Sleeper Time!

[Alphadawg7]

5 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

He definitely doesn't count as a sleeper on this board, he's been talked about more than some first round players!  He is my WR15 and I have a mid 4th on him. I wouldn't mind the Bills taking a shot, because they need a vertical element but I am less confident than you that he can be more than that. It wouldn't surprise me if he sneaks into the end of round 3 though... in that comp pick range. I sort of feel similarly about him and Kyle Williams (who is my WR12). If either gets to #109 I'd be fine with taking them. I think both probably go third round and they aren't guys I'd move up for. 

Well I’ve been talking about him before it was en vogue, and he’s still a big sleeper outside this board, so still a sleeper in my book  
 

I think the 3rd is a possibility too as I think after what BTJ did last year, with his size and speed, is only going to help increase his interest in this copy cat league.  He’s not the same level of prospect, but teams are going to be very intrigued by his combo of size and speed I would think.

 

That being said, seems low probability we will draft him as I haven’t seen or been able to find any links or confirmed meetings/calls with him and the Bills.  Doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened, just hard to see Beane  based on past drafts using a 4th on him if we haven’t met or spoken with him.  So until I see we have, I’m unfortunately not expecting to hear his name called

 

 

[Ralonzo]

Would like to see Chimere ***** with one of the 5th's just so SDS has to tweak the filter.

Was going over the CBS mock https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2025-nfl-seven-round-mock-draft-three-trades-in-round-1-before-browns-and-giants-select-qbs-on-day-2/, and and I was very ok with the first four picks - Grant, Porter, Ezeiraku, Dont'e Thornton. But looking into how they pegged the later round (i.e. sleeper which is why it's in this thread) picks...

 

132) Caleb Ransaw CB Tulane. So he can run but isn't really productive... maybe look at Corie Black from OSU or Bilhal Kone from Western Michigan?

169) Cam Horsley DT Boston College. Doubling up on 1T is something a lot of TSW is doing, fair value here. There's a lot of these 1T's to pick from in this range, Stackhouse from Georgia, Biggers from GT, Yahya Black from Iowa, Jamaree Caldwell from Oregon, Elijah Simmons Tennessee, etc etc there's really a lot of them.

170) CJ Dippre TE Alabama. Buscaglia has zeroed in on him too as the Morris replacement as a core-4 ST guy. He and Fidone from Nebraska seem like those kinds of guys.

173) Cory Kiner RB Cincinnati. Uhh? Brashard Smith from SMU and Travor Etienne are still on the board and this is the pick? Slow, small, drops the football? Nope.

177) Maxen Hook S Toledo. He's yet another box-type, where the Bills need a free-type who has range and can go get the ball in the air, and in that area there's projectable guys like Marquis Sigle from K State, or JJ Roberts from Marshall as a poor man's Mukuba/Bowman. (Kitan Crawford went 162 to the Jets, boooo)

206) Elijah Ponder EDGE Cal-Poly for #206 recently, I started looking in and seems like a toolsy guy who beat up on inferior opponents which is fine at this point to see if he can step up a couple levels. I think we know what Kingsley Jonathan's ceiling is by now and it's practice squad.

 

Edited Monday at 02:30 PM by Ralonzo

[MikePJ76]

13 hours ago, Bill51390 said:

Brashard Smith from SMU

Joe Buscaglia has a penultimate mock draft out today and he has the Bills trading up for him.  Sees him as a return man replacing codrington and next years replacement for ty johnson.

 

TRADE!

Trade details: Bills trade Nos. 169 and 170 to Commanders for No. 128

The pick at No. 128 — Brashard Smith, RB, SMU

 

Here is Dane Brugler's summary of Brashard Smith

 

SUMMARY:

 

A one-year starter at SMU, Smith made the transition from receiver to running back in head coach Rhett Lashlee's balanced spread scheme. After three seasons as a pass catcher for Miami, he entered the portal, and Lashlee sold him on making a positional move that would allow him to be SMU's version of Isiah Pacheco. Smith responded with 1,977 all-purpose yards in 2024, No. 4 in the FBS behind only Ashton Jeanty, Cam Skattebo and Omarion Hampton. He was also the only FBS player with at least 1,300 yards rushing, 300 yards receiving and 300 kick-return yards in 2024. 

