Wide Receiver Train Full Speed Ahead- CHOO CHOO!

[LEBills]

My personal 2025 WR rankings:

 

#7 Matthew Golden WR Texas (RD 1-2)

- transfer from Houston

- Value as a kick returner

- Ran a 4.29 40 at combine

 

What does he do on film?

 

Route running DBs to oblivion

- 11:05 runs the seam until he gets Hairston to open his hips. Beautiful sharp cut into the hole in the zone. If he just did this more consistently, but he may be the only receiver in the class with that ability

- 14:00 well done release vs the jam not allowing the defender to get two hands on him. With his speed easily leaves the CB trailing for an easy first down

- 15:21, 15:34, 16:50 made a lot of DBs take the PI rather than give up the big play

- 18:38 the play that put him on the map. Ran the seam, route left the DB flat footed and Golden ran by him

 

Downfield Ball tracking:

- 11:34 great over the shoulder ball tracking and hanging onto the ball as he get pulled down

- 13:13 nice job properly tracking the under thrown ball that Malachi Starks misjudged

- 13:37 he isn’t the tallest or have the best hops, but he kept correctly adjusting to Quinn Ewers ducks that the defenders kept misjudging

- 14:57 late shift by the DB gives Golden a free release while the DB is still backpedaling. Despite Ewers throwing him into the safety, maintains concentration for a big catch

- 17:24 nice job bending the route slightly to give more room to drop the ball in between Golden and the sideline

 

Weaknesses:

- Called for multiple penalties when trying to run block this season

- Nearly 10% drop rate and sub 50% contested catch rate for his career

- Despite speed, not a great YAC player with a minimal amount of broken tackles throughout his career

- Very limited production in college. If he is a successful 1st round pick he will be an extreme outlier

 

Conclusion:

Golden is not a player that is going to wow you with his highlight reel. The excitement comes from watching what he does to get in position to make his reception. A high level route runner who just doesn’t have the body to be a top 10 WR in the league but who could be that next level down. A player who can hold up on the outside but whose speed will be best used as a Z. Similar talent to the Zay Flowers and Jordan Addisons of drafts a few years ago. Should go in the the late first round.

[LEBills]

My personal 2025 WR rankings:

 

#6 Tory Horton WR Colorado State (RD 4-6)

- Should have declared last year

- Worked out in the snow at his pro day

 

What does he do on film?

 

- :14 beats Will Johnson 1v1 for the long touchdown

- 2:32 a lot of fast players struggle against zone coverage. Sits in the zone, gets the ball and then so incredibly quick going from standing still to making a big run after catch

- 4:11 double covered and still wins the jump ball and scores

- 4:56 sick double move and then shows off the best hands in the draft

- 6:15 it’s not an amazing play, but I like players that their coaches trust to handle a trick play

 

 

- 1:34 best hands in the draft

- 2:47 incredible at getting hands up last moment for the catch and touchdown

- 7:41 best hands in the draftttt

- 8:20 When a big catch was needed he delivered, then communicates with his teammates to get ready to spike the ball

- 9:14 best hands in the draftttttttt

 

Weaknesses:

- Likely played much lighter than he weighed at combine

- Knee injury ended his season

- Wins with speed and lacks physicality after the catch

 

Conclusion:

If you can’t tell, I’m a big fan. A player that should have declared last year after a showcase game vs Colorado, he came back because he was a leader at CSU. Well rounded receiver metrically with success out wide and in the slot as well as vs both man and zone. 

 

Added bonus of being a good punt returner will allow him to contribute right away to any team. Starting as a reserve and slot player be a nice way to transition to the physicality of the game, but I think he can step in as a starter immediately assuming he is 100% healthy.

