Tim M Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Quote: The Bills have a much deeper roster than they did a few years ago. Loaded with a healthy amount of young talent, Buffalo has virtually no dire positional needs. Still, there are some that could use an influx of youth including offensive tackle. Sitting at ninth overall the Bills could have a shot at one of the top three offensive tackles in the class, but with the deepest tackle class in years they may be able to wait a round or so. NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock believes the starting caliber edge pass protection talent will last through the second day in the draft. “There's more quality at the top end of this draft than I've seen in a long time and from a position standpoint,” Mayock said. “I think offensive tackle is particularly deep. You can go three rounds, four rounds deep this year, and get a starting offensive tackle.” Finding a starting offensive tackle at the start of day three of the draft is almost unheard of, but with the influx of almost 100 underclassmen the pool of prospects appears almost limitless at certain positions. Buffalo finished second in the league in rushing last season, but was 14th in yards per carry and lacked consistent production running outside. They also surrendered 48 sacks last season, which was tied for fourth-most in the NFL, though it came with three inexperienced quarterbacks dropping back to throw. Add in the fact that Erik Pears is entering the last year of his contract and turns 32 in June and Chris Hairston finished last season on the non-football illness list and there’s reason to reinforce the position. The top three tackles are widely seen as Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews, Auburn’s Greg Robinson and Michigan’s Taylor Lewan. Mayock believes all three could go in the top 10, while ESPN's Mel Kiper says the 2014 trio is better than 2013's crop. “I think Greg Robinson from Auburn might have the highest upside of any of the offensive linemen in this draft but he's not quite as polished as Matthews or Taylor Lewan,” said Mayock. “Taylor Lewan gets a little top heavy at times but he's got a nasty finish. I think he's very similar to [Eric] Fisher and [Luke] Joeckel from last year when they were the first couple picks. I think the safest pick is Jake Matthews from A&M. He's already a professional. He's got a skill set, you plug him in day one and he'll play at a high level." “So I think all of those guys are worthy of Top 10 picks and I think Robinson is the one with the highest upside but also the one you'll be the most concerned about because he's a little bit more raw.” At ninth overall the Bills could be faced with the temptation of a game changer like Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins, who is the consensus top wideout in the draft. A good number of draft prognosticators project Watkins as a top five selection, but with the three top quarterbacks likely to come off the board in front of Buffalo it could push some talent like Watkins down to Buffalo. In such a situation Buffalo might be able to wait until round two to consider offensive tackle where there will still be solid prospects to be had. “You can get into the second round, even later into the second round and get a starter at tackle,” said Mayock. “Morgan Moses (Virginia), Brandon Thomas from Clemson who is a tackle or a guard, but I think he's a tackle, he would probably go late second round. There's a guy named Joel Bitonio from Nevada that most of the fans out there never heard of; he's going to be a second or third round tackle that starts immediately; Jack Mewhort from Ohio State, second or third round starting tackle.” The Bills took this approach in the 2012 draft when they took a playmaker in Stephon Gilmore with their first pick at 10th overall in round one and then grabbed left tackle Cordy Glenn in round two with the 41st overall pick. Buffalo again holds the 41st pick and arguably stands a better chance of landing a quality tackle at that spot this year than they did two years ago with the depth at the position. How the board falls in front of them in round one and round two will largely determine when and where they choose to address offensive tackle. Knowing the pool is as deep as it is this spring likely gives GM Doug Whaley and his staff comfort as they don’t have to force a perceived need into an early pick. “Sometimes you've got to identify the best player that's there, as opposed to just what your need is,” said Mayock. “And in the second or third round, you can get a good (tackle).” Link: http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/Bills-may-be-able-to-wait-on-offensive-tackle/aa94f39a-6353-4d86-87b9-f9208ec14e72 To wait, or not to wait: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous draftniks, Or to take arms against a sea of clueless media, And by opposing get a franchise OT. Quote My Adopt-A-Bill for 2013 is WR Mat [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] (Wet Rubber Mat) if (ToErr == objHuman) { objForgive = objDivine; } Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcw Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Take the highest rated guy on your board, which I think will be OT. With as many as 3 qb's going before the Bills pick getting a top 6 talent at 9 cannot be passed up. While I'm not the biggest fan of getting a RT that high it is good insurance in case Glenn goes down or if there is trouble resigning him in a couple years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f8ta1ity54 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 if we sign someone who is starting material in free agency at LG or RT, i think it gives us the ability to take a 3rd round LG or RT. We need a stud LB and weapons on offense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo13 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 if we sign someone who is starting material in free agency at LG or RT, i think it gives us the ability to take a 3rd round LG or RT. We need a stud LB and weapons on offense. This is pretty spot on. I don't think they will sign an OL via free agency...at least not any accomplished player. But the main point of your post is perfect. They need a new starting OL (could be LG or RT), an explosive passing weapon upgrade, and an upgrade at LB. Those are the 3 big ones that most people agree on (outside of QB). Whatever they hit in free agency clearly then knocks