 

A hard-charging athlete, Smith runs with wiggle and balance to elude tacklers and make it tough for defenders to square him up, although he needs to better rely on the blocking scheme to set up defenders. He plucks the ball well outside his frame and can get open on wheels and fades. Overall, Smith needs to continue developing his run discipline and tempo, but he runs hard and explosively with terrific control for abrupt cuts. Given his versatility as a runner and receiver, he has the upside of a dynamic role player who can be flexed across the offense and affect the defensive game plan. GRADE: 4th-5th round 

[gonzo1105]

17 minutes ago, MikePJ76 said:

Joe Buscaglia has a penultimate mock draft out today and he has the Bills trading up for him.  Sees him as a return man replacing codrington and next years replacement for ty johnson.

 

TRADE!

Trade details: Bills trade Nos. 169 and 170 to Commanders for No. 128

The pick at No. 128 — Brashard Smith, RB, SMU

 

Here is Dane Brugler's summary of Brashard Smith

 

SUMMARY:

 

A one-year starter at SMU, Smith made the transition from receiver to running back in head coach Rhett Lashlee's balanced spread scheme. After three seasons as a pass catcher for Miami, he entered the portal, and Lashlee sold him on making a positional move that would allow him to be SMU's version of Isiah Pacheco. Smith responded with 1,977 all-purpose yards in 2024, No. 4 in the FBS behind only Ashton Jeanty, Cam Skattebo and Omarion Hampton. He was also the only FBS player with at least 1,300 yards rushing, 300 yards receiving and 300 kick-return yards in 2024. 

 

A hard-charging athlete, Smith runs with wiggle and balance to elude tacklers and make it tough for defenders to square him up, although he needs to better rely on the blocking scheme to set up defenders. He plucks the ball well outside his frame and can get open on wheels and fades. Overall, Smith needs to continue developing his run discipline and tempo, but he runs hard and explosively with terrific control for abrupt cuts. Given his versatility as a runner and receiver, he has the upside of a dynamic role player who can be flexed across the offense and affect the defensive game plan. GRADE: 4th-5th round 

I have Brashard Smith as my 69th player. If you want an eventual Cook replacement that’s your guy 

[DJB]

100% agree on Giddens. Hes a good one. 
 

Mason Taylor was my sleeper TE over the last 4 months but everyone has caught on. He’s going to be in Daniel Jeremiah’s top 32 when he releases his top 150 this week . 
 

Those are two right off the top of my head . 

 

[Lofton80]

As a Notre Dame Fan, I really like Rylie Mills. He played DT and is coming off an ACL. As an older player at 24, he is likely to last until the later rounds. Notre Dame's run defense disappeared after his injury. He really developed into a solid player over time.  

[MiracleAtRich1393]

I like Florida 1T DT Cam'Ron Jackson. 330 LBs, long arms, absorbs double teams well, could cover up our smaller LBs and free up a 3T like Oliver. Wouldn't mind him at all at 132 if we miss on some of the high end DTs earlier or scoop him if he's still there with our late 5ths in a double down at the position.

[The Firebaugh Kid]

10 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

WR - Donte Thornton

 

6'5, 4.3 speed, and good hands.  His tape shows untapped ability IMHO above just being a vertical threat...but even if he ends up just being mostly that, its what we lack in our WR room right now.  I think he could be quite the weapon in Buffalo.

 

I would be fine taking him with one of our 4ths, assuming we didn't take a WR earlier and he is still there.  He is projected more as a 5th...but you can't coach size and speed, so I have a feeling he doesn't make it out of the 4th round.  

He's been in for a private workout too. Absolutely in love with the upside here. I'd take him in the 4th, no brainer. 

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, gonzo1105 said:

I have Brashard Smith as my 69th player. If you want an eventual Cook replacement that’s your guy 

 

He is a little lower on my board - just outside the top 100 - but I think if you want a Cook replacement that you can find a way to roster with Cook for a year in 2025 he is the way to do it. Because you can roster him as a 4th back but mainly have him play teams this coming season so he essentially replaces Codrington on the 53 and then takes over as one of the main ball carriers in 2026.

