top 10 in this regime, they wasted it on a DT.

 

They started a 4th and 5th round WR this year. And the fifth rounder couldn't crack the lineup till the second half of the season.

 

This is a disingenuous post by you, man. No offense.

57 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

Epenesa

Don't forget Oliver 

[PBF81]

2 hours ago, folz said:

Round 1: 5 on defense, 1 on offense (though we should note that another 1st round pick was used on Stefon Diggs, so technically 2 on offense)

Round 2: 2 on defense, 4 on offense

Round 3: 2 on defense, 4 on offense

 

To start, the knock for drafting is on Beane, not McD who has his own balls to shag in defending horrific gameday coaching.  "13 Seconds" and our "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" Cinci game D as two prominent examples.  

 

So let's not include 2017 then since that wasn't Beane's Draft.  Sure, there's irony that it was by a country mile our best one otherwise, but let's focus on the five that were Beane's.  

 

Also, let's focus on those rounds above.  I haven't seen a single post here complaining that our 4th thru 7th rounders haven't turned into All-Pros.  More, much more, is expected from our first three rounds in days 1 & 2.  

 

So, under Beane ... 

 

Round 1:  4 on Defense, & Allen, and one of the defensive picks a major trade-up.  

Round 2:  2 on Defense, 3 on Offense 

Round 3:  2 on Defense, 4 on Offense 

 

But that's not what people are criticizing specifically, it's what we're getting for our draft picks.  I put up the Cinci draftees as starters the other day in another thread, a good chunk of their team is filled with high performing players that they drafted in those same years.  It was impressive.  

 

Who do we have that's high-performing in our drafts as such?  No one really besides Allen.  

 

I'll post our 1st thru 3rd rounders in the starting roles, besides Allen, and ask yourself is that good?  I'm going to include players that have or are about to depart.  Without them it gets even worse.  

 

OL:  Ford, originally taken to play OT, but can't even play G.  

OL:  Brown 

 

RB:  Singletary 

RB:  Moss 
RB:  Cook 

 

WR:  Davis 

 

TE:  Knox 

 

DE:  Rousseau

DE:  Epenesa 

 

DT:  Oliver 

DT:  Basham 

DT:  Phillips 

 

LB:  Edmunds 

LB:  Bernard 

 

If we had to start all of those guys, how would we do?  How would our OL be with Ford and Brown both on it as starters.  Davis is a borderline starting caliber WR, but nowhere near a #1.   At best on D we have streaky performances by Oliver, Edmunds, and Rousseau, but none are consistently very good, and Edmunds now is gone, also part of Beane's duties.  They were terrible in the playoffs if not invisible.  

 

That's what people are concerned and critical about.  We can't keep getting that lack of value in our draft picks.  As someone else put it in one of these threads, our blind squirrel Beane needs to find a nut, possibly two, in this draft.  You cannot possibly build a team like that.  Going the free agency route is a big part of our present problem.  You know what you're getting and you pay for it.  Good management requires finding good players in the Draft that you can have on relatively cheap contracts for 3-5 years.  Beane's not good at that.  

 

 

Edited February 24, 2023 by PBF81

[PBF81]

1 hour ago, Mango said:

Beane inherited the 10th most expensive line in the NFL.

 

He then made it the most expensive in 2019, 2020. 2nd most expensive in 2021. They did drop to 17th this year. But are currently the 3rd most expensive DL in cap dollars for 2023.

 

All the while spending a 1, 1, 2, 2, and 3rd round picks on the DL alone. That same unit has regularly been a top 5 paid unit across the league.
 

You can break it down however you want. But our spend vs return has been abysmal. 

 

My biggest issue with it all is that there appears to be no strategy to build the team.  These guys just keep drafting over themselves every year on the DL as if the picks and time to put a championship product on the field are endless with our originally drafted players never falling off ala Singletary and Edmunds.  

 

What are they trying to do?  To me it seems that they're desperately trying to get pass-rushers drafted.  Well, how many years are they going to use a 1st or 2nd round pick to get one?  

 

What about the LBs?  We haven't had more than two starting caliber LBs over the past three or four seasons.  Do they draft any?  Not really.  What, Bernard?  

 

Edmunds is gone now.  What's the plan?  Start Milano in 4-1-6 or 5-1-5 and then convince us that that's what they've had in mind all along.  LOL   What if Milano goes down?  What, every Tom, Dick, and Harry RB logs 150+ on us rushing?  