[BillsShredder83]

On 4/1/2025 at 9:05 PM, Alphadawg7 said:

 

This narrative that keeps getting thrown around here is factually not true: 

1. Highest scoring AFC team Regular Season:  Buffalo Bills (16th greatest offense in NFL history)
2. Highest scoring AFC team during the post season:  Buffalo Bills (29 points per game, only 2 less than regular season and against 3 playoff teams)

And this was despite having to play 3 games and against 3 tough defenses...which included the Ravens who had the #1 defense the final 2/3rds of the season after they shifted Hamilton in their defense.

 

And not only that, we scored 29 against a KC team that had not offensively scored 30 the whole season...it would be enough to beat them on any other week the entire season and postseason.  Same team that was down 34-0 a week later.  

 

Speaking of KC "a week later"...in 3 of the games KC eliminated us in the playoffs...they averaged 35 PPG just to lose one week later all 3 times averaging a pathetic 17 PPG...literally less than half of what they avg against us.

 

No disrespect - But to attribute our failure to get over the hump and past KC more to the offense than the defense is to propose a narrative that is not supported by facts and rooted in beliefs and assumptions that are just not accurate, especially this season.    

 

Late response... but I agree with the bolded.  Im not 'blaming' the offense.  They more than held their end of the bargain with a better defense... unfortunately, we're not built that way.  

 

Investing in the holes in the defense is needed, absolutely.  I just think investing in the defense is a diminished return, compared to our offense with Josh.  Josh raises the level of everyone around him. 

IF Y = 1   then -->Josh x's Y = 5. 

If Y =  5 then --> Josh x's Y = 25

 

It's easier, cheaper and more reliable to buy points (PPG) through the draft/FA/trade , than it is to try and reduce points through draft/FA/trade.

 

We dont seem to develop guys on the DL, which is where we should get the most bang for the buck investing in the defense.

 

Use the top of the draft to get Josh a true #1, and the rest will fall into place.  A true #1 WR adds 3-4 ppg so much more reliably, than getting the defense to shut down 3 points.  Brian Thomas Jr on this team would've got us over the KC hump.  I don't know that even a Myles Garret does.

 

I want Josh to have a real threat at every level, and we have nothing a SB aspiring team should have starting at outside WR.  I cant see even an all defense draft getting us over KC.  Theyll just out scheme us.  Now that I write it out this is more of a criticism on Coach, than probably anybody else.

[Alphadawg7]

1 hour ago, BillsShredder83 said:

Late response... but I agree with the bolded.  Im not 'blaming' the offense.  They more than held their end of the bargain with a better defense... unfortunately, we're not built that way.  

 

Investing in the holes in the defense is needed, absolutely.  I just think investing in the defense is a diminished return, compared to our offense with Josh.  Josh raises the level of everyone around him. 

IF Y = 1   then -->Josh x's Y = 5. 

If Y =  5 then --> Josh x's Y = 25

 

It's easier, cheaper and more reliable to buy points (PPG) through the draft/FA/trade , than it is to try and reduce points through draft/FA/trade.

 

We dont seem to develop guys on the DL, which is where we should get the most bang for the buck investing in the defense.

 

Use the top of the draft to get Josh a true #1, and the rest will fall into place.  A true #1 WR adds 3-4 ppg so much more reliably, than getting the defense to shut down 3 points.  Brian Thomas Jr on this team would've got us over the KC hump.  I don't know that even a Myles Garret does.

 

I want Josh to have a real threat at every level, and we have nothing a SB aspiring team should have starting at outside WR.  I cant see even an all defense draft getting us over KC.  Theyll just out scheme us.  Now that I write it out this is more of a criticism on Coach, than probably anybody else.

The issue for me though is that we were already the 16th most points PPG in NFL history and that was with:  

 

- Josh sitting week 17

- Bills tying NFL record for most wins by 20+ blowouts (where we often too the foot off the gas for a whole quarter, even a couple halves.

 

There are only so many possessions a game, it’s not that easy to score “more” than we already do (also highest scoring team over past 5 seasons).  And amongst the top 10 highest scoring teams in NFL history, only 3 won a SB and none of the top 4 did.  So all offense hasn’t been the best remedy historically either.
 

