Buffalo Bills The Doldrums of the NFL Off-season have arrived

[truthbluth]

I want to amend my take on Landon Jackson. I believe it’s fair to say he’s stiff. But he has great hand usage. And I do take issue with PFFs grades. Arkansas on most true pass sets rushed 3 and dropped 8 into coverage, leaving Jackson to generate a pass rush against double teams as the only threat on that DLine. Compare that with Josaiah Stewart who was left to rush free with virtually no run responsibility on the most talented defensive line in the country. PFF guys probably know this which is why their big board has Jackson just below Mikel Williams even though he only had an 11% prwr on true pass sets. He’s an ascending player and would be a fine pick for the Bills.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Still a fun draft as we’re just adding to a top 3 team in the league that didn’t lose much this off-season and who is already a better team on paper.

I think DT and DE are still the position groups that could really use immediate day one help. It’s our weakest group, and most important group of players.

But WR, OL, LB, CB, S all could use a player in the later rounds

 

[ahmedou]

 

[cramdizzl]

While DT is still the biggest need, I do not love the 1-Techs who are projected in this range. I want to stay away from Collins and Walker. Would rather go with a Caldwell, Phillips, Farmer, or CJ West later on. Still some good 3-Techs available, but I'd lean DE & WR in the 2nd. Great value at both of those positions still remaining.

At WR, I'd be very pleased with one of Higgins, Ayomanor, Bech, or Kyle Williams, though I realize I might be dreaming given that most of their WR visits and interviews were with later-round deep threat specialists.

 

[brian_griffin]

If Hairston comes out like gangbusters and can lock down the spot across from Benford, is there any possibility that Tre White could be tried at FS? I'm assuming that's not likely since Bishop and Hamlin are competing for it but just a thought. I'm fine with Rapp as Poyer-lite in the other safety spot but not so much with our options at FS.

People have been asking about Tre White to S for a long time and the Bills have never talked like it was an option. Especially since he isn't great in run support and tackling.

Makes sense, was just curious if it was an option.

I think White is a little smaller than the Bills would like at the Safety position. If he's a shade or more worse than most in run support and tackling, that amplifies the potential concern for me.

However, with last night's selection of "Mad Max" (great nickname) Hairston, I wonder if Tre white was signed partly as a "return 'home' and let's see what you've still got" favor, partly as a legitimate open competition in camp, but mostly as an on-and-off field mentor for whatever CB the Bills intended to draft.
Given:

• the Bills signed White on Monday,
• the unwritten rule that the week of the draft is "all smoke",
• prepared teams like the Bills have set their boards and their strategies if players they covet fall,
• Bills have a strategy if their opponents stray from their projected boards,

We might surmise the Bills knew roughly a week ago they'd take a CB and wanted White to help coach / mentor him. Any word on when Bills / White / agent started negotiations?

 

[cramdizzl]

I think White is a little smaller than the Bills would like at the Safety position. If he's a shade or more worse than most in run support and tackling, that amplifies the potential concern for me.

However, with last night's selection of "Mad Max" (great nickname) Hairston, I wonder if Tre white was signed partly as a "return 'home' and let's see what you've still got" favor, partly as a legitimate open competition in camp, but mostly as an on-and-off field mentor for whatever CB the Bills intended to draft.
Given:

• the Bills signed White on Monday,
• the unwritten rule that the week of the draft is "all smoke",
• prepared teams like the Bills have set their boards and their strategies if players they covet fall,
• Bills have a strategy if their opponents stray from their projected boards,

We might surmise the Bills knew roughly a week ago they'd take a CB and wanted White to help coach / mentor him. Any word on when Bills / White / agent started negotiations?

Apparently they've been talking since the season ended. McDermott loves a veteran who knows his system, so I think they viewed him as a valuable player to have, with or without a 1st round investment at CB.

 

[misterchainsaw]

You can never have enough corners. For one the injury rate at the position isn't low.

I could also see White coming in as the dime cornerback, which is the role he played capably in Baltimore after he was traded there from LA.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

You can never have enough corners. For one the injury rate at the position isn't low.

We’re already in much better shape than last year, the positional upgrade should be pretty noticeable, I hope.

 

[Fezzy126]

I want to amend my take on Landon Jackson. I believe it’s fair to say he’s stiff. But he has great hand usage. And I do take issue with PFFs grades. Arkansas on most true pass sets rushed 3 and dropped 8 into coverage, leaving Jackson to generate a pass rush against double teams as the only threat on that DLine. Compare that with Josaiah Stewart who was left to rush free with virtually no run responsibility on the most talented defensive line in the country. PFF guys probably know this which is why their big board has Jackson just below Mikel Williams even though he only had an 11% prwr on true pass sets. He’s an ascending player and would be a fine pick for the Bills.

While I hated the idea on Day 1, I don't mind Jackson on Day 2. His lower body is long and he looks stiff in the hips, but his athletic numbers at the combine caught me by surprise. On tape he doesn't look explosive, but again, I think part of that is his lower body build.

