Alright, welcome back to the Buffalo Bread Podcast.
We're in off -season mode and Dan and I have
our annual draft preview where we look at kind
of what the Bills are hoping to do or maybe hoping
to get done in a couple of nights here on Thursday
night, the 24th when the draft kicks off in Green
Bay, Wisconsin. How are we doing, Dan? I'm doing
good, man. So happy that it is voluntary workout
time this year. Draft season is upon us. You
can almost smell the apple pie cooking as autumn
approaches and football season is trying to kick
off. I can't wait, man. I'm so stoked. We're
just going to skip right over summer. And in
the north in the northeast, it's like the best
time we have. But, you know, we'll just jump
right to fall. Oh, oh, that's a hot take for
me. Oh, no, no, I'm a fall guy. I'm an upstate
New York fall guy. Summer is the best season.
I don't know, man. It's humid. It's raining.
I got to mow my lawn. Give me the fall. Pumpkin
spice lattes all around for Dan. All right. So
to share to share Well, let's jump into it and
let's let's kind of start with Ranking where
we believe the Buffalo Bills top needs are in
this draft Where would you go if if all other
things are equal if the board is of if every
position is available What is your pick the position
wise for that with that 30th overall? You know,
I've been saying this for a couple of years.
I I understand what the Philadelphia Eagles did
to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl was
a product of just a vicious defensive line. They
did a really great job. What was underrated about
that, though, was the fact that there were just
athletic freaks at the back end of that defense.
And Keon Mitchell and Cooper Dijon are Cooper
Dijon rather sorry. that we're just locking down
Kansas City's wide receivers. I am going to put
secondary as my number one need. I know this
is an unpopular prick with a lot of Bills fans
that want a Derek Harmon or a Kenneth Grant,
but for me, no matter the situation, we've seen
this Buffalo Bills four -man rush struggle at
many times to get pressure on opposing QB. Coverage
needs to hold up. I think the Buffalo Bills need
to flip their approach get a bunch of freaks
that can cover everywhere on the field and give
your defensive line an Opportunity to get a sack
as opposed to working at the other way around
So I'm actually going CB man. I think they need
some good cover guys some guys with some man
traits But you know, what do I know I've only
been saying it for three years and it hasn't
happened. So So I mean, okay, and this is this
is where we depart because it's the classic question
of what is more important coverage or pass rush,
right? And I think that the Buffalo Bills having
only made two defensive line choices in the first
round in the entirety of Brandon Bean and Sean
McDermott's time on task tells me that Picking
as high as they possibly can a defensive lineman
an impact starter of which this draft Class has
a number of excellent impact starters that you
can get later in the round better than any recent
memory of draft, you know, and for that reason,
I think that, you know, the needs line up with
this draft class in a way where for me, it's
defensive interior with some pass rush juice.
For the Bill's Mafia out there who are like,
I need a 350 pound, you know, guy, I need a Ted
Washington. I need somebody who's a giant mountain
of a man. I'm not there. I just need the best
combination of size and athleticism at defensive
tackle that you can get and I can make that work,
right? Like they have to have a pass rush upside
because having picked Ed Oliver and then much
later on Greg Rousseau at the end of the round,
that's it for your premier kind of blue chip
investments in the defensive line. And then you
have others, you know, free agents all across
the board, old vets, you know, picking up Joey
Bosa, you've got AJ Appaneza, who was a later
second round pick, like they just need talent
investment in that first round. That's why it's
D line for me. And that could be edge or interior,
but I prefer interior because behind Dequan Jones,
it's literally, I don't know. Who you know Zion
Logue like who do they have? Yeah, I mean no
one really with Ogden Joby being on that six
game suspension right listen I I I think two
things can be true and I agree with you that
it is a Travesty that the Buffalo Bills have
not invested more draft capital in the defensive
line Especially after taking yet Oliver where
they took him in it with a top 10 pick the year.
He was drafted That being said though, they play
so many teams, dude, that just, they get rid
of the ball so quickly. They're gonna play Cincinnati
this year. Joe Burrow gets rid of the ball in
two seconds. Tua gets rid of the ball in two
seconds. We see him twice a year. All these teams
that have not developed the advanced running
game that Baltimore, Buffalo, and Philadelphia
have developed are all leaning into this quick
game as an extension of the run game, and for
me, it doesn't matter how good your defensive
line is. There is no one in the league that is
getting to a QB in under two seconds, so you
need your coverage to hold up. And I think there's
some defensive line prospects later on in the
draft that they can get that will help bolster
the ranks there. To me, if there is a blue chip
dude at cornerback that has an actual athletic
profile that the Bills have been afraid to take,
I want them to take the plunge. I want them to
do it. But I definitely get where you're coming
from. And I'll say this, I get where you're coming
from to one of the biggest frustrations I have
with... the Sean McDermott slash Bobby Babich
defense is the rotation of defensive lines where
they're like, let's have, instead of having four
premier blue chip athletes, let's have eight
mediocre people rotate 50 % of the snaps each.
A lot of B plus guys. Let's have a lot of B plus
guys out there. It's a money ball approach. And
so to your point and agreement with your point,
a cornerback in this defense plays every snap.
The 100 % snap guys are your starting outside
corner. corners, and then your 80 % snap guy
is the nickel with Tyron Johnson. And so I get
the investment in terms of just a pure hours
on the field standpoint, having a CB that you
plug and play day one starter, much value in
respect to that position. And further to your
point, there is a And to mine as well. There's
a lot of depth at the defensive line in this
draft. There's a chance you get somebody who
is around not around one level impact starter
on day two, but really a solid every down starter
on day two Yeah, and the Buffalo Bills, JJ, they've
got 10 picks on the draft. They have the most
picks out of any AFC AFC playoff team from the
previous year. They're going to they're going
to work. I would assume Bean is going to work
some magic to get back up into the third round
to regain that pick that they lost in the trade
for Amari Cooper and figure out a way to have
the Buffalo Bills get four top 100 picks, which
would just further allow them to exploit some
of that starter caliber depth that we both feel
is sitting in this draft. I think we both agree
on this point the Buffalo Bills just need dudes.
