Scouting the DTs in the 2025 Draft

[EmotionallyUnstable]

43 minutes ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

we have ignored the 1 Tech for too long.

For the last handful of years Beane has opted to find stop-gap re-treads in the interior. I agree it would be nice to take a larger investment into the position and I truly think they will. 
 

That said I don’t love the idea of taking a 1 tech run stuffing player in RD1 who will potentially come off the field on money downs. 
 

In fact the more I simmer on this the more I believe he’ll end up at DE or CB at 30 and adress 1T at 56 or 62. I also don’t see them taking a guy who is a 3T that early, as it’d be a bit redundant with Oliver/Carter combo. 

 

Is there an edge player that can play at 7T DE on early downs and pump inside on 2nd/3rd and longs? I think versatility continues to be something they seek. Is there a DT who can play the 1T on early downs and also offer some get up on passing situations bumping out to the 3? 
 

I am very intrigued by all the scenarios 

[Richard Noggin]

7 hours ago, Mark Vader said:

You really think we can get both?

 

I just did lol. Little trade back from 56 to add another top 100 pick (got Burke and Sawyer for my trouble) while still nabbing the 2nd monster inside. 

 

 

Sorry for tossing a mock draft in here like a stink bomb.

[EmotionallyUnstable]

1 hour ago, billsfan89 said:

 

I like Collins and Williams at or around pick 30. Get me a big run stuff with some pass rush upside and then get an edge and WR in round 2.

Would Williams be there at 56? If so I’m game. 
 

I don’t see the early investment at WR earlier than round 4. We are locked into Keon/Palmer/Shakir to a least next season and you are likely drafting WR5. This guy needs to play teams (esp. since Palmer doesn’t) and likely isn’t playing meaningful snaps in year one. 
 

A DE/DT/CB has an immediate pay for significant upside and a better ROI initially especially considering the suspensions. 

[SoonerBillsFan]

11 minutes ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

For the last handful of years Beane has opted to find stop-gap re-treads in the interior. I agree it would be nice to take a larger investment into the position and I truly think they will. 
 

That said I don’t love the idea of taking a 1 tech run stuffing player in RD1 who will potentially come off the field on money downs. 
 

In fact the more I simmer on this the more I believe he’ll end up at DE or CB at 30 and adress 1T at 56 or 62. I also don’t see them taking a guy who is a 3T that early, as it’d be a bit redundant with Oliver/Carter combo. 

 

Is there an edge player that can play at 7T DE on early downs and pump inside on 2nd/3rd and longs? I think versatility continues to be something they seek. Is there a DT who can play the 1T on early downs and also offer some get up on passing situations bumping out to the 3? 
 

I am very intrigued by all the scenarios 

The DT's we have been listing can pressure the QB.  We must be able to do that up the middle, more so than off the edges.

[machine gun kelly]

On 3/16/2025 at 3:43 PM, 3rdand12 said:

What do you want in DTs from this Draft and how many? and Where would you draft them ?

 Love this thread B B 👍

Agreed 3/12.  I enjoy when one of you guys do the hw. On DT targets, and lump together.  It’s a lot better than starting a thread on each individual possibility.  So thanks BB.

[OldTimer1960]

7 hours ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

Would Williams be there at 56? If so I’m game. 
 

I don’t see the early investment at WR earlier than round 4. We are locked into Keon/Palmer/Shakir to a least next season and you are likely drafting WR5. This guy needs to play teams (esp. since Palmer doesn’t) and likely isn’t playing meaningful snaps in year one. 
 

A DE/DT/CB has an immediate pay for significant upside and a better ROI initially especially considering the suspensions. 

I agree that they probably won’t take a WR before round 4, but not because they are locked into Coleman and Palmer starting.  Rather, I think the needs at CB, DT are so glaring and DE is a very premium position and they almost certainly have Bosa only for next year.  I do think that they would love to get a WR that could be a starting caliber player - Coleman and Palmer are at best unproven - problem is that they have no viable option to start at CB opposite Benford and they also have very suspect depth at corner.  I will be a little surprised if they don’t take 2 CBs in this draft.

[Westside]

19 hours ago, HOUSE said:

DK Metcalf was the BPA but we end up with Cody Ford??

Trust the process 

[GunnerBill]

9 hours ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

Would Williams be there at 56? If so I’m game. 
 

I don’t see the early investment at WR earlier than round 4. We are locked into Keon/Palmer/Shakir to a least next season and you are likely drafting WR5. This guy needs to play teams (esp. since Palmer doesn’t) and likely isn’t playing meaningful snaps in year one. 
 

A DE/DT/CB has an immediate pay for significant upside and a better ROI initially especially considering the suspensions. 

