What If… Bills Draft Game 2024

[TheyCallMeAndy]

There are SO many possibilities in the draft, I thought maybe it would be fun to play a little game to explore the different potential outcomes.

- It doesn’t matter if the Bills will realistically be targeting this player or not.

 

- It doesn’t matter if it’s a position of need or not.

 

- It doesn’t matter if this player will be on the board or not. 
 

Start off naming 1 prospect.
Another poster says how that prospect would impact the roster if drafted by the team (role, stats, depth chart position) 
 

After, they’ll name another prospect and another poster will reply in the same fashion. 
 

I think this is a good exercise to get us thinking about all the impactful players that could get drafted here, even if it’s not someone we expect. Get creative and weird. 
 

I’ll start us off: WR Troy Franklin 

 

 

Edited April 13 by TheyCallMeAndy

[TheyCallMeAndy]

No one? 👎🏻

 

No one has an opinion on what Troy Franklin or Marvin Harrison would look like on the Bills?

 

Kool-aid McKinstry?

[BuffaloBillyG]

2 hours ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

There are SO many possibilities in the draft, some realistic and unrealistic, I thought maybe it would be fun to play a little game to explore the different potential impacts. The title is a work in progress. 
 

Here is how this will work, I’m going to start off naming 1 prospect. You will tell me how you this that prospect would impact the roster if drafted by the team. 
 

After, name another prospect and another poster will reply with what they think their impact would be on this team.
 

I think this is a good exercise to get us thinking about all the impactful players that could get drafted here, even if it’s not someone we expect. 
 

It doesn’t matter if the Bills acquiring said talent is realistic or not. 

 

I’ll start us off: WR Troy Franklin 
 

 

Honestly, it would maybe be more fun a game to go back into the last and say how a prospect that we the fans (a large enough consensus anyway) wanted would have sent a ripple effect to the product we see today. 

 

Example: Josh Rosen. 

 

Would McDermott have weathered that storm? Would we have a new GM? What about the QB now? Are we set or are we arguing that Tua would be a great get if he hits FA? 

[OldTimer1960]

4 hours ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

There are SO many possibilities in the draft, some realistic and unrealistic, I thought maybe it would be fun to play a little game to explore the different potential impacts. The title is a work in progress. 
 

Here is how this will work, I’m going to start off naming 1 prospect. You will tell me how you this that prospect would impact the roster if drafted by the team. 
 

After, name another prospect and another poster will reply with what they think their impact would be on this team.
 

I think this is a good exercise to get us thinking about all the impactful players that could get drafted here, even if it’s not someone we expect. 
 

It doesn’t matter if the Bills acquiring said talent is realistic or not. 

 

I’ll start us off: WR Troy Franklin 
 

 

Troy Franklin obviously interests the Bills, but I don’t think he is worth a late first round pick.  He would certainly have a chance to help the Bills passing offense right away, but I have a lot of reservations about him.  I think the number of visits and workouts he has had with the Bills means that they are still not sure what to make of him.  Is he what he looked like on film or is he what he looked like at the Combine?  I think at minimum he can be Gabe Davis - better in the passing game, but nowhere near the blocker Davis is.  I’m concerned about inconsistent hands, his thin stature and whether he can become a more refined route runner.  If he reaches his potential, he might become a good deep threat who can make plays at the intermediate level as DBs will have to respect his deep speed.  I don’t think he will be dominant, but he could be good+.

4 hours ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

No one? 👎🏻

 

No one has an opinion on what Troy Franklin or Marvin Harrison would look like on the Bills?

 

Kool-aid McKinstry?

I think McKinstry would be interesting.  I don’t think it’s out of the question that he could beat out Douglas or Benford.  CB is a much bigger need than many think.

I’ll play: how would Chop Robinson, Laiatu Latu or Jared Verse impact the Bills?

