Should Bills Draft a Back-up QB? Who?

[NORWOODS FOOT]

The Bills are really good team built to contend year in and year out.

 

(Congrats and thank you, McBeane.)

 

That said, I hate the fact that if something bad happens, which I refuse to name, we would basically be out of Super Bowl contention with Mr. T at the helm.
 

I’d love to see us draft someone in the mid to late rounds that had some special traits and/or tons of game experience that we could build a scheme for to try and at least give ourselves a chance. 
 

What do you think and who might fit the bill in this upcoming draft?

 

If he fell far enough (who knows at this stage?) I’d take a crack at Dylan Gabriel from Oregon. Watching the Big 10 championship and I could see him excelling in the right scheme surrounded by the right people.

 

What say you?
 

 

[gonzo1105]

Just now, NORWOODS FOOT said:

The Bills are really good team built to contend year in and year out.

 

(Congrats and thank you, McBeane.)

 

That said, I hate the fact that if something bad happens, which I refuse to name, we would basically be out of Super Bowl contention with Mr. T at the helm.
 

I’d love to see us draft someone in the mid to late rounds that had some special traits and/or tons of game experience that we could build a scheme for to try and at least give ourselves a chance. 
 

What do you think and who might fit the bill in this upcoming draft?

 

If he fell far enough (who knows at this stage?) I’d take a crack at Dylan Gabriel from Oregon. Watching the Big 10 championship and I could see him excelling in the right scheme surrounded by the right people.

 

What say you?
 

 

I say I agree in theory but this is not a good QB class and we wouldn’t take one until Day 3 and probably not before the 5th round and by that time I’m about just signing a veteran 

[NORWOODS FOOT]

5 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

I say I agree in theory but this is not a good QB class and we wouldn’t take one until Day 3 and probably not before the 5th round and by that time I’m about just signing a veteran 

Yeah, I’m thinking 5-7 and just take a shot. I recall years ago Green Bay would take one every few years (if memory serves) and I always thought that made a ton of sense and that if I were a GM I would do the same based on the value of the position. If you need them you got them. If you don’t you can try and trade them for a higher pick in a few years.

 

 

Edited December 8 by NORWOODS FOOT

[Sierra Foothills]

5 minutes ago, NORWOODS FOOT said:

Yeah, I’m thinking 5-7 and just take a shot. I recall years ago Green Bay would take one every few years (if memory serves) and I always thought that made a ton of sense and that if I were a GM I would do the same based on the value of the position. If you need them you got them. If you don’t you can try and trade them for a higher pick in a few years.

 

Yes the Packers GM Brian Gutekunst has said that in principal he would like to draft a QB every year.

 

Bill Polian and Bill Walsh were also adherents to the idea that even if you have a QB, there's nothing wrong with drafting another QB if the value is right.

 

Fortunately for them, the drafting of Trey Lance didn't stop the Niners from drafting Brock Purdy at the end of the same draft.

 

McBeane dipped their toes into that philosophy post-Josh when they took Jake Fromm in the 5th round of the 2020 draft... a move that was and still is questioned.

 

And here to talk about his experiences is @JakeFrommStateFarm!!!

 

Jake, welcome to the show... thanks for joining us...

 

[machine gun kelly]

18 minutes ago, NORWOODS FOOT said:

The Bills are really good team built to contend year in and year out.

 

(Congrats and thank you, McBeane.)

 

That said, I hate the fact that if something bad happens, which I refuse to name, we would basically be out of Super Bowl contention with Mr. T at the helm.
 

I’d love to see us draft someone in the mid to late rounds that had some special traits and/or tons of game experience that we could build a scheme for to try and at least give ourselves a chance. 
 

What do you think and who might fit the bill in this upcoming draft?

 

If he fell far enough (who knows at this stage?) I’d take a crack at Dylan Gabriel from Oregon. Watching the Big 10 championship and I could see him excelling in the right scheme surrounded by the right people.

 

What say you?
 

 

I really like the Movin the Chains guys on NFLR.  They are so much better than any other radio show with good analysis balanced with. Fun banter.  Anyway, when they evaluate a QB room, they of course look at the starting guy, but then their method is you want an experienced backup which is smart to go in on a pinch hit, but then a draftee as a developmental guy.

