Buffalo Bills 2014 NFL Draft: Sammy Watkins Makes Bills Tough to Tackle

May 28, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) runs during organized team activities at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills made a huge sacrifice to move up in the 2014 NFL Draft and take Clemson star receiver Sammy Watkins, and they hope it’ll be worth it sooner rather than later.

Watkins is one of the most dynamic playmakers in the entire draft. For those who may have forgotten…

Watkins was dominant in this game against Ohio State, and he spread that out over the course of the season. He is 6’1″ 211 pounds, but he plays like a #1 receiver and has amazing explosiveness after the catch and big play ability.

Watkins displayed soft hands in his career, and a trajectory that enticed the Buffalo Bills to move up and snag him before anyone else could, and I like the strategy when you look at the rest of their offense.

After drafting E.J. Manuel in the first round of the 2013 draft, the Bills supplemented their pick of Manuel by adding a ton of playmakers around him. Over the last two years, the Bills have drafted or signed Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin, Mike Williams (Buccaneers), as well as running backs Anthony Dixon (49ers) and Bryce Brown (Eagles).

They also used a third round pick in 2012 on speed receiver T.J. Graham, who has shown some big play ability, and have one of the more interesting one-two punches in the NFL at running back in C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson.

Buffalo also made a really interesting pickup by signing Tony Moeaki, the oft-injured but very talented tight end from the Kansas City Chiefs who can be very effective if healthy.

What it all equates to is a young offense with playmaking ability all across the board. the Bills have a phenomenal combination of young playmakers with speed, young playmakers with power, and guys who have proven they can be very good skill players in this league.

They’ve also done some work on the offensive line, investing either a first or second round pick in all of Eric Wood (center), Cordy Glenn (tackle/guard), and now Cyrus Kouandjio (tackle).

This is a really intriguing young team with a lot of guys that are going to be tough to tackle, and it starts with the crowned jewels of the past two drafts: Sammy Watkins and E.J. Manuel.

If those two players can make progress throughout the season, this Bills team has a chance to compete for a wildcard spot in the AFC.