They need some studs They need some ceiling razors
on this defense That is what Philadelphia had
and that whether it was on the defensive line
whether it was in the defensive secondary They
just had dudes that could play football true
athletes that could transcend the scheme and
that's what the bills need Yep, let Josh Allen
elevate Role players on offense and invest to
make to have difference makers on defense That's
what this that's what the theme of the draft
if I had to nail down what I hope the theme for
This team is it's it's that all right, man. I
love it So where do you want lower? Do you want
to start because the bills are gonna pick here
at number 30 this year? They don't have a third
round pick. They've got two picks in the second
round 56 and 62 Correct. Which so let's start
with you. Let's start with your ideal. Let's
call it dream scenario. So it would be defensive
line. Who are some of those guys that you would
want to target if the board fell the way that
you hope it falls, assuming the bills don't make
a trade up? Yeah. So for me, one of these four
players, one of these five players falling to
the bills in that bottom of the first round of
the defensive line. Donovan Iziraku from Boston
College who's a non -traditional body type for
the Bills. pound, you know, edge setter who can
maintain in the run and then have some pass rush
upside. That's not Donovan Izoraku. He's like
6 '2, 240. And so he has much more of an outside
linebacker in a 3 -4 scheme body type. But the
Bills have shown with the signing of Von Miller,
they're willing to kind of play in that field.
So Donovan Izoraku, I think he has one of the
most natural pass rushers and he has the bend
the edge ability that you like The Bills have
not had on their team other than the first four
games or whatever when Von Miller came over.
Michael Williams, I think is also excellent.
Nick Scowerton out of Texas A &M has the body
type. Those are the edges I would consider at
30. So those three edges are there for me. I'm
out on Shamar Stewart. I just don't think that,
and I know you're out too, somebody who has those
incredible Miles Garrett level athletic measurables,
but wasn't able to turn that into production
in either tackles for loss or sacks in the college
level. I don't think they're going to be able
to find that in the NFL. We might be totally
wrong, but I just don't I don't buy it. If he
gets drafted by the Eagles, he will. Well, that's
the thing is like he's got the athletic skills
to clean up sacks that other people, you know,
create from their pressures. That's possible.
But the Bills don't have that line. So I'm out
on him for the Bills and then for the defensive
tackles. And these are my two my two sort of
dream scenarios. Kenneth Grant and Derek Harmon.
God, either one of those. Give me one of the
two of those honorable mention to Walter Nolan.
I just really like the way he plays. He's got
a hot motor. Doesn't give up on plays, but you
know, I wouldn't. I think they'd be overdrafting
him if they took him at the end of the first.
I think so. I think so. I think Walter Nolan.
Yeah. I mean, I've seen some some mocks, you
know, it's guest season where he's like going
as high as 24. But I think that's a little bit
of an overdraft. So those are my that's my like
dream scenario for the first round is one of
those five or six players. And, you know, to
your preference, if Jaday Baron or Will Johnson
or Trey Amos are there, then I'm like really
conflicted. Yes, based on should. Yeah. If if
they're there and Kenneth Grant and Derek Harmon
are gone, I'm probably going to flip to CB. Yeah,
I mean and if any one of them three is there
dude Trey Amos 61 195 has the arm length the
intelligence the zone capabilities of the bills
look for and he has legitimate Polish with man
technique as well. I would love it if this dude
fell to the bills I've seen him mocked a couple
of times at pick 30 to the bills. I think out
of all the CBs I think the bills would really
like a guy like Trey Amos and I think sneakily
Jade Baron out of Texas I agree with you if he's
sitting there at 30 Here's what he doesn't give
you right away He is not like a lockdown outside
corner. This is this. This dude is this year's
Brian Branch. Right. Weiner. He's a little bit
of a tweener. But, dude, Bobby Babich would have
an opportunity to do some super sick things with
Baron in the mix. And he gives us a legitimate
successor, pending what Taquan Hardy, you know,
ends up being able to do in OTAs and training
camp this year. He gives us a legitimate. A plus
successor to Taryn Johnson, which I love Taryn
Johnson. We all love Taryn Johnson. That dude
throws around his 511 frame with a reckless a
recklessness that Josh Allen throws around his
6 -5 frame You know what I mean and 511 don't
hold up the same as 6 -5. I said some injuries
He's entering his year 29 season I have seen
that dude and run fits disappear into piles of
men twice his size and I find myself holding
my breath hoping he will come out of it he just
has a lot of tread on the tires and if you can
get a guy like Baron with the 30th pick. Not
only is there some immediate fun dime package
stuff that Babich can do with both Taron Johnson
and Baron on the field at the same time, but
you shore up what is an insanely important position
for you for the long term and finding your replacement
for Johnson. So dude, if Baron's there, I love
it. Staying on the cornerback kick. We talked
about Baron. We talked about Amos. Siobhan Ravel
is a dude who a lot of Bills fans have been tracking.
pending what his health outlook looks like. If
he can keep that four, three speed with that
six, two, 200 pound frame, this is a dude that
translates to zone, has real man capabilities,
and you can grow into your system in a way that's
gonna make him a legitimate outside corner. So
I like him there at 30 as well. Let's say all
these guys are gone and the Buffalo Bills are
forced to go either defensive back more generally.
Or they go defensive line, which I agree with
you is a big need here I'm looking I'm looking
at a guy like Malachi Starks who for me it would
be the dream of dreams of Starks falls to 30
He can do all the stuff that Micah hide could
do. He will allow Cole Bishop and Taylor rap
to play closer to the line of scrimmage, which
is their comfort zone. It feels like a bit of
an excess at 30 when you've already brought in
Forest, you've resigned Hamlin, you have Rap,
you have Bishop, but Malachi Starks is really
the piece. that sets that center fielder need
to rest for the Buffalo Bills in the safety room.
