Bills to Draft WR at #11?

by Fort Worth on Feb 1, 2008 9:57 AM EST

Not exactly a new flash in these quarters, but possibly some reinforcement. From Pro Football Weekly:

Bills looking for more size in WR corps

Feb. 1, 2008

While the Bills see new offensive coordinator Turk Schonert as an important step in getting more out of the passing attack, a receiver upgrade is sorely needed. With Lee Evans entrenched as the No. 1 receiver, the lack of a legitimate No. 2 option has kept the aerial attack shackled. The Bills love Roscoe Parrish, but at just 5-9, 171 pounds, he's strictly a change-of-pace, deep-threat type who can't handle the physical rigors of being an every-down receiver. Peerless Price has been a colossal disappointment and is a good candidate to be cut. Team insiders tell us that the need for a big receiver is of paramount importance. The Bills didn't have the type of receiver to go up and grab the key third-down reception this past season, and they're adamant about filling that void. They took the first step earlier in the week by signing 6-foot-7 TE-WR hybrid Teyo Johnson -- a Stanford product, like Schonert and QB Trent Edwards -- but he has yet to prove to be a capable receiver at the pro level. If either Texas' Limas Sweed or Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly -- the consensus top two big wide receivers in this year's draft -- are available when the Bills select at No. 11, expect Buffalo to choose one of them.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+East/Buffalo/WWHI/2007/wwhi020108.htm

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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Receiver

We'll see after free agency, if the Bills miss out on the big receiver (Wilford, Johnson, Hackett, who ever) Then this might be the way they have to go. I'm not big on thrusting a rookie receiver into the starting lineup, but if they have no other choice, then do it. (please take Sweed)

Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Feb 1, 2008 10:12 AM EST reply actions

RE:

Two things

I think that if we decide to pick up a receiver in the first round (i.e. Kelly or Sweed), he will make an impact like Bowe did for KC. This would be huge for us and Bowe was their #1 WR and Sweed or Kelly would be expected to be a #2 with Evans our obvious #1.
If both Sweed and Kelly are available at #11 (and we definitely want a receiver in the 1st round), I think we trade our 11th pick and possibly a 3rd rounder, drop several spots (take Sweed or Kelly) and we pick up a second 2nd round pick. This option would give us the ability to pick up the best WLD with our first 2nd round pick (i.e. Highsmith from LSU) and with our second 2nd round pick grab the best DT or DE available.

I know all of this is speculation, but with thte Bills already having more than enough quality depth in many positions, we dont need all 10 picks for depth. We can trade some picks to move up and hopefully grab three players in the first three rounds that can make an imediate impact.

by hilliarddavid on Feb 1, 2008 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

Bowe

Neither Sweed nor Kelly is built like Dwayne Bowe, the guy is a tank, sort of in the David Boston mold. I would be hesitant to lump those three together. If the Bills get their hands on a vet like Bryant Johnson or Ernest Wilford, I doubt they take WR in the first.

trading up is a good possibility.

Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Feb 1, 2008 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

I think

he was speaking more in terms of production, not necessarily the type of athlete. The Chiefs had nobody to throw to on offense other than Gonzalez; it explains, in part, why Bowe had such a productive rookie season. Calvin Johnson, meanwhile, had to compete with Roy Williams in Detroit; he got injured, and his rookie season was by and large a disappointment. Marshawn Lynch only had the type of rookie season he did because he had the opportunity to lead all rookies in carries.

A rookie receiver would have the same opportunity in Buffalo that Bowe had in Kansas City. That alone could mean that a rookie the Bills bring in could have, at a minimum, a moderately successful rookie campaign.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Feb 1, 2008 11:53 AM EST up reply actions

Are You Sure About That?

Turk has already said that he wants to get the tight ends, and running backs involved in the passing game more, and with Evans on the outside, and Reed and Parrish in the slot, I'm not sure there is as big of an opportunity for a rookie, as Bowe had last year in K.C.

