This might be the perfect WR class for the Bills to draft one in the mid rounds

[Simon Says]

11 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

Congrats on that glass half full perspective.  Diggs is almost 30.  Davis has been underwhelming as WR2 who's in the last year of his contract.  We should be looking to draft a future Diggs replacement who can play on the outside as the WR2 in the meantime. Unfortunately, this WR draft class is abhorrent. 

Good point...and my concern is; what happens if Diggs gets hurt? Bills run lots of 3-WR sets so depth, and versatility, is important.

I'm not overly  concerned about the label of "slot" vs "outside" as long as the guy is productive. 

[Big Blitz]

3 hours ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

“No WR is worth it at 27” seems to be the favorite narrative now.

Immediately followed by a disclaimer that nobody of value will make it to 59.

 

 

I think there are - I’m not sold it’s Johnston or Addison anymore.  Watched more and more of Addison since we mocked him here and I’m kinda meh.   

 

[CheshireCT]

Honest question for the board. Have there been many receivers who excelled in the slot as rookies or even second year players?

 

i ask because the best examples I can think of are veteran guys who excelled at the mental aspect of finding soft spots in various coverages. 
 

Then I think about the Bills last year and the players who we tried to replace Beasley with, like McKenzie, who is super fast but was mediocre in that role.

[HappyDays]

2 hours ago, Rockinon said:

I just don't think this is the year that Bean attempts to trade up.

 

I actually think in a weak draft it's more likely he trades up a few spots. We know Beane likes to come out of the draft with a legitimate 1st round graded player. It's why he traded up slightly for Elam last year. If a 1st round graded player drops to maybe 20, I think he goes up and gets him.

 

The name I keep coming back to is Quentin Johnston. Elite physical traits, fills a need, high football character. I'd be shocked if Beane didn't have a 1st round grade on him.

 

Last year Beane traded down several times in the 2nd round which indicated he had no 2nd round graded players left on the board. The year before he had a trade down in place in the 2nd round but stood pat and drafted Basham because their grade on him was too high to pass up. So I believe that if Beane does not trade up and there are no 1st round graded players left on the board, he will try as hard as he can to trade down before making a selection.

[BADOLBILZ]

10 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

Holy crap...

 

I'm trying to say the opposite.

 

There are soooo many good slot WRs in this draft Buffalo can afford to wait.

 

Didn't I say that?

 

 

You can ALWAYS afford to wait on a slot-only WR in the draft.

 

And it's also not a need.    They have a slot-only in Harty.  

 

The reality is that they don't need a slot-only WR at all.........they need a boundary WR to bump Davis back to WR3 where he belongs.

 

And that WR2 will hopefully have some slot flexibility or if not then at least it would still allow Diggs to be in the slot and get the free release opportunities that slot receivers get and better matchups.  

[ColoradoBills]

2 hours ago, Doc said:

 

I missed that signing.  But likely nothing more than camp fodder.

 

He was drafted by the Colts (2020 6th round).    Been on the Bills PS last season and was signed to a reserve/futures contract early this year.

Definitely a long shot but will be interesting seeing him on a team with a QB this summer.

 

[ColoradoBills]

22 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

You can ALWAYS afford to wait on a slot-only WR in the draft.

 

And it's also not a need.    They have a slot-only in Harty.  

 

The reality is that they don't need a slot-only WR at all.........they need a boundary WR to bump Davis back to WR3 where he belongs.

 

And that WR2 will hopefully have some slot flexibility or if not then at least it would still allow Diggs to be in the slot and get the free release opportunities that slot receivers get and better matchups.  

 

Evidently watching some of Harty's highlights he does line up outside and actually has some good moves there.  I'm sure he will push to play slot primarily,

but thought I'd mention that.

 

One possibility I have entertained, is that the Bills go with multiple players in the slot.  Diggs, Harty, Shakir and Sherfield all could take snaps there.

That could cause a bigger rotation on the outside too.  That brings me back to getting a outside WR in the draft (even though it seems to be slim pickings).

Probably not the 1st round then.  I don't know if there is a talent fit in the 2nd or 3rd they could be looking at.

[Dr. Who]

4 minutes ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

Evidently watching some of Harty's highlights he does line up outside and actually has some good moves there.  I'm sure he will push to play slot primarily,

but thought I'd mention that.

 

One possibility I have entertained, is that the Bills go with multiple players in the slot.  Diggs, Harty, Shakir and Sherfield all could take snaps there.

That could cause a bigger rotation on the outside too.  That brings me back to getting a outside WR in the draft (even though it seems to be slim pickings).

Probably not the 1st round then.  I don't know if there is a talent fit in the 2nd or 3rd they could be looking at.

I think Hyatt is worth a shot at 59. I'd look at Mingo, Rice, maybe Tillman in the third. Or take Kincaid at 27 and employ 12 personnel which gives the offense matchup advantages and adds uncertainty to the defense.

[Doc Brown]

3 hours ago, Doc said:

They're not drafting another slot guy with Shakir, Harty and Sherfield in the fold.

