2024 Rookies

[JohnNord]

5 hours ago, Utah John said:

The only thing holding back some of these rookies is the veterans playing their positions and doing very well.  Granger might have been called on to play center on another team, but McGovern seems to have figured out how to make line calls to protect against defensive stunts.  Andreesen probably would be playing on other teams.  I'm a little surprised Bishop isn't playing more since Hamlin is still the same, too-slow and out of position, player he's always been, but safety in McD's defense is probably the most complex position for a rookie to figure out.  

 

Don't forget that deep in McD's genes is a reluctance to play rookies.  And who can argue that letting rookies just watch and learn is a mistake, when there's a veteran playing great on the field already?

 

This is such a tired narrative.  McDermott has no problem playing rookie if they can beat out the player in front of them.  Tre White, Matt Milano, Ed Oliver, Greg Rousseau, Christian Benford… notice a trend?  
 

Even a player like DeWayne Carter got the start over a veteran like Austin Johnson when Ed Oliver was hurt.  
 

McDermott will play rookies….he’s just not going to do it at the expense of the defense 

5 hours ago, corta765 said:

The greatest irony of the 2022 class is Elam not really making it as they literally drafted 4 impact starters and two of which Benford/Bernard are all pro level and Shakir might not be far off either.

The 6th rounder is playing like a 1st rounder…

 

The 1st rounder is playing like a 6th rounder

[Sojourner]

23 minutes ago, JohnNord said:

 

This is such a tired narrative.  McDermott has no problem playing rookie if they can beat out the player in front of them.  Tre White, Matt Milano, Ed Oliver, Greg Rousseau, Christian Benford… notice a trend?  
 

Even a player like DeWayne Carter got the start over a veteran like Austin Johnson when Ed Oliver was hurt.  
 

McDermott will play rookies….he’s just not going to do it at the expense of the defense 

The 6th rounder is playing like a 1st rounder…

 

The 1st rounder is playing like a 6th rounder

Good points. I had hopes for SVPG and Bishop but honestly, McGovern is doing a solid job at the position and Hamlin is doing better than Bishop has shown he’s capable of so far. No need to throw them in now when things are at a playable or good state. 
 

What’s up with Carter though? Have they given any timeframe as to when he is going to be back after the surgery? I thought he slotted in nicely to the rotational role he’s been given and did well in the Houston & Tennessee outings. 

[GreggTX]

14 hours ago, corta765 said:

The greatest irony of the 2022 class is Elam not really making it as they literally drafted 4 impact starters and two of which Benford/Bernard are all pro level and Shakir might not be far off either.

 

I think that's quite a stretch to say Benford and Bernard are all-pros, but I like them a lot.

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

14 hours ago, TOboy said:

Given where we are picking each round these results are great!

The overly negative posters never factor that in lol. Were supposed to be getting a guy with top 5 pick talent in the late first round every year somehow 😂

[corta765]

7 hours ago, GreggTX said:

 

I think that's quite a stretch to say Benford and Bernard are all-pros, but I like them a lot.

My point is more talent wise they can hit that which means their a bluechip caliber player. Benford especially has been a top 3 CB this year.

[BigAl2526]

On 10/29/2024 at 1:53 PM, Sojourner said:

 

Yeah, I know. Which is why I find it puzzling they wouldn’t call him up for a game here or there for a couple of plays on ST and essentially waste the roster spot. Clearly they feel he wouldn’t last on the practice squad. 

Early on, Elam struggled in part because his strength is man coverage and Buffalo is primarily a zone team.  I think he can probably play now and be effective, though he needs to get on the field both to show it and get better.  His problem now is mostly McDermott's philosophy   ("If it ain't broke, don't fix it."). Benford and Douglas are one of the better CB duos in the league.  Barring injury, McDermott has no motive to put Elam in.  The Bills rotate D-linemen, not CBs.