But…if we could have just made literally one more third down stop converting an eventual score into a punt and getting off the field, that would have been enough to beat KC in our last 3 playoff losses to them.  Not to mention, our offense would have gotten more TOP from that too, giving us more opportunities to score even more points than we did in those 1 score losses.   
 

So I get where you are coming from, but I do think where this team is right now, it’s a lot easier to find just one or two more defensive plays a game then it is to find more scoring drives than we already have.  
 

Im hoping Bosa is playoff healthy as he hopefully can be a guy that can make those few plays we are lacking.  Josh needs help from the defense or he is forced to be perfect…and even that hasn’t been enough (13 seconds for example) sadly.

 

[Allen2Moulds]

I didn't want to like him, but after watching all these different WR clips, the guy that stood out the most was Bond. It's a reminder that football speed is much more about quickness and acceleration. How fast can you move while also shifting. That being said, I still subscribe to certain baselines. WRs, and corners still need to be sub 4.6 players. 

There was a beat writer for Texas, who said he was shocked that Golden ran the faster 40. He said when you watch them play, Bond is the one that plays like the 4.2 guy. Watching clips of both, and Bond does look more explosive. To me, he has the elite football speed.

 

I would love it, if we got Bond with our first 2nd rounder, and went defense the rest of the way. Something like this.

 

Rd1. Hairston

Rd2. Bond

RD3. Tylek Williams.

 

I would be very happy, if our draft went like this.

Edited April 9 by Allen2Moulds

[Pete]

8 hours ago, Allen2Moulds said:

I didn't want to like him, but after watching all these different WR clips, the guy that stood out the most was Bond. It's a reminder that football speed is much more about quickness and acceleration. How fast can you move while also shifting. That being said, I still subscribe to certain baselines. WRs, and corners still need to be sub 4.6 players. 

There was a beat writer for Texas, who said he was shocked that Golden ran the faster 40. He said when you watch them play, Bond is the one that plays like the 4.2 guy. Watching clips of both, and Bond does look more explosive. To me, he has the elite football speed.

 

I would love it, if we got Bond with our first 2nd rounder, and went defense the rest of the way. Something like this.

 

Rd1. Hairston

Rd2. Bond

RD3. Tylek Williams.

 

I would be very happy, if our draft went like this.

Bond has character issues.  A scout said he is as bad as Jermaine Burton.  We have an awesome vibe in the locker room.  Keep bad characters off the Bills

[GunnerBill]

11 minutes ago, Pete said:

Bond has character issues.  A scout said he is as bad as Jermaine Burton.  We have an awesome vibe in the locker room.  Keep bad characters off the Bills

 

They did but at the moment I have only seen that one single report. Which you have to remember is in lying season. If there are others out there it might be a warning to stay away.... but for now the people I have spoken to the one guy I think I'd say "no way" to based on character is Mike Green. 

[Pete]

43 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

They did but at the moment I have only seen that one single report. Which you have to remember is in lying season. If there are others out there it might be a warning to stay away.... but for now the people I have spoken to the one guy I think I'd say "no way" to based on character is Mike Green. 

Mike Green has two sexual assaults.  That’s why he switch schools.  No F-ing way to Mike Green.  There are plenty of talented players that don’t have character issues.  Do not ruin Josh’s locker room.

Edited Wednesday at 12:44 PM by Pete

[HappyDays]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

 

They did but at the moment I have only seen that one single report. Which you have to remember is in lying season. If there are others out there it might be a warning to stay away.... but for now the people I have spoken to the one guy I think I'd say "no way" to based on character is Mike Green. 

 

Joe Marino said he has heard the rumors on Bond too. He didn't specify the exact details but said he doesn't believe Bond will be on our board if what he heard is true.

