Joe Buscaglia likes Harmon over Grant

[OldTimer1960]

I do like what I’ve seen of Caldwell.  

[26TrapDraw]

2 hours ago, gonzo1105 said:

I also like Harmon over Grant. Look Grant is a good prospect and a great level of potential. I’m not saying he shouldn’t be in consideration for the Bills pick at 30…..but despite all these great attributes he is very inconsistent. When he’s dominant he’s dominant but there are a lot of times on tape where you come away underwhelmed. I’m not at my computer but I have Grant I believe as my 40 or 41 prospect 

We've already had too many players that " disappear" for long stretches. This defense needs a consistent tackle to stuff the run and space eat. I like Harmon's consistency over grants potential here.

[OldTimer1960]

1 hour ago, nosejob said:

I like Harmon better simply from his 5 sacks last year.  To me college production is no.1.  Would I trade up for him, no. He is like a Poona Ford jr. 6'1 ?

I would rather roll with Nolan and hopefully get Collins or a bigger guy after.

Harmon is taller than 6’1”.  I believe he was 6’4 1/2 at the Combine.

[MiracleAtRich1393]

2 hours ago, MikePJ76 said:

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6253459/2025/04/04/bills-2025-nfl-draft-defensive-tackles/

 

Why Grant falls below Harmon all has to do with current third-down capabilities. At this point, Grant is more of a clean-up pass-rusher than one who disrupts the pocket, and early on in his career, he may be nothing more than an early-down asset who has to come off the field for obvious pass-rushing situations, though there is more of a nimbleness to his movement abilities than other massive one-technique run-stuffers. He’ll never dip and rip through blockers, but through his power and movement skills, there is a path to seeing him develop as an asset on third downs. It will take some projecting by the team that drafts him.

 

He suggests if Harmon is available in the 20's to trade up and go get him.

 

If Harmon is available in the mid-20s or at No. 30 for the Bills, it could be a slam-dunk investment for them. 

 

He mentions an interesting day 3 1 tech DT that I find pretty interesting, Jamaree Caldwell

 

Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon — Caldwell is a gap-plugging, space-eating, one-technique-only prospect at 332 pounds with a quick first step. There is some thought he would be best suited to the 0-technique role in a 3-4 defense, but he’s a clear strength as a run defender.

 

 

Love Caldwell int he 4th if we don't get top 1T targets earlier. I'd even be fine with a double down like Elam/Benford if he's still sticking out on the board somehow with our late 5ths/early 6ths and we went with a 1T in the 1st/2nd. Stack the beef!

[RyanC883]

2 hours ago, MikePJ76 said:

Greg Cosell has the opposite opinion fwiw.  He even suggest Harmon is a developmental prospect who might not offer much in year 1.  He seems to love Grant although also calls him a player to be developed...which i guess is true of every young player, but cosell thinks grant has light, quick feet and is more than a run player.

 

Cosell thinks Nolen is the best of all the DT prospects in the class.

 

 

 

Thanks.  It was a mistake taking Amos over Nolen, IMO.  

[Kirby Jackson]

2 hours ago, Logic said:

I have a feeling the NFL will like Harmon over Grant, too, and I expect him to be drafted earlier.

Harmon seems to have a skillset that's more valuable in the modern game than Grant, who indeed seems like he may only be a two-down run stuffer.

Harmon also more closely aligns with the weight, body type, and skillset that we've seen McDermott's defense employ over the years.

Yeah, that’s kind of where I’m at. Most like Harmon over Grant. They are both good players but Harmon is further along. It’s not really a controversial decision. Now, if he said that he liked Kaleb Johnson over Jeanty, or something like that, it would be controversial.

[KOKBILLS]

I like them both... But I think Grant has the better upside and is clearly better at getting the ball carrier to the ground when he gets in range. I also think Grant will be better vs. the run, and can be (maybe) just as good as Harmon on passing downs with some refinement.

 

That being said there is always some boom-or-bust factor to upside, and Harmon does feel like the safer prospect right now. 

 

 

 

[CNYfan]

I give Joe Buscaglia the same weight I give Gunner and Gonzo, maybe less, and definitely less than the Cover 1 guy.  

[ROCBillsBeliever]

2 hours ago, DJB said:

I’ve had Harmon over Grant as well for months. I think Grant is a good player , but he’s definitely more 1T with limited pass rushing upside . 
 

Harmon is a menace. He’s everywhere and creates havoc consistently. He does need to wrap up and tackle a little better to finish but man he’s disruptive. I was studying offensive players and Harmon was popping on screen playing against him lol
 

I’ll be thrilled with one of Harmon, Grant or Nolen round 1 . 

 

My problem is that I watch Harmon'e tape, and all I see is Jordan Phillips (NOT the new guy in the draft; OUR Jordan), which is okay I guess, but I'm worried about the rush yards his chaos might open up.

21 minutes ago, MiracleAtRich1393 said:

 Stack the beef!

 

[nosejob]

1 hour ago, OldTimer1960 said:

Harmon is taller than 6’1”.  I believe he was 6’4 1/2 at the Combine.

 

1 hour ago, OldTimer1960 said:

Harmon is taller than 6’1”.  I believe he was 6’4 1/2 at the Combine.

I stand corrected, maybe I saw that about Caldwell. I'll see myself out.

