Buffalo Bills The offseason begins — NFL draft Apr. 24-26

[OkimLom]

As someone in the same industry, yeah, interesting times.

 

[brian_griffin]

Interesting about Paul. Their LB room feels...incomplete. They have two injury prone LBs, and while Williams has shown flashes at Will, there's nothing much behind Bernard. Plus, they owe Milano nothing after this year, and Bernard nothing after next. A second rounder is probably too big of an investment, but LB is an under the radar target if they end up with a third round pick somehow.

Bernard and Williams were "nothing much" after their rookie years and took major steps forward in year 2.

The Bills had two rookie depth LBs last year.

I think they could take a LB this year. I also think they really like Bernard and Williams and would be fine if they were the starting LBs next year.

Barring the board lining up such that there is a "can't pass on this guy" LB, I don't see them taking a LB before day three this year.

I fully agree LB is not the need that DT/D-line or secondary is, and I support the draft-BPA approach independent of position (trade down if there are too many BPAs available at positions of low-need). My concern is depth in case of injuries. Yes, depth will be available from 31 other camp cuts, and I'm sure they'll have a PS LB this season, but the benefit of drafting and keeping is around learning the Bills system. I don't want to see another Matekevich signed off the couch solution because familiarity with system and teammates is more important than athletic ability. later-round LB is fine usage. Bills LBs are versatile and given the 4-2-5, a critical exposure if a well-below-replacement-level LB is forced into the Bills scheme.

 

[KeyserSoze81]

As someone in the same industry, yeah, interesting times.

I worked as a Controller in US manufacturers for 11 years before finally getting out in 2023. The pressures right now have to be devastating (diminishing demand, no capital investment, completely broken supply chains, drying up of foreign financing, built up inventory in attempts to get in front of this thing...). My heart rate is serously creeping up to unhealthy levels just thinking about it...

Anyway, I have to say something football related.

Interesting about Paul. Their LB room feels...incomplete. They have two injury prone LBs, and while Williams has shown flashes at Will, there's nothing much behind Bernard. Plus, they owe Milano nothing after this year, and Bernard nothing after next. A second rounder is probably too big of an investment, but LB is an under the radar target if they end up with a third round pick somehow.

Hadn't even considered a LB up until this point, especially with Dorian Williams in the fold, but I still have a hard time thinking of one before the 4th or 5th.

 

[Zman5778]

This is what Brugler says about Paul:

STRENGTHS:
● Twitched-up athlete who plays fast and physical
● Takes sharp, decisive angles and doesn't play unsure of himself
● Has range to make plays outside the numbers and logs more steps than everyone else on the field
● Sees through blocks when mirroring laterally to string out runs
● Fierce hands as tackler to finish the mission
● Green-dot defender for the Rebels
● Plays with relentless nature that you feel on each tape
● Quickly reaches depth in zone coverage and returns eyes to the quarterback
● Explosive blitzer who races through gaps before blocking scheme can react
WEAKNESSES:
● Lacks ideal length, mass and growth potential (not built to play in a phone booth)
● Shorter arms limit his take-on ability and leaves him engulfed by offensive linemen (and some tight ends)
● Doesn't always see blocks in peripherals
● Frenetic pace leaves him vulnerable to cutbacks
● Average drive-through power as tackler, which leaves him hugging/pulling to finish
● Gets to landmarks in coverage but needs to develop route anticipation to be more of a playmaker versus pass
SUMMARY: A one-year starter at Ole Miss, Paul played the "Mike" linebacker role in defensive coordinator Pete Golding's 4-2-5 base scheme. Though he was productive in his first three seasons at Arkansas, he played his best ball after transferring to Ole Miss — led the team in tackles in
2024 and benefitted from playing behind a defensive line full of future pros. A highly active, run-around linebacker, Paul is an easy linebacker to appreciate, because of his play speed, execution and competitive toughness (he always had the dirtiest jersey on each tape studied). His lack of inches stands out, but he doesn't try to be something he's not and compensates for his lack of take-on length by eluding blockers or attacking full-speed into contact. Overall, Paul won't be a fit for NFL teams that have strict size thresholds at the position, but his "all-out" play style will find a way to be productive at the next level. He should shine on special teams.
GRADE: 3rd-4th round