And if a dude of that caliber falls to 30, I'm
hopping all over that. And then defensive line.
I mean, I think we both agree. I've got Derek
Harman slightly above Kenneth Grant. I know a
lot of Bills mafia are hoping for Kenneth Grant
at this point because he is the big. Body guy
that can eat up double teams can free up at Oliver
But dude when it comes to pure pass rust situations
if Derek Harmon is there and you're talking about
third and eight Third and nine where the Buffalo
Bills had an issue getting off the field last
year You get immediate pocket compression teaming
up Harmon and at Oliver together And I just love
that pick and then I think this is probably a
little rich for pick 30 But I love to leak Williams
out of Ohio State. He's another big body dude
six three, pushing 329, maybe 330, depending
on where the scales are at that day. But he's
another dude who kind of fills that Jordan Phillips
type of role and can be a really solid backup
to Dequan Jones. Yeah, I like Tyler Williams.
I think they'd be overdrafting to pick him at
30. And it would really be a situation that I'd
be taking him if nothing else was available and
the CBs were not the impact players. I agree
completely on Malachi Starks. It would be kind
of a departure from a need, but. His value is
so high that it would be it'd be like passing
on who was the the safety out of Notre Dame that
the Yeah, it'd be like passing on Kyle Hamilton
dropping right? Yeah, you'd be passing on somebody
who's like an actual difference maker who fell
kind of to a place on the board that you were
not expecting them. And it is, again, a deep
draft for the defensive line, the kind of draft
that if some of the key starter contributors
are gone, you just wait because your next tier,
the next shelf of players you have is in the
second round anyway, where you have two picks.
You know, if you can't get one of those top tier
players and Malachi Starks is available because,
yeah, I agree. Investing for the Bills in the
safety position with a young talent who's going
to be available on a cheap rookie deal for four
years. That's, that's too important to this to
the Sean McDermott defense and the Bobby Babich
defense to not to not take that. Yeah, dude.
What are your thoughts on Nick M and worry because
he's a dude who's likely going on the first round.
The athletic profile jumps off the page. Oh,
yeah. Six, six, three, two, twenty, four, three
speed. He's a ball hawk. Super intelligent. You
listen to his teammates talk about him and he
can pretty much fit any scheme. That being said,
when you watch his film, there is a strong improvement
in his play, the closer to the line of scrimmage
he gets. And I think as freaky as he is athletically,
he's already duplicating a set of skills that
we have in Cole, Bishop and Taylor. Yeah. That's
my problem with Nick Imanuari is I think that
he reminds me of Tremaine Edmonds. He is an athletic
outlier. Like he is an absolute special person
when it comes to his athletic, his natural athletic
ability. He has to see it and react to it as
opposed to somebody like a Matt Milano who isn't
an outlier special case physically. but has an
intuition, you know, piles upon piles of intuition.
That's also the difference for me with Malachi
-Starks and Nick Imanwari is like Malachi -Starks
has like the actual instincts that I look for
in defensive kind of impact player. And I think
even the safety from Notre Dame this year. Xavier
Watts. Yeah, Xavier Watts also has those instincts.
without the athleticism, like his athleticism
is not great comparatively. Of course, Nicky
Manuari was like basically setting all of the
records for DB's. And so I don't, yeah, I don't
see the fit for what the Bills need. I think
that they could make it work if he was the best
player available because I still think he's a
first round talent. Just don't know that he's
what he's not the player they need in that position
because I also think Tremaine Edmonds was a first
-round talent and I don't think that was a bad
pick when they took it and you know, he put in
his time, he was leading tackler on the team
for four years, never was like a huge splash
play guy. That's sort of how I feel about Nicky
Manoir. He'd probably be a good pro and a reliable
starter, but I don't think he'd be like a major
change maker on the defense. What about Mike
Green? Because I noticed you left him off your
edge rusher list. What do you think about Mike
Green out of Marshall? Led the FBS this year
in sacks. He's got that similar kind of lighter
profile, more But dude, I watch this film. I
know there's all field issues. I watch this film
and he just has a a ready -made set of moves
to win at the point of attack that I think I
think he translates into the league like Michael
Parsons translate translate into the league That's
that's that's heavy praise. He he has comply.
Yeah No, I know you can play. I know he led FBS
in sacks. He the off field issues are a little
bit. Was he the one who was just arrested like
somebody was just arrested? That wasn't him.
That was one of the Georgia kids. I think that
was was that Mikel Williams? Oh, maybe somebody.
One of the edges. It was it was a Georgia player.
Oh, was it a Georgia player got arrested? I want
to. Damn, dude. No, and that's just looking at
the facts. There was a meme or something I saw
on the Twittersphere X or whatever and it was
like George's alternative uniforms and it was
a jumpsuit, like a prison jumpsuit. They've had
a lot of people get arrested. That is not an
untrue thing to say. Mike Green, I do like his
game. I worry a little bit about how it translates
to the NFL because I don't think he is an absolute
outlier athletically. His speed and he does have
bend, but to me it looks like college bend, not
NFL. You know what I mean? For me to watch a
defensive end in college and feel like they're
going to make that kind of massive jump to the
NFL and be able to translate it onto the field
against bigger, longer tackles. That's the biggest
thing is like college tackles aren't six, seven
with 36 inch arms. Like not you, not always.
And it's pretty rare those ones get drafted.
And that's that's a smaller percentage of the
offensive lineman. So that was my thing was watching
Mike Green. I think it was he made a lot of really,
really mediocre to poor offensive lineman look
terrible. And I worry that that wouldn't be as
effective. And I think that the last year draft
pick that they made out of TCU, no. Who did they
pick up in the fifth round last year? Javan Solomon.