[TheyCallMeAndy]

11 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

Troy Franklin obviously interests the Bills, but I don’t think he is worth a late first round pick.  He would certainly have a chance to help the Bills passing offense right away, but I have a lot of reservations about him.  I think the number of visits and workouts he has had with the Bills means that they are still not sure what to make of him.  Is he what he looked like on film or is he what he looked like at the Combine?  I think at minimum he can be Gabe Davis - better in the passing game, but nowhere near the blocker Davis is.  I’m concerned about inconsistent hands, his thin stature and whether he can become a more refined route runner.  If he reaches his potential, he might become a good deep threat who can make plays at the intermediate level as DBs will have to respect his deep speed.  I don’t think he will be dominant, but he could be good+.

I think McKinstry would be interesting.  I don’t think it’s out of the question that he could beat out Douglas or Benford.  CB is a much bigger need than many think.

I’ll play: how would Chop Robinson, Laiatu Latu or Jared Verse impact the Bills?

Thank you!

 

Robinson, Latu, and Verse: Crazy enough, probably DE3/4 unless Von looks horrible. High potential though and would all still see plenty of snaps in the rotation with opportunities to rush the passer. 
 

What does Cooper Dejean look like at Safety? 

 

 

 

 

[OldTimer1960]

3 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Thank you!

 

Robinson, Latu, and Verse: Crazy enough, probably DE3/4 unless Von looks horrible. High potential though and would all still see plenty of snaps in the rotation with opportunities to rush the passer. 
 

What does Cooper Dejean look like at Safety? 

 

 

 

 

I think DeJean would make an outstanding S, but I think Late first is a bit early for S. 
 

Back to the DEs, I think any of those 3 are likely better out of the gate than any DE currently on the roster, but Miller likely still starts, at least early season out of deference to his great career.  As you can tell, I’m not optimistic that Miller can bounce back from last season - I of course hope that he can.

Edited April 12 by OldTimer1960

[TheyCallMeAndy]

1 hour ago, OldTimer1960 said:

I think DeJean would make an outstanding S, but I think Late first is a bit early for S. 
 

Back to the DEs, I think any of those 3 are likely better out of the gate than any DE currently on the roster, but Miller likely still starts, at least early season out of deference to his great career.  As you can tell, I’m not optimistic that Miller can bounce back from last season - I of course hope that he can.

No draft rounds in this; just how a prospect would fit on the team. 
 

I think Cooper could be potential ROTY in this scheme. 

[OldTimer1960]

8 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

No draft rounds in this; just how a prospect would fit on the team. 
 

I think Cooper could be potential ROTY in this scheme. 

I agree that he would be a great addition.

[BuffaloBillsGospel2014]

5 hours ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

There are SO many possibilities in the draft, some realistic and unrealistic, I thought maybe it would be fun to play a little game to explore the different potential impacts. The title is a work in progress. 
 

Here is how this will work, I’m going to start off naming 1 prospect. You will tell me how you this that prospect would impact the roster if drafted by the team. 
 

After, name another prospect and another poster will reply with what they think their impact would be on this team.
 

I think this is a good exercise to get us thinking about all the impactful players that could get drafted here, even if it’s not someone we expect. 
 

It doesn’t matter if the Bills acquiring said talent is realistic or not. 

 

I’ll start us off: WR Troy Franklin 
 

 

 

He's Jalen Hyatt with better route running ability. Jalen Hyatt 6'0 176 lbs. ran a 4.40 and many here loved the speed coming out of Tennessee, he is raw and needs to work on his route tree. Troy Franklin is 6'2" 176 lbs out of Oregon, ran a 4.41 40, has deep speed but much better route tree. He's labeled a late 1st to mid 2nd round prospect that the Bills have now brought in for a top 30 visit, a private workout and met with him at the combine so they really like him and he's an interesting prospect for sure.

[Thrivefourfive]

47 minutes ago, BuffaloBillsGospel2014 said:

 

He's Jalen Hyatt with better route running ability. Jalen Hyatt 6'0 176 lbs. ran a 4.40 and many here loved the speed coming out of Tennessee, he is raw and needs to work on his route tree. Troy Franklin is 6'2" 176 lbs out of Oregon, ran a 4.41 40, has deep speed but much better route tree. He's labeled a late 1st to mid 2nd round prospect that the Bills have now brought in for a top 30 visit, a private workout and met with him at the combine so they really like him and he's an interesting prospect for sure.