 

[Jim Bob]

I fully agree LB is not the need that DT/D-line or secondary is, and I support the draft-BPA approach independent of position (trade down if there are too many BPAs available at positions of low-need). My concern is depth in case of injuries. Yes, depth will be available from 31 other camp cuts, and I'm sure they'll have a PS LB this season, but the benefit of drafting and keeping is around learning the Bills system. I don't want to see another Matekevich signed off the couch solution because familiarity with system and teammates is more important than athletic ability. later-round LB is fine usage. Bills LBs are versatile and given the 4-2-5, a critical exposure if a well-below-replacement-level LB is forced into the Bills scheme.

Regardless of what they do in the draft, they are going to keep 6 LBs on the 53, most likely.

Right now, the depth chart is:

Bernard - Milano
Williams
Andreesen
Ulofoshio
Spector

Spector is the guy that I would expect to fall off if they draft a guy.

And no matter what they do in the draft, if you lose 3-4 LBs, you are going to need to go to an emergency street FA or two.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I wouldn't want the Bills to draft Bond.

Someone I trust told me that not only does he have this warrant for DV, he has multiple women that have gotten orders of protection against him.

Hard pass.

Fair point. But the purpose of the post was not to make picks but to show the process I'm advocating for.

 

[Selanne00008]

Fair point. But the purpose of the post was not to make picks but to show the process I'm advocating for.

Yeah I was intrigued on Bond until now.



I wonder what the talks have been with Cooks team. Is it all quiet? Is he expected to hit the ground running at camp and all parties know it's time to play out the year? Did they give him permission or are they quietly looking at a trade to a team that will pay him off?

 

[Dahlicious]

Did a full mock.

TRADE: Bills trade pick 30 to Giants for picks 34 and 105

34. Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss

TRADE: Buccaneers trade pick 53 to Bills for picks 56 and 132

53. Alfred Collins, DT, Texas
62. Jaylen Royals, WR, Utah State

TRADE: Giants trade pick 99 to Bills for picks 105 and 169

99. Billy Bowman, S, Oklahoma

TRADE: Rams trade pick 101 to Bills for picks 109 and 170

101. Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska
173. Tyler Baron, EDGE, Miami (FL)
177. Joshua Gray, IOL, Oregon State
206. Ryan Fitzgerald, K, Florida State

 

[brian_griffin]

@Selanne00008

Beane publicly stated Bills have moved on from contract discussions with current players and UFAs and are draft focused.
I read that as a public way of saying Cook and team need to grow up take a seat and wait their turn even if it means 10 more months until next March.

 

[Der Jaeger]

PFN Mock. I kept trades real and according to Drafttek's chart. I don't like the PFN player rankings, but another example of the 1st round trade down and then trade back up into the top 120 picks.

 

[SundherDome]

Yeah I was intrigued on Bond until now.



I wonder what the talks have been with Cooks team. Is it all quiet? Is he expected to hit the ground running at camp and all parties know it's time to play out the year? Did they give him permission or are they quietly looking at a trade to a team that will pay him off?

I imagine it went something like

Cook: I want 15 mil, I led the league in td's
Beane: Pick up a free runner on 3rd down ...?

*Awkward stare*

Beane: so talk in the off season?

 

[missingmika]

I imagine it went something like

Cook: I want 15 mil, I led the league in td's
Beane: Pick up a free runner on 3rd down ...?

*Awkward stare*

Beane: so talk in the off season?

So you led the league in TDs…. So did Jamaal Williams. Then he left his team and got 1 touchdown. Do with this information what you wish…. Beane closes the door.

 

[WeDislikeEich]

@Selanne00008

Beane publicly stated Bills have moved on from contract discussions with current players and UFAs and are draft focused.
I read that as a public way of saying Cook and team need to grow up take a seat and wait their turn even if it means 10 more months until next March.

from what Beane said it sounds like they wanted to sign him to a new deal but they just weren’t on the same page as far as AAV (Cook wants $15M/yr), so Beane said they moved onto contract discussions with players they could get deals done with.