[gonzo1105]

Just now, GunnerBill said:

 

He is a little lower on my board - just outside the top 100 - but I think if you want a Cook replacement that you can find a way to roster with Cook for a year in 2025 he is the way to do it. Because you can roster him as a 4th back but mainly have him play teams this coming season so he essentially replaces Codrington on the 53 and then takes over as one of the main ball carriers in 2026.

 I expect him to go lower than where I have him but I love the player. Former WR with great hands, speed back, would fit the Bills offense, he isn’t a pass blocker which hurts but I just love the way he plays . He’ll probably go in the 4th but could go 3rd to 5th

[nosejob]

15 hours ago, Maine-iac said:

Last year my sleeper pick was Jalen Coker.  Thought he was a poor mans Keon Coleman.  Probably more or less true.  This year for sleeper I'd go David Walker Edge.  I'm getting Terrell Suggs vibes.  

Sometimes I think this WR class could be sneaky better than people think.  There's no Harrison Jr or Nabers but 2nd tier to 2nd tier there's some guys you wouldn't mind having on your roster.

WOW I'm impressed!

11 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

WR - Donte Thornton

 

6'5, 4.3 speed, and good hands.  His tape shows untapped ability IMHO above just being a vertical threat...but even if he ends up just being mostly that, its what we lack in our WR room right now.  I think he could be quite the weapon in Buffalo.

 

I would be fine taking him with one of our 4ths, assuming we didn't take a WR earlier and he is still there.  He is projected more as a 5th...but you can't coach size and speed, so I have a feeling he doesn't make it out of the 4th round.  

I don't think he makes it thru the 3rd.

[Turbo44]

9 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

He definitely doesn't count as a sleeper on this board, he's been talked about more than some first round players!  He is my WR15 and I have a mid 4th on him. I wouldn't mind the Bills taking a shot, because they need a vertical element but I am less confident than you that he can be more than that. It wouldn't surprise me if he sneaks into the end of round 3 though... in that comp pick range. I sort of feel similarly about him and Kyle Williams (who is my WR12). If either gets to #109 I'd be fine with taking them. I think both probably go third round and they aren't guys I'd move up for. 

And he’s not a sleeper to the bills as they’ve talked to him numerous times. He’s been on my radar for a long time due to his measurable but just wondering if he ends up great, good or like that shorter guy with 4.4 speed and size we drafted in the 5th a few years ago?

My dream is to trade #30 and a 6th for something in the low 40s and a 3rd to a team look for a qb.

40ish: cb who drops : Hairston, Morrison,

eastern Carolina guy with the bad knee, etc

57: best dt avail

62: top wr avail or DE/s/rb

3rd: Kevin Williams’s or Thornton 

 

[Mat68]

1 hour ago, The Firebaugh Kid said:

He's been in for a private workout too. Absolutely in love with the upside here. I'd take him in the 4th, no brainer. 

I dont see him as anything but a Shorter type prospect.  Has all the physical numbers but why are they not productive?  At no point in college was he dominate.  They have Shavers dont need another imo.  Too many productive players to draft a guy with such limited probability of success.  With Metcalf you could explain away his production with injury.  In 20 less college games metcalf had more tds and only 150 fewer yards.  Thornton is fouls gold.  Go with the formula that landed Davis and Shakir not the one that drafted Shorter.  Day 3, late day 2 target for me is Tory Horton I think he will be steal at WR.  

[MrEpsYtown]

Draft Trevor Etienne. He’s James Cook, slightly more explosive and a little shorter. 5 years younger. Very little tread on the tires. Strong bloodlines. That’s how you reset things instead of paying Cook imo. 
 

To me he’s a guy no one is talking about and will be the steal of the draft. 

Edited Monday at 06:48 PM by MrEpsYtown

[Alphadawg7]

2 hours ago, The Firebaugh Kid said:

He's been in for a private workout too. Absolutely in love with the upside here. I'd take him in the 4th, no brainer. 

 

Wait, are you saying he HAS been in for a private workout???  That would be great if so, last I checked I couldn't find any record of us meeting with him at all, so I was hoping something would come out confirming a visit, workout, or at least a zoom or something.  

