Buffalo Bills better fit to sit back in the 2018 NFL Draft
It’s not the most exciting option for the Buffalo Bills, but it may be the smartest
Buffalo entered the 2018 NFL Draft season with two first round picks thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs trading up last year to draft quarterback Patrick Mahomes II. Following the trade of Tyrod Taylor to Cleveland for the 65th overall pick, the Bills have, one the surface, been thrust into the quarterback discussion for the 2018 NFL Draft.
Having already traded up once in the draft to sit at 12th overall the Bills are still on the outside looking into the projected quarterback safehouse of picks. There’s a remote possibility the top four picks are quarterbacks, meaning the Browns trade out of number four, but at worst the last of the top four quarterbacks will likely be gone in the top-10 picks.
There’s a strong possibility Buffalo could and should sell the farm to move into the second overall pick to get a quarterback. There’s a possibility a deal is already in place with a team in the top five dependent on which players are available.
However, when looking at the Bills roster, there’s a case for them not trading up and instead taking their six draft picks in the first three rounds to the bank to cash out.
Buffalo has lost a majority of their offensive line to retirement or trades, leaving whoever they draft at quarterback vulnerable. Cordy Glenn, Richie Incognito, and Eric Wood were major losses up front, and despite a weak class the Bills could set themselves up well for the next decade.
Tyrod Taylor got the Bills to the playoffs last year, and AJ McCarron has the ability to get them just as far. McCarron has never gotten an opportunity this big in his professional career, and the support he’s getting from the organization is poor at best.
Surrounding him with two first round picks on the offensive line set the Bills up not just for this year, but for the next decade. Some combination of Mike McGlinchey, James Daniels, Billy Price, Kolten Miller, or whichever prospect you can name puts the Bills offensive line in a position to succeed.
Next: Browns mock draft: Laying a new foundation
Make no mistake, no position in sports is more important than quarterback, but the Bills may never have a successful quarterback if he doesn’t have the support around him.