What If… Bills Draft Game 2024

[Thrivefourfive]

3 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.

The thread has some back and forth conversations in it. So let me ask you about this Sweat. He a BIG man! Love him as a person, from what I see. Is he a projected R1 pick?

 

EVERY team could use him, and I hope he has a great NFL career, but I’m just not sure how valuable this sort of player is to this Bills team. An obvious run stuffer, space eater. But does he have to be doubled? If he’s not quick enough to beat a very good inside OLineman, and/or fast enough to move ten yards to disrupt a rolling QB, the Bills should use their top picks on pass catchers. I’m pretty set on that given this team’s current weapons. 
 

If a move up is to be made, there are three—up to top 6; up to top 12, up to top 20ish. All depends which WR is available. 
 

I think we all like BTJ as the 4th WR..? So move to 20 and give up a R2 pick for that? He better be a sure thing in the Bills war room. To do that, there has to be some scouts who believe he’ll be a better pro than at least one top three guy. 
 

What if somehow Bowers is there at 12-15? I think he’s better than Kincaid, and if he is, and this board is correct that Kincaid is the next Kelce (which he’s not obviously) then how could anyone here disagree with a trade up to the mid teens for two Travis Kelces on the team. Absolute no freaking brainer. I know it sounds like a fantasy type of What-if, but it’s not at all. The Patriots drafted a murderer to get there. And Kelce has KILLED us. We, if anyone should, know that two Kelces is an absolute game changer. 
 

Right now, forget about the cost of trades and any WRs that could be drafted after R1, would you take Bowers or BTJ? 
 

A big reason why I like it even more is because it guarantees the Bills have to still hit WR again in R2 hopefully. 
 

This thread is about the first round, and I don’t really know what else there is to talk about expect WRs.. stay, trade.. whatever. If the eventual pick isn’t a WR, I’ll be wondering WTF. 

[Dr. Who]

3 minutes ago, Thrivefourfive said:

The thread has some back and forth conversations in it. So let me ask you about this Sweat. He a BIG man! Love him as a person, from what I see. Is he a projected R1 pick?

 

EVERY team could use him, and I hope he has a great NFL career, but I’m just not sure how valuable this sort of player is to this Bills team. An obvious run stuffer, space eater. But does he have to be doubled? If he’s not quick enough to beat a very good inside OLineman, and/or fast enough to move ten yards to disrupt a rolling QB, the Bills should use their top picks on pass catchers. I’m pretty set on that given this team’s current weapons. 
 

If a move up is to be made, there are three—up to top 6; up to top 12, up to top 20ish. All depends which WR is available. 
 

I think we all like BTJ as the 4th WR..? So move to 20 and give up a R2 pick for that? He better be a sure thing in the Bills war room. To do that, there has to be some scouts who believe he’ll be a better pro than at least one top three guy. 
 

What if somehow Bowers is there at 12-15? I think he’s better than Kincaid, and if he is, and this board is correct that Kincaid is the next Kelce (which he’s not obviously) then how could anyone here disagree with a trade up to the mid teens for two Travis Kelces on the team. Absolute no freaking brainer. I know it sounds like a fantasy type of What-if, but it’s not at all. The Patriots drafted a murderer to get there. And Kelce has KILLED us. We, if anyone should, know that two Kelces is an absolute game changer. 
 

Right now, forget about the cost of trades and any WRs that could be drafted after R1, would you take Bowers or BTJ? 
 

A big reason why I like it even more is because it guarantees the Bills have to still hit WR again in R2 hopefully. 
 

This thread is about the first round, and I don’t really know what else there is to talk about expect WRs.. stay, trade.. whatever. If the eventual pick isn’t a WR, I’ll be wondering WTF. 

I guess I misinterpreted the game rules. No, Sweat is not a first round pick, and he won't be selected there. After his DWI issue, he may fall a bit, but probably someone will take him late 2nd or 3rd round. I think he's going to be a good player, provided he grows up a bit and keeps his weight somewhat in check.

