While I see what Melvin is saying, though my understanding of the purpose of the tourney is to arrange duels with people that you would. Ot normaly have them. The title part is the bonus.
I also know how it feels to get a bye in round one and it really offering a second chance to random players is no different than offering an easy round to random players via a bye.
I personally like your idea to fill the slots BE. GO for it.