Agreed.  I’d rather them not take a WR at all this year until day three if it means you draft o-line with two of the top three picks. Protecting Josh allows average receivers to eventually get open using their own unique skills to find a way. It’s no accident Josh’s best season came when the o-line pass protection was the strongest.

[Andy1]

This is supposedly a great draft for TEs, but I haven’t seen any desire for Dorsey to run 2 TE sets. We can barely get Knox the opportunities he deserves. Josh likes throwing to his WRs. We need a big and physical type WR in rounds 2 or 3. No smurfs or tweener types with repetitive skill sets to current players. 

[ColoradoBills]

8 minutes ago, Dr. Who said:

I think Hyatt is worth a shot at 59. I'd look at Mingo, Rice, maybe Tillman in the third. Or take Kincaid at 27 and employ 12 personnel which gives the offense matchup advantages and adds uncertainty to the defense.

 

All I can do is "internet" scout, but I did like Mingo.  Many are saying his stock is rising.  I've entertained the idea of a TE and the Bills using

a lot of 12 but I just don't see that happening with Josh (but you never know).

 

I'll check out the others you named.  Thanks.

[BADOLBILZ]

18 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

Agreed.  I’d rather them not take a WR at all this year until day three if it means you draft o-line with two of the top three picks. Protecting Josh allows average receivers to eventually get open using their own unique skills to find a way. It’s no accident Josh’s best season came when the o-line pass protection was the strongest.

 

 

The problem is that it's a general consensus among OL coaches that most young OL are a liability until year 3.    Whoever the Bills draft in round 1 or 2 to play OL will likely be terrible and not be better than the veteran option on the roster in 2023.   There are exceptions but you have to be prepared to grade on a curve and as a SB contender we will not be down with that.    If they took Wright or Bergeron, for example, they would likely get a season out of them like they got from the injury-recovering Spencer Brown last season.   OL is a long term play.   Ideally whoever they take does not have to play much next season.

 

WR on the other hand........yeah they often take half a season to adjust but they can be more impactful as rookies.   Individually speaking I think a WR taken in round 1-3 is more likely to have a positive impact in year 1.

[LyndonvilleBill]

31 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

The problem is that it's a general consensus among OL coaches that most young OL are a liability until year 3.    Whoever the Bills draft in round 1 or 2 to play OL will likely be terrible and not be better than the veteran option on the roster in 2023.   There are exceptions but you have to be prepared to grade on a curve and as a SB contender we will not be down with that.    If they took Wright or Bergeron, for example, they would likely get a season out of them like they got from the injury-recovering Spencer Brown last season.   OL is a long term play.   Ideally whoever they take does not have to play much next season.

 

WR on the other hand........yeah they often take half a season to adjust but they can be more impactful as rookies.   Individually speaking I think a WR taken in round 1-3 is more likely to have a positive impact in year 1.

An interesting link that I found discussing this. Even though it's older, still interesting. 

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2027100-which-position-presents-the-biggest-leap-for-nfl-draft-prospects.amp.html

[BarleyNY]

14 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said:

First of all, has anyone listened to Beane and McDermott talk about Gabe Davis? They freaking love the guy. 

 

I don't think our efforts to add to WR this offseason have been/will be about replacing Gabe Davis so much as getting him back to what he does best. I think Davis is a good starting WR, just not great. But Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Miami are the exceptions, not the rule when it comes to 1-2 punches at WR. 

 

What Josh Allen really thrives with is an Elite slot WR, as we learned with Beas.

 

What's this draft full of?

 

Potentially good to great slot WRs.

 

I looked at Dane Brugler's "The Beast" over at The Athletic and the VAAAASSSST majority of the top 14 WRs are slot WRs.

 

And all 14 of those are in his top 100

 

And also, Brugler has 15 WRs in his top 100. From JSN to Jordan Addison to Zay Flowers to Josh Downs to A.T Perry to Tank Dell... this draft is STACKED with WRs who project to the slot.

 

It really makes me think this might be a repeat of last year and 2020 when we knew WR was a need but we waited to draft one til the mid to late rounds.

 

That said... I would friggin LOVE JSN on this team!

 

Agree on JSN. It would take a huge move up to get him, but I'm down for that. He brings something the Bills are lacking except for Diggs - receiving options that can separate early. The Bills have focused on players who can separate well, but Davis, Knox and Shakir don't have the short area quickness and burst to reliably do that. Maybe Harty is expected to do that this year. I don't know much about his game other than he is small and fast so I'm not sure it is straight line speed only or if he has agility too.

[Alphadawg7]

15 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said:

First of all, has anyone listened to Beane and McDermott talk about Gabe Davis? They freaking love the guy. 

 

I don't think our efforts to add to WR this offseason have been/will be about replacing Gabe Davis so much as getting him back to what he does best. I think Davis is a good starting WR, just not great. But Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Miami are the exceptions, not the rule when it comes to 1-2 punches at WR. 

 

What Josh Allen really thrives with is an Elite slot WR, as we learned with Beas.

 

What's this draft full of?

 

Potentially good to great slot WRs.