[billsfan89]

I really loved the draft right after it happened. I thought that short term and long term it was a nice piece of roster building. Early returns look solid

[gonzo1105]

The Narrative that Elam is a bad fit for the Bills is true because they play zone but the narrative that Elam is some dominant man corner that would flourish in another system is laughable. He's got great athletic traits. His junior tape at Florida wasn't great even in press man. He is incredibly grabby which doesn't play in the NFL game. He was good on tape his sophomore year at Florida. People need to realize that Elam simply is a great athlete with NFL traits but isn't a good Cornerback in the NFL.

 

As for the 2024 draft class, it is definitely one of my favorites Beane has drafted here.  Coleman was a guy I was behind but wasn't my first choice but was an excellent pick for what the Bills do. Bishop has struggled but I had him as my best safety in the draft. Ray Davis was my # 1 RB in the draft this past year. Carter, everyone thought we reached for and he has been really solid for a rookie until his wrist injury obviously. Grable has looked really good in limited action before his injury. Solomon was always going to either be really good in the NFL or a bust and so far it looks like he is going to be really good. Hardy looks like he has some potential down the line. Ulofoshio I thought was good value in the 5th but he will probably never be anything more than a backup here.

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, gonzo1105 said:

The Narrative that Elam is a bad fit for the Bills is true because they play zone but the narrative that Elam is some dominant man corner that would flourish in another system is laughable. He's got great athletic traits. His junior tape at Florida wasn't great even in press man. He is incredibly grabby which doesn't play in the NFL game. He was good on tape his sophomore year at Florida. People need to realize that Elam simply is a great athlete with NFL traits but isn't a good Cornerback in the NFL.

 

As for the 2024 draft class, it is definitely one of my favorites Beane has drafted here.  Coleman was a guy I was behind but wasn't my first choice but was an excellent pick for what the Bills do. Bishop has struggled but I had him as my best safety in the draft. Ray Davis was my # 1 RB in the draft this past year. Carter, everyone thought we reached for and he has been really solid for a rookie until his wrist injury obviously. Grable has looked really good in limited action before his injury. Solomon was always going to either be really good in the NFL or a bust and so far it looks like he is going to be really good. Hardy looks like he has some potential down the line. Ulofoshio I thought was good value in the 5th but he will probably never be anything more than a backup here.

 

I still think we reached on Carter! It wasn't the deepest group 7 had gone in round 2, and I think the Bills were sat at the end of round 3 with a desperate roster need for some youth at the position knowing round 4 was going to be another hot run... and I think five went in the 3rd round comps and top half of round 4. After that nothing until really late. I think they probably just figured they pass at the end of the 3rd they likely don't get a guy who can play in the rotation as a rookie left for them by the time they pick in the 4th. 

[JP51]

On 10/29/2024 at 3:59 AM, GreggTX said:

So far, this rookie class shows real promise. Everyone has noticed Keon and Ray Davis, but they are not alone. In limited snaps, Javon Solomon has really shined with 2 sacks, a FF and a PD. I'm not sure if he's had any TFL, but I wonder why he hasn't earned more snaps. Carter, despite 1 bad outing (Ravens) has looked solid too. Bishop has real potential, but has made what I consider correctable 'rookie mistakes' . The jury's still out on guys like Grable, Granger, Andreesson, Ulofoshio and Hardy (Who looked good at CB in preseason). What's your midseason impression of this group? I think this may Beane's best draft considering where he picked.

I get this feeling DeWayne Carter is gonna be the real deal. 

[ganesh]

18 minutes ago, JP51 said:

I get this feeling DeWayne Carter is gonna be the real deal. 

our next Pat Williams.  Go Bills !!!

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Coleman has done better than I expected and is having a very good year for a rookie WR. I still see him as having a ceiling of a solid #2 WR. And that would be just fine. 

Bishop pick looks curious at best and awful at worst. Is he supposed to play beside Rapp or instead of?  If he was supposed to be the SS role Poyer played then who was supposed to play the Hyde role? I understand they move around alot, but it still makes no sense how this guy who was supposed to be so athletic can't beat out Rapp or Hamlin. Obviously the injury impacted his development and it's too soon to pass judgement.  