I guess I'm just hesitant to hand the keys to the #2 spot over to a rookie, not matter who he is.

Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Feb 1, 2008 11:59 AM EST up reply actions

I gotcha

I wasn't necessarily saying make him a focal point of the offense, merely that a rookie has a shot at being the #2 guy, a.k.a. beating out Price or a free agent. That's all I meant.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Feb 1, 2008 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

#2 guy

Is obvious that I'm not keen on rookie starters at the WR position? As much as I like Sweed as a receiver, I would still be more comfortable bringing in a vet and developing a draft pick.

Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Feb 1, 2008 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

Copy of my letter to the Bills

Dear Bills,

If you draft a WR in the first round with current #11 pick, I will cancel my season tickets.

Thank you.

[[Does this say how I feel about drafting a WR in that spot?]]

by krytime on Feb 1, 2008 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

No need to go that far

I don't want to see a WR at #11 either, but lets not get hasty, there are plenty of fans here, **cough, ME, cough** who would gladly take them off your hands.

Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Feb 1, 2008 1:57 PM EST up reply actions

Actually if I cancelled my tickets..

It would because of the unruly drunken fans (mostly Canadians) in my end zone.

I know this is a topic for another discussion, but this year was brutal. And this is coming from someone who really likes to throw 'em back.

by krytime on Feb 1, 2008 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

Bowe

I agree with your comment about Bowe. I meant the impact and numbers Bowe had last year would correspond to the potential of a Sweed or Kelly (70 catches, almost 1000 yards and 5 TDs). If we got that from a #2 WR, that would allow Evans to put up 80-90 catches, 1200 yards and 9-10 TDs.

I also agree and hope we go the free agent route with Johnson or Wilford. Both played college ball in semi cold environments, which will help them in Buffalo. If we get a guy like that, we can concentrate more on the Defensive side of the ball during the draft with a LB, DE, DT.

by hilliarddavid on Feb 1, 2008 12:00 PM EST reply actions

I could be onboard with a 1st round WR

BUT I really don't want him at #11. I'd love to trade down and pick up another 2nd or 3rd and still pick one of those guys. I don't think both of them will be picked in the top 20, so if we can get more value out of our pick, we need to do so.

by Kurupt on Feb 1, 2008 12:12 PM EST reply actions

This could be tough

Trade up for the DE/DT we want OR trade down for the WR/CB/LB we want? Man, this could go either way.

Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Feb 1, 2008 12:23 PM EST up reply actions

I AGREE

That is the good and bad thing about the Bills. They were competitive last year and very close to being a 9-7 team, but we all see several holes we need to fill. Unless you are the Yankees, you can't replace every hole with a STUD.

I think between the draft and free agency, we can not only fill three of those holes, but have a SERIOUS upgrade in those three spots. The thing is we point out all these holes on our roster but we were not an awful team last year. We had four impact players last offseason in Lynch, Edwards, Walker and Dockery. If we can pickup an imapct FA like a Dockery (obviously in a position of need) and have 2 impact players in our first 4 picks (top 3 rounds), I think we will be in great shape.

Don't forget that Poz is a lot better than DiGorgio (not that he did a bad job) and he can play the run. McCargo is a BIG body in the middle with another year under his belt. Not to mention Ko Simpson was starting to show some real promise (he is tall, fast and is a ball hawk) until he got hurt.

I think the Bills are real happy with the signing of Teyo Johnson while having Gaines and Royal already on the roster.

The three impact players will be WR, LB and a D-linemen. We will aquire these guys either via free agnecy or the draft. All other draft picks and signings will be comprable to what we have and maybe a little better but will push the current starter to play better.

I would like peoples opinion!

by hilliarddavid on Feb 1, 2008 4:41 PM EST reply actions

Agreed on the three impact players.

I started writing a response to this, hilliarddavid, but it got so long, I made it into a separate diary lol. Check it out if you want to see my response.

by Kumario! on Feb 5, 2008 3:26 PM EST up reply actions