The NFL draft is a month away! Let’s get to your questions from email at AskChris@bills.nfl.net and on Twitter at @ChrisBrownBills.
1 – @ChrisBrownBills If we stay put @ 10 because lack of trade partner how much can we gain trading back in second round, pick wise?
@taylor_degeorge
CB: A lot of it would depend on where the Bills would be moving back too. If they slide back 10 spots to pick 54 in the draft, for example, it would require an additional late third or early fourth-round pick going to Buffalo to make the value work. If Buffalo was to move all the way to the bottom of round two it would require a high third-round pick in addition to make that work.
In essence Buffalo could conceivably recoup an additional third-round pick or a fourth-round pick (something they currently don’t have) to move back in round two.
That might not seem like much, but in this draft it’s valuable knowing the depth at a handful of positions in this class.
2 – @ChrisBrownBills Can you offer some insight on Zach Brown’s situation and why the Bills let him move on? Seemed like a good, young, Pro Bowl LB. Thanks!
Justin Crow
@jcrowrva
CB: I think what often stands in the way of a player the caliber of Zach Brown reaching a new deal, with the Bills, or anyone other team for that matter, at this stage of free agency is simple. It’s money.
No NFL team including the Bills has signed Brown to this point because his asking price is probably too high.
I understand where Brown is probably coming from. His value has probably never been this high since he was a second-round pick as a rookie. He led his team in tackles, played most of the season with a broken hand and went to the Pro Bowl (albeit as an alternate).
He probably believes that should count for something and I don’t disagree with him.
But ultimately players can’t control what the market is willing to pay, and it’s clear three weeks into free agency that the market is not in line with what Brown wants to play for at this point.
3 – @ChrisBrownBills wouldn’t Ruben Foster make sense to make the defense complete and dynamic?
Michael Minutella@MichaelMinutel4
CB: Reuben Foster is a dynamic player and linebacker is unquestionably a need position for the Bills. He is certainly fast enough and has the range to be a weak side linebacker in a 4-3 system. Foster has also demonstrated the necessary cover skills to fit that role. It’s a player who certainly makes sense at 10 and likely fits the value there.
4 – @ChrisBrownBills If the Bills were to go DB at 10, realistically (assume Adams Latt Hooker gone) who would be your pick #bills
Bill Carr@billcarr_10
CB: I think other options that could be considered at 10 at defensive back would almost exclusively be corner at that point if the top two safeties are off the board. Lattimore is the only lock top 10 cornerback, but another consideration could be Alabama’s Marlon Humphrey.
Beyond him I don’t know that the value fits at 10 for another defensive back. LSU Tre’Davious White is someone to consider, but there seems to be mixed opinion on him so I don’t see him going quite that high. Colorado’s Chidobe Awuzie I think is going to come off the board sooner than some might expect, but 10 is probably too early.
5 – @ChrisBrownBills Is Preston Brown a good fit at the outside linebacker role in the new defense or is he too slow?
@JaredBailey23
CB: First, I think you’re jumping the gun a bit here in assuming that Preston Brown is going to play outside linebacker. I think Reggie Ragland and Preston Brown will each be lined up at middle linebacker and let the coaches decide who ultimately lines up where. Knowing the entire defensive staff is new I anticipate that this will take some time in the spring to spell out specific roles.
All that being said, if Brown was to move outside I think he could be a fit on the strong side, a spot he played some in college at Louisville. He’s certainly strong enough to set the edge and fill the other duties of that position. He wouldn’t be as good a fit in the weak side role which requires top end speed, range and cover ability.