 

The problem with Bowers and Kincaid is that neither is really a traditional TE. They both would naturally take up the same spot, though I think Bowers has somewhat greater downfield speed. What kind of formation are you running? Thomas just naturally fills the X role, and Josh seems more comfortable playing 11, rather than 12 personnel.

 

And I don't think you can just say, take Bowers and figure it out, or take Bowers and get rid of Knox. Knox is a traditional TE, and we need that player. But I'm an UGA fan. I love Bowers and McConkey. I think they're both going to be very good pros. I'm just not sure what kind of offense you are running that sees both Kincaid and Bowers see the field for the majority of snaps, because they are similar players, overall, though I do think Bowers is somewhat more versatile. If there's a way to make it work, I'd be thrilled to see it. Since I can't really figure it out, I lean towards Thomas.

 

I don't think the conundrum will actually present itself. I think Bowers is likely gone before 12 - 15. 

 

And now that I have answered all that, I'll throw out an actual first round option that would be controversial. Cooper Dejean. Not to bias anything, but in my view, it's a mediocre safety draft, and though Dejean is listed as a CB, he's probably the best safety in the draft. Nubin is the only competition there.

[OldTimer1960]

4 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.

Sweat seems like an ideal player to replace Daquan Jones next year, except that his recent DUI and frequent weight problems are concerning.

 

How about: Ladd McAconkey?

[Thrivefourfive]

16 minutes ago, Dr. Who said:

I guess I misinterpreted the game rules. No, Sweat is not a first round pick, and he won't be selected there. After his DWI issue, he may fall a bit, but probably someone will take him late 2nd or 3rd round. I think he's going to be a good player, provided he grows up a bit and keeps his weight somewhat in check.

 

The problem with Bowers and Kincaid is that neither is really a traditional TE. They both would naturally take up the same spot, though I think Bowers has somewhat greater downfield speed. What kind of formation are you running? Thomas just naturally fills the X role, and Josh seems more comfortable playing 11, rather than 12 personnel.

 

And I don't think you can just say, take Bowers and figure it out, or take Bowers and get rid of Knox. Knox is a traditional TE, and we need that player. But I'm an UGA fan. I love Bowers and McConkey. I think they're both going to be very good pros. I'm just not sure what kind of offense you are running that sees both Kincaid and Bowers see the field for the majority of snaps, because they are similar players, overall, though I do think Bowers is somewhat more versatile. If there's a way to make it work, I'd be thrilled to see it. Since I can't really figure it out, I lean towards Thomas.

 

I don't think the conundrum will actually present itself. I think Bowers is likely gone before 12 - 15. 

 

And now that I have answered all that, I'll throw out an actual first round option that would be controversial. Cooper Dejean. Not to bias anything, but in my view, it's a mediocre safety draft, and though Dejean is listed as a CB, he's probably the best safety in the draft. Nubin is the only competition there.

Stinks. Didn’t know about the legal troubles. 
 

How do you see Dejean panning out in our defense? I like where you going with this because I think we have a cool little thing with the Bills — a safeties legacy. Poyer and Hyde set a standard and I’d love to get that back asap.

I have to trust that the organization will capitalize on the example those two have given them. That’s the mould we need to be looking for. Their interchangeable qualities were hugely aggressive to and at the ball, and fearless tackling. Having two guys back there that compliment each other so well was the most significant thing a McDermott defense has accomplished during his tenure. So absolutely, I can see the desire to address that. After WR.

 

Next player. Looking to get to the QB. Darius or Chop Robinson. The Bills DESPERATELY need to disrupt QB, and right now I don’t see how they are going to do that consistently. 

 

 

[Mr. WEO]

2 hours ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

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. 

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 

 

 

yeah that's every "who should the bills draft" thread on page 1...

 

 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

4 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

yeah that's every "who should the bills draft" thread on page 1...

 

 

Ok, stick to those then? 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

40 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

Sweat seems like an ideal player to replace Daquan Jones next year, except that his recent DUI and frequent weight problems are concerning.

 

How about: Ladd McAconkey?