 

Ah so we now need to adjust our draft strategy yet further away from weapons for Josh to shore up the botched defensive FA acquisitions? 

[Royale with Cheese]

12 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Ah so we now need to adjust our draft strategy yet further away from weapons for Josh to shore up the botched defensive FA acquisitions? 

 

I think this is going to be our philosophy going forward.  Not having a true elite #1, build the lines, bring a 6th offensive lineman about 35% of the time and spread the ball out.  Of course adding speed...so they say.

[Kirby Jackson]

9 hours ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

Would Williams be there at 56? If so I’m game. 
 

I don’t see the early investment at WR earlier than round 4. We are locked into Keon/Palmer/Shakir to a least next season and you are likely drafting WR5. This guy needs to play teams (esp. since Palmer doesn’t) and likely isn’t playing meaningful snaps in year one. 
 

A DE/DT/CB has an immediate pay for significant upside and a better ROI initially especially considering the suspensions. 

So the Bills have to wait on WR because they are locked into a top 30 (MAYBE 25) WR room? That doesn’t make sense. Maybe they wait because of holes elsewhere (specifically CB2) but not because of the guys that they have. I’d say WR goes right with those 3 defensive positions and DT is the deepest position in the draft. They could move into the 3rd and find a starter there. 

[LEBills]

25 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Ah so we now need to adjust our draft strategy yet further away from weapons for Josh to shore up the botched defensive FA acquisitions? 

Yes! Which group has more invested into it?

 

DL: Oliver (first round pick), Groot (first round pick), Bosa ($12 mil), Daquon ($8 mil), Big O ($10 mil, suspended), Hecht ($7 mil, suspended) AJ (second round pick)

 

WR: Keon (2nd), Palmer ($12 mil), Shakir ($15 mil), Samuel ($8 mil)…then a couple minimum guys. Even if you include TE: Dalton (1st) and Knox (3rd)

 

Josh can do more with weapons then this coaching staff can do with DL investments.

[The Jokeman]

10 hours ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

Would Williams be there at 56? If so I’m game. 
 

I don’t see the early investment at WR earlier than round 4. We are locked into Keon/Palmer/Shakir to a least next season and you are likely drafting WR5. This guy needs to play teams (esp. since Palmer doesn’t) and likely isn’t playing meaningful snaps in year one. 
 

A DE/DT/CB has an immediate pay for significant upside and a better ROI initially especially considering the suspensions. 

To me Williams should go in the top 45. While I see many draftniks feeling he's around the 40th best prospect in the draft, personally I don't feel it's a reach taking him at 30 while others disagree with me. Yet the way I see it he fits a need and feel harder to find big guys later than sooner in draft that's why I over draft him as 1 tech DTs aren't readily available despite what many think. Toss in we seemingly can develop CBs as seen in guys line Levi Wallace, EJ Gaines, Taron and Benford as non day 1 starters at the position.

[BillsVet]

For whatever reason Buffalo doesn't use a lot of picks at DT - now only 3 used across 8 drafts (H. Phillips, Oliver, Carter).  For reference, they've used 4 on RB's.  

 

Doesn't mean they won't this year with the talent apparently available.  Somewhat of a wildcard is the Ogunjobi's suspension and whether that tweaks their board.  

 

If the conditions lead to a choice between CB and DT I suspect they'll go with the former.  And I can see them going DT in RD2 if it plays out that way. 

Edited March 18 by BillsVet

[Mat68]

28 minutes ago, The Jokeman said:

To me Williams should go in the top 45. While I see many draftniks feeling he's around the 40th best prospect in the draft, personally I don't feel it's a reach taking him at 30 while others disagree with me. Yet the way I see it he fits a need and feel harder to find big guys later than sooner in draft that's why I over draft him as 1 tech DTs aren't readily available despite what many think. Toss in we seemingly can develop CBs as seen in guys line Levi Wallace, EJ Gaines, Taron and Benford as non day 1 starters at the position.

With Williams offering some pass rush ability I think he goes higher than his projection.  The perceived 2 down player will go lower.  I think Grant like Sweat will go later than expected.  Im fairly confident he will be available at 30 or close enough if they want to make a slight move up.   Im not sure that is something they will do.  I think an elite 1 T elevates the dline.  A 2 down run stuffer will be available on day 3 with the class being so deep.   A wr with #1 potential, a edge pass rusher and a starting cb are all priority over 1T.  I wouldn't reach for any position over it.  If they have players rated similar to say Grant at those positions those will be the pick.  

[nosejob]

14 hours ago, billsfan89 said:

I feel like the Bills will have plenty of good options to get a big run stuffing DT with pass rushing upside. The Bills will have at least 2-3 options that fit the description so to speak. 

