Bills 6th Round Pick (#1) : Dorian Strong - CB - VA Tech

[Kirby Jackson]

34 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

Offense wasn't the problem last year.  The defense was.

We disagree. They were both a problem. The offense was too easy to defend because they couldn’t attack vertically. That limited them at times. They couldn’t score at the end. They were better than the defense but neither was good enough. Josh Allen and a phenomenal, yet likely unsustainable, turnover differential were enough. 

Edited 11 hours ago by Kirby Jackson

[NoSaint]

2 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

We disagree. They were both a problem. The offense was too easy to defend because they couldn’t attack vertically. That limited them at times. They could score at the end. They were better than the defense but neither was good enough. Josh Allen and a phenomenal, yet likely unsustainable, turnover differential were enough. 

if we don’t figure out how to win these games without Josh having to make miracle plays running guys over…. At some point we need to give the man tools instead of asking him to take a mortgage on his own future 

[Big Turk]

5 hours ago, Wizard said:

I like this pick. Not sure we need 3 corners, unless as stated, they view Hancock only as a safety.

 

Good pick. Bills had him visit.

 

Bottom line is that Hamlin is replaceable and Jackson and White are not on the team in 2026.

 

Still not sure why we hated the idea of drafting possibly Jaylen Royals, Horton, or any WR.

 

 

 

 

Because they wanted to let KC get another very productive player that fell a ton into their lap

[Doc Brown]

37 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

We disagree. They were both a problem. The offense was too easy to defend because they couldn’t attack vertically. That limited them at times. They couldn’t score at the end. They were better than the defense but neither was good enough. Josh Allen and a phenomenal, yet likely unsustainable, turnover differential were enough. 

Offense   - 2nd in ppg, 10th in ypg, 9th in passing, 9th in rushing, 7th in 3rd down conversion%, 2nd in red zone TD%.

Defense - 11th in ppg, 17th in ypg, 24th in passing, 12th in rushing, 29th in 3rd down conversion%. 16th in red zone TD%.

 

I pounded the table for Metcalf but there wasn't a WR we had available to us in the draft that would've moved the needle much as our WR5.  Our D-line and Secondary were the problem last year and ultimately the reason we didn't get to the Super Bowl.

 

Edited 10 hours ago by Doc Brown

[Logic]

3 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

Offense   - 2nd in ppg, 10th in ypg, 9th in passing, 9th in rushing, 7th in 3rd down conversion%.

Defense - 11th in ppg, 17th in ypg, 24th in passing, 12th in rushing, 29th in 3rd down conversion%.

 

I pounded the table for Metcalf but there wasn't a WR we had available to us in the draft that would've moved the needle much as our WR5.  Our D-line and Secondary were the problem last year and ultimately the reason we didn't get to the Super Bowl.

 

We could all go 'round and 'round in circles about football philosophy, offense vs defense, etc, for hours, but sometimes it feels simple:

Our offense last year scored the 18th most points in NFL history.
Our defense last year was 29th in the NFL in EPA.

We were the only team all year to give up 30 points to the Chiefs, and the Eagles showed the world in the very next game how very defendable they were.

I wanted a WR too, and I hope the offense evolves this year. But it's hard to look at the above numbers and facts and conclude that anything other than heavy defensive investment was the most direct and logical way to attack the offseason.

Edited 10 hours ago by Logic

[Doc Brown]

1 minute ago, Logic said:

We could all go 'round and 'round in circles about football philosophy, offense vs defense, etc, for hours, but sometimes it feels simple:

Our offense last year scored the 18th most points in NFL history.
Our defense last year was 29th in the NFL in EPA.

We were the only team all year to give up 30 points to the Chiefs, and the Eagles showed the world in the very next game how very defendable they were.

I wanted a WR too, and I hope the offense evolves this year. But it's hard to look at the above numbers and facts and conclude that anything other than heavy defensive investment was the most direct and logical way to attack the offseason.

Yeah.  The Chiefs made the Super Bowl three years ago because of their offense and made the Super Bowl the last two years primarily because of their defense.  LOL.  I didn't realize our defense was that bad and just shows how elite/somewhat lucky they were at creating turnovers.  

[Kirby Jackson]

28 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

Offense   - 2nd in ppg, 10th in ypg, 9th in passing, 9th in rushing, 7th in 3rd down conversion%.

Defense - 11th in ppg, 17th in ypg, 24th in passing, 12th in rushing, 29th in 3rd down conversion%.

 

I pounded the table for Metcalf but there wasn't a WR we had available to us in the draft that would've moved the needle much as our WR5.  Our D-line and Secondary were the problem last year and ultimately the reason we didn't get to the Super Bowl.

 

I don’t care what the stats say. They couldn’t get it done when it mattered. Beane and McDermott admitted that the lack of a vertical passing game was a massive issue. They brought in like 11 WRs that ran sub 4.4 hoping to add that role. They failed. They had multiple chances today to move around and secure one of them. They didn’t. Now the offense has the same hole that it had previously. They had 10 picks and didn’t get it done (forget about Prather he isn’t that guy). 
 