 

I mean what's the plan?  They seem to draft players as if they're playing fantasy football or some video game or something.  I don't see any plan whatsoever to bring it all together given the holes that we have at LB and have had for several seasons now, that's only on D.  

 

Offensively, LOL, I guess we're in for more 1 or 2 year $3M a season signees for the OL, so that once again Allen has absolutely no familiarity with any chemistry up front again.  

 

There is no strategic plan for building out the team.  It's all hodgepodge.  That's what we're seeing and that's where the frustration is coming in.  I mean I remember when they drafted Epenesa, who the scouts said was more of a run-defending DE, but our team, smarter by half, told us that he was a much better pass rusher than he showed in college.  LOL, well he's apparently a much better pass rusher than he's showing here in Buffalo too.  

 

People, fans, media, they see this.  They're not all stupid.  

 

[LyndonvilleBill]

19 minutes ago, PBF81 said:

 

To start, the knock for drafting is on Beane, not McD who has his own balls to shag in defending horrific gameday coaching.  "13 Seconds" and our "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" Cinci game D as two prominent examples.  

 

So let's not include 2017 then since that wasn't Beane's Draft.  Sure, there's irony that it was by a country mile our best one otherwise, but let's focus on the five that were Beane's.  

 

Also, let's focus on those rounds above.  I haven't seen a single post here complaining that our 4th thru 7th rounders haven't turned into All-Pros.  More, much more, is expected from our first three rounds in days 1 & 2.  

 

So, under Beane ... 

 

Round 1:  4 on Defense, & Allen, and one of the defensive picks a major trade-up.  

Round 2:  2 on Defense, 3 on Offense 

Round 3:  2 on Defense, 4 on Offense 

 

But that's not what people are criticizing specifically, it's what we're getting for our draft picks.  I put up the Cinci draftees as starters the other day in another thread, a good chunk of their team is filled with high performing players that they drafted in those same years.  It was impressive.  

 

Who do we have that's high-performing in our drafts as such?  No one really besides Allen.  

 

I'll post our 1st thru 3rd rounders in the starting roles, besides Allen, and ask yourself is that good?  I'm going to include players that have or are about to depart.  Without them it gets even worse.  

 

OL:  Ford, originally taken to play OT, but can't even play G.  

OL:  Brown 

 

RB:  Singletary 

RB:  Moss 
RB:  Cook 

 

WR:  Davis 

 

TE:  Knox 

 

DE:  Rousseau

DE:  Epenesa 

 

DT:  Oliver 

DT:  Basham 

DT:  Phillips 

 

LB:  Edmunds 

LB:  Bernard 

 

If we had to start all of those guys, how would we do?  How would our OL be with Ford and Brown both on it as starters.  Davis is a borderline starting caliber WR, but nowhere near a #1.   At best on D we have streaky performances by Oliver, Edmunds, and Rousseau, but none are consistently very good, and Edmunds now is gone, also part of Beane's duties.  They were terrible in the playoffs if not invisible.  

 

That's what people are concerned and critical about.  We can't keep getting that lack of value in our draft picks.  As someone else put it in one of these threads, our blind squirrel Beane needs to find a nut, possibly two, in this draft.  You cannot possibly build a team like that.  Going the free agency route is a big part of our present problem.  You know what you're getting and you pay for it.  Good management requires finding good players in the Draft that you can have on relatively cheap contracts for 3-5 years.  Beane's not good at that.  

 

 

Well, considering 12 out of the 14 you listed played quite a bit for us this past season,  I'd have to go with a 13-3 regular season record.🤔😉😁

[BADOLBILZ]

 

The draft value of a 1st round pick is much, much higher than any subsequent rounds.    It's value essentially trumps the value of the rest of your picks.

 

So your argument is like saying the Bills emphasize offense as much as defense contractually because they have the same amount of players under contract on both sides of the ball on opening day.

 

It's the value of the investment.

 

And no........Stefon Diggs does not count as a first round pick.........he cost a first round pick+.......but he also cost about $15M aav so he was essentially a hedged bet between a draft pick and free agency.    It's like saying Rob Johnson or Drew Bledsoe were first round picks of the Bills...........an argument oft-used by Bills fans who didn't think the Bills should expend first round picks on QB prospects.   

 

And I mean your work isn't even close to accurate.........the Bills traded picks to move up for Josh Allen that you didn't account for..........they traded the Sammy Watkins pick in round 2 to move up for Tremaine Edmunds.........they traded their own #3 for Kelvin Benjamin...........it's not a very thorough analysis.