 

Many like or dislike Mitch, but we are lacking in a developmental guy.  I’d love Tyrod or Dalton as a capable backup, but we have 10 slots when we get the 3rd or 4th comp pick.  That’s inclusive of the Cooper trade loss.  Anyway, why not use one of the 6th rd picks on a kicker, amd the other on a QB.  Let him develop over here years.

 

Im not worried about Josh as he’s literally double the next most consistent starter at QB in the NFL since 2018.  I’ll agree it’s not a bad idea for the emergency break glass option for three years down the road.  Josh won’t be a cyborg forever, but he’s pretty indestructible now.

[gonzo1105]

21 minutes ago, NORWOODS FOOT said:

Yeah, I’m thinking 5-7 and just take a shot. I recall years ago Green Bay would take one every few years (if memory serves) and I always thought that made a ton of sense and that if I were a GM I would do the same based on the value of the position. If you need them you got them. If you don’t you can try and trade them for a higher pick in a few years.

 

 

Im not sure how high he’ll go yet and I’m biased to the University but a very intriguing name that might not even be Day 3 is Mark Gronowski the QB at FCS South Dakota State. 
 

He doesn’t have eye popping statistics  in the passing game but he’s in a very balanced offense there and has great size at 6’3 230. He’s also a mechanical engineer so you know he has smarts. Plays in obvious cold weather and is mobile as well as he has averaged around 400 yards rushing and multiple TDs. 
 

He has some mechanical things he’s have to change at the NFL level and his arm looks above average. 
 

 

[Big Turk]

Who cares?

 

They aren't winning anything without Allen.  On a long list of things to worry about this would be at the very bottom.

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

38 minutes ago, NORWOODS FOOT said:

The Bills are really good team built to contend year in and year out.

 

(Congrats and thank you, McBeane.)

 

That said, I hate the fact that if something bad happens, which I refuse to name, we would basically be out of Super Bowl contention with Mr. T at the helm.
 

I’d love to see us draft someone in the mid to late rounds that had some special traits and/or tons of game experience that we could build a scheme for to try and at least give ourselves a chance. 
 

What do you think and who might fit the bill in this upcoming draft?

 

If he fell far enough (who knows at this stage?) I’d take a crack at Dylan Gabriel from Oregon. Watching the Big 10 championship and I could see him excelling in the right scheme surrounded by the right people.

 

What say you?
 

 

 

So you want to take a guy drafted in the 5th 6th, or 7th round and only NFL experience is playing in a couple of pre season games against other guys drafted in the 5th 6th, or 7th round and think he is going to better than Mitch T?  LOL  Trubisky may have been over drafted, but he's still better than a guy drafted that low with zero experience.   1st round picks have a 50/50 shot at success, unless they draft the next Tom Brady, you'll never even know and with Allen on the bench as soon as he's healthy he's back in the line up.  I've heard suggestions of drafting the backup QB in 3rd round which is even a dumber idea as basically one of the complaints about Beane is how many 2nd and 3rd round picks he drafts have failed. Now using a higher pick on player that hopefully will never play is even worse.

 

If they did draft a QB, likely the plan would be to stash him on the PS so they better draft him no earlier than the 6th otherwise when the cut him at the end of camp, another team will grab him so better draft him real low and then will just sit on PS for possibly as long as 4 years and then once a FA will sign with another team where he actually has a chance to play.  And the other likely thing that may happen wit ha QB on PS if injuries hit some other position and the team needs to make a roster move the QB on the PS would be one of the 1st to go.

 

 

Every couple of months I read a one of these threads suggesting the same, my suggestion is change the title to "I want to throw away a draft pick". 

 

The Bills don't need to develop a QB for the next 4 or 5 years.  When Allen hits around age 33/34, then can start to think about developing a new QB

Edited December 8 by Ed_Formerly_of_Roch

[NORWOODS FOOT]

9 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

Im not sure how high he’ll go yet and I’m biased to the University but a very intriguing name that might not even be Day 3 is Mark Gronowski the QB at FCS South Dakota State. 
 

He doesn’t have eye popping statistics  in the passing game but he’s in a very balanced offense there and has great size at 6’3 230. He’s also a mechanical engineer so you know he has smarts. Plays in obvious cold weather and is mobile as well as he has averaged around 400 yards rushing and multiple TDs. 
 