[The Jokeman]

10 hours ago, Allen2Moulds said:

I didn't want to like him, but after watching all these different WR clips, the guy that stood out the most was Bond. It's a reminder that football speed is much more about quickness and acceleration. How fast can you move while also shifting. That being said, I still subscribe to certain baselines. WRs, and corners still need to be sub 4.6 players. 

There was a beat writer for Texas, who said he was shocked that Golden ran the faster 40. He said when you watch them play, Bond is the one that plays like the 4.2 guy. Watching clips of both, and Bond does look more explosive. To me, he has the elite football speed.

 

I would love it, if we got Bond with our first 2nd rounder, and went defense the rest of the way. Something like this.

 

Rd1. Hairston

Rd2. Bond

RD3. Tylek Williams.

 

I would be very happy, if our draft went like this.

I can't see Tyleik Williams falling to past pick 45 in this draft. To me he's amongst the top 5 DTs in the draft and arguably the best run stuffer of the class. It's why am pounding the table to take him in Round 1 as the kid hasn't reached his full potential. 

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, Pete said:

Mike Green has two sexual assaults.  That’s why he switch schools.  No F-ing way to Mike Green.  There are plenty of talented players that don’t have character issues.  Do not ruin Josh’s locker room.

 

And from what I hear that is two we know about..... I was told by a journo from another market that people are sniffing around his past and there is a pattern of behaviour.

52 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

Joe Marino said he has heard the rumors on Bond too. He didn't specify the exact details but said he doesn't believe Bond will be on our board if what he heard is true.

 

Interesting. That would definitely cool me on him. The Bills have met him a ton, right? They presumably are trying to work it all out. 

[HappyDays]

4 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

Interesting. That would definitely cool me on him. The Bills have met him a ton, right? They presumably are trying to work it all out. 

 

My theory is that maybe he is not really a 2nd round prospect like the draft community thinks. If the reported character concerns are true maybe he is seen by teams as a 4th or even 5th rounder. If that's true then the Bills could be doing their due diligence to see if the talent is worth risking a day three pick on.

[GunnerBill]

10 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

My theory is that maybe he is not really a 2nd round prospect like the draft community thinks. If the reported character concerns are true maybe he is seen by teams as a 4th or even 5th rounder. If that's true then the Bills could be doing their due diligence to see if the talent is worth risking a day three pick on.

 

If he slips because of character it is possible. But have the Bills ever taken someone of that type? It just doesn't feel very them.

[HappyDays]

2 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

If he slips because of character it is possible. But have the Bills ever taken someone of that type? It just doesn't feel very them.

 

No I don't think they have. But when a 2nd round talent at a position of need might be available in the 5th, no harm in doing their due diligence on him. I don't know the specifics but it doesn't sound like the concerns are criminal in nature. The comparison has been to Jermaine Burton. So you have to figure out if he is going to skip NFL practices like Burton has done which means he's not worth drafting in any round, or can his personality be managed enough to take a flyer on him.

[Allen2Moulds]

2 hours ago, The Jokeman said:

I can't see Tyleik Williams falling to past pick 45 in this draft. To me he's amongst the top 5 DTs in the draft and arguably the best run stuffer of the class. It's why am pounding the table to take him in Round 1 as the kid hasn't reached his full potential. 

I don't disagree with your ranking, but run stuffers are not valued as high as DTs that are better known for their pass rush prowess. For this reason, you can easily see a few guys go ahead of him.

[Prospector]

Good mid to late round option... He is great on punt blocks also

[FireChans]

5 hours ago, Prospector said:

Good mid to late round option... He is great on punt blocks also

Love him but slot only I think.

[SoonerBillsFan]

On 4/8/2025 at 4:23 PM, LEBills said:

My personal 2025 WR rankings:

 

#6 Tory Horton WR Colorado State (RD 4-6)

- Should have declared last year

- Worked out in the snow at his pro day

 

What does he do on film?