Honestly I think McAconkey fits the offense well, and can play a few different WR spots. Like any WR drafted, he’s probably “target number 5 or 6” but should get plenty of action. 
 

How about LG Keaton Bills 👌🏻

[Dr. Who]

55 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

Sweat seems like an ideal player to replace Daquan Jones next year, except that his recent DUI and frequent weight problems are concerning.

 

How about: Ladd McAconkey?

I'm a McConkey fan. Some fella, I forget who, but it was an astute comment, said that McConkey could play the role that Diggs had in the offense, except that Diggs had more vertical downfield distance prowess, whereas McConkey runs most of his routes taking advantage of horizontal space and cuts into the middle of the field. What I insist on is that McConkey is not just a "gritty slot receiver," which is the narrative many push with regard to him. My sense is that a lot of folks see Franklin as the more obvious successor to Diggs. I think both are possible, and I see why folks like Franklin. I happen to prefer McConkey. 

 

How about Graham Barton?

53 minutes ago, Thrivefourfive said:

Stinks. Didn’t know about the legal troubles. 
 

How do you see Dejean panning out in our defense? I like where you going with this because I think we have a cool little thing with the Bills — a safeties legacy. Poyer and Hyde set a standard and I’d love to get that back asap.

I have to trust that the organization will capitalize on the example those two have given them. That’s the mould we need to be looking for. Their interchangeable qualities were hugely aggressive to and at the ball, and fearless tackling. Having two guys back there that compliment each other so well was the most significant thing a McDermott defense has accomplished during his tenure. So absolutely, I can see the desire to address that. After WR.

 

Next player. Looking to get to the QB. Darius or Chop Robinson. The Bills DESPERATELY need to disrupt QB, and right now I don’t see how they are going to do that consistently. 

 

 

I think both Robinsons are reaches at the bottom of the first. Chop has quick twitch traits, and could develop into a genuine edge threat. I don't think he's worth the investment at #28, but he's the sort of player I can see McD liking. Darius is a different kind of DL player. He is more versatile. You can move him inside. I'd like him as a second round selection, but he's even more of a reach than Chop in the first, I think. Latu is a medical risk, and he may fall because teams are wary of it. It's easier to make a case for him as a first round selection, but that concern is genuine, imo.

 

How about AD Mitchell?

 

 

[OldTimer1960]

3 hours ago, Thrivefourfive said:

Stinks. Didn’t know about the legal troubles. 
 

How do you see Dejean panning out in our defense? I like where you going with this because I think we have a cool little thing with the Bills — a safeties legacy. Poyer and Hyde set a standard and I’d love to get that back asap.

I have to trust that the organization will capitalize on the example those two have given them. That’s the mould we need to be looking for. Their interchangeable qualities were hugely aggressive to and at the ball, and fearless tackling. Having two guys back there that compliment each other so well was the most significant thing a McDermott defense has accomplished during his tenure. So absolutely, I can see the desire to address that. After WR.

 

Next player. Looking to get to the QB. Darius or Chop Robinson. The Bills DESPERATELY need to disrupt QB, and right now I don’t see how they are going to do that consistently. 

 

 

I really like Chop Robinson.   He has every athletic trait you could want with the exception of having longer arms.  He does need to develop more pass rush moves, but similar can be said about any WR the team can expect to find available at 28 with the exception of McConkey and probably Mitchell and Pearsall.  I know that any player except a WR in the first round will be hugely unpopular with many fans, but it is more a hope and prayer that Miller will be able to give the team much than it is an expectation, so pass rush is a huge need as is WR.

 

How about Jehrzan Newton?

Edited April 13 by OldTimer1960

[Thrivefourfive]

2 hours ago, Dr. Who said:

I'm a McConkey fan. Some fella, I forget who, but it was an astute comment, said that McConkey could play the role that Diggs had in the offense, except that Diggs had more vertical downfield distance prowess, whereas McConkey runs most of his routes taking advantage of horizontal space and cuts into the middle of the field. What I insist on is that McConkey is not just a "gritty slot receiver," which is the narrative many push with regard to him. My sense is that a lot of folks see Franklin as the more obvious successor to Diggs. I think both are possible, and I see why folks like Franklin. I happen to prefer McConkey. 