In this draft they had 4 things that had to happen. They had to get a starting caliber CB. They had to get a DT (preferably a 1T). They had to get another DL and had to get someone to stretch the field vertically. By yesterday they had checked 3 of the 4 boxes. They had 7 chances today to check the 4th and didn’t. 

Edited 10 hours ago by Kirby Jackson

[Doc Brown]

1 minute ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I don’t care what the stats say. They couldn’t get it done when it mattered. Beane and McDermott admitted that the lack of a vertical passing game was a massive issue. They brought in like 11 WRs that ran sub 4.4 hoping to add that role. They failed. They had multiple chances today to move around and secure one of them. They didn’t. Now the offense has the same hole that it had previously. They had 10 picks and didn’t get it done (forget about Prather he isn’t that guy). 

LOL.  You've got your agenda.  I won't interrupt.

[FireChans]

33 minutes ago, Logic said:

Our offense last year scored the 18th most points in NFL history

THEY PLAY MORE GAMES NOW

 

im so sick of this dumb stat lol

37 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

Offense   - 2nd in ppg, 10th in ypg, 9th in passing, 9th in rushing, 7th in 3rd down conversion%, 2nd in red zone TD%.

Defense - 11th in ppg, 17th in ypg, 24th in passing, 12th in rushing, 29th in 3rd down conversion%. 16th in red zone TD%.

 

I pounded the table for Metcalf but there wasn't a WR we had available to us in the draft that would've moved the needle much as our WR5.  Our D-line and Secondary were the problem last year and ultimately the reason we didn't get to the Super Bowl.

 

I think the point you are missing is that because of Josh Allen, a deep threat WR5 may actually move the needle a LOT more than DT5

[Doc Brown]

7 minutes ago, FireChans said:

I think the point you are missing is that because of Josh Allen, a deep threat WR5 may actually move the needle a LOT more than DT5

I agree.  I just think there wasn't a WR good enough to draft after the first round and a half.  Metcalf would've really moved the needle.  Still ticks me off.

[dave mcbride]

30 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I don’t care what the stats say. They couldn’t get it done when it mattered. Beane and McDermott admitted that the lack of a vertical passing game was a massive issue. They brought in like 11 WRs that ran sub 4.4 hoping to add that role. They failed. They had multiple chances today to move around and secure one of them. They didn’t. Now the offense has the same hole that it had previously. They had 10 picks and didn’t get it done (forget about Prather he isn’t that guy). 
 

In this draft they had 4 things that had to happen. They had to get a starting caliber CB. They had to get a DT (preferably a 1T). They had to get another DL and had to get someone to stretch the field vertically. By yesterday they had checked 3 of the 4 boxes. They had 7 chances today to check the 4th and didn’t. 

Kirby, I get it all, but the defense was b-a-d bad last season, and not because of coaching (coaching actually saved them from being terrible). It was because of talent - slow and small.

Edited 10 hours ago by dave mcbride

[BillsFanForever19]

1 hour ago, Kirby Jackson said:

We disagree. They were both a problem. The offense was too easy to defend because they couldn’t attack vertically. That limited them at times. They couldn’t score at the end. They were better than the defense but neither was good enough. Josh Allen and a phenomenal, yet likely unsustainable, turnover differential were enough. 

 

Exactly. So many people just go to the 2nd highest scoring offense (or whatever it was) - while neglecting that a lot of that was piling it on bad Defenses during the Regular season.

 

In the Playoffs, against good Defenses, we pretty much had to rely on Cook and Josh running around hoping someone would get open. That lack of verticality and guys who could get separation made things very difficult on us when it mattered. 

 

This isn't to say we didn't need to upgrade the Defense or that the Defense didn't let us down more. But when it comes to winning a Championship, especially if we were to run into that Eagles team that steamrolled on both sides of the Ball through the playoffs, I worry that just fixing the Defense isn't enough.

 

We need better play from the Pass Catching core. And we seem to be, not just hoping, but relying on Coleman, Kincaid, and Samuel to all be more than what they were last season. And Palmer to be more than he's been throughout his career.

Edited 9 hours ago by BillsFanForever19

[Mat68]

6 hours ago, blacklabel said:

I don't mind them going with three corners if that's what they think they needed. 

 

It does make me wonder if they have some concerns about Benford's health long term. I know they gave him the extension so I would assume all the medicals checked out well. But getting two concussions back to back like he did is no bueno. 

I felt the Bills have gotten slow in the secondary.  They added very much needed juice and athleticism.  Hybrid nickel safety with Hancock.  Higher caliber athlete than Lewis.  Strong is a big zone cb.   Better athlete than Ingram or Jackson.  Hairston pick speaks for itself.  Can they play?  Idk but all of the profiles are promising and fits in Buffalos scheme.  

[todd]

People so easily forget that we are not drafting for 25 in the lower rounds. We’re drafting for ‘26, ‘27, and 28. Makes sense when you look at the roster.

[Ralonzo]

2 hours ago, Donuts and Doritos said:

How many cornerbacks do we need?

[Doc Brown]

31 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

Exactly. So many people just go to the 2nd highest scoring offense (or whatever it was) - while neglecting that a lot of that was piling it on bad Defenses during the Regular season.