Javan Solomon. Javan Solomon has a little bit
of that. Out of Troy. Yeah, out of Troy, you're
right. Has a little bit of Mike Green. Mike Green's
a better athlete. Javan Solomon in a bigger athlete.
But Javon, I feel the same that like, oh, I see
the skills and I see the like instincts and it
looks good and the moves are, the hand fighting
is good, the moves are there. I just, I think
it would be a project a little bit. Yeah, fair
enough. Is there a position, not necessarily
a player, but is there a position outside of
edge? Interior defensive line and cornerback.
Let's say DB right quarterback safety Is there
a position outside of those three or four that
would surprise you if the bills went to it number
30? Yeah, yeah, so I there it's lion season,
right? So take this with a grain of salt, but
there has been reputable NFL reporters saying
that the bills are potentially looking at Linebacker
with one of their topics. How do you feel about
this scenario? I think that's I think that's
a smoke screen. Because like, here's what we
have. So the Bills have just locked up Terrell
Bernard long term. So they have their like defensive
signal caller center, you know, center fielder
in the second, second level of the defense. Matt
Milano restructured his deal. He's he's over
30 and he restructured his deal to go into free
agency after this coming season. And then, you
know, they have Dorian Williams, who. looked
better and better as the year went on last year.
And so he I believe is kind of the heir apparent.
They drafted the linebacker at a Fuon Olifosio
out of Washington out of Washington last year.
Unimpressive a question right like unimpressive
So I can I can actually I can absolutely see
linebacker being a need in this lead or in this
draft I don't see it happening because the linebacker
class is kind of weak Before the fourth round
I think that they will make a pick at linebacker,
but I don't think it's gonna be before the fourth
round Poo Paul is Maybe a third rounder Chris
Paul Chris Paul Jr. out of Mississippi. Yes.
He's maybe a third rounder. That's the picture.
And they've shown interest. He came on a visit.
That's the kind of player I could see with that
kind of coverage linebacker, speedy receiver,
out of the slot, stifler. I could see coming
in the third round if the Bills are able to trade
back or trade into with some of their fourth
and fifths to grab. Yeah. Fair enough. Any other
positions that would surprise you? They're not
taking an offensive lineman. No, they're not
taking an offensive lineman. They're pretty stacked
an offensive lineman. They're not taking a running
back anywhere in the top three rounds. Wouldn't
that be a message to send to James Cook? Well,
I was just actually texting with my nephew about
the bills, the upcoming draft plans. And I said,
if the bills select a running back above the
fifth round. James cook will be traded either
on draft weekend or shortly after I Mean even
even if yeah, I don't think they're going to
either but it's a really deep running back class
I do think they're gonna splash a picket running
back. Do you think so? I think they are. Yeah,
and I've held this belief even before James cook
made his 15 million dollar Instagram demand.
It's just it's such a deep class They are always
splashing at this position in the draft be be
it and UDFA territory or late round picks and
with a class this deep and And cook going into
a contract year. I there's no way they pass on
somebody So I think they absolutely spend a fourth
or even a fifth at some point on a running back
wide receiver would actually surprise me if they
went first round depending on who is on the board.
I think we all assume Travis Hunter will be gone.
We all assume Matthew Golden will be gone. And
then beyond that, I'm not really invested necessarily
in like a Luther Burden in the first round. The
kid out of Ohio State. Amika Ibuka. I'm not really.
I'm not really interested in him. I think it's
a duplicative skill set with with Shakir. Yeah,
right. We just we have a lot of slot guys. We
need a dominant dude on the outside. Maybe Ken
Coleman's that. But I would be really shocked
if they went like with a Jaden Higgins, for example,
or a Jalen Royals at Pick 30. I would also. Not
I would also not be surprised if they traded
out of the first round depending on how the board
fell If you still have like a Jackson dart sitting
there at 30 You've got a Jalen Milro sitting
there at 30 and you've got a team like Cleveland
or you've got a team like the Giants New Orleans
or New Orleans who pick early on in the second
round and they want to jump at one of those guys
I could see the bills moving for for for the
right deal Doing a pick -swap for a fourth and
a third and then trading down to the second round
I could see them doing that. Yeah, and I think
that's actually kind of one of my nightmare scenarios
is that they have a situation where there is
not an interior defensive lineman, an edge, or
a CB that they consider an impact starter day
one. and they have to trade out because that's
really that's really it for me. If none of those
three positions are available and they that they
could look at and be like that is an 80 percent
or 70 percent snap guy on the line or that is
a 100 percent outside corner starter. They're
going to go they're probably going to look for
trade partners and there's probably going to
be trade partners with where the bills pick and
the quarterback class and people wanting a fifth
year option. Yeah, without a doubt, without a
doubt. So that is going to be tempting for them.
All right, you mentioned nightmare scenarios.
I want to talk about some guys that we want to
we would love to pick in the later rounds. But
let's talk about first round nightmare scenario.
What is your top nightmare scenario here? The
top nightmare scenario is that the Buffalo Bills
use their first pick on a wide receiver, and
it's a wide receiver who has a similar profile
to. Similar to profile to Gabe Davis, where they
get the body catching, you know, four seven speed
guy who's just a good football player. Like that's
my absolute nightmare. It's that or it's picking
a offensive tackle because the value was just
too big or picking a slight framed tight end.
to be their third tight end because, you know,
they don't expect to get Greg back. So, yeah.
Yeah. Oh, man, that that would be malpractice.
I do think I do think they're going to splash
it a tight end, too, because this is another
really deep class. But I mean. Tyler Warren's
not going to be available at 30. I'd be shocked
if Colston Loveland is available at 30. Both
of those guys, by the way, immediately would
push Dalton Kincaid for starting reps. So Mason
Taylor is a guy who's probably available, but
no, I a tight end pick at 30. I think Buffalo
Bill's fans would riot. You just got to see what
you got in Dalton Kincaid. And you got to give
the kid a chance to play a full healthy season
and see what he can give you. I it 30. I don't
this is going to sound terrible. I don't hate
offensive tackle like depending on how the board
falls. That's not a nightmare scenario for me.
