Thinking about this upcomimg draft..

[k-oneputt]

You think the Bills may be looking at !st rd. Ragland, 2nd rd. Cravens ?
Both would fill needs. Rex doesn't seem to be a big fan of Brown. And that lb position is important in Rex's defense.
Cravens would be a guy who could match up with NewEng's tight ends.
Of course it is possible that neither will be available in those rounds at the Bills picks. {19 and 49}

[Night Train]

Re: Thinking about this upcomimg draft..

Those aren't bad ideas at all. I believe the biggest needs are D Front 7 and OT. A QB or 2 will be selected somewhere, maybe a WR but I'm starting to doubt it.

What's encouraging is that D Front 7 and OT is very deep. Very open on suggestions because there is so many viable options.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Re: Thinking about this upcomimg draft..

I admit I haven't been following the draft that much, what is the deal with Ragland? I've read he's a 2 down run stopper only, which doesn't make sense as a first round pick to me.

[DraftBoy]

Re: Thinking about this upcomimg draft..

I admit I haven't been following the draft that much, what is the deal with Ragland? I've read he's a 2 down run stopper only, which doesn't make sense as a first round pick to me.

Athleticism v. Instincts

Turn on his tape and you see him jump off the field with his ability, but his measurements and athleticism have many wondering about his ability to play all three downs in the NFL. I think this is probably a situation where we are looking too much at measurements and not enough at on the field production.

[Dr. Who]

Re: Thinking about this upcomimg draft..

I watched the Alabama pro day on the SEC Network. Granted, the talking heads are probably going to err on the side of bombastic praise, but they certainly seemed sincere in their view that Ragland is a special player and more than a two-down thumper.

[YardRat]

Re: Thinking about this upcomimg draft..

I like them both, would rather have Ragland in the first than Cravens in the second, though. I want a thumper in the middle, even if it is only for 2 downs, and Su'a is a little light in the ass.

[Mace]

Re: Thinking about this upcomimg draft..

I'd be pleased with Ragland and Cravens.

Can Ragland play 3 downs ? I think so. As Draftboy said, he's more than his measurements. Two 3 down true linebackers are all that Ryan means to use in his flavor of defense, so if he's perceived to be 2 down only he won't be here.

Cravens is not an OLB though he's listed so. He's a safety hybrid. You get him to move around, he'll do a little bit of everything, roles not position. He's not Bryan Scott trying to do it in a Tampa-2. He's a better more flexible piece for a Ryan defense, but don't think he'd be replacing Bradham. If they do take him, figure they just took a strong safety.

I think they'd be wiser to take an impact lineman at 19 (either one of the top 4 ot's - unlikely if they really believe in Henderson, I think they do, or a defensive stud). For Ryan defense purposes, there are a bunch of other linebackers that will still be around in the middle rounds.

But I'd be very pleased with Ragland and Cravens 1 & 2.

[k-oneputt]

Re: Thinking about this upcomimg draft..

It looks like Clay Harbor is now signing with New Eng. That's three tight-ends and BIG targets for Brady, and he likes throwing to his te's.. The Bills need a few guys to match up in this draft.

[Scumbag College]

Re: Thinking about this upcomimg draft..

My first thought is that I hope that Goff or Paxton Lynch falls to us at 19. With the Jets picking right after the Bills and their QB situation being a potential Geno Smith vs. whomever else they have as the battle for a starter, I would think that a team like the Broncos might want to move ahead of the NYJ to pick a QB there.

I want the Bills to move down if at all possible. As of right now, I think the Bills need a NT, DE, ILB, OLB, possible S depending on A. Williams' health, CB, OT depending on Henderson's health, OL depth, WR, backup QB, Kicker. I think that we all say this every year, but I see a bunch of really good players projected to go Rounds 2-5 and the more picks in those mid rounds the better.

[stuckincincy]

Re: Thinking about this upcomimg draft..

My first thought is that I hope that Goff or Paxton Lynch falls to us at 19. With the Jets picking right after the Bills and their QB situation being a potential Geno Smith vs. whomever else they have as the battle for a starter, I would think that a team like the Broncos might want to move ahead of the NYJ to pick a QB there.

I want the Bills to move down if at all possible. As of right now, I think the Bills need a NT, DE, ILB, OLB, possible S depending on A. Williams' health, CB, OT depending on Henderson's health, OL depth, WR, backup QB, Kicker. I think that we all say this every year, but I see a bunch of really good players projected to go Rounds 2-5 and the more picks in those mid rounds the better.

If they plan to play mostly 3 -4 defensive sets, they should be in the market for a big DE, and LBs.

[Mace]

Re: Thinking about this upcomimg draft..

If they plan to play mostly 3 -4 defensive sets, they should be in the market for a big DE, and LBs.

Jarran Reed, NT/DT and DE, end of running games. Collect another guy to rotate later.

[Scumbag College]

Re: Thinking about this upcomimg draft..

I'm a big fan of taking Billings out of Baylor if he is available at #19 and they don't move out of the position. Space eater and play maker all in one.

[Dr. Who]

Re: Thinking about this upcomimg draft..

I'd be pleased with Ragland and Cravens.

Can Ragland play 3 downs ? I think so. As Draftboy said, he's more than his measurements. Two 3 down true linebackers are all that Ryan means to use in his flavor of defense, so if he's perceived to be 2 down only he won't be here.

Cravens is not an OLB though he's listed so. He's a safety hybrid. You get him to move around, he'll do a little bit of everything, roles not position. He's not Bryan Scott trying to do it in a Tampa-2. He's a better more flexible piece for a Ryan defense, but don't think he'd be replacing Bradham. If they do take him, figure they just took a strong safety.

I think they'd be wiser to take an impact lineman at 19 (either one of the top 4 ot's - unlikely if they really believe in Henderson, I think they do, or a defensive stud). For Ryan defense purposes, there are a bunch of other linebackers that will still be around in the middle rounds.

But I'd be very pleased with Ragland and Cravens 1 & 2.

I'd like Ragland and then ridiculously hope that somehow Vernon Butler falls into the second. I'd even trade up a bit to get him.

[Ed]

Re: Thinking about this upcomimg draft..

My first thought is that I hope that Goff or Paxton Lynch falls to us at 19. With the Jets picking right after the Bills and their QB situation being a potential Geno Smith vs. whomever else they have as the battle for a starter, I would think that a team like the Broncos might want to move ahead of the NYJ to pick a QB there.

I want the Bills to move down if at all possible. As of right now, I think the Bills need a NT, DE, ILB, OLB, possible S depending on A. Williams' health, CB, OT depending on Henderson's health, OL depth, WR, backup QB, Kicker. I think that we all say this every year, but I see a bunch of really good players projected to go Rounds 2-5 and the more picks in those mid rounds the better.

This is my thinking also. Some of the potential prospects we're talking about at 19 are still going to be there at the end of round 1. There are going to be a lot of good players available in rounds 2 and 3 so I'd rather see the Bills move down and get extra picks. And my first thought was the Broncos trading up for Lynch. Maybe we could get their 2nd and 3rd.

[swiper]

Re: Thinking about this upcomimg draft..

Goff And Wentz will be gone. Lynch will be there. Even though I mocked him in one of those simulators to the Bills at #19, I am not sure that is the correct move. Important to fill holes. Will Lynch be there in the 2nd?