 

[Fezzy126]

Pretty good mock draft and discussion on draft favorites:



They used a draft simulator that I hadn't used yet:

mds_home

A new Flutter project.

sticktothemodel.com

Highly recommended, mostly because it felt tough to get the guys I wanted. Felt like the most realistic simulator I've used so far.

 

[Ace]

Pretty good mock draft and discussion on draft favorites:



They used a draft simulator that I hadn't used yet:

mds_home

A new Flutter project.

sticktothemodel.com

Highly recommended, mostly because it felt tough to get the guys I wanted. Felt like the most realistic simulator I've used so far.

Nailed it. Made sure to focus on everyone’s big three needs too. Thank God for those three extra picks or I never would have gotten them

 

[Der Jaeger]

Pretty good mock draft and discussion on draft favorites:



They used a draft simulator that I hadn't used yet:

mds_home

A new Flutter project.

sticktothemodel.com

Highly recommended, mostly because it felt tough to get the guys I wanted. Felt like the most realistic simulator I've used so far.

I liked my first sim, and you’re right, it was harder than the other to manipulate. I’m going to play around with this one for a while since I’ve pretty much maxed out what I’m going to learn using the other models.

 

[truthbluth]

Moved around a lot. This draft board was very tight. My guy never fell to my pick.

 

[TehDoak]

Pretty good mock draft and discussion on draft favorites:



They used a draft simulator that I hadn't used yet:

mds_home

A new Flutter project.

sticktothemodel.com

Highly recommended, mostly because it felt tough to get the guys I wanted. Felt like the most realistic simulator I've used so far.

I'm very annoyed because there is always a run on DTs in 20s leaving me with no good options at 30 lol

 

[truthbluth]

I’m p

I'm very annoyed because there is always a run on DTs in 20s leaving me with no good options at 30 lol

I’d get used to that. Copycat league. Everybody wants to be the Eagles.

 

[Zman5778]

I'm gonna have to play with this a little more. Really like the first few picks, then struggled at the back end.

 

[Kupo]

I like this Mock simulator.

 

[buffa dud]

If there's a run on DL ahead of the Bills, I think you go with the best DB remaining on the board. It could be me just being skiddish after Coleman (and to a lesser extent Elam), but it might be the best way to maximize value of our late first.

And for the love of all that is good and holy, don't trade down to the second again... If you get he right position, that 5th-year option can stave off creating a roster hole that Beane would otherwise have to fill via the draft. I know it's just one year, but it's one advantage at a time when we need as many as we can get.

 

[HOOats]

They used a draft simulator that I hadn't used yet:

mds_home

A new Flutter project.

sticktothemodel.com

Highly recommended, mostly because it felt tough to get the guys I wanted. Felt like the most realistic simulator I've used so far.

Thanks for sharing, there goes my weekend.

Hoping Beane continues his reputation as a guy who will move around the board. And focuses on consolidating picks. A six-man class with a couple priority free agents would be my goal. Added NO's 2026 3rd here too.

I'm obsessed with Royals at the moment. Feels like he has all the natural gifts to develop into Josh's deep guy. Maybe like Jayden Reed.

Winston also feels like a must-have guy. First-round upside overshadowed by injury. He would have been front-and-center all season on Penn St.

 

[MayDayMayDay]

Moved back with the Raiders and Browns to move up some in the middle rounds and yea, give me this all day. Almost my perfect draft.

Tough for me to say right now what I think the bigger need is between secondary and interior D-line. But just looking at the pool, I think D Line is considerably deeper. I see a huge drop off in value among corners and safeties after the late second/early third round. I think we need to come away with at least one if not two CB in those first three picks. That said, if a guy like Tyleik or Grant are sitting there at 30 when we're up, it'd be tough to pass on either.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

With the league knowing DT is big need for the Bill's Beane will need be careful of not being jumped over by other teams.

I would also watch Landon Jackson (Edge-Arkansas) very carefully.