The Bills could be drawing attention to the kid so other teams do as well, pushing who the Bills really like one step closer to pick 28. 
 

Having top evaluators can allow organizations to play slicker poker with acquisitions, trades, drafts, contracts, etc. 

[Wizard]

Troy Franklin. Not worth it at 28. Give me Mitchell.

 

I like Franklin in that 37-60 range.

 

Good pick if we end up trading back to early 40s and get more draft capital.  If Bills want to double-dip at receiver then I would strongly consider trading up for him at Philly's 2nd second round pick at #53 if Leggette is not available. If there are 3-4 prospects at several positions a few picks before #60 and Franklin goes before #53, then BPA on their draft board that fits a need at DE/DT/S/C/OT.

 

 

[BuffaloBillsGospel2014]

1 minute ago, Thrivefourfive said:

The Bills could be drawing attention to the kid so other teams do as well, pushing who the Bills really like one step closer to pick 28. 
 

Having top evaluators can allow organizations to play slicker poker with acquisitions, trades, drafts, contracts, etc. 

 

It could be that but I think there is genuine interest which is warranted, he's a really good prospect in this class who improved his numbers each and every year and wound up with 81 receptions, 1,383 yards and 14 TD's. A good route tree , nice hands although did have some drops.

[Thrivefourfive]

With MHJ, Nabers, and Odunze off the board, the Bills move to draft Bowers TE. 
 

What does this look like? Catch and run mismatch TEs on the field all the time. R2, get a WR. 
 

There is no question that the Bills hit WR HEAVY. They have no choice at all. The best ball player right now is Cook,,, then..? Shakir? Kincaid? Talk about unknowns considering this is a contender team, with a super young and inexperienced OC, and a defensive minded HC who is a liability to the offensive entity. 

 

What in the world would defenses do with Allen/Cook/Bowers/Kincaid/Legette/Samuel/

 

Mikey likesee

[Dr. Who]

12 hours ago, Thrivefourfive said:

With MHJ, Nabers, and Odunze off the board, the Bills move to draft Bowers TE. 
 

What does this look like? Catch and run mismatch TEs on the field all the time. R2, get a WR. 
 

There is no question that the Bills hit WR HEAVY. They have no choice at all. The best ball player right now is Cook,,, then..? Shakir? Kincaid? Talk about unknowns considering this is a contender team, with a super young and inexperienced OC, and a defensive minded HC who is a liability to the offensive entity. 

 

What in the world would defenses do with Allen/Cook/Bowers/Kincaid/Legette/Samuel/

 

Mikey likesee

No one seems to want to play by the initial rules. I think the way it is supposed to work, you comment on a player, then propose someone else for the next poster to comment on, and so forth. Regardless, I'll comment on your comment on Bowers and propose someone to think about (and note: the game is not confined to pick #28, so you can name someone who would be picked later on.)

 

Some will think you are simply replicating Kincaid by choosing Bowers. I think Bowers can play outside some, and I'd be tempted to try that experiment, but you would have to trade up for Bowers about as far as you would trade up for maybe Odunze. You can trade up for Thomas at the same or lesser price point, and I would expect that is the route Beane would go if he made that investment.

 

Player for next poster to consider: T'Vondre Sweat.

[nosejob]

15 hours ago, OldTimer1960 said:

Troy Franklin obviously interests the Bills, but I don’t think he is worth a late first round pick.  He would certainly have a chance to help the Bills passing offense right away, but I have a lot of reservations about him.  I think the number of visits and workouts he has had with the Bills means that they are still not sure what to make of him.  Is he what he looked like on film or is he what he looked like at the Combine?  I think at minimum he can be Gabe Davis - better in the passing game, but nowhere near the blocker Davis is.  I’m concerned about inconsistent hands, his thin stature and whether he can become a more refined route runner.  If he reaches his potential, he might become a good deep threat who can make plays at the intermediate level as DBs will have to respect his deep speed.  I don’t think he will be dominant, but he could be good+.

I think McKinstry would be interesting.  I don’t think it’s out of the question that he could beat out Douglas or Benford.  CB is a much bigger need than many think.