 

1. Kenneth Grant- Might shoot up boards but there's an outside chance he could be there at or around pick 30. 
2. Tyleik Williams- Big run stuffer with pass rush upside, like should be there at or around pick 30. 
3. Alfred Collins- Another big run stuffer with some pass rush upside, seems like he should also be there at pick 30 could even be had in the early 2nd round. 
4. Derrick Harmon- Not a massive run stuffer but a big guy more pass rush upside than a dominant run stuffer but still a plus run defender. 

Other later round options will also bet there like Jordan Phillips and Deone Walker. 

I think we end up with Collins and Walker just because Grant and Harmon stand a good chance at being gone. I really hope we get 2 DTs and 2 DEs.( Princely and Ivey). One, big, strong and mean and one a sack artist.  I prefer Princely over Donovan. 6'4" 265? Maybe we can go down to 32 and pick up an end of 3rd rd. pick. I would also either trade 2 5's or even next year's 2 and 6 for a 3rd this year.

 

Last year was pretty aggravating watching BB sit on his hands.

[Thurman#1]

11 hours ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

For the last handful of years Beane has opted to find stop-gap re-treads in the interior. I agree it would be nice to take a larger investment into the position and I truly think they will. 
 

That said I don’t love the idea of taking a 1 tech run stuffing player in RD1 who will potentially come off the field on money downs. 
 

In fact the more I simmer on this the more I believe he’ll end up at DE or CB at 30 and adress 1T at 56 or 62. I also don’t see them taking a guy who is a 3T that early, as it’d be a bit redundant with Oliver/Carter combo. 

 

Is there an edge player that can play at 7T DE on early downs and pump inside on 2nd/3rd and longs? I think versatility continues to be something they seek. Is there a DT who can play the 1T on early downs and also offer some get up on passing situations bumping out to the 3? 
 

I am very intrigued by all the scenarios 

 

 

Yeah, CB or DE in the first is my best guess also, with DT in the 2nd. 

 

But everything can and will change as the board develops. But that's what they'd consider the best scenario, I believe.

 

I do like Grant, though. But he's one of the guys who'll be buffeted by the winds of the pick order.

 

 

Edited March 18 by Thurman#1

[Solomon Grundy]

11 hours ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

I just did lol. Little trade back from 56 to add another top 100 pick (got Burke and Sawyer for my trouble) while still nabbing the 2nd monster inside. 

 

 

Sorry for tossing a mock draft in here like a stink bomb.

LOVE THIS!! With the exception of Tai Felton. I need that big bodied deep threat for Josh and the offense. I need Don'te Thornton 

[TheBeaneBandit]

So the ultimate vibe I'm getting here is there's 3 positions: DT(1 tech type), DE, and CB. The Bills will probably be patient and take the BPA between DE and CB at 30. This is fine and all but here is where they are gonna screw up as usual: in a draft were quality is going to be more important than quantity they will need to trade up with both 2nd rounders to get the position they missed in the first round and the missing 1 tech DT that is desperately needed. They won't cause it's the Bills and they will miss being able to grab one of those positions completely because those guys are going to sell like hotcakes this draft. Will the Bills prove me wrong? Unlikely.

[Mat68]

The more I think about it, if Buffalo doesn't draft a DT at 30  they should wait til day 3.  Too many draft-able DT this year for there not to be numerous options available.  2 down run stuffers, smallish 3 techs, edge/interior tweeners I expect will all be available.  The players available on day 3 would be day 2 players in almost any other draft.  Draft a 1 T and either a tweener or 3 tech.  Doing too many mocks to count.  The picks in the 100’s are littered with DTs.  I know it’s not real and players available on mocks doesnt mean they will be there in real life.  But every team isn't drafting a DT.  Most that do wont draft multiple.  Its a very strong likelihood a player or 2 on the radar at 60 will still be on the board at 108.  With 1T as the need, that is a position that drops.  

[OldTimer1960]

50 minutes ago, Mat68 said:

With Williams offering some pass rush ability I think he goes higher than his projection.  The perceived 2 down player will go lower.  I think Grant like Sweat will go later than expected.  Im fairly confident he will be available at 30 or close enough if they want to make a slight move up.   Im not sure that is something they will do.  I think an elite 1 T elevates the dline.  A 2 down run stuffer will be available on day 3 with the class being so deep.   A wr with #1 potential, a edge pass rusher and a starting cb are all priority over 1T.  I wouldn't reach for any position over it.  If they have players rated similar to say Grant at those positions those will be the pick.  

Where did the idea that Tyleik Williams is a pass rush threat come from? I’ve only watched a few of his games all the way through and my untrained eyes see a strong run defending 1T, but not much of a pass rusher.