It's not desirable, but you're. With the depth
of the tackle class, let's say one of the Josh's
is available I'll say Josh Simmons or Josh Connerly
Ohio State and Oregon respectively are available
if they're at 30 and there's not an interior
defensive lineman you love and you know that
you've got a couple of picks in the second round
that you can splash around in the secondary with
Why not take one of those guys and hedge for
the future? That is a trade -out scenario 100
% of the time. If you're bored, for me, if you're
bored. For one of the Josh's? Yeah, for one of
the Josh's. We love Josh's. Josh's are wonderful.
We get this Josh thing wrong in the draft, man.
Let me tell you. I know. No, but I'm saying like,
ah, it's a trade -out scenario. because you would
be adding to a position. You just locked up Spencer
Brown. You just redid your left tackle in Dion
Dawkins. You have legitimately two tackles on
depth of your depth chart that could start for
any NFL team that needs a tackle. It's a situation
where you have four players for the position
that are ready to go today, and then you invest
the best. the best possible dart you have to
throw at an impact defensive player. Yeah, no,
I get it. I get it. It would have to be a very
specific scenario for me. I'm just saying it's
not a nightmare. Yeah. OK. Yeah. Yeah. My nightmare
scenario is the Buffalo Bills trade up for for
with Cincinnati for Trey Hendrickson. Oh, yeah.
Oh, no. The way the bills give away their 30th
and let Cincinnati come into the round to get
30 -year -old Trey Hendrickson. Yeah. No, no,
no, no. The bills trade. Yes. Yes. What you just
said. Yeah. They move down. Correct. Let Cincinnati
come up, take Trey Hendrickson, and then have
to pay him $27 million a year. Exactly. Yeah.
That's not the scenario that I want to see happen.
And I don't think the bills give up 30 for Trey
Hendrickson. I mean, listen, again, it's lion
season. I'm knee deep in reading everybody's
hot take about what the bills are going to do.
Hendrickson is still sitting out there without
a new contract and the Buffalo Bills giving up
first round value, even if it's late first round
value to an AFC rival for a guy who I get it.
He's led the league in sacks the past couple
of years. He was a guy that you and I were hot
and cold on when he came out and free agency
from New Orleans. But that's a rental. Right.
That's a rental. And at 30, you should be able
to get cost controlled value, which is what you
need when you've just resigned your star QB to
one of the largest contracts in NFL history.
Yep. I just I feel like at that point, the value
is too high when I give up one of the second
rounders for Hendrickson. Probably, but I still
got to pay him. Right. And that's the problem
with this whole scenario. Yeah, I don't think
that scenario is going to play out just because
of the money of it. They just don't have it.
I mean, they have some levers to pull. They could
make that money. But it's all it's to do. That
would be almost a saint scene type of cap management
scenario. And Bean has never shown that he's
like willing to mortgage the future to pay some
guy a huge contract that you can't necessarily
afford after the second year. Right. I mean he
made that mistake with the second digs contract
extension that no one asked him to including
Stefan Diggs, right? Yeah, and we're finally
out from under that. So yeah, yeah, but that
would be my nightmare scenarios They lean too
hard into this veteran trade market and and they
they pay a steep price I don't get the sense
that the bills are feeling that urgency though,
but that would be a nightmare scenario for me.
Absolutely No, I think it's different, you know
if they didn't sign Joey Bosa It would be different
if they didn't have a veteran Difference maker
option who they're kind of betting on traits,
you know traits wise and production wise they
they do have that and so I think they're Probably
a little bit more comfortable taking a flyer
on somebody with a 30th pick Yeah, I agree. And
again, you want that you want that fifth year
option, which is so important in the assessment
of a player. It was important, so important in
the assessment of Greg Russo. So, yeah, I'm all
about this. All right. Who are some who are some
later round picks? And it doesn't have to be
specific in order of any round. But who are some
guys, JJ, that are not on everyone's big board
for the first round that you'd love to see the
Bills target in their later rounds? I think that.
Kyle Williams the wide receiver Is is somebody
that I like I Really like Jordan Phillips the
good Jordan Phillips Maryland. Yeah out of Maryland,
you know Because I think that he's got he's got
all the things that the Jordan Phillips that
bills fans are so familiar with has had But he's
a plus athlete and he has more production. And
so let's let's get the younger, hotter version
of Jordan Phillips. And that's probably around
four or five guy. Jamari Caldwell out of Oregon
is a good defensive interior guy. I like as well.
C .J. West, Indiana. Somebody that I would take
as well in the later rounds again These are kind
of bigger plugger guys who don't necessarily
have a lot of upside in terms of pass rush ability
and skill But they definitely bring their chops
with run stuffing and those opportunities For
and I'm just talking like defensive players really
I mentioned pooh Paul already Chris Paul jr You
know Kobe Bryant CB Kansas out of Kansas. Yep
you know some people have compared him to uh
who's the oh man who's the lat the kansas cornerback
that came out a few years ago that's excellent
i can't think of it oh god who is that same physical
profile um Yeah, so, you know, I've mentioned
in talking to you before, Benjamin Morrison,
I think, out of Notre Dame has an excellent kind
of pedigree and is coming off an injury. So you
got to make sure your medicals are right. But
has the would have probably have been a top 15
pick if he didn't get injured and could be a
steal in the two to round two, round three. Dorian
Strong. Love that guy. Iowa. 64 200 pounds former
track athlete former wide receiver He has the
the hands of a wide receiver the speed of a traffic
track athlete in the body of a linebacker Could
could you get any better, but he's a first year
star one year starter. So you're really kind
of projecting How about you? What are what are
some of those later kind of mid third fourth
fifth round guys that you think could be steals?