To the bolded, I couldn't agree more, his hands are extremely impressive. My biggest questions from the tape are 1) Will his hands/arm length be as effective against NFL tackles, and 2) Can he develop a counter game, it seemed like there were a lot of times that if his initial plan didn't work he kind of stalled out.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Rough day yesterday and didn't get to see a lot of the draft in the normal way.

I thought the situation was perfect for the Raiders or Saints to trade to 30 and take Sanders. 30 for 40 and 93 would've been perfect. But it didn't happen, and trades need two teams to happen, so oh well.

Hairston was in the group of CBs that we all looked at. The Bills internal mock drafts must have shown them that they would end up with a CB even with a trade down. The Jackson and White signings make more sense now.

The Bills, and basically every team, do a great job of background checks. I'm betting whatever is in Hairston's background was checked and came out ok.

For the second round, more DEs are available than was expected. That could spur a trade up from 56. Beane may think about trading up from 62 as well if the right DT is there.

I think there's going to be a lot of attempts to jockey position in the 2nd round to get after a player a team likes, among a bunch of players with similar grades.

 

[Sabreality]

Round 2 • Pick 24 (56) • From Vikings through Texans
Round 2 • Pick 30 (62)
Round 4 • Pick 7 (109) • From Bears
Round 4 • Pick 30 (132)
Round 5 • Pick 33 (169) • Compensatory Selection
Round 5 • Pick 34 (170) • Compensatory Selection - From Cowboys
Round 5 • Pick 37 (173) • Compensatory Selection
Round 6 • Pick 1 (177) • From Giants
Round 6 • Pick 30 (206)

 

[Sabreality]

delete

 

[Der Jaeger]

Farmer seems to be the type of DT the Bills like to take.

 

[Selanne00008]

I like the pick. I went back n forth on CB or Edge/IDL. Based on who came off the board early, and only 2 QBs going, I understand going with a high ceiling CB. I do wish they traded down still, but there's risk there you lose out on your guy.

Mad max sounds like a jumpy ball hawk that can easily take it to the house for us. Safeties need to be aware he could get setup for a double move, so if he has safety help over the top that's ideal. Rookie/couch GM here and easy to type out and they're all aware of this. Seems like a great attitude. I don't think there is any need to grab another CB now, maybe a late flyer.

Time to load up now on IDL/EDGE, maybe WR, OL project, etc.

 

[Selanne00008]

No need to have a concern about tackling if you're shadowing like crazy and never get thrown on.

Imagine Beane comes out and says they talked to Max and want to use him at wideout as well. He becomes our Xavier Worthy, dual threat with blazing speed and out performs Travis Hunter.

Ok ok, I'll stop. not happenning.

 

[misterchainsaw]

I saw in one of the blurbs that the strong majority of his missed tackles came after he returned from a shoulder injury in the last 3 games of the season. Not hard to imagine his shoulder wasn't quite right yet and that had something to do with it.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Watched a bit of film on him:

Stupid fast, ball hawk who can take it to the house. My dad and I were saying last night that Buffalo needs a game breaker on defense, and this could be him. He doesn't destroy the ball carrier, but he doesn't hesistate to get his nose dirty either, so Im hopeful his tackling will improve. A few commentators in his highlights mentioned how well he played in a zone defense- just reading and disrupting plays all over the field. I like it.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Apparently they've been talking since the season ended. McDermott loves a veteran who knows his system, so I think they viewed him as a valuable player to have, with or without a 1st round investment at CB.

Well, if they knew they were going for a CB in the 1st (which I assume they did), I wonder if they viewed bringing back Tre almost like adding an extra position coach to the staff.

 

[HOOats]

Max hit the Blade Icewood dance while wearing Cartier buff shades - it doesn't get more Detroit than that. The late Blade had a hit song called "Great Lake Ruler" so I might nickname Max that. (Any other fans of 2000s regional rap? No? I'll see myself out)

 

[TommyDangles]

It was 3. Don't tell lies. Go back to Two Bills Drive please

You just mentioned the times they officially met with Franklin. How many times did they officially meet with Landon? Per Ryan Talbot it's been just twice. At the combine & at his pro day. He's not listed as a top 30 visit. Troy Franklin was a top 30 visit. Also had the combine & a private workout. So Landon officially 2 times & Franklin officially 3 times.

 

[SundherDome]

That's a really odd take but has enthusiast in his name so...

 

[Der Jaeger]

This sim updated the first round, so I gave it a swing prior to day 2. Loaded D up front with a trade up from 56 and down from 62, then back up twice. Took some skill that fell late.

 

[brian_griffin]

View attachment 1022572
This sim updated the first round, so I gave it a swing prior to day 2. Loaded D up front with a trade up from 56 and down from 62, then back up twice. Took some skill that fell late.

Send a screenshot to McBeane !!!!!

 

[ahmedou]

 

[TehDoak]

I'm actually pretty interested to see what happens today. If I had to guess:

We take a safety and DT.

We should be able to move up back into back end of the the 3rd with a combo of a 4th + 5th + 6th (we have two of each).

I'm also not discounting us (potentially) flipping Cook for a 3rd and picking a RB with that pick, depending on the board falls.