 

How about Graham Barton?

I think both Robinsons are reaches at the bottom of the first. Chop has quick twitch traits, and could develop into a genuine edge threat. I don't think he's worth the investment at #28, but he's the sort of player I can see McD liking. Darius is a different kind of DL player. He is more versatile. You can move him inside. I'd like him as a second round selection, but he's even more of a reach than Chop in the first, I think. Latu is a medical risk, and he may fall because teams are wary of it. It's easier to make a case for him as a first round selection, but that concern is genuine, imo.

 

How about AD Mitchell?

 

 

Is Mitchell the loud mouth? On the field, what’s not to like. Big, fast, strong. 
 

So my bs take is that his feet are slow at the line of scrimmage. Hands might be slow too. I saw a lot of in-stride running on his YouTube highlight vid. …Wondering why he got caught on one of those against the maroon team…🤔

 

Here’s my even more awful assumption.. maybe he runs faster without pads… some guys are most definitely like that. On the vid, I didn’t really see speed+quickness,, just kind of a nice strider’s glide. I wonder how quickly he can locate the ball, break down and get his hands up for a contested catch, on like a 40yd sideline something. I believe Josh needs a guy that can do that. It’s a throw he wants to make, and I think he’s good at it, but his WR haven’t been good at it. 
 

You know who can do that..??😎 Top three WRs🤗

 

Anyways.. I would rather have Worthy plus that value of drafting him in R2, than Michell at 28. Two totally different styles. 
 

How about Worthy-???

[Dr. Who]

1 hour ago, Thrivefourfive said:

Is Mitchell the loud mouth? On the field, what’s not to like. Big, fast, strong. 
 

So my bs take is that his feet are slow at the line of scrimmage. Hands might be slow too. I saw a lot of in-stride running on his YouTube highlight vid. …Wondering why he got caught on one of those against the maroon team…🤔

 

Here’s my even more awful assumption.. maybe he runs faster without pads… some guys are most definitely like that. On the vid, I didn’t really see speed+quickness,, just kind of a nice strider’s glide. I wonder how quickly he can locate the ball, break down and get his hands up for a contested catch, on like a 40yd sideline something. I believe Josh needs a guy that can do that. It’s a throw he wants to make, and I think he’s good at it, but his WR haven’t been good at it. 
 

You know who can do that..??😎 Top three WRs🤗

 

Anyways.. I would rather have Worthy plus that value of drafting him in R2, than Michell at 28. Two totally different styles. 
 

How about Worthy-???

I'm going to cheat and say I like Mitchell. I think he does a lot of things well. There may be whispers about character issues. I don't know, really, but on the field, the main criticism is that he coasts when the ball isn't coming to him. Folks compare him to the Steelers' WR, Pickens. I don't know if that is overblown or not, but I do know that Mitchell has a habit of making clutch plays in big games, and that is something we could surely use.

 

Worthy is a fast feather. He's more than a speed fella, though. He has a more developed route tree, and he could be a real weapon. I still worry about his size, and a lot of very fast WRs for whatever reason don't translate into NFL success. If you take him, unless Shorter turns out well, a big X who can block and catch is still a need in the WR room, so Worthy by himself is not enough.

 

How about Jackson Powers-Johnson?

Edited April 13 by Dr. Who

[Thrivefourfive]

1 hour ago, Dr. Who said:

I'm going to cheat and say I like Mitchell. I think he does a lot of things well. There may be whispers about character issues. I don't know, really, but on the field, the main criticism is that he coasts when the ball isn't coming to him. Folks compare him to the Steelers' WR, Pickens. I don't know if that is overblown or not, but I do know that Mitchell has a habit of making clutch plays in big games, and that is something we could surely use.

 

Worthy is a fast feather. He's more than a speed fella, though. He has a more developed route tree, and he could be a real weapon. I still worry about his size, and a lot of very fast WRs for whatever reason don't translate into NFL success. If you take him, unless Shorter turns out well, a big X who can block and catch is still a need in the WR room, so Worthy by himself is not enough.

