Who is your pick for this year's 'pleasent surprise' of the offseason and preseason?

[GreggTX]

Each year it seems that a player or 2 that few, if any, had on their radar outperforms all expectations. Who will be 2023's big surprise(s)?

I'm going with Alex Austin. He slid primarily due to a slow 40 time, but if moved inside he could be pretty good. It may take some time for him to adjust though.

I also think the future is bright for Dorian Williams, but not so soon. He has some outstanding traits, but needs coaching and experience to put it all together. I love his speed in particular. In the mean time, I expect his ST contributions to be noteworthy.

Justin Shorter is another intriguing prospect after his college career was marred by a rash of injuries. If healthy, he might finally live up to expectations. I know from watching draft room video that Beane really liked him a lot. We'll see if that admiration was warranted.

I'd end by saying that the success of our top 2 picks will not surprise me at all. I think the sky is the limit for Kincaid and Torrence.

 

Edited May 25, 2023 by GreggTX

[Gregg]

I won't go with a particular player, but I will say the OL as a group will be much better. That will lead to a better run game from our RB's. My pick is the OL.

[MrEpsYtown]

David Edwards is my sleeper. I think he starts. I don't know what happens everywhere else, but they talk him up every chance they get and he was a high level player before his injury last year. He is also still very young. 

 

I also think Boogie Bahsham has a mini breakout. 

 

[GreggTX]

3 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

David Edwards is my sleeper. I think he starts. I don't know what happens everywhere else, but they talk him up every chance they get and he was a high level player before his injury last year. He is also still very young. 

 

I also think Boogie Bahsham has a mini breakout. 

-------------------------

I sure hope so. Edwards wasn't great before injuries took their toll, but he was still pretty good and his best years may lie ahead. Basham has shown flashes and could win a starting job before Von returns. I like these picks.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 25, 2023 by GreggTX

[GunnerBill]

I like the Edwards pick too. 

 

But I'm gonna go for James Cook. I expect him to tear up camp and pre-season and go into the season as the undisputed #1 back with Harris and Hines very much just playing spot roles. 

[Dr. Who]

14 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

David Edwards is my sleeper. I think he starts. I don't know what happens everywhere else, but they talk him up every chance they get and he was a high level player before his injury last year. He is also still very young. 

 

I also think Boogie Bahsham has a mini breakout. 

 

Can he play RT?

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, Dr. Who said:

Can he play RT?

 

That's where he mainly played in college. He did a bit in spot duty as a rookie for the Rams, not sure he has done it since. 

[The Avenger]

Shorter. My guess is we'll have a near continuous stream of reports about how good he looks at practice/camp and then we'll never see him in the regular season. Seems like we frequently have a WR like this and Shorter is it this year.

[YattaOkasan]

Deonte Harty is mine.  I think he works his way onto the field and becomes a weapon we are clamoring for more of.

[NewEra]

I agree with Austin.  I think he has a real shot to make the team.  He could push Benford to safety and possibly Damar off the team.  Cam Lewis 👋🏻 byyeeeee

[wppete]

11 minutes ago, NewEra said:

I agree with Austin.  I think he has a real shot to make the team.  He could push Benford to safety and possibly Damar off the team.  Cam Lewis 👋🏻 byyeeeee

Yea I also agree. Austin could be a legit option at back up Nickel Corner, Safety or CB. I like how he plays and has great size. Just hope he is also a special teams ace. Should be fun to watch him in camp. 

[NewEra]

1 minute ago, wppete said:

Yea I also agree. Austin could be a legit option at back up Nickel Corner, Safety or CB. I like how he plays and has great size. Just hope he is also a special teams ace. Should be fun to watch him in camp. 

Yeah that would be the clincher.  We all know that McB will still put an emphasis on ST, but I’m hoping that ST doesn’t matter as much as it did before the rule change.

[hondo in seattle]

I'm going with Trent Sherfield who's been kind of an under-the-radar signing. 

 

After seeing him play in Miami, reading Tyler Dunne's piece on his backstory, and listening to Josh talk him up, I think this kid is ready to contribute.  

[JohnBonhamRocks]

Latavius Murray

[JerseyBills]

I went with Marquez Stevenson last year, was dead wrong. 

 

I think Hardy is going to have a breakout year and will be considered a steal of a contract 

 

Also AJ Epenesa on defense 

[Simon Says]

1 hour ago, MrEpsYtown said:

David Edwards is my sleeper. I think he starts. I don't know what happens everywhere else, but they talk him up every chance they get and he was a high level player before his injury last year. He is also still very young. 

 

I also think Boogie Bahsham has a mini breakout. 

 

I think Torrance starts ( soon,if not immediately.)

  I see Edwards and Bates as 'Super Subs" . Edwards apparently was a good right tackle in college. 

Edited May 25, 2023 by Herb Nightly

[hondo in seattle]

2 hours ago, MrEpsYtown said:

David Edwards is my sleeper. I think he starts. I don't know what happens everywhere else, but they talk him up every chance they get and he was a high level player before his injury last year. He is also still very young. 

 

I also think Boogie Bahsham has a mini breakout. 

 

 

 

I hope you're right about both Edwards and Boogie having better-than-expected years.  

 

But let me play Scrooge...  PFF typically ranks Edwards in the 60s - a solid backup.  

 

(Yeah, I know, it's only PFF).  

 

[Don Otreply]

2 hours ago, Gregg said:

I won't go with a particular player, but I will say the OL as a group will be much better. That will lead to a better run game from our RB's. My pick is the OL.

I gotta agree here,  the O-line is the fulcrum that the offense uses to leverage its weapons. Imo, the O-lines performance is crucial to the whole teams season long success.

[Simon Says]

1 hour ago, NewEra said:

I agree with Austin.  I think he has a real shot to make the team.  He could push Benford to safety and possibly Damar off the team.  Cam Lewis 👋🏻 byyeeeee

I don't see Benford moving to safety, at least not THIS year  Bills have Safety depth and  Benford showed well at CB. Why move him?

[NewEra]

1 minute ago, Herb Nightly said:

I don't see Benford moving to safety, at least not THIS year  Bills have Safety depth and  Benford showed well at CB. Why move him?

I just said why we’d move him.  Austin, if he performs well.  
 

there aren’t enough cb roster spots.  
 

Tre

Elam

Taron

Dane

Benford/Austin

 

Neal makes it for ST (sadly)

 

I don’t think our S depth is great ans of now with Damars uncertainty. Our top 3 are great, but who are the guys after them?   One died on the field. Another is the worst player on the roster.  Another is a ST guy named Zayne.  
 

Our top 3 safeties are all free agents at the end of the year. If Damar returns to form, I agree, we’re set.  Just not sure that’s going to happen. Benford has 3 years left under contract making the minimum.  If he could step in next 2 seasons as a starter and play well, that’s a win win win.  I don’t think he’ll be more than CB4 on this team the next 2 years.  
 

I would love for Austin to be able to take Neals spot on ST.  Neal brings nothing to the table on D imo.