He has some mechanical things he’s have to change at the NFL level and his arm looks above average. 
 

 

Nice find. Thank you. 
 

Good build. Throws with touch at all levels. Accurate. Throws from a dirty pocket. Adequate runner. Funny motion that could be improved. Don’t see any long fastballs. 
 

Gonna keep my eye on him. Thanks!

[gonzo1105]

Just now, NORWOODS FOOT said:

Nice find. Thank you. 
 

Good build. Throws with touch at all levels. Accurate. Throws from a dirty pocket. Adequate runner. Funny motion that could be improved. Don’t see any long fastballs. 
 

Gonna keep my eye on him. Thanks!

He has said he might enter based on his stock but he also has a year of eligibility left. If he goes back to college expect him to be a transfer portal guy to an FBS school 

[NORWOODS FOOT]

2 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

Who cares?

 

They aren't winning anything without Allen.  On a long list of things to worry about this would be at the very bottom.

I do. I like thinking about team building for the long term and what I would do if I were GM. 
 

Right now we aren’t winning anything without Allen. That’s my point. But multiple teams have won Super Bowls with solid backups (Giants and Eagles come to mind) and I’d like the Bills to be on that list should the worst happen.

[BuffaloBillyG]

The Packers lost Love for a few games earlier this year and kept afloat with Malik friggin Willis. 

 

If Allen goes down a few weeks and we don't have an OC good enough to decide a game plan to suit our backups ability...we need a new OC. And if Allen is down long term...it's a wasted season. Enjoy the possible blue chip high first rounder.

[zow2]

Well it’s a good topic because other than maybe 2 guys, there’s a whole lot of potential NFL backup QBs in this draft.  

[NORWOODS FOOT]

5 minutes ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

 

So you want to take a guy drafted in the 5th 6th, or 7th round and only NFL experience is playing in a couple of pre season games against other guys drafted in the 5th 6th, or 7th round and think he is going to better than Mitch T?  LOL  Trubisky may have been over drafted, but he's still better than a guy drafted that low with zero experience.   1st round picks have a 50/50 shot at success, unless they draft the next Tom Brady, you'll never even know and with Allen on the bench as soon as he's healthy he's back in the line up.  I've heard suggestions of drafting the backup QB in 3rd round which is even a dumber idea as basically one of the complaints about Beane is how many 2nd and 3rd round picks he drafts have failed. Now using a higher pick on player that hopefully will never play is even worse.

 

If they did draft a QB, likely the plan would be to stash him on the PS so they better draft him no earlier than the 6th otherwise when the cut him at the end of camp, another team will grab him so better draft him real low and then will just sit on PS for possibly as long as 4 years and then once a FA will sign with another team where he actually has a chance to play.  And the other likely thing that may happen wit ha QB on PS if injuries hit some other position and the team needs to make a roster move the QB on the PS would be one of the 1st to go.

 

 

Every couple of months I read a one of these threads suggesting the same, my suggestion is change the title to "I want to throw away a draft pick"  

Thanks for making a well laid out argument. I see your point. I guess, for me, it would really depend on what player is available, my projection of his potential, at a low enough spot to make sense. 
 

So for example, I tentatively say that Dylan Gabriel in the 5th-7th round is someone I’d take a chance on

[EmotionallyUnstable]

Mehhh I’d prefer the vet back up option. If you want a young guy, there are plenty of UDFAs to pick off the bone.

 

My belief about QB2 has been the same since Allen has made the jump: you need your back up to be just serviceable enough to get you through a game, or a small skid in the event of a mid-to-minor injury.

 

If it’s a long term injury, you’re in trouble anyways. So give me the veteran game manager who can function on schedule and stay out of the way until the Hulk returns 

Edited December 8 by EmotionallyUnstable

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

1 minute ago, NORWOODS FOOT said:

Thanks for making a well laid out argument. I see your point. I guess, for me, it would really depend on what player is available, my projection of his potential, at a low enough spot to make sense. 
 