I’ll play: how would Chop Robinson, Laiatu Latu or Jared Verse impact the Bills?

If this guy makes it to 20...hopefully 24-26, you have to take him and then start wheeling and dealing to get back in the WR game.

I'm a no on Chop and Verse is long gone.

8 minutes ago, Dr. Who said:

No one seems to want to play by the initial rules. I think the way it is supposed to work, you comment on a player, then propose someone else for the next poster to comment on, and so forth. Regardless, I'll comment on your comment on Bowers and propose someone to think about (and note: the game is not confined to pick #28, so you can name someone who would be picked later on.)

 

Some will think you are simply replicating Kincaid by choosing Bowers. I think Bowers can play outside some, and I'd be tempted to try that experiment, but you would have to trade up for Bowers about as far as you would trade up for maybe Odunze. You can trade up for Thomas at the same or lesser price point, and I would expect that is the route Beane would go if he made that investment.

 

Player for next poster to consider: T'Vondre Sweat.

I would love Sweat. How far will he fall? K.C getting him would make me ill.

[Mr. WEO]

21 hours ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

No one? 👎🏻

 

No one has an opinion on what Troy Franklin or Marvin Harrison would look like on the Bills?

 

Kool-aid McKinstry?

all the opinions are already posted in the 6 other “who should the bills draft/WR” threads bro

[TheyCallMeAndy]

18 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

all the opinions are already posted in the 6 other “who should the bills draft/WR” threads bro

This isn’t a “who should Bills draft” thread (although it’s what it turned into).

 

It’s a thread that’s supposed to be about what ANY draft prospect would look like on this team and what their role/production would look like, regardless of pick or position. 

2 hours ago, Dr. Who said:

No one seems to want to play by the initial rules. I think the way it is supposed to work, you comment on a player, then propose someone else for the next poster to comment on, and so forth. Regardless, I'll comment on your comment on Bowers and propose someone to think about (and note: the game is not confined to pick #28, so you can name someone who would be picked later on.)

 

Some will think you are simply replicating Kincaid by choosing Bowers. I think Bowers can play outside some, and I'd be tempted to try that experiment, but you would have to trade up for Bowers about as far as you would trade up for maybe Odunze. You can trade up for Thomas at the same or lesser price point, and I would expect that is the route Beane would go if he made that investment.

 

Player for next poster to consider: T'Vondre Sweat.

I think he would really fortify the IDL and would see plenty of snaps as a rookie, from both DT spots. We’d see definitely go into next year with him and Oliver the starters.

 

Good pick!

 

Here is one (trigger warning): Johnathan Brooks - RB 

 

[Wizard]

15 hours ago, Thrivefourfive said:

With MHJ, Nabers, and Odunze off the board, the Bills move to draft Bowers TE. 
 

What does this look like? Catch and run mismatch TEs on the field all the time. R2, get a WR. 
 

There is no question that the Bills hit WR HEAVY. They have no choice at all. The best ball player right now is Cook,,, then..? Shakir? Kincaid? Talk about unknowns considering this is a contender team, with a super young and inexperienced OC, and a defensive minded HC who is a liability to the offensive entity. 

 

What in the world would defenses do with Allen/Cook/Bowers/Kincaid/Legette/Samuel/

 

Mikey likesee

The only problem with this idea is that Brock Bowers will not go lower than #15. I doubt Bills will trade away that many picks for a TE which would then make it even more unlikely that they will have their second rounder to get Leggette.

 

Bowers is a great prospect. Unfortunately, picking at #28 does not help. Nice thought though.

[wppete]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5tDzmJuYkG/?igsh=MXIweXpwdmtkZXBqZg==

[TheyCallMeAndy]

1 hour ago, Wizard said:

The only problem with this idea is that Brock Bowers will not go lower than #15. I doubt Bills will trade away that many picks for a TE which would then make it even more unlikely that they will have their second rounder to get Leggette.

 

Bowers is a great prospect. Unfortunately, picking at #28 does not help. Nice thought though.

Not looking at when/where/if it’s a need, just the actual impact.