Bills sign DL Michael Hoecht on a 3-year deal worth a max value of $24M

[klos63]

4 minutes ago, tigerthelion said:

Not a draft guru, but do you think this guy is head and shoulders above , say a third or fourth rounder in the draft?  I could be wrong, of course.  It is not a deal that will break the team, but I don't see him being better than most other jags.  Once again, I could be way off base here and he could provide great value.  It would certainly surprise me if he did, but it would be a pleasant surprise.

Without even seeing him play,  yes,  he is likely head and shoulders above almost every 3rd or 4th rounder.  Most of those guys won't last enough to finish their rookie deal let alone secure a 2nd contract. 

 

[Thrivefourfive]

YESSSSSSS!!!!!

 

who?

 

Go Bills!!!

[BigAl2526]

Hoecht came out of college when everything was shut down with COVID.  He did a "virtual pro day" where he ran a 4.65 40 followed by a 4.68.  He was 6'4 and weighed 295 according to a press release.  Los Angeles listed him as 267 lbs.  I assume that during his time with LA, he lost some weight because the Rams wanted him to spend more time at end.  What it boils down to is, the Bills can experiment a bit.  They could have him continue to play at a lighter weight at have him take more reps on the outside, or they could have him add some weight back so he can hold up better on the inside.  

[buffaloboyinATL]

17 minutes ago, TheWeatherMan said:

What we need is someone who can get to the QB, and we don’t have one of those.

I agree.  But you can’t deny that improving our run defense was a need as well.  

[Warriorspikes51]

ok this is pretty encouraging:

 

81 tackles in 2023

6 Sacks, 11 QB hits

7 TFL

 

56 tackles in 2024

3 Sacks, 6 QB hits

4 TFL

not as much playing time

Edited 15 hours ago by Warriorspikes51

[MWK]

36 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Star

Trent Murphy

Butler

Jefferson

Settle

Addison

Miller

 

Just stating facts.

[TheyCallMeAndy]

Definitely looks like DE4 money to me, Super Smoot if you will. Can “go as high as” DE3 money. 
 

I don’t think we are done at this position. 

[Warriorspikes51]

1 minute ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Definitely looks like DE4 money to me, Super Smoot if you will. Can “go as high as” DE3 money. 
 

I don’t think we are done at this position. 

if we were done at Edge, it would be complete FAILURE

[White Linen]

This seems like a Toohill signing to me.  Nothing burger 

[streetkings01]

12 minutes ago, MWK said:

 

Star

Trent Murphy

Butler

Jefferson

Settle

Addison

Miller

 

Just stating facts.

Who would you have signed and what type of contract would you have given them?

[stevewin]

1 hour ago, billsfan89 said:

Whenever the Bills sign a guy who I am less familiar with I always do a bunch of looking them up. Seems like Rams fans like him, ST ace (blocked 3 kicks last year) who was an elite rotational defensive linemen who is very versatile. Big guy whose going to help the Bills with physicality on the edge and give the coaches a chance to work in different looks. Seems to me more like a Smoot replacement but with Von gone the Bills certainly needed 2 bodies at DE and they got 1.

Blocking 3 kicks in one season is crazy

[streetkings01]

1 minute ago, White Linen said:

This seems like a Toohill signing to me.  Nothing burger 

Who would you have signed and what type of contract would you have given them?

[Victory Formation]

12 minutes ago, MWK said:

 

Star

Trent Murphy

Butler

Jefferson

Settle

Addison

Miller

 

Just stating facts.

I’m not really excited right now to be honest, but I will just have to patiently wait and see.. (FA in general, not just this signing..)

[NoSaint]

5 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

if we were done at Edge, it would be complete FAILURE

I don’t think there is a huge splash to come

 

free agency is thin on impact at this point. 30th isn’t usually an immediate impact pass rusher. 
 

A trade or cap casualty yet to come?

[BillsFanForever19]

8 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

if we were done at Edge, it would be complete FAILURE

 

Outside of the Draft - what else can be done?

 

Garrett and Crosby stayed put. Sweat, Mack, Reddick, Young, Koonce, Ossai - all swooped up today.

 

Trade for Hendrickson? I'd be here for it. But there's no indication they're taking offers and even if they did - good chance Cinci won't deal him to us.

 

Only things that are left are aging, oft injured, and/or declining options  like Joey Bosa, Za'Dariius Smith, or DeMarcus Lawrence. Or under the radar guys like the guy we just signed.

[QCity]

5 minutes ago, White Linen said:

This seems like a Toohill signing to me. 

 

Toohill signed a 1yr deal for $1M. A little different.

[Shortchaz]

10 minutes ago, White Linen said:

This seems like a Toohill signing to me.  Nothing burger 

We get at least one of these a year 

[Warriorspikes51]

12 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Outside of the Draft - what else can be done?

 

Garrett and Crosby stayed put. Sweat, Mack, Reddick, Young, Koonce, Ossai - all swooped up today.

 

Trade for Hendrickson? I'd be here for it. But there's no indication they're taking offers and even if they did - good chance Cinci won't deal him to us.

 

Only things that are left are aging, oft injured, and/or declining options  like Joey Bosa, Za'Dariius Smith, or DeMarcus Lawrence. Or under the radar guys like the guy we just signed.

Z Smith would be a good addition short term at least. Don’t see Bosa coming east.

 

Donte Fowler Jr  8th in Edge pass rush win rate

 

we need to acquire Hendrickson, Parsons or another impactful pass rusher that isn’t being discussed. TJ Watt will be due for a new deal.

 

Leonard Williams? Seattle could be open to it.

Dexter Lawrence? Brian Burns? Check just in case

 

Javon Hargrave out there. Has played at a very high level before

 

Maliek Collins is out there. Very high among DT’s for pass rush win rate.

 

Jonathan Allen would be great.

 

Calais Campbell ageless with great metrics

Edited 15 hours ago by Warriorspikes51

[Warriorspikes51]

“This was the No. 1 FA on my board for Bills. Such an underrated, unique player.”

 

- Chris Trapasso  CBS

 

 

This guy BLOCKED 3 KICKS last year…..

 

nice find by Thad Brown

Edited 14 hours ago by Warriorspikes51

[WEATHER DOT COM]

Blocked 3 kicks last year.