 

How about Jackson Powers-Johnson?

Ahh now you’re talking. The essence of every football team is the Big Nasties. They are the only true brotherhood room in the building. 
 

My limited football experience is from the view of quarterback, wr, cb, and fs. I would be thrilled if the Bills hired Joe Thomas to scout, and integrate his evaluations into the OBD final OLine rankings and final big board.
 

It’s all a mystery to me, but it shouldn’t be to a 1st ballot Hall of Famer that played on bad teams, with bad players, and bad coaches. When I watch film, I can’t tell how good the fat guys are because they slow down to attack lesser talented defenders. And then there’s the whole unpredictable bust factor.

 

But I’d think centers in general are more likely to take the game seriously than the other positions. So there’s that. 
 

I’m all for acquiring a center that becomes Josh’s dude for the next ten years. That role should be important to JA17. 
 

Jackson Johnson Jack Powers certainly looks the part and if the evaluators like him I’m all for it. Plus he wins the 2024 Draft name contest. Can’t take Kool Aid that seriously. 
 

What about Payton Wilson? We ALWAYS GET HURT AT LINEBACKER, and I’ll just leave it at that. Your thoughts?

 

 

Edited April 14 by Thrivefourfive

[Dr. Who]

48 minutes ago, Thrivefourfive said:

Ahh now you’re talking. The essence of every football team is the Big Nasties. They are the only true brotherhood room in the building. 
 

My limited football experience is from the view of quarterback, wr, cb, and fs. I would be thrilled if the Bills hired Joe Thomas to scout, and integrate his evaluations into the OBD final OLine rankings and final big board.
 

It’s all a mystery to me, but it shouldn’t be to a 1st ballot Hall of Famer that played on bad teams, with bad players, and bad coaches. When I watch film, I can’t tell how good the fat guys are because they slow down to attack lesser talented defenders. And then there’s the whole unpredictable bust factor.

 

But I’d think centers in general are more likely to take the game seriously than the other positions. So there’s that. 
 

I’m all for acquiring a center that becomes Josh’s dude for the next ten years. That role should be important to JA17. 
 

Jackson Johnson Jack Powers certainly looks the part and if the evaluators like him I’m all for it. Plus he wins the 2024 Draft name contest. Can’t take Kool Aid that seriously. 
 

What about Payton Wilson? We ALWAYS GET HURT AT LINEBACKER, and I’ll just leave it at that. Your thoughts?

 

 

Payton Wilson is a big, impressive LB. If you just look at the highlights, you want him on your team. And I do like him, though we don't have the luxury of taking a LB that early. And then the negatives on him are several. He's an older player. He turns 24 on draft day, and has a long injury history. So in that sense, it's a little sketchy as an answer to our hurt linebacker problem. Also, apparently he has trouble shedding blocks, so if he doesn't beat the oline or te to the runner, he might disappear from the play. If I am taking a chance on a defensive player with injury concerns, it's going to be Latu.

 

What about Storm Duck? He's probably a ufa or seventh rounder. I just wanted to type Storm Duck.

[Thrivefourfive]

39 minutes ago, Dr. Who said:

Payton Wilson is a big, impressive LB. If you just look at the highlights, you want him on your team. And I do like him, though we don't have the luxury of taking a LB that early. And then the negatives on him are several. He's an older player. He turns 24 on draft day, and has a long injury history. So in that sense, it's a little sketchy as an answer to our hurt linebacker problem. Also, apparently he has trouble shedding blocks, so if he doesn't beat the oline or te to the runner, he might disappear from the play. If I am taking a chance on a defensive player with injury concerns, it's going to be Latu.

 

What about Storm Duck? He's probably a ufa or seventh rounder. I just wanted to type Storm Duck.

If Beane doesn’t draft “Storm Duck” at the end of the draft, I’m done. 

[Mr. WEO]

21 hours ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Ok, stick to those then? 

 

I think I'll start my own!