ESPN High Level 2025 Draft Analysis

[Virgil]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/story/_/id/43955223/2025-nfl-draft-class-better-expected-strengths-weaknesses-questions-prospects

 

Key Highlights:

-Running backs could have starters coming out of rounds 5, 6, and 7.  There's quite a few with 2nd round grades that could make big impacts.  

-Tight Ends are solid.  Not 2023 solid, but close.  (Doesn't really help us)

-Defensive Line has 31 of the top 100 overall player rankings.  Could see a big push and benefits teams like the Bills picking at the end of rounds.

 

To me, this works out really well for the Bills and this is what I would like to see:

-Draft one of those RB's as a potential Cook replacement.  I think Cook is great, but we aren't budgeting our roster to pay a RB 12+ mil a year.  If we can trade Cook for a 2nd or 3rd, and then flip that pick into his replacement, I'm good with it.  It's nothing personal and I would love to keep Cook, but I just don't see us having the money for him within our plans of this roster.  

-Our defensive line needs work, even if we do swing a trade for Garrett/Crosby.  Personally, I don't know what kind of money Groot is going to expect, but he disappears too much in big games for me to justify paying him 20+ mil per season.  I'm completely fine letting him play out his 5th year and making that decision next offseason.  With that being said, we need a game changer at DT alongside Oliver, and I could see AJ being a cap casualty along with Von.  With McD's rotation, I could see 2-3 picks on the defensive line in the early rounds.

 

As for other positions based upon draft round grades (super early as the combine isn't done)

-DBs - only 2 DB's have a first round grade, and only 3 have a 2nd round grade.  This is not great for us.  Safety equally has similar players with 1st/2nd round grades.  If we are looking for starters here, we need to hit on a mid round pick or trade up.  

-WR - I personally do not believe that WR is the need that others do.  Even with Cooper not doing much out there, we still had a very prolific offense.  For those interested, there are 11 WR's with 1st/2nd round grades

OG - For those that think Edwards' roster spot is in jeopardy, this is not the draft to replace him.  There's only 3 Gs with 1st/2nd round grades, and then a huge drop off to players with a 6th round grade.  

 

Based on all of this, I would argue that our FA priority should be (aside from resigning some of our own guys)

-Safety, Guard (expensive in FA and assuming Edwards is out), and DB.  

Edited 3 hours ago by Virgil

[LEBills]

11 minutes ago, Virgil said:

 

OG - For those that think Martin's roster spot is in jeopardy, this is not the draft to replace him.  There's only 3 Gs with 1st/2nd round grades, and then a huge drop off to players with a 6th round grade.  

 

Based on all of this, I would argue that our FA priority should be (aside from resigning some of our own guys)

-Safety, Guard (expensive in FA and assuming Martin is out), and DB.  

Do you mean David Edwards when you are talking about Guard? IF we move on from him I think Anderson would be the replacement and then a late round pick or minimum contract vet to backfill the spot, if anything. 

[SoonerBillsFan]

Looking at this, I package Cook and #30 to move up for a DL. Take a RB in round 4.

[Virgil]

1 minute ago, LEBills said:

Do you mean David Edwards when you are talking about Guard? IF we move on from him I think Anderson would be the replacement and then a late round pick or minimum contract vet to backfill the spot, if anything. 

 

Yup, please forgive my offseason brain

[Maine-iac]

20 minutes ago, Virgil said:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/story/_/id/43955223/2025-nfl-draft-class-better-expected-strengths-weaknesses-questions-prospects

 

Key Highlights:

-Running backs could have starters coming out of rounds 5, 6, and 7.  There's quite a few with 2nd round grades that could make big impacts.  

-Tight Ends are solid.  Not 2023 solid, but close.  (Doesn't really help us)

-Defensive Line has 31 of the top 100 overall player rankings.  Could see a big push and benefits teams like the Bills picking at the end of rounds.

 

To me, this works out really well for the Bills and this is what I would like to see:

-Draft one of those RB's as a potential Cook replacement.  I think Cook is great, but we aren't budgeting our roster to pay a RB 12+ mil a year.  If we can trade Cook for a 2nd or 3rd, and then flip that pick into his replacement, I'm good with it.  It's nothing personal and I would love to keep Cook, but I just don't see us having the money for him within our plans of this roster.  

