OT…Cooper Dejean has declared for the draft

[Florida Bills Fanatic]

He will probably be gone before the Bills draft but if he is there, I don't think they'll pass on him.  I think WR is their biggest need but I also think there are some really good WR prospects that will be available on day two.  Prior to the draft last year, I remember hearing that this draft will have about 80 guys with round 1 or 2 grades.  If that proves to be true, the Bills should be able to get two or three impact players.  Given that Beane pulled Kincaid and Torrence out of a poor draft class, I am optimistic.  Until we know what happens in free agency, it's really hard to project the Bills' draft.

[T master]

Not sure who this kid is but if it goes the way it could this off season the Bills could almost have to pay more attention to the back end of the D than a WR in the first round .

 

The possibility of Hyde, Poyer, Tre, all not being here next season is a very good possibility & then there are those that could be gone that weren't active on game days like Damar, so there may be more immediate needs than WR although that is one position that needs attention for sure . 

 

The team next year especially on the D will look much different i think than what Beane has got this season . 

Edited January 5 by T master

[ControllerOfPlanetX]

55 minutes ago, mannc said:

He can also play safety.  It’s called scheme flexibility.

But can he play special teams?

[MrEpsYtown]

53 minutes ago, NewEra said:

He’s gonna be a phenomenon.  If he’s there when we select- get ready for him to be the pick.  Yes, we need WR.  I prefer WR, but we also need elite super stars.  Cooper has a chance to be just that, especially in McDs system.  He can do it all.  Special player imo.  It’s still early in the process, but I don’t think he’ll be there when we pick.  

Gonna be tough for a team to tell him he’s playing S if he wants to play CB.  10M aav difference after the rookie contract.  If I’m cooper, I’m telling the world I’m playing corner

 

Yeah I agree. And I think ultimately he will, I think it just depends on scheme fit. The dude makes plays all over the place. 

[DrDawkinstein]

3 minutes ago, ControllerOfPlanetX said:

But can he play special teams?

 

All joking aside, he's probably the best returner in this draft and would immediately fill Hyde's spot of "safe catcher" if not full time return duties.

 

 

[whorlnut]

1 hour ago, Florida Bills Fanatic said:

He will probably be gone before the Bills draft but if he is there, I don't think they'll pass on him.  I think WR is their biggest need but I also think there are some really good WR prospects that will be available on day two.  Prior to the draft last year, I remember hearing that this draft will have about 80 guys with round 1 or 2 grades.  If that proves to be true, the Bills should be able to get two or three impact players.  Given that Beane pulled Kincaid and Torrence out of a poor draft class, I am optimistic.  Until we know what happens in free agency, it's really hard to project the Bills' draft.

And you don’t think some really good safeties will be there on day 2?  Your way of thinking is why WR is our biggest need. Waiting is what got us in trouble. Every draft, there is a run in WRs at the beginning of the second round. So we should just boot the position altogether until the fourth again?  Nah. Hard pass on this idea. 

[BADOLBILZ]

2 hours ago, MrEpsYtown said:

Yeah, I think he fits like a glove in this defense as a corner or safety, can play nickel, outside etc. Crazy athlete and knows how to play zone. A swiss army knife player, he does remind me of a young Micah Hyde. I am not sure they go safety round 1 but the value may be there in the back half of the first round. Ideally, as a lot of people have mentioned you get a WR early, but I would not be surprised if they go secondary or defensive line. Something has to give at safety, but there is a strong free-agent class for safeties so we shall see. All the hype on DeJean is whether or not he will be a corner...I think he could play corner, ala Micah Hyde/Minkah Fitzpatrick types...but he's going to be a better safety imo. For the combine, it's going to probably come down to his 40, which as a track guy, should be pretty good. I dunno...I see faster Micah Hyde..

 

 

 

 

Important to note that there is almost always a good to excellent free agent class of safeties. 

 

For a reason.

 

And that the Bills defense has produced All Pro seasons from two different bargain free agent safeties.

 

[BADOLBILZ]

15 hours ago, 78thealltimegreat said:

I’m like Jeremy White on WGR I am seriously on WR train this off season in round 1 but if there is one defensive player who I would honestly think about taking it would be this guy.

Prior to his injury he was basically a one man secondary at Iowa. 

 

 

It's very simple at this point...........the #1 job of an NFL personnel department is to make your QB look good.

 

That's what changes seasons.   Not safety play.   That's relative minutia.

 

The Bills have not done nearly as much as they should have in regard to supporting Allen with WR talent and we see the results with an offense that can't function properly without Allen running.   I believe the running has taken a toll on his game with regard to technique and accuracy.     I think some of that is on his own preparation but the WR1 of this team going forward is not a "should" address........it's a "must" address.   