I'm really I'm looking at Landon Jackson and
Jada, Arkansas. Love that dude He's he's still
putting it all together. You can see on the tape
some of his disjointedness where. He is making
a decision for what he wants his body to do,
but he is not yet trained and polished enough
at the position to execute fluidly. Right. I
think that's a dude that with some coaching has
some really elite traits. Six, six, two, sixty
four ran, I think, a four, four, six. That's
funny. I want to say, I mean, this dude is this
dude's wild or four or five, six. Sorry. We're
in a four or five, six. We're still amazing.
Right. For the edge position. This is a dude
who a lot of Bill's Mafia fans really like to.
I just think he is. We want to be the guys that
he puts it together with, right? We want him
on our team when he kind of figures that stuff
out. Sticking on the defensive line, I know we're
going to argue about this one, and I'm totally
fine with that. I'm ready to take your. Take
your your your poison darts here on this one.
But Dion Walker, I like I do. This year's Devon
Drey Sweat to me. How much did we like Devon
Drey Sweat and how many people missed on him
because of the fact that they didn't think he
had to pass rush chops. Give me Dion Walker.
Give me Dan Walker in like the fourth round.
Right. We've got so many picks to throw away
in the fourth and fifth round. Give me a dude
who plays with a lot of speed. Plays with a lot
of ferocity with his upper body. Yes. He doesn't
have his pad level necessarily Right all the
time, but you can't teach six seven and three
hundred and thirty pounds You just can't in the
middle of that. He's a big block eating dude
And I think if you can figure out some of his
lower body mechanic inconsistencies You've got
a dude who's gonna be a starter for a long long
time My problem is exactly what you just said
If you can figure out his lower body mechanic
like at this point and he's he's 21 so he's still
young I get that I get that but at the same time
like the the question of if you can figure out
his lower body mechanics somebody who's 340 pounds
Should not be getting blown off the ball when
double -teamed like I've seen him get blown off
the ball and double -team I'm not interested
in big Big and athletic if you don't understand
the mechanics of the position and that's I He
is big and athletic and that's nice. He is He
is just a mess when it comes to his hand fighting
in the mechanics He's not he's not he's not terrible
He's better at hands than I than I think I you
know, I'd give him credit for His hands are fine.
It's really the mess that is everything below
his waist. Yeah, it is definitely like driving
with power. It's getting his hips under his pads.
It's moving people off the ball and getting pushed.
Those are big enough marks for me that I'm like,
no thank you. Yeah, I feel you on that. I feel
you on that. I do think there are a couple of
need areas that we haven't really talked about
that are sneaky for the bills. I think linebacker
is a need. I think especially with Milano's pending
departure. And listen, there hasn't been a good
linebacker draft class to come through necessarily
in a while. But I do think they're going to take
a look at linebackers with some of their later
round picks. I think a dude like Demetrius Knight
out of South Carolina. He's a bit of a tweener
type. He's 6 '2". Comes in at like somewhere
between 2 '30 and 2 '37". I think he's a dude
whose traits they would really like. He ran,
I want to say he ran a 4 '5". He ran a 4 '5",
which is great end -to -end speed for a linebacker.
I think he's a dude that they potentially take
a look at. And then... I think they're going
to David Edwards played really, really well.
He's got a very manageable contract. I know Alec
Anderson is waiting in the wings, but I think
the Buffalo Bills are still learning the lessons
from that Cincinnati Bengals game a couple of
years back, and they're going to want to invest
in the interior offensive line later on in this
draft. I think one of their fifth or sixth round
picks, I could easily see them take a project
guard that they put behind. They put behind Alec
Anderson. I think of a guy potentially like Emery
Jones Jr out of LSU and then. Bear with me. My
computer is loading very, very slowly. Another
guy who I think they they might take a shot on
is. Let's see, where was he? He's the kid out
of Kansas State. What's his face? Guard. Guard
out of Kansas State like and he might be in UDFA
territory quite frankly Where did he go? Oh?
Here is Easton kitty I mean, I like the name,
but he's a 50. He's a fifth year senior. He is
64308, a little bit lighter than the Osiris Torrance
type that they went through in the mall in the
run game. But he's got some versatility to his
game. I think you put him in that offensive system
with Aaron Kroemer and Joe Brady. And I think
is a due to if he adds a couple of pounds, could
be one of those nice tuck them away off the UDFA
list for a year and could be a guy that you want
to look at. All right, I've got a couple of linebackers
that I like for the second round maybe the third
round Maybe maybe one maybe Jeffrey Bassa from
Oregon drops into the fourth round. That'd be
nice. I like yeah, I like him He is he is basically
this classes version of Matt Milano. He's a converted
safety smaller frame smaller body but better
athleticism than a lot of linebackers you'll
see. And it definitely projects to be a Mike
or a Will outside linebacker in a 4 -3. I like
Demetrius Knight. That was a good suggestion.
Carson Schwessinger at UCLA is a good. Coverage
linebacker who will get washed out in the run
game a little bit because he's a smaller frame
again But what we know from the Bills is that
they prefer to have smaller coverage linebackers
as they sideline to sideline athletes They always
talk about we need them to be coverage, you know
coverage flexible first because the defense is
too Variable to not have them be they they're
never going to sign, you know a Patriots esque
linebacker who's just a downhill thumper. They
haven't done that. Jack Campbell. They're never
going to get it. They're never going to go after
a Jack Campbell because they're they're ideal
is that everybody can cover everywhere on the
defense so that you're not getting killed in
short passing. They they do not care about defending
the run. Yes, we understand. This is Bill Spence.