-Our defensive line needs work, even if we do swing a trade for Garrett/Crosby.  Personally, I don't know what kind of money Groot is going to expect, but he disappears too much in big games for me to justify paying him 20+ mil per season.  I'm completely fine letting him play out his 5th year and making that decision next offseason.  With that being said, we need a game changer at DT alongside Oliver, and I could see AJ being a cap casualty along with Von.  With McD's rotation, I could see 2-3 picks on the defensive line in the early rounds.

 

As for other positions based upon draft round grades (super early as the combine isn't done)

-DBs - only 2 DB's have a first round grade, and only 3 have a 2nd round grade.  This is not great for us.  Safety equally has similar players with 1st/2nd round grades.  If we are looking for starters here, we need to hit on a mid round pick or trade up.  

-WR - I personally do not believe that WR is the need that others do.  Even with Cooper not doing much out there, we still had a very prolific offense.  For those interested, there are 11 WR's with 1st/2nd round grades

OG - For those that think Edwards' roster spot is in jeopardy, this is not the draft to replace him.  There's only 3 Gs with 1st/2nd round grades, and then a huge drop off to players with a 6th round grade.  

 

Based on all of this, I would argue that our FA priority should be (aside from resigning some of our own guys)

-Safety, Guard (expensive in FA and assuming Edwards is out), and DB.  

I find the DB piece interesting.  I wonder if this is specific to ESPN people because there are a number of DB's I wouldn't mind seeing in a Bills uniform.  I can think of 4 safeties alone.  Granted a 2nd round grade might be generous but it wouldn't surprise me if they were all picked in the first 2 rounds. 

[Virgil]

1 minute ago, Maine-iac said:

I find the DB piece interesting.  I wonder if this is specific to ESPN people because there are a number of DB's I wouldn't mind seeing in a Bills uniform.  I can think of 4 safeties alone.  Granted a 2nd round grade might be generous but it wouldn't surprise me if they were all picked in the first 2 rounds. 

 

Like we saw in recent years where there was maybe a handful of true 1st round grades, it makes picks 15-100 a crap shoot of people reaching.  Everyone can't trade out and picks need to be made.  So it'll be interesting.  

[Maine-iac]

5 minutes ago, Virgil said:

 

Like we saw in recent years where there was maybe a handful of true 1st round grades, it makes picks 15-100 a crap shoot of people reaching.  Everyone can't trade out and picks need to be made.  So it'll be interesting.  

Would love to get Watts in the second or Mukuba in the third to play beside Bishop.  Some actual coverage safeties.

[MJS]

This is why RB's shouldn't get big contracts. It is not that difficult to replace their production with a guy on a rookie deal. Plus, the shelf life on RBs is shorter than any other position.

[Brand J]

12 minutes ago, MJS said:

This is why RB's shouldn't get big contracts. It is not that difficult to replace their production with a guy on a rookie deal. Plus, the shelf life on RBs is shorter than any other position.

I agree with shelf life, but the production high end RBs give is difficult to replace - if we’re talking about explosive plays. CMC, Barkley, and King Henry level production you likely won’t get in the 3rd+ round. If we can get Cook back at about $12M/yr he’s def worth that.

I’ve got Cook in that second group with Brandon Jacobs, Gibbs, Bijan, etc., except some of those guys are more complete players. I remember how the running game looked with Zach “grows on” Moss and Devin Dingleberry. I’d rather not go back to those days. 

[KOKBILLS]

1 hour ago, Virgil said:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/story/_/id/43955223/2025-nfl-draft-class-better-expected-strengths-weaknesses-questions-prospects

 

Key Highlights:

-Running backs could have starters coming out of rounds 5, 6, and 7.  There's quite a few with 2nd round grades that could make big impacts.  

-Tight Ends are solid.  Not 2023 solid, but close.  (Doesn't really help us)

-Defensive Line has 31 of the top 100 overall player rankings.  Could see a big push and benefits teams like the Bills picking at the end of rounds.

