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Speculation: Bills and Giants “Likely have a blueprint in place for a trade”

Erik Turner
04/11/2018
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As the draft inches toward us, more and more trade scenarios are being speculated about and forecast. One of those scenarios that reared its head again was per Tony Pauline from The Draft Analyst. Several sources have speculated that the Giants and Bills “likely have a blueprint in place for a trade that would allow the Bills to move up to the second spot in the draft.”

It’s almost as if the draft cycle is coming full circle. With an arsenal of picks due to several moves over the last year, and given the history of the two roster builders in New York and Buffalo, this isn’t a surprise. You know the story; the 1st year GM in New York, Dave Gettleman, groomed the Bills’ GM, Brandon Beane.

So the draft philosophy, rapport, and even negotiating styles are probably very similar. Much like the Bills, the Giants have many holes to fill, but with Eli Manning still at the helm and QB needy teams looking to move up, Gettleman has the opportunity to acquire an abundance of draft assets, which could help Eli and the offense right now, but also allow Gettleman to acquire talent to help lay a strong foundation for the future, a foundation that HE built.

If the speculation does come to fruition, if any of these quarterbacks are on the board after the Browns pick, what quarterback will the Bills select?

The easiest choice and most polished quarterback is Josh Rosen. He can operate an NFL offense, read coverages, work through progressions and make defenses pay with his arm.


He has the drive to be great and the football intelligence that new Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll would love.

Daboll would not need to hold back the playbook for Rosen. In fact, he would need to continue to build upon it each week so that Rosen is continuously being challenged.

 

But if you want a quarterback that commands not only the defense’s attention, but can also rally his troops, has earned every rep in his career, the Bills should choose Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield.

 

The two-time walk on has plenty of experience, something this regime loves, and the quick decision making and accuracy that will fit the new Erhardt-Perkins offensive scheme.

 

He is currently on an official visit in Buffalo, and the team has met with the polarizing QB several times this draft season.

 

While most assume QB Sam Darnold will go #1 overall, Ian Rapoport reported that the Bills front office and coaching staff will be taking a trip to Southern California to privately work out with the Trojans’ star. He does not have an official visit set up, so it seems like the organization has an inkling that he will be drafted by Cleveland, and when you watch the film, you can see why.

 

Darnold is the prototype quarterback of today. He has the size that you want to make throws from the pocket, the athleticism to extend plays inside or outside of the pocket, and the arm talent to make all of the throws from several platforms.

 

He is one of the few players at the position that can thrive and execute when chaos is happening around him.

 

Finally, there is Wyoming’s Josh Allen. Much like Darnold, there is speculation that he could go #1 overall to the Browns, which would be absurd. I do not have a 1st round grade on him, but there has to be some truth to the chatter. I do like some of the tools that Allen possesses; he has the prototype size that you want in your quarterback, but is a lot more athletic than given credit for.

 

I am a huge fan of his competitiveness. He didn’t have four or five star players around him; he had to consistently put the team on his back week in and week out.

 

Then there is his arm strength. He easily can make those deep out NFL style throws on- or off-platform.

 

While I believe that Lamar Jackson will be drafted in the 1st round, and that Mason Rudolph could sneak into the first round, I do not believe the Bills will need to trade up to #2 in order to get them.

As Pauline noted, the trade most likely wouldn’t occur until later in the draft process, but once made, who do you believe is their target?

2018 NFL Draft | Baker Mayfield | Brandon Beane | Buffalo bills | Dave Gettleman | Josh Allen | Josh Rosen | Lamar Jackson | Mason Rudolph | New York Giants | Quarterback | Sam Darnold | Trade

Erik Turner

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