[SoonerBillsFan]

3 hours ago, MikePJ76 said:

Greg Cosell has the opposite opinion fwiw.  He even suggest Harmon is a developmental prospect who might not offer much in year 1.  He seems to love Grant although also calls him a player to be developed...which i guess is true of every young player, but cosell thinks grant has light, quick feet and is more than a run player.

 

Cosell thinks Nolen is the best of all the DT prospects in the class.

 

 

Agreed, I want Nolen.

[nosejob]

1 minute ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

Agreed, I want Nolen.

I wouldn't bet against Greg Cosell.

[SoonerBillsFan]

Honestly either one is a need and upgrade.  We are better off with either DT.

[Warriorspikes51]

Any 1 of:

 

Grant, Harmon, Nolen, D.Alexander, Williams, Collins, Caldwell

 

(Getting 2 of this group would completely transform the defense and IMO should be the mission of this draft)

& 

 

Any 1 of:

 

Norman-Lott, CJ West, Farmer, Broughton, Walker, Phillips, Sanders, Smith, Biggers, Jackson

 

 

 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

FWIW- NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein lists Derrick Harmon player comp as none other than current Bill DaQuan Jones. 

[BillsFanForever19]

1 minute ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

(Getting 2 of this group would completely transform the defense and IMO should be the mission of this draft)

 

Said it once, i'll say it a million times - you're not "completely transforming the Defense" by rolling back the same secondary and LB's and going crazy on DL. It'll improve run Defense, for sure. But QB's had no problem negating the pass rush all season by getting the ball out quickly with ease against our pass coverage, by way of subpar to average talent in the Secondary (outside of Benford) and the Zone scheme being picked apart with people constantly out of position.

 

All season long against quality opponents, it seemed like the opposing QB took the snap, dropped back, one mississippi two mississippi - ball out. Meanwhile, Josh had to run all over the field and hope someone got open. Even the most talented line isn't going to blow up the opposing teams OL every snap and get back there that quickly.

 

We definitely need to improve the Line, no doubt about it. But we also have to improve the Secondary. Just focusing on DL will have teams continuing to quick pass on us and just focusing on Secondary will have teams running all over us. We need to do both.

[BillsFan2313]

8 hours ago, gonzo1105 said:

At the end of the day it doesn’t matter because we are taking a CB 

 

I wonder if Elam busting and Benford beasting gives them pause at drafting another 1st rd cb

[SoonerBillsFan]

14 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Said it once, i'll say it a million times - you're not "completely transforming the Defense" by rolling back the same secondary and LB's and going crazy on DL. It'll improve run Defense, for sure. But QB's had no problem negating the pass rush all season by getting the ball out quickly with ease against our pass coverage, by way of subpar to average talent in the Secondary (outside of Benford) and the Zone scheme being picked apart with people constantly out of position.

 

All season long against quality opponents, it seemed like the opposing QB took the snap, dropped back, one mississippi two mississippi - ball out. Meanwhile, Josh had to run all over the field and hope someone got open. Even the most talented line isn't going to blow up the opposing teams OL every snap and get back there that quickly.

 

We definitely need to improve the Line, no doubt about it. But we also have to improve the Secondary. Just focusing on DL will have teams continuing to quick pass on us and just focusing on Secondary will have teams running all over us. We need to do both.

Forrest should upgrade the safety spot.  So that leaves CB 2.

[MJS]

20 hours ago, KOKBILLS said:

I like them both... But I think Grant has the better upside and is clearly better at getting the ball carrier to the ground when he gets in range. I also think Grant will be better vs. the run, and can be (maybe) just as good as Harmon on passing downs with some refinement.

 

That being said there is always some boom-or-bust factor to upside, and Harmon does feel like the safer prospect right now. 

 

I always want my team to go for the upside instead of the safer prospect, in my opinion.

[Dr. Who]

17 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Said it once, i'll say it a million times - you're not "completely transforming the Defense" by rolling back the same secondary and LB's and going crazy on DL. It'll improve run Defense, for sure. But QB's had no problem negating the pass rush all season by getting the ball out quickly with ease against our pass coverage, by way of subpar to average talent in the Secondary (outside of Benford) and the Zone scheme being picked apart with people constantly out of position.

 

All season long against quality opponents, it seemed like the opposing QB took the snap, dropped back, one mississippi two mississippi - ball out. Meanwhile, Josh had to run all over the field and hope someone got open. Even the most talented line isn't going to blow up the opposing teams OL every snap and get back there that quickly.

 

We definitely need to improve the Line, no doubt about it. But we also have to improve the Secondary. Just focusing on DL will have teams continuing to quick pass on us and just focusing on Secondary will have teams running all over us. We need to do both.

I'm not against addressing the secondary early if if matches BPA, or close enough. I don't agree with your implicit premise that improving the DL means stopping the run exclusively. I think it makes sense to add a 1T that can reliably plug the middle, yes, but I'd also like to get someone who can provide pass rush up the middle and collapse the pocket. That effectively helps the secondary as well.

 

If you want to counter that getting the ball out quickly negates the pass rush tout court, that would eliminate efforts to get an EDGE, too, which evidently is taking an observation beyond reasonable team building. 

 

Here is a further question: if quality opponents can operate that way, why is Josh running all over the field hoping someone gets open? You know, of course, its the WR separation problem. So maybe that would suggest other roster additions that ought to be prioritized, but let's just stick with DL.