 

I looked at Dane Brugler's "The Beast" over at The Athletic and the VAAAASSSST majority of the top 14 WRs are slot WRs.

 

And all 14 of those are in his top 100

 

And also, Brugler has 15 WRs in his top 100. From JSN to Jordan Addison to Zay Flowers to Josh Downs to A.T Perry to Tank Dell... this draft is STACKED with WRs who project to the slot.

 

It really makes me think this might be a repeat of last year and 2020 when we knew WR was a need but we waited to draft one til the mid to late rounds.

 

That said... I would friggin LOVE JSN on this team!

The issue is we already have a young promising player at the slot.  Gabe on the outside was a weak spot.  
 

And Gabe has a bigger issue…his contract is coming up and I don’t think there is much chance Beane will pay him what he will get in the open market unless he makes a big leap forward.  
 

And then there is Diggs who is 30.  So outside WR is a more pressing need to get in now so they can get experience before potentially taking over a starting spot from Gave or maybe even Diggs in 2 years.  
 

Granted, the slot position is the least proven, but the staff is also pretty high on Shakir too. 

 

So I think they are more likely looking for outside help, although I don’t doubt they would take a slot guy if that who was the BPA.  
 

As someone who is high on Shakir still, I would still admittedly be pretty excited to see someone like Josh Downs still get picked up.  But because I believe in Shakir, my preference is they bring someone in to compete with Gabe and either take over or at least push him.  

[BADOLBILZ]

17 minutes ago, LyndonvilleBill said:

An interesting link that I found discussing this. Even though it's older, still interesting. 

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2027100-which-position-presents-the-biggest-leap-for-nfl-draft-prospects.amp.html

 

 

I think different analytics show different results.   Yeah, that BR article indicates that OL are only second slowest to develop compared to CB.  How they come up with that data I have no idea though.

 

But what I think we know without a doubt is that OL is the worst quality position group across the entire NFL.   Most fan bases are very dissatisfied with their OL.  The reason why is not complicated IMO..........they are the worst athletes on the field so they need to develop excellent technique to not get beaten by the better athletes lining up across from them.   Getting there takes time.   

[No_Matter_What]

Don't know where to post this and didn't see it elsewhere. Could be potentially interesting for the Bills:

 

 

[Yantha]

15 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said:

First of all, has anyone listened to Beane and McDermott talk about Gabe Davis? They freaking love the guy. 

 

I don't think our efforts to add to WR this offseason have been/will be about replacing Gabe Davis so much as getting him back to what he does best. I think Davis is a good starting WR, just not great. But Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Miami are the exceptions, not the rule when it comes to 1-2 punches at WR. 

 

What Josh Allen really thrives with is an Elite slot WR, as we learned with Beas.

 

What's this draft full of?

 

Potentially good to great slot WRs.

 

I looked at Dane Brugler's "The Beast" over at The Athletic and the VAAAASSSST majority of the top 14 WRs are slot WRs.

 

And all 14 of those are in his top 100

 

And also, Brugler has 15 WRs in his top 100. From JSN to Jordan Addison to Zay Flowers to Josh Downs to A.T Perry to Tank Dell... this draft is STACKED with WRs who project to the slot.

 

It really makes me think this might be a repeat of last year and 2020 when we knew WR was a need but we waited to draft one til the mid to late rounds.

 

That said... I would friggin LOVE JSN on this team!

I agree that there are some darn good, even potentially elite slot WRs in this class, but personally I think that Shakir is also in that category.  I'm still in the mindset that you go with linebacker or OL UNLESS by some chance an amazing talent slips to us at WR.

 

In our TSW mock draft we selected Addison but then look what happened...  we went D-line??? with linebacker and OT still the biggest need.  I voted D-line too, but it was a "painted into a corner" pick.

 

Nah I'd rather do a minor reach for linebacker in the first, and then have more freedom to pick WR in round two.  The GREAT thing is that to your original point this draft is fairly deep with WRs that could make an impact (including second and third round prospects).

[LyndonvilleBill]

23 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

I think different analytics show different results.   Yeah, that BR article indicates that OL are only second slowest to develop compared to CB.  How they come up with that data I have no idea though.

 

But what I think we know without a doubt is that OL is the worst quality position group across the entire NFL.   Most fan bases are very dissatisfied with their OL.  The reason why is not complicated IMO..........they are the worst athletes on the field so they need to develop excellent technique to not get beaten by the better athletes lining up across from them.   Getting there takes time.   

I think your right on point. I believe I read somewhere that a lot of OL come into college and work on adding weight. Wonder if with the weight gains, it throws the body off and it takes an NFL S&C team to really get it right.🤔

[JaCrispy]

4 hours ago, Big Blitz said:

 

I think there are - I’m not sold it’s Johnston or Addison anymore.  Watched more and more of Addison since we mocked him here and I’m kinda meh.   

 

Agreed- Addison is solid 2nd round talent imo…

 

Only 2 guys I feel are worthy of 1st round selection- JSN and Zay Flowers…

 

If both are gone I would OL, TE, DL, or Robinson…👍