So for example, I tentatively say that Dylan Gabriel in the 5th-7th round is someone I’d take a chance on

 

If NFL GM's and scouts can't make decent projections on 1st round QB,s how can any projection made on a late round pick be worth anything?  You can throw him on the PS, but I'd be much more confident having the backup #2 QB be a guy who's played in the NFL, even if he fizzled out.

 

When your staring QB is questionable, say Carolina, it's worth taking a gamble then as good chance the starter won't last all season without benching him.

[Bockeye]

34 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

Im not sure how high he’ll go yet and I’m biased to the University but a very intriguing name that might not even be Day 3 is Mark Gronowski the QB at FCS South Dakota State. 
 

He doesn’t have eye popping statistics  in the passing game but he’s in a very balanced offense there and has great size at 6’3 230. He’s also a mechanical engineer so you know he has smarts. Plays in obvious cold weather and is mobile as well as he has averaged around 400 yards rushing and multiple TDs. 
 

He has some mechanical things he’s have to change at the NFL level and his arm looks above average. 
 

 

Yeah, But Tommy Mellott crushes him.  Montana State University QB….22 TDs (68%), 1 INT, 11 rushing TD’s

 

https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/stats/_/id/4775196/tommy-mellott

 

Just had a career day today.  

 

(Full disclosure, I’m an MSU fan 😁)

 

 

Edited December 8 by Bockeye

[NORWOODS FOOT]

22 minutes ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

 

If NFL GM's and scouts can't make decent projections on 1st round QB,s how can any projection made on a late round pick be worth anything?  You can throw him on the PS, but I'd be much more confident having the backup #2 QB be a guy who's played in the NFL, even if he fizzled out.

 

When your staring QB is questionable, say Carolina, it's worth taking a gamble then as good chance the starter won't last all season without benching him.

I see the wisdom in the strategy for sure. And frankly, the Bills brain trust seems to agree with you and not me! Lol

 

Edited December 8 by NORWOODS FOOT

[ticketssince61]

22 minutes ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

 

So you want to take a guy drafted in the 5th 6th, or 7th round and only NFL experience is playing in a couple of pre season games against other guys drafted in the 5th 6th, or 7th round and think he is going to better than Mitch T?  LOL  Trubisky may have been over drafted, but he's still better than a guy drafted that low with zero experience.   1st round picks have a 50/50 shot at success, unless they draft the next Tom Brady, you'll never even know and with Allen on the bench as soon as he's healthy he's back in the line up.  I've heard suggestions of drafting the backup QB in 3rd round which is even a dumber idea as basically one of the complaints about Beane is how many 2nd and 3rd round picks he drafts have failed. Now using a higher pick on player that hopefully will never play is even worse.

 

If they did draft a QB, likely the plan would be to stash him on the PS so they better draft him no earlier than the 6th otherwise when the cut him at the end of camp, another team will grab him so better draft him real low and then will just sit on PS for possibly as long as 4 years and then once a FA will sign with another team where he actually has a chance to play.  And the other likely thing that may happen wit ha QB on PS if injuries hit some other position and the team needs to make a roster move the QB on the PS would be one of the 1st to go.

 

 

Every couple of months I read a one of these threads suggesting the same, my suggestion is change the title to "I want to throw away a draft pick". 

 

The Bills don't need to develop a QB for the next 4 or 5 years.  When Allen hits around age 33/34, then can start to think about developing a new QB

 

Could not agree more with your assessment.  No idea why people are constantly enamored with the idea if JA misses some games of having to salvage our season with an unproven, untested, inexperienced mid round QB draft pick

[gonzo1105]

5 minutes ago, Bockeye said:

Yeah, But Tommy Mellott crushes him.  Montana State University QB….22 TDs (68%), 1 INT, 11 rushing TD’s

 

https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/stats/_/id/4775196/tommy-mellott

 

Just had a career day today.  

 

(Full disclosure, I’m an MSU fan 😁)

 

 

 

Haven't seen him play I'll try to take a look. Looking at his stats, is he just a flat out runner? Passing stats over his career are nothing special until this year. Legit asking as I've never seen him play or took notice. I try to watch the FCS playoffs as much as I can because those teams are the ones most likely to have a chance at the next level.

 

 

Is he the kid a couple of years ago that split time and ran all over SDSU in the playoffs? I remember a guy like that and I swore it was Montana State?

Edited December 8 by gonzo1105