 

Im not sure he gets to us in the 4th despite his projections, so I wouldn't hate moving up from our first pick in the 4th to go get him in the 3rd even.  Or, if a trade down happened from 30 like what was proposed in the TSW Mock Draft Poll (it came in 2nd to taking Grant in that mock) and netted us a 3rd in that move, I would be fine using that 3rd on him.  

[Florida Bills Fanatic]

There are people in Florida hyping Kendall Bohler, a corner from Florida A & M.  Many of them think he will go around the fifth/sixth rounds.  I don't know anything about the guy but maybe he could be the kind of late round flier that Beane occasionally takes.  If anyone knows about him, I'm curious to get a legit opinion minus the local Florida bias.

[The Firebaugh Kid]

55 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

Wait, are you saying he HAS been in for a private workout???  That would be great if so, last I checked I couldn't find any record of us meeting with him at all, so I was hoping something would come out confirming a visit, workout, or at least a zoom or something.  

 

Im not sure he gets to us in the 4th despite his projections, so I wouldn't hate moving up from our first pick in the 4th to go get him in the 3rd even.  Or, if a trade down happened from 30 like what was proposed in the TSW Mock Draft Poll (it came in 2nd to taking Grant in that mock) and netted us a 3rd in that move, I would be fine using that 3rd on him.  

I saw it on Built in Buffalo, a Bills Facebook group. FWIW 

1 hour ago, Mat68 said:

I dont see him as anything but a Shorter type prospect.  Has all the physical numbers but why are they not productive?  At no point in college was he dominate.  They have Shavers dont need another imo.  Too many productive players to draft a guy with such limited probability of success.  With Metcalf you could explain away his production with injury.  In 20 less college games metcalf had more tds and only 150 fewer yards.  Thornton is fouls gold.  Go with the formula that landed Davis and Shakir not the one that drafted Shorter.  Day 3, late day 2 target for me is Tory Horton I think he will be steal at WR.  

That whole 6'5 4.3 thing is very attractive, but yeah, why wasn't the production there? Marino is in on him, I trust Joe's film study. Shorter was slow as hell, I hated that pick. This kid has elite speed and size. I would roll the dice if he interviews and tests well. 

Edited Monday at 07:57 PM by The Firebaugh Kid

[CSBill]

18 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

WR - Donte Thornton

 

6'5, 4.3 speed, and good hands.  His tape shows untapped ability IMHO above just being a vertical threat...but even if he ends up just being mostly that, its what we lack in our WR room right now.  I think he could be quite the weapon in Buffalo.

 

I would be fine taking him with one of our 4ths, assuming we didn't take a WR earlier and he is still there.  He is projected more as a 5th...but you can't coach size and speed, so I have a feeling he doesn't make it out of the 4th round.  

 

I've read a couple of articles on him; I don't think he's a sleeper anymore.

[Ralonzo]

8 hours ago, Florida Bills Fanatic said:

There are people in Florida hyping Kendall Bohler, a corner from Florida A & M.  Many of them think he will go around the fifth/sixth rounds.  I don't know anything about the guy but maybe he could be the kind of late round flier that Beane occasionally takes.  If anyone knows about him, I'm curious to get a legit opinion minus the local Florida bias.

 

Brugler has him CB106. Not the 106th best player... the 106th best CB. Runs 4.59, 5'10" or so, but does have longer arms for his size. Doesn't really sound like even a priority UDFA.

[QLBillsFan]

Que Robinson -Alabama Edge/LB- 6’4” 245 primarily sat behind future NFL players. Originally a S, long wingspan and likely situational pass rusher to start. Needs to improve his run defense. But 4.6 40 and explosive pass rusher who played every special team unit. Saban called him the best ST player he ever coached. If Bills don’t have an edge that makes sense early might be worth one of the 4ths. 
 

Zah Frazier- UTSA-CB 6’3” 200 4.36 40. Excellent size and speed combo from the same program as Seattle Seahawks CB Woolen.  Only 10 starts after transferring, 15 pass break ups and 6 ints. Ton of potential upside but will be 25 in his rookie year. In the 4th/5th if still around a great 2nd cb for the Bills to take. The last time they did that it worked out very well.