[NewEra]

1 hour ago, Florida Bills Fanatic said:

He will probably be gone before the Bills draft but if he is there, I don't think they'll pass on him.  I think WR is their biggest need but I also think there are some really good WR prospects that will be available on day two.  Prior to the draft last year, I remember hearing that this draft will have about 80 guys with round 1 or 2 grades.  If that proves to be true, the Bills should be able to get two or three impact players.  Given that Beane pulled Kincaid and Torrence out of a poor draft class, I am optimistic.  Until we know what happens in free agency, it's really hard to project the Bills' draft.

This. I hope we take a WR rd 1, but looking at the prospects-  I think we might be better off taking BPA DL, OT or DB if the right guy falls).  
 

there’s a legit top 3:  the difference between 1-3 and 4-10 is evident imo. 

 

who are the 4-10 guys and how much better is #4 than #10?  I’ve watched a fair amount of tape so far- and the 2 guys I’d be ok taking in rd 1 are Leggette and Thomas Jr..  Franklin is a possibility too.  Worthy, Mitchell, egbuka, Coleman, Walker, Polk, Burton, McConkey, Wilson are all jumbled up to me atm as guys I’d be happy with in rd 2 but don’t seem like good value in rd 1.  
 

34 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

It's very simple at this point...........the #1 job of an NFL personnel department is to make your QB look good.

 

That's what changes seasons.   Not safety play.   That's relative minutia.

 

The Bills have not done nearly as much as they should have in regard to supporting Allen with WR talent and we see the results with an offense that can't function properly without Allen running.   I believe the running has taken a toll on his game with regard to technique and accuracy.     I think some of that is on his own preparation but the WR1 of this team going forward is not a "should" address........it's a "must" address.   

Which WRs other than the top 3 intrigue you the most in rd 1 and have the potential to be a WR1?

[MrEpsYtown]

59 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

Important to note that there is almost always a good to excellent free agent class of safeties. 

 

For a reason.

 

And that the Bills defense has produced All Pro seasons from two different bargain free agent safeties.

 

 

Agreed. The tricky part is to try to predict who the next round of guys are. Who is out there as an undervalued piece like Hyde and Poyer were? Cheap, slow corners who have traits that fit. 

[HappyDays]

Hopefully someone takes him before our pick and takes the temptation away from McDermott and Beane. I remember feeling anxious as Christian Gonzalez slid last year and let out a sigh of relief when the Pats took him. It forced us to make a pick that clearly helped the team more now and in the future.

[whorlnut]

35 minutes ago, NewEra said:

This. I hope we take a WR rd 1, but looking at the prospects-  I think we might be better off taking BPA DL, OT or DB if the right guy falls).  
 

there’s a legit top 3:  the difference between 1-3 and 4-10 is evident imo. 

 

who are the 4-10 guys and how much better is #4 than #10?  I’ve watched a fair amount of tape so far- and the 2 guys I’d be ok taking in rd 1 are Leggette and Thomas Jr..  Franklin is a possibility too.  Worthy, Mitchell, egbuka, Coleman, Walker, Polk, Burton, McConkey, Wilson are all jumbled up to me atm as guys I’d be happy with in rd 2 but don’t seem like good value in rd 1.  
 

Which WRs other than the top 3 intrigue you the most in rd 1 and have the potential to be a WR1?

You know as well as I do that there always seems to be a run on WRs at the top of the second round. I would be very nervous sitting at the end of 2 “hoping” one of the top 10 guys, as you describe, falls to me. It’s our biggest need and should be addressed in 1, imo. You can wait on the other positions, just the same as you can for WR. 

15 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

Hopefully someone takes him before our pick and takes the temptation away from McDermott and Beane. I remember feeling anxious as Christian Gonzalez slid last year and let out a sigh of relief when the Pats took him. It forced us to make a pick that clearly helped the team more now and in the future.

Exactly. I was equally as happy when the lions took campbell. I don’t necessarily think the bills would have taken him, but it was a concern at the time. 

[NewEra]

5 minutes ago, whorlnut said:

You know as well as I do that there always seems to be a run on WRs at the top of the second round. I would be very nervous sitting at the end of 2 “hoping” one of the top 10 guys, as you describe, falls to me. It’s our biggest need and should be addressed in 1, imo. You can wait on the other positions, just the same as you can for WR. 

Exactly. I was equally as happy when the lions took campbell. I don’t necessarily think the bills would have taken him, but it was a concern at the time. 

It might be our biggest need.  As of now it is….but lots can change come the draft.  Lots can come out regarding prospects. Trading up in rd 2 is a lot more cost effective than trading up into rd 1.  As of now, I’d be happy if we traded up for one of the top 3 WRs, but that’ll definitely cost us our first next season and possibly our 1st and 2nd this year.  Hefty price to pay considering our cap and future contract sitch.  
 

the key is to NOT REACH according to need.  I’d rather draft a possibly elite level DL over a solid WR2.  Several of the prospects 4-10 look a lot more like Gabe Davis than they do Stefon Diggs imo.  Lots of tall X WRs that can stretch the field, but not as gifted running full route trees.  Leggette and Thomas seem to have the most potential so I’m good taking them in rd 1- but I there’s a good chance both of those guys are gone when we pick.  I think 6-7 WRs will go round 1.  
 

eager to dive deeper into this class, I’ll hold out until we win the SB or are eliminated. 