 

To me, this works out really well for the Bills and this is what I would like to see:

-Draft one of those RB's as a potential Cook replacement.  I think Cook is great, but we aren't budgeting our roster to pay a RB 12+ mil a year.  If we can trade Cook for a 2nd or 3rd, and then flip that pick into his replacement, I'm good with it.  It's nothing personal and I would love to keep Cook, but I just don't see us having the money for him within our plans of this roster.  

-Our defensive line needs work, even if we do swing a trade for Garrett/Crosby.  Personally, I don't know what kind of money Groot is going to expect, but he disappears too much in big games for me to justify paying him 20+ mil per season.  I'm completely fine letting him play out his 5th year and making that decision next offseason.  With that being said, we need a game changer at DT alongside Oliver, and I could see AJ being a cap casualty along with Von.  With McD's rotation, I could see 2-3 picks on the defensive line in the early rounds.

 

As for other positions based upon draft round grades (super early as the combine isn't done)

-DBs - only 2 DB's have a first round grade, and only 3 have a 2nd round grade.  This is not great for us.  Safety equally has similar players with 1st/2nd round grades.  If we are looking for starters here, we need to hit on a mid round pick or trade up.  

-WR - I personally do not believe that WR is the need that others do.  Even with Cooper not doing much out there, we still had a very prolific offense.  For those interested, there are 11 WR's with 1st/2nd round grades

OG - For those that think Edwards' roster spot is in jeopardy, this is not the draft to replace him.  There's only 3 Gs with 1st/2nd round grades, and then a huge drop off to players with a 6th round grade.  

 

Based on all of this, I would argue that our FA priority should be (aside from resigning some of our own guys)

-Safety, Guard (expensive in FA and assuming Edwards is out), and DB.  

 

The DB thing I disagree with a bit... Even if Hunter is 100% a WR, and Revel and Morrison are not ready with the injuries I still have Will Johnson, Jahdae Barron, Malaki Starks, Nick Emmanwori, Darian Porter (I'm higher on him than most), Azareye'h Thomas, and Xavier Watts in my Top 64 before the Combine. I did not see the Safety comments... Are they saying Emmanwori is similar to Starks and Watts? He's not... There are a couple other DB's like Tre Amos and Andrew Makuba who could move into the 2nd Round with great workouts. 

 

I think we definitely need one more WR and personally I'd rather get one in the Draft because there are a few I really like for the Bills...in different ways (just looking for explosive play-makers).... that we should have a shot at... Namely Matthew Golden, Jaylen Royals, Isaiah Bond, and Savion Williams. Drafted WR's are cost controlled too. And if it's still everyone-eats we just need another weapon. We don't necessarily need a #1. But a guy like Golden or Royals that have that kind of long-term upside won't hurt one bit.  😎

 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by KOKBILLS

[GASabresIUFan]

Oh good, another trade Cook thread.

 

Maybe just maybe we should invest in a player other than Allen who is central to all parts of the offense.  I'm not saying sign him to a ten year extension, but is $15 mill so out of whack for a player who racks up 1400+ yards from scrimmage and is critical to both the running and passing game.  

 

Let's put that contract into perspective.  There were 27 WRs costing over 15 mill last year.  How many of those 27 contributed 1400 yards of offense? One! Only Justin Jefferson.  How many of these overpaid WRs had over 1250 yards? 3 - Jeudy, St Brown and Jefferson.   The best WRs touch the ball about 100-120 times a season.  Cook, even in a rotation, is touching the ball 250 times.  I'd rather pay Cook 15 mill per season for years 5-7, then waste 15 mill+ on a "No. 1" WR.

 

https://overthecap.com/position/wide-receiver

 

https://www.nfl.com/stats/player-stats/category/receiving/2024/REG/all/receivingyards/DESC

 

Maybe, just maybe, we should keep a star offensive player that we drafted and developed.  Given McD's comments on Cook, I suspect management feels like I do.

 

As to the draft, draft a WR early and another late and lets see if some cheap spaghetti sticks.  With the other premium picks get a DL and a CB.  If Johnson walks, grab a RB mid to late to add talent to the depth.  I like GA's Etienne as a replacement for Johnson.  

 

Edited 18 minutes ago by GASabresIUFan