Stop the pass and be able to pass. Yeah, and
then another area look for me as safety I really
I know we depart on this one, too I really like
Andrew mccuba out of Texas. I that that dude
just reeks of mycahide traits to me He's not
the fastest guy in the world. He ran a he ran
a decent four four four five forty The long speed
doesn't necessarily show up on tape But the change
of direction does the ball. The ball instincts
are there. He's he's a project when it comes
to tackling securely in the run game. But overall,
he's a little bit of a lighter dude. Overall,
though, he gives you a profile in that safety
room that you do not currently have. You've got
a lot of thumpers in that room with Bishop, with
rap. you know, jury's out on Forrest and his
athletic profile, though it says plus rating
to me, but you just, you don't have anyone that
is elite away from the line of scrimmage in that
safety room. And I just think Micuba addresses
that. I mean, I wouldn't hate Micuba. I don't,
you know, I don't, I think he's, he is aggressive
and his size would worry me a little bit with
how aggressive he plays, you know. Getting in
there and banging around is probably not going
to go well for his size. Dude, Taron Johnson's
made it for real. I know. That's true. Come on.
Yeah, no, and that's fair. I think that, so I
like a couple of, the problem is the safeties
I really like in this class are box safeties.
And we have two box safeties already. We're set
on box. Yeah. And so, you know, somebody like
Jalen Reed, somebody like Jonas Sanker, you know,
there's a lot of really good safeties that I
think are but their profile is not so good. Sebastian
Castro. Think is somebody who could be a deep
middle. Yeah, he doesn't have great athleticism
But he reminds me a little bit of Micah Hyde
in that regard in terms of he's not gonna be
the you know, the guy the makeup speed but he
just was really Intuitive about reading routes
know where he needs to be and I very much like
him to be able to cover the top in that way So
yeah, absolutely. Yeah Buffalo are the Buffalo
Bills gonna finally draft some speed JJ a wide
receiver? I don't think they're gonna again unless
a Matthew Golden falls to 30 I don't think they
use one of their top three picks on a wide receiver
I think it's all defense all the time But let's
say who's the kid from Virginia Tech, Jalen Lane.
Let's say Jalen Lane is sitting there early in
the fourth round and you've got the opportunity
to trade up and get them. 5 '10", 191, ran a
4 '3", 4 '40". Is that the type of speed that
you want to say on this team? Is it Keandre Lambert
-Smith, the kid who I've got on my list out of
Oregon, ran another 4 '3", a little bit taller
at 6 '1", 190? Is it Dante Thornton Jr. who people
are comparing to who the heck was just traded
to the Pittsburgh Steelers? Oh, oh, God. D .K.
Metcalf, D .K. Metcalf. Yeah, people are comparing
their body types and abilities. Yeah, 10. Yeah,
Tennessee. Go ahead. You say your piece about
him. Go ahead. Oh, were you about to say that
Tennessee's offense creates nothing but messes?
How do you scout? I mean, we were both on the
Jalen Hyatt bandwagon a couple of years ago.
How do you scout anyone on that offense like
I know it's a lot of repetitive nonsense routes.
They're not running a pro offense. There's no
route tree for these guys like All Tennessee
produces are ridiculously fast, athletic wide
receivers that have a massive learning curve
at the NFL level. That can't figure out a playbook
for their life. Seriously. Yeah. No, I don't
know. Isaac Tesla is somebody who's also a little
bit fast. Round four or five. Savion Williams,
I think, is his name from TCU. Yeah. He's a 4
'4 guy. Yeah, he's a little bit slower. From,
in my opinion, If the Bills pick, if their first
three choices, the 30, 52 or 56 and 62, if those
three are defensive players and at least one
of them is a defensive interior and at least
one of them is a cornerback, they can use every
one of their fourth and fifth rounders on running
backs, wide receivers and linebackers. I don't
care. Like at that point, I don't care. Like
I just need you to fix your defense so that it's
not just Josh Allen score 50. because we'll never
stop anybody like fix the defense with the first
top three picks and then give me any throw as
many darts as you want at a speed or speedier
wide receiver who can be a field stretcher, because
I think that is a component that's missing in
this offense. It's been missing for years and
we've been screaming about it for years since
John Brown's first stint with the team. Seriously,
man, seriously. Another and this is kind of one
of where I wrap it up. Voluntary workouts have
begun. James Cook, no show. First thoughts on
this and it's going to lead me into a draft question.
But your first thoughts, is this a big deal or
is this no deal that James Cook is not there?
I think it's no deal. I think it's no deal right
now because it's still so it's still so early.
People will miss the voluntary offseason workouts
for so many different reasons. Family events,
vacations, you know, weddings, et cetera. I do
think he's holding out like he's starting a holdout
now. Like, I think that's accurate. I think his
reason, you know, he probably could have cleared
a schedule to do this and chose not to. And I
but I think it's no deal right now. Talk to me
again once mandatory mini camp comes through.
At that point, if he is still not appeared, it's
a big deal. Yeah, I would agree with that. I
and I said this earlier on I think the bills
were gonna splash with how deep this running
back class is They were gonna splash a late round
pick day three pick at running back anyway Is
there a guy who you see in there on your running
back board? That you would love to see the bills
target on day three. I've got a couple in mind
Yeah, why why don't you go first cuz I? I'll
fill in the gaps. DJ Giddens out of Kansas State
for four speed six foot six one right around
there about two twelve decent hands out of the
backfield really kind of gives you that that
James Cook ability to play the first couple of
downs. Trevor Etienne Etienne. Out of Georgia,
you probably need to catch him in the third round
potentially So he's probably a trade back into
the round scenario, but four four two speed a
little bit on the smaller side of five nine Pushing
about 200 pounds, but listen man, Georgia program
their guys catch the ball out of the backfield.
They play with great speed. They hit the hole
quick. Etienne could be a really good fit. And
then just from a pure speed standpoint, because
I love a good four three time by Shel Tutton.