 

- :14 beats Will Johnson 1v1 for the long touchdown

- 2:32 a lot of fast players struggle against zone coverage. Sits in the zone, gets the ball and then so incredibly quick going from standing still to making a big run after catch

- 4:11 double covered and still wins the jump ball and scores

- 4:56 sick double move and then shows off the best hands in the draft

- 6:15 it’s not an amazing play, but I like players that their coaches trust to handle a trick play

 

 

- 1:34 best hands in the draft

- 2:47 incredible at getting hands up last moment for the catch and touchdown

- 7:41 best hands in the draftttt

- 8:20 When a big catch was needed he delivered, then communicates with his teammates to get ready to spike the ball

- 9:14 best hands in the draftttttttt

 

Weaknesses:

- Likely played much lighter than he weighed at combine

- Knee injury ended his season

- Wins with speed and lacks physicality after the catch

 

Conclusion:

If you can’t tell, I’m a big fan. A player that should have declared last year after a showcase game vs Colorado, he came back because he was a leader at CSU. Well rounded receiver metrically with success out wide and in the slot as well as vs both man and zone. 

 

Added bonus of being a good punt returner will allow him to contribute right away to any team. Starting as a reserve and slot player be a nice way to transition to the physicality of the game, but I think he can step in as a starter immediately assuming he is 100% healthy.

Separation and hands are what we need

[LEBills]

10 hours ago, The Jokeman said:

I can't see Tyleik Williams falling to past pick 45 in this draft. To me he's amongst the top 5 DTs in the draft and arguably the best run stuffer of the class. It's why am pounding the table to take him in Round 1 as the kid hasn't reached his full potential. 

Agreed, I’ve been doing a deep dive into the top DTs over the last 12 years and all round 1-3 DTs drafted from 2013-2023 and Williams falls into a very successful profile assuming his RAS was going to be good (which his 10 and 20 yard splits looked very good). Would definitely take him over guys like Grant, Alexander, Collins, Walker, and Norman-Lott. 

[LEBills]

My personal 2025 WR rankings:

 

#5 Luther Burden WR Mizzou (RD 1-2)

- 5 star recruit out of HS

- Played in the slot 85% of the time

- rumblings of vague concerns about him, speculation it’s about him dogging it quite a bit this season

 

What does he do on film?

 

 

I’m not going to break this up into a topic. These are just cool plays Burden made:

11:04 gets on DB fast, blows by him on the post

 

- 11:37 sit in the soft spot of the zone then let his otherworldly after the catch skills take over

 

- 14:06 gets lined when Burden gets on his toes he tries to punch and Burden easily evades it

 

- 15:43 outruns the CB and the safety, great contortion on the off target throw

 

- 16:15 toasted the safety, poor ball forced him to slow down and get clobbered

 

- 18:18 stacked release, runs through the chip and just outruns the DB 

 

- 23:30 out routes are dangerous with his ability to break tackles one on one with his strength

 

- 24:18 deep crosser, tackler just bounces off of him

 

Weaknesses:

- Only 8.5 inch hands

- Best deep route is the slot fade which is tougher in the pros with the narrower hashmarks

- sharp drop off from 2023 to 2024

 

Conclusion:

Burden is a Rorschach test. Some evaluators will say he is a top 10 pick based on his 23 tape. Others will say that his style of play can’t work in the NFL. And they both have a point. If I was drafting him, I would not try to make him an outside receiver and just let him run his end arounds, screens, curls, crossers, posts and fades. I think he is really good at those and has a pretty good feel for zone coverage. If he ever develops in the background as a route runner, wherever he is drafted will be too low.

 

As good as his 23 season was, he was severely held back by terrible ball placement when he had his man badly beaten on deep routes. I think his ball tracking is very good and that he could be a unique slot weapon that can attack both deep and with YAC. Definitely a first round talent if his head is right.

Edited Thursday at 01:10 AM by LEBills