I wanted edge or second WR in second round and that still seems like it would have been better choice than Bishop.

Carter looks like a solid DT rotation guy. That's fine for a 3rd round DT.

Solomon may have some pass rush ability but doesn't look like he can be a 3 down DE. 

I was worried VanPran would not dress all year but he is getting some actual game experience.  Still have high hopes for him but too soon to tell. 

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Coleman has done better than I expected and is having a very good year for a rookie WR. I still see him as having a ceiling of a solid #2 WR. And that would be just fine. 

Bishop pick looks curious at best and awful at worst. Is he supposed to play beside Rapp or instead of?  If he was supposed to be the SS role Poyer played then who was supposed to play the Hyde role? I understand they move around alot, but it still makes no sense how this guy who was supposed to be so athletic can't beat out Rapp or Hamlin. Obviously the injury impacted his development and it's too soon to pass judgement.  

I wanted edge or second WR in second round and that still seems like it would have been better choice than Bishop.

Carter looks like a solid DT rotation guy. That's fine for a 3rd round DT.

Solomon may have some pass rush ability but doesn't look like he can be a 3 down DE. 

I was worried VanPran would not dress all year but he is getting some actual game experience.  Still have high hopes for him but too soon to tell. 

 

Bishop is a SS. I was never sold that he and Rapp was a winning duo. 

 

Edge in round 2 was unlikely just cos the talent wasn't there. I didn't want either of the two who went just infront of us - Braswell because he is a 3-4 OLB and Kneeland because I don't think he is very good. And then the three that went round 3 - Elliss, Isaac and Hunt - are all either every much OLBs or in Hunt's case a total project (though I did like him a lot, I actually had Solomon graded higher). It is worth saying nobody drafted at edge between our 2nd round pick and us selecting Solomon has more sacks through 8 weeks than Solomon. Elliss ties him with 2. 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Bishop is a SS. I was never sold that he and Rapp was a winning duo. 

 

Edge in round 2 was unlikely just cos the talent wasn't there. I didn't want either of the two who went just infront of us - Braswell because he is a 3-4 OLB and Kneeland because I don't think he is very good. And then the three that went round 3 - Elliss, Isaac and Hunt - are all either every much OLBs or in Hunt's case a total project (though I did like him a lot, I actually had Solomon graded higher). It is worth saying nobody drafted at edge between our 2nd round pick and us selecting Solomon has more sacks through 8 weeks than Solomon. Elliss ties him with 2. 

Rapp has $1.1M guaranteed for 2025 plus $1.2M in deferred cap meaning he would be over $2M in dead cap if they cut him at end of year. $1.2M I guess is ok to pay for quality backup safety if Bishop starts next year.  I'm still confused on the Safety plan. 

 

Your point is well taken on edge in 2nd round. You've mentioned that before and I have no reason to doubt you. I guess I'd rather over draft an edge than a safety. Or go OT to prepare for when Dawkins might leave since they seemed content to only draft one WR. 

 

 

[ganesh]

11 hours ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Coleman has done better than I expected and is having a very good year for a rookie WR. I still see him as having a ceiling of a solid #2 WR. And that would be just fine. 

Bishop pick looks curious at best and awful at worst. Is he supposed to play beside Rapp or instead of?  If he was supposed to be the SS role Poyer played then who was supposed to play the Hyde role? I understand they move around alot, but it still makes no sense how this guy who was supposed to be so athletic can't beat out Rapp or Hamlin. Obviously the injury impacted his development and it's too soon to pass judgement.  

I wanted edge or second WR in second round and that still seems like it would have been better choice than Bishop.

Carter looks like a solid DT rotation guy. That's fine for a 3rd round DT.

Solomon may have some pass rush ability but doesn't look like he can be a 3 down DE. 

I was worried VanPran would not dress all year but he is getting some actual game experience.  Still have high hopes for him but too soon to tell. 

You have to be able to adjust to the speed of the NFL.  In College, you will get to see one or two Bonafide WRs in a whole season...In the NFL, it is week on week.   Bishop will be fine