Oh, yeah. Out of Virginia Tech. Dude, give me
that. Give me that dude early in the fourth round
and like let's cook. No pun intended. You know
what I mean? So and yeah, that's the thing for
me is like. Bachel Tutin is one of those players
that I feel like you can get in the fourth or
fifth round and Could provide you the same kind
of long -speed game -breaking ability of James
Cook not to the same level I think James Cook
is a really complete back He's just not reliable
and pass pro on third down and I don't then I
think the same is true for Bachel Tutin I really
like Devin Neal who is kind of like Devon Neal
reminds me of a more athletic Devon Singletary.
Like Devon Singletary was a fine start. He is
a fine starting running back. Very capable. Yes.
Could do everything you want a running back could
to do with decent and not even exemplary blocking
can turn every carry into a four at four yard
game. Like, you know, like I think that Devon
Neal is one of those players out of Kansas. You
know, he's like six something and 200 pounds.
So he can he could do the job. But yeah, Basial
Tutin is the is the player that I'm like. You
know if you if we need somebody who's like home
run ability that that could be the guy Mm -hmm
without a doubt lots of options on the board
man. I think to summarize everything Where the
bills have set themselves up this to me is the
draft year Where the Buffalo Bills have best
set themselves up to draft best available player
in an impact position The depth on the defensive
line, especially in the interior, is still questionable.
But because of where the Bills have set themselves
up in the first and second round with the capital
they have, if Derek Harmon's not there, if Kenneth
Grant isn't there, I don't want them stretching
the 30th pick to reach for a guy who they might
be able to get with one of their second round
picks. Same thing with cornerback. The depth
is a concern, even though Trey White is back.
Dane Jackson is back. Neither of those guys are
a liable outside option to me opposite of Christian
Benford, but they really help. You should Benford
go down or should there be injuries that hit
that room? But the bills have left themselves
in a position where they're going to have options
at 30 and they're going to have options in the
second round, too. They have needs on defense,
but they've got the draft capital to address
those needs early on in the draft. And then to
your point earlier, after you go in some order
of defensive line edge, DB do whatever you want
do whatever you want address those three needs
with your first three picks and then do whatever
you want right? Yep, and that's a credit a credit
to how bean is constructed this roster in this
offseason with again a limited amount of cap
space Being able to really raise the floor and
ensure that this the floor of this team remains
10 wins and competitive in the AFC's right pre
-drift. Not a lot of other teams can say that
Yeah, no, for sure. And that's kind of where
I'm at. You know, now a couple of days away from
the jet draft is fix your defense, do whatever,
throw some darts. Right. First three picks, fix
the defense and then, you know, bring in a running
back to challenge James Cook. Yes. Trade James
Cook for a second. Oh, God. I mean, is that so?
All right. So let's end on this race. James Cook,
you and I have had this talk about do you sign
him? Do you not sign him? I do. I believe if
I ran the Buffalo Bills, I would sign James Cook
with the cap going up to where it is. I would
do it, but I'm a fan. I understand that you can
find replacements for running back, despite what
happened with Derek Henry and Saquon Barkley
this year with the with the incredible years
they had for their new teams. I think that will
continue to prove to be more of an outlier. And
the fact that Nick Chubb. and JK Dobbins are
still free agents on the on the running back
market shows me that the league has not changed
their perspective on the value of running backs.
So that being said, I feel like Cook will successfully
play out the final year of his contract. He'll
go get signed by like. the LA Chargers, right,
or something like that, we'll thank him for his
service, but then we'll replace him moving forward.
I think that's what the Bills are gonna do, and
that's why Brandon Bean runs the team and I don't,
right? So what do you see the trajectory or the
future for James Cook with the squad? I think
it's the same. I think that they've proven with
Devon Singletary that they set their prices with
running back, and if you don't take that deal...
then thank you right like goodbye because I think
that they see the running back position like
so many GMs so many teams in the league see it
is we can get by like as long as we have our
critical needs on offense covered we'll find
somebody to do that job right like it's more
important that the tackles the guards in the
center are better than the running back because
if those guys aren't good You're not going to
get anywhere anyway. And so we've seen plenty
of running backs waste the prime of their careers
behind terrible offensive lines. CJ Spiller.
Yeah. And we've also seen plenty of running backs
in the league who were incredible, who left good
situations. and were terrible, right? Because
Le 'Veon Bell is the exact example I was thinking
of, is players who ran behind an excellent offensive
line and were lighting the league on fire and
then go other places, hold out, have all of these
kind of things. I think that if James Cook played
for the Patriots last year, he doesn't break
1 ,000 yards. He definitely doesn't get 16 touchdowns.
No way. Right. Like he gets four touchdowns,
breaks a couple of long runs, probably a six
or seven hundred yard running back with maybe
20, 30 more touches. Right. I just think that
it's he's more of a product of the offense than
I think than the offense is a product of James
Cook. For that reason, I don't pay him 15 million,
even though I projected that when, you know,
we were on. I was one of the shout guys. Oh,
I remember that. Yeah, you were like, yeah, give
him 15 million. They're like, what they left
me out of the shop. But that's that's what he's
asking for. And I don't depending on where the
cat projects. I don't hate him in that number.
But I also understand that the bills because
they have secured their guys at so many other
positions with all of the contracts They've doled
out their MO is they want to pay you Before you
reach market value and bet on your upside Yep,
and cook has probably already reached the point
where he's at market value and as such too expensive
for the bills So that's all I think it is. I
think he's worth 15 million dollars a year. I
think any team in the league would probably his
production is good if they have a solid line
to get you 15 million dollars a year worth of
yards and touchdowns and catches and touchdowns.
I just don't think that the bills. care about
that value, knowing what they know about what
their offense can do with a lot of different
guys, including cheaper options like Ty Johnson,
Ray Davis, you know, they had production out
of those guys too, giving those guys more of
a share of the touches, their production's gonna
go up. Absolutely. Absolutely. Oh, God, I cannot
wait for the draft. It's so exciting to talk
about this stuff. Oh, my God. We're back in a
folks back in Buffalo Bills football territory
for all of you listening at home. Thank you.
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