[whorlnut]

1 minute ago, NewEra said:

It might be our biggest need.  As of now it is….but lots can change come the draft.  Lots can come out regarding prospects. Trading up in rd 2 is a lot more cost effective than trading up into rd 1.  As of now, I’d be happy if we traded up for one of the top 3 WRs, but that’ll definitely cost us our first next season and possibly our 1st and 2nd this year.  Hefty price to pay considering our cap and future contract sitch.  
 

the key is to NOT REACH according to need.  I’d rather draft a possibly elite level DL over a solid WR2.  Several of the prospects 4-10 look a lot more like Gabe Davis than they do Stefon Diggs imo.  Lots of tall X WRs that can stretch the field, but not as gifted running full route trees.  Leggette and Thomas seem to have the most potential so I’m good taking them in rd 1- but I there’s a good chance both of those guys are gone when we pick.  I think 6-7 WRs will go round 1.  
 

eager to dive deeper into this class, I’ll hold out until we win the SB or are eliminated. 

I REALLY like Brian Thomas, Jr. 

[C.Biscuit97]

38 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

Hopefully someone takes him before our pick and takes the temptation away from McDermott and Beane. I remember feeling anxious as Christian Gonzalez slid last year and let out a sigh of relief when the Pats took him. It forced us to make a pick that clearly helped the team more now and in the future.

A white d back is probably like a super model to McDermott. He should know how good he is at coaching the position that he doesn’t need to waste high picks on them. 

[Saint Doug]

We don’t need an OT that plays in the defensive backfield. 

[78thealltimegreat]

1 hour ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

It's very simple at this point...........the #1 job of an NFL personnel department is to make your QB look good.

 

That's what changes seasons.   Not safety play.   That's relative minutia.

 

The Bills have not done nearly as much as they should have in regard to supporting Allen with WR talent and we see the results with an offense that can't function properly without Allen running.   I believe the running has taken a toll on his game with regard to technique and accuracy.     I think some of that is on his own preparation but the WR1 of this team going forward is not a "should" address........it's a "must" address.   

Oh I agree with Davis all but gone they need two high level receivers who can play right away but if they say land a Michael Pittman in free agency a player like cooper would tempt them enough with their age at safety and he can also play lb and corner. That they can turn around and say add a Ladd Mconkey or Johnny Wilson in round 2. If the Bills wound up with Mckonkey and Dejean you could backfill depth on defense and oline with the other picks and be set. 

[billsfan89]

3 hours ago, Solomon Grundy said:

6'3" 225 and runs a 4.3 40 yd dash. It's not DK Metcalf, he's Xavier Legette. WR/KR for Gamecocks. Not only can he be the "take the top off" type of WR, but also a "put the ball in his hands/RAC" type of guy the Bills have been coveting for years. I'm hoping he lasts until the Bills pick

Wouldn’t hate it, but I can see a player like Legette shooting up draft boards during the combine and off season processes because of his measurables.
 

From reading his scouting reports online it seems like he’s checks off a lot of boxes. He produced in college at a top conference, he has an insane athletic profile and he had a drops issue early on in his college career that has seemed to have gone away. 
 

It seems like his flaws are that he isn’t a strong blocker, he has only had one year of amazing production at the college level, his production against better competition in college wasn’t the best and he also seems to be too comfortable in contested situations that he doesn’t always get the separation that he should get given his athleticism.

 

I wouldn’t hate picking him up in the late first or trading down into the early second round getting more picks (and then using those picks to trade higher into the middle of the second) and taking this kid to try to get Josh more weapons and Diggs an heir apparent.

[BillsVet]

1 hour ago, BADOLBILZ said:

It's very simple at this point...........the #1 job of an NFL personnel department is to make your QB look good.

 

That's what changes seasons.   Not safety play.   That's relative minutia.

 

The Bills have not done nearly as much as they should have in regard to supporting Allen with WR talent and we see the results with an offense that can't function properly without Allen running.   I believe the running has taken a toll on his game with regard to technique and accuracy.     I think some of that is on his own preparation but the WR1 of this team going forward is not a "should" address........it's a "must" address.   

 

McBeane have used almost as much RD1/2 draft value to acquire Josh as they did on offense in those rounds from 2018-2022.  They went Edmunds, Oliver, Ford,  traded for Diggs, Epenesa, Rousseau, Basham, Elam, and Cook.  

 

My concern is McD gets his way again and because they used their 2023 on Kincaid, figure they can go back to defense in 2024.  

[RyanC883]

for your college watchers, how does he compare to Kitchens from Miami?  The descriptions here sound similar?