Bills Need Another Linebacker, Who Do You Want?

[BillsImpossible]

Free Agency: Brian Orakpo, Daryl Smith, Brandon Spikes, Shaun Phillips, Carlos Dansby.

Draft: Anthony Barr in the first round with the 9th pick? Khalil Mack or Vic Beasly in the 2nd round?

Brandon Spikes is the only player I'd be interested in signing. Orakpo is going to cost way too much, and the rest are approaching the end of their careers.
Pettine is probably drooling over the idea of having Anthony Barr in his lineup, but I think the Bills are all in on giving EJ Manuel the best offensive target they can find in the first round. But if the Bills pick the BPA, Barr would be an instant upgrade and perfect compliment to Kiko Alonso.

Mack is a local UB guy, but I heard someone compare him to Aaron Maybin.

Vic Beasly played in a better program at Clemson, against much better competition. Will he still be on the board with the 41st pick? I doubt it.

I'd be very happy if the Bills took Beasly with the 9th pick overall, and then drafted Kelvin Benjamin in the 2nd round.

50 catches, 957 yards and 14 TD's this season. 6'5 234 lbs, fast, and he played at Florida State. EJ would be very happy.

He needs to work on his hands, but a kid that big is still growing and the hand eye coordination will come as he grows into his adult body. Almost a 1000 yards on 50 catches?! That's about 20 yards per catch. 14 TD's? I think his hands are going to be just fine.

[stuckincincy]

Re: Bills Need Another Linebacker, Who Do You Want?

I like Beasley in the 3rd.

[BillsImpossible]

Re: Bills Need Another Linebacker, Who Do You Want?

I like Beasley in the 3rd.

That would be magically delicious.

[BillsImpossible]

Re: Bills Need Another Linebacker, Who Do You Want?

I like this hit at 1:11. Think I just creamed myself, sorry....meant Barr at 9 not Beasley.

[stuckincincy]

Re: Bills Need Another Linebacker, Who Do You Want?

That would be magically delicious.

BUF draft #9, so they are well-positioned if they like him. I wouldn't spend the #2 on him.

[Jry44]

Re: Bills Need Another Linebacker, Who Do You Want?

I wouldn't spend a dime on Brian Orakpo. The guy can't stay healthy.

[Mr. Pink]

Re: Bills Need Another Linebacker, Who Do You Want?

Khalil Mack will go in the first round.

[The Jokeman]

Re: Bills Need Another Linebacker, Who Do You Want?

He was brought up in other threads but Donald Butler could be a good MLB as could a healthy Jonathan Beasley. Brandon Spikes and Daryl Smith are also intriguing. I'm not sure about Dansby and another name that could get a lot of play is Jonathan Vilma as both are a bit older than I'd like. Some younger guys who could be considered are Perry Riley and Pat Angerer. Ultimately though I think the draft is a better outlet as think asking a rookie LB to play well is realistic. We've seen it here ourselves with Alonso and Poz and Conlan in years past. Also looking at the history of the NFL guys like Kuechley, Bobby Wagner, LaVonte David have shown it's possible. So to me CJ Mosely at pick 9 should be there and could have an impact assuming Mack has already been drafted. Anthony Barr is intriguing but we already have a strong pass rushing LB in Hughes.

[BillsImpossible]

Re: Bills Need Another Linebacker, Who Do You Want?

Why mess with success? Alonso played very well this year, rookie of the year candidate. No need for a MLB, Bills have to replace Arthur Moats/Nigel Bradham.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Re: Bills Need Another Linebacker, Who Do You Want?

Why mess with success? Alonso played very well this year, rookie of the year candidate. No need for a MLB, Bills have to replace Arthur Moats/Nigel Bradham.

Who said anything about replacing Alonso? We do need another MLB to put next to him in our 3-4 looks.

[The Jokeman]

Re: Bills Need Another Linebacker, Who Do You Want?

Who said anything about replacing Alonso? We do need another MLB to put next to him in our 3-4 looks.

Many feel we need to shift Alonso to WLB on 4-3 looks to replace Moats/Bradham and find a MLB. It isn't a crazy thought especially if can land a guy like Mosely in the draft.

[Famous Amos]

Re: Bills Need Another Linebacker, Who Do You Want?

Mack is definitely a top 10 pick. In one thread I asked if Mack is comparable to Maybin but he's bigger and more talented. Mack has had a more consistent college career than Maybin had. So it isnt a fair comparison. Mack's physical measurables are comparable to guys like Matthews, patrick Willis, Brian Cushing etc. You know, the tall, thick, muscled physical specimens.

[stuckincincy]

Re: Bills Need Another Linebacker, Who Do You Want?

Many feel we need to shift Alonso to WLB on 4-3 looks to replace Moats/Bradham and find a MLB. It isn't a crazy thought especially if can land a guy like Mosely in the draft.

Playing OLB, you lose a bit of the ability to roam to the action - an olb has more coverage and blitzing responsibilities.

[The Jokeman]

Re: Bills Need Another Linebacker, Who Do You Want?

Playing OLB, you lose a bit of the ability to roam to the action - an olb has more coverage and blitzing responsibilities.

To me in a 4-3 the skill set of a WLB and MLB are very similar and agree the outside guy has to be a better pass defender and occasional blitzer. Yet to me the best WLB of recent age was Derrick Brooks formerly of the Bucs. I could see Mosely playing that part if we keep Kiko inside but than again most analysts think that Mosley's best on the inside. Either way I think he'd do a lot to help this team if added.

[X-Era]

Re: Bills Need Another Linebacker, Who Do You Want?

Orakpo, Spikes, Barr, or Mack. If not, Van Noy, Jones, Attaochu, or Bullough.

To me Spikes and Bullough would be for improving run support.