BTW, I'm reading that Dez Lewis has big time potential...
BTW, I'm reading that Dez Lewis has big time potential...
Mace (05-03-2015)
Good write up.
I wouldn't get too worked up over the 5th through 7th round picks. Our roster is so deep that those players are a long shot to even make the final roster. By drafting them we basically just have their rights should they turn out being a diamond in the rough.
Thanks for the write up DB.
From what I've read about him, I like the Darby pick. Fits the scheme, and importantly has the elite speed you nee these days in a CB. Will get a chance to develop some before being called upon as well, imho. Much better size than Brooks or Robey, which is also a big plus for our outside 'depth'. While I really like Corey graham - the guy is a flat out footballer - the one area of his game that is lacking, is that elite speed. If Darby progresses at a good rate, then Graham could easily make the transition to one of the safety spots. CBs always seem to get dinged up at some point, and the notion that you can't have enough good ones, holds even more true with the prevalence of increasing sets of WRs.
Don't know that much about Miller, but from what I've seen, most of his knocks are coachable things. I actually like the idea that we picked a guy for the O-Line, who we will intend to play in his natural position. Fwiw, I like Urbik as a back up center, as I thought when he did it when Wood was injured, he did a good enough job. Miller's addition means we now have 5 guys who are genuine Guards, after the two spots, and I believe we will get much better interior line play once the competition shakes out. Biggest concern along the line now, for me, would be what occurs at RT. Henderson has the abilty to progress, but will he? About the only reason I could see for Pears being RG last year, was to hold Henderson's hand, probably in respect of the line calls. That ain't gonna happen from here on in. Conversely, Henderson may play better, with better play inside of him, who knows.
Don't know much about the RB, but in a class that deep, I think it was inevitable that one would be the highest rated on our board at some point. I sort of expected us to take one, bearing in mind that Fred is ageing, and Brown hasn't got the trust of the coaches, or fans, really. Both of their contracts are up after this year, also. If he can play STs and get some reps under his belt, he could become a factor next year.
I think the LBer is a guy with athletic ability, whose development through college was hampered by injuries. I believe they feel that if they can keep him healthy, they can coach him up, and he'll have a shot within a year or so. He may be able to be used as depth.
The TE, whose skill set you say is the same as that of Clay, but lesser, to me, is someone who can possibly be on the field at the same time as Clay. Roman will probably have one of them do something, but it might be hard for defenses to see who it's going to be. If nothing else, he should be a blocking TE who won't drop the passes that Smith did, or concede as many penalties, hopefully.
The WR has the size we are missing, and good hands, while not being slow either. Chance to contribute on STs, while learning his trade. I think somewhere, maybe in his post draft interview, that Whaley said they actually did have him in for a private visit, once he didn't get an invite to the combine, so they've had their eye on him for some time.
Overall, I like what they've done, in part because they are back filling the depth chart, but with guys generally, who are going to have a chance to be genuine contributors, even if it takes a year or so.
I also think that the areas in which they might have liked to do something else, DT, DE, it's difficult to actually find a guy outside of the first two rounds, who is going to be able to step in. The fact they have added some from the UDFA pool, leaves me to believe that they are aware of the possible depth issues, and are still actively looking to find someone, perhaps who they can develop. It does seem as though when drafting, they are quite interested in how good guys were historically back to out of high school, being prepared to take a shot on that ability still being there, but just needs bringing back out.
Mace (05-03-2015)
Enjoyed the analysis, especially of the UDFA's, who I always end up scrambling to find info on, and here nicely in one place. A good beefy read.
Sure wish I could also understand why they wanted Karlos. Best I can figure is what they said in NFL.com draft analysis for him :Final Thought:
I thought the Bills got away from their BPA strategy after Darby and took who they wanted over more talented options.
Awful big maybe, but that's Rex thinking big, maybe.Williams' physical run style fits exactly what Greg Roman wants in his power run scheme. He's a downhill one-cut runner who can break tackles at the second level. Rex Ryan must feel comfortable enough with his football and personal character, which are both red flags.
The last buffalo fan (05-04-2015)
Good stuff.
Since Marrone ran away, this has been our best off-season in 15-20 years.
We're not perfect, as dozens of posters happily remind us every hour of every day. But the Bills were pretty good last year with little to No offense most games.
I see that changing for the better this year due, to actual coaching and more weapons.
Believing most other teams are better based on limited knowledge is laughable.
I was at the stadium yesterday for fanfest with a huge crowd full of happy faces, full of optimism. Sorry if that annoys some here.
Dr. Who (05-04-2015),Historian (05-05-2015),Mace (05-03-2015),The last buffalo fan (05-04-2015)
There were people in Pittsburgh comparing Darby to Ike Taylor, who in a couple of years developed into a #1 corner and played for 12 years. It may take Darby a season to adjust to NFL and at the same time contributing in ST. Like Taylor, Darby has all the attributes of a high ceiling guy (speed, covering skills), I might add that he may have better instincts of where the ball may go, but technically he has ways to go, especially adjusing to balls in flight, and of course, hands of stones -- something Taylor had in his entire career.
Another theme is that all the players they drafted are top shelf ST players. This is consistent with the their plan of Strong D, super ST, ground and pound O just enough to win in light of their QB situations. Must defensive oriented HCs subscribe to that theory, including Belichick when he started in NE. I somehow believe it is Whaley's concept as well - you luck into a Brady/Roethlisberger, not going out of your way to pick one like we did for EJ, i.e. stay true to your grades.
I disagree with most people on Carlos Williams pick. I think he's what the ideal RB they are looking for, somewhat of a beast mode (not nearly the talent of Lynch), speed and power, pounding the rock to the pre-designed hole(s). McCoy and Brown are completely different type of RBs (homerun type). Jackson and Dixon do not have speed. This guy offers a different set of skills - skills that they are looking for. We'll see, it's a 5th round pick.
The want on Karlos Williams is this. 1)We need to find an eventual replacement for Fred Jackson as our primary back up to McCoy as Bryce Brown and Boobie didn't show they could do this last year when Fred and CJ got hurt and 2)We need a few more bodies to fill in on ST duties since Shady, Fred and Bryce Brown really didn't do that last year. 3)Of Karlos' 11 TDs last year 8 of them came in 1st and 2nd and goal situations and 6 of his 11 in 2013 came from the same spot. So he might be a goal line RB we could use. If you watch his highlights one take away is this kid doesn't do a lot of shake and bake stuff instead he makes one move and then boom shoots off like a rocket which is a good attribute for ST and shows he could be a could change of pace behind Shady who is a little more of a dancer.
Dr. Who (05-04-2015),Mace (05-04-2015),The last buffalo fan (05-04-2015)
My draft weekend thought is I hate the new draft format more than ever.