that need down in the draft. If I had to bet right now, I think they'll get a FA LB like a Brandon Spikes or maybe even take a shot on a Desmond Bishop. A veteran who is strong against the run because our passing down packages are already strong...they don't need a 3 down player. Also, even though Whaley said they aren't going to make a splash, I don't know how they can't be in the WR business for a guy like Nicks, or Decker, or Britt. Britt would be cheap. I think all the FA WRs are going to be surprised when it comes to $$ because the draft is deep at that position. if we sign someone who is starting material in free agency at LG or RT, i think it gives us the ability to take a 3rd round LG or RT. We need a stud LB and weapons on offense. This is pretty spot on. I don't think they will sign an OL via free agency...at least not any accomplished player. But the main point of your post is perfect. They need a new starting OL (could be LG or RT), an explosive passing weapon upgrade, and an upgrade at LB. Those are the 3 big ones that most people agree on (outside of QB). Whatever they hit in free agency clearly then knocks that need down in the draft. If I had to bet right now, I think they'll get a FA LB like a Brandon Spikes or maybe even take a shot on a Desmond Bishop. A veteran who is strong against the run because our passing down packages are already strong...they don't need a 3 down player. Also, even though Whaley said they aren't going to make a splash, I don't know how they can't be in the WR business for a guy like Nicks, or Decker, or Britt. Britt would be cheap. I think all the FA WRs are going to be surprised when it comes to $$ because the draft is deep at that position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwenger Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 if we sign someone who is starting material in free agency at LG or RT, i think it gives us the ability to take a 3rd round LG or RT. We need a stud LB and weapons on offense. I watched the big3 OL in the combine today. Lewan impressed me a lot but GREG ROBINSON was freakin lights out. He is huge and strong and smooth and is a ROAD GRADER. Man it would be great to sign him. He would be our best lineman for the next 10 years..Since he looked so good there will be other teams that will want him and I don't expect him to be there at 9. I forgot to mention that he ran a blazing 40 for his size. He would get to the 2nd level and take out your best LB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westphal Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 I don't see any way you can pass on Matthews if he is there at #9. Also, what exactly happened with Hairston last year? I thought maybe he had potential, but I don't understand what happened with him last year. ...and I can say that again, but I won't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1968_bills_fan Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Normally I am in favor of an offensive lineman very high and one of the three OT's would be okay with me....but. Right now we need"only" a ROT and they say we can get a starter on round 2 or 3. A LB to help complete the front seven would carry more value to the overall team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcw Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 I agree LB needs to be addressed, but Whaley hinted that Kiko is moving to OLB so the hole now is at MLB which, like RT's, can be found in the 2nd and 3rd, especially when we already have our 3 down LB in Kiko. All that aside, Mack or Barr are tempting as pass rushers and who wouldn't be happy adding talents like them but as things stand right now I favor adding someone to help ej with our 1st. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jurr80 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 A phenomenal offensive tackle IS a weapon on offense. Period. You're not drafting him on your fantasy team, but a great offensive lineman makes everything easier. Quote .....And you can put it on the board! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Chosen Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 I want one of the 3 OT's. I would be very happy with Watkins or Mack, instead of Lewan, and then getting a RT in round 3. But if either Matthews or Robinson are there at 9, I hope we take them. They would be great insurance if anything were to happen to Glenn and would make our tackles elite. Quote Crowded elevators smell different to midgets............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Rocafella Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 It really depends. If the top 3 tackles are gone than I am not touching any other tackle at 9. The interesting debate is if any of those 3 tackles and Watkins are both sitting there at nine.... what do you do then? Not only is tackle deep but so is receiver. Even though I like Watkins more, I would be inclined to take the tackle first and then take a wide out later. The reason is more tackles go in the 1st round than wide outs. By the time Thursday comes and goes you will probably see at least 5 and maybe up to 8 tackles go. You will probably see half that with the receivers. I would worry about the quality of tackle in the 2nd or 3rd round more than I would with the receiver. In a perfect world, the Bills would grab one of the three tackles at 9, Jordan Matthews in the 2nd and either Su'a-Filo, Gabe Jackson or Cyril Richardson in the 3rd. It really depends. If the top 3 tackles are gone than I am not touching any other tackle at 9. The interesting debate is if any of those 3 tackles and Watkins are both sitting there at nine.... what do you do then? Not only is tackle deep but so is receiver. Even though I like Watkins more, I would be inclined to take the tackle first and then take a wide out later. The reason is more tackles go in the 1st round than wide outs. By the time Thursday comes and goes you will probably see at least 5 and maybe up to 8 tackles go. You will probably see half that with the receivers. I would worry about the quality of tackle in the 2nd or 3rd round more than I would with the receiver. In a perfect world, the Bills would grab one of the three tackles at 9, Jordan Matthews in the 2nd and either Su'a-Filo, Gabe Jackson or Cyril Richardson in the 3rd. Quote [ I don't tip I pay bills bitches call me Buffalo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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