Playoffs:

Broncos defense ranked  - 3rd in points allowed.  7th in Yards allowed.  Put up 31 points.

Ravens defense ranked  -  9th in points allowed.  10th in  yards allowed.  Put up 27 points.

Chiefs defense ranked  -  4th in points allowed.   9th in yards allowed.  Put up 29 points.

 

All I've heard the last five years is how the defense failed Josh in the playoffs which is true.  We invest a lot of resources into the defensive side of the ball this off-season and now some fans are complaining we're not helping Josh enough on offense.  Damned if you do.  Damned if you don't.

[NewEra]

1 hour ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I don’t care what the stats say. They couldn’t get it done when it mattered. Beane and McDermott admitted that the lack of a vertical passing game was a massive issue. They brought in like 11 WRs that ran sub 4.4 hoping to add that role. They failed. They had multiple chances today to move around and secure one of them. They didn’t. Now the offense has the same hole that it had previously. They had 10 picks and didn’t get it done (forget about Prather he isn’t that guy). 
 

In this draft they had 4 things that had to happen. They had to get a starting caliber CB. They had to get a DT (preferably a 1T). They had to get another DL and had to get someone to stretch the field vertically. By yesterday they had checked 3 of the 4 boxes. They had 7 chances today to check the 4th and didn’t. 

Good grief.  The defense was a much bigger problem than the O.  It wasn’t even close.  
 

yes, we didn’t score at the end…the guy that we traded up for and used a 1st rd pick dropped the ball that hit him in the arms.  The guy we used our first pick on last season had 1 catch for 12 yards.  Let’s act like a 4th-7th round pick is going to be the difference.  
 

you don’t care what the stats say- fine.  Don’t.  Watch the game.  It’ll be very clear that our offense is MUCH better than our defense.  It was putrid. KC bent our d over the last 2 season.  2 seasons in which their offense was carried by their defense.

 

and the last paragraph-  🤷🏻‍♂️ “they had to______ in this draft” ….According to you.  So many people act as if they know everything.  Ever think that they don’t see things in the same way as you?  
 

Maybe they think Palmer is better than you do.  Maybe they didn’t like the WR prospects available in each rd as much as you.  Maybe they think there is still a chance to add a WR in FA.  Maybe they think they can trade for one if things don’t pan out.  “They had too______” bs.  No, they didn’t.  If they did, our 2025 season is over before it began.  And it’s not.  

[noacls]

1 hour ago, FireChans said:

THEY PLAY MORE GAMES NOW

 

im so sick of this dumb stat lol

I think the point you are missing is that because of Josh Allen, a deep threat WR5 may actually move the needle a LOT more than DT5

They broke Bills team record in 16 games

[BillsVet]

5 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

There are ways to measure it instead of just randomly throwing out players that fit the narrative we are trying to push. I did the exercise last year and it wasn’t close. Take every draft pick in the McDermott era (since 2017) and cross reference it vs. the draft value chart. You can use trades as well (ie apply points to the Diggs acquisition) and allocate the points from their picks to offense and defense. You’ll see that they’ve allocated WAY more to defense than offense. I don’t have the time or energy to do it again but if someone does, I think some will be floored at how much greater the investment has been in defense than offense. 

 

From 2017-2025 including the trades I'm aware of (Benjamin, Diggs, and Cooper) Buffalo's allocated 47% of their draft value to offense, 52.7% to defense, and the rest is ST.  

 

From 2021-2025, they've taken it to another level.  Offense is 37.5% compared to 62.2% on defense.  

 

I happened to do this without seeing the thread and I wanted to see it myself anyway. 

 

[BillsFan130]

21 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Good grief.  The defense was a much bigger problem than the O.  It wasn’t even close.  
 

yes, we didn’t score at the end…the guy that we traded up for and used a 1st rd pick dropped the ball that hit him in the arms.  The guy we used our first pick on last season had 1 catch for 12 yards.  Let’s act like a 4th-7th round pick is going to be the difference.  
 

you don’t care what the stats say- fine.  Don’t.  Watch the game.  It’ll be very clear that our offense is MUCH better than our defense.  It was putrid. KC bent our d over the last 2 season.  2 seasons in which their offense was carried by their defense.

 

and the last paragraph-  🤷🏻‍♂️ “they had to______ in this draft” ….According to you.  So many people act as if they know everything.  Ever think that they don’t see things in the same way as you?  
 

Maybe they think Palmer is better than you do.  Maybe they didn’t like the WR prospects available in each rd as much as you.  Maybe they think there is still a chance to add a WR in FA.  Maybe they think they can trade for one if things don’t pan out.  “They had too______” bs.  No, they didn’t.  If they did, our 2025 season is over before it began.  And it’s not.  

It's wild to me how some people think the offence was a problem.

 

At the end of the day they scored 29 points on the road in arrowhead. (Would have been 31 if it wasn't for the two point attempts). it's extremely rare for a a team to come close to that in arrowhead in a playoff game. You shouldn't need 34 points to win a playoff game on the road against a top 5 defence.

 

The defence is by far the biggest problem on this team and it's not even close. 

Edited 8 hours ago by BillsFan130