If I had to say where we need the most help at this point as someone who's looking at next years draft I'd place our needs like this:
1) G
2) Pass-rushing OLB
3) C
4) TE
5) RB
6) OT
I think our top need is a Left Guard. Levitre left and we have no legitimate answer to the point where even Marrone is questioning it. Colin Brown looked good in this first preseason game but he's not Levitre either.
I don't see any Guard or Center going top 15. Center is in play since Wood will be a UFA. I could see us looking to draft a G in rounds 2 through 4.
I still think pass rushing OLB is a need. Lawson and Hughes are more role players; neither is a stud. I could see this being our first pick next year based on initial projections and where we might fall. This is my most likely 1st round target position for the team. At this point I'll be surprised if this isn't our first pick or a pick in the first 3 rounds. To me it's all about value and who seems to be worthy of a top 15 pick.
I also don't see a TE being up in the mid to early first at this point. Chandler will be a FA and I really think we want a legitimate receiving threat at TE rather than a average receiving TE like Chandler. I realize he's one of the most productive TE receivers in Bills history but he isn't a prototypical receiving TE in the current NFL either.
Running back is a need for two reasons; Spiller will be a UFA the following year although he could and probably will be franchised if we don't get a long term deal. But also because we have no young prospect as a #2 RB and Freddy is fading pretty quickly. This is the sort of situation where we could take a RB in next years draft anywhere between rounds 2 to 6. I don't think we'll spend a #1 here. But, I could see a second since it's a class that probably only has 1 in the first round if that and we would look at need vs. skill level and value in the 2nd.
I think S may not be a worry regardless of Byrd. A Williams, I think, will really surprise a lot of people at S. And at that point were looking at who could fill SS which is interchangeable with FS in Pettine's D. We have lot's of prospects already and there really doesn't seem to be a sure-fire stud S in next years draft anyways. I could see this being a mid to late round consideration.
Now, of course we will always want competition at every position and we can always use depth at a whole host of positions. But, this list looks to where we see immediate needs at this point... And based on how small the list is... I've had the thought of a big move up for a guy like Clowney. If Byrd holds out and I think he might, we could consider trading him. He may garner a day two pick. That may give us the fire power for a move up depending on where we end up picking. A team without huge needs and an extra pick may look to add a blue-chip stud. A guy like Clowney helps us day one. It's a pipe dream but if you look at us and our needs can you make a case for a big move for a game changer? I've had those thoughts.
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Originally Posted by psubills62
