Bills Look To Add Depth With Limited Amount Of Picks
Busy offseason helped Bills meet most needs prior to draft.
by Steve Saslow
April 29, 2015

NFL DraftDoug Whaley knew two things this offseason, he doesn't have a franchise quarterback and is down two picks because of the Sammy Watkins trade last draft day. To the general manager's credit he had a plan to deal with both of these issues and executed that plan to near perfection this offseason. He used the money that would normally be earmarked for a franchise quarterback to re-sign Jerry Hughes and to add dynamic skill position players on offense in Charles Clay, LeSean McCoy, and Percy Harvin to help whoever is at quarterback succeed despite not being a top line passer.

People that feel they shouldn't have moved up for Watkins because they may have needed the first round pick to get that franchise quarterback should realize that wouldn't have happened anyway. The Bills would be picking 19th on Thursday if they didn't make the trade, the only two franchise quarterbacks will be long gone and none of the second tier QBs are rated high enough to take in the middle of the first round. So it appears that the Watkins move did not hurt them from upgrading the quarterback position and they now have a franchise receiver for years to come if Matt Cassel, Tyrod Taylor, or EJ Manuel can get him the ball.

With no first run pick and a league tying low six picks in all this promises to be one of the quieter draft days in team history. Since they upgraded the offense considerably in the offseason and kept the defense virtually intact with keeping Hughes in the fold, the need for an immediate starter in the draft is lessened making the lack of a first round pick bearable. Whaley said a trade up is highly unlikely since they don't have the ammunition to do so. They also likely don't want to lose next year's picks to move up when they will need those picks to replenish the talent pool with several of their big players set to hit the market next offseason. They may move down to add picks but I think it is more likely they will use the 50th overall pick to get a player that can help them this year even if that player doesn't start.

Besides quarterback the only other place they need to upgrade the starting lineup with is along the offensive line. Luckily for them the class at offensive tackle and guard is considered very good. They also have flexibility as they can take the best guard and plug him into the lineup or a tackle and move Cordy Glenn inside. So logic states that they will take an offensive linemen in the second round but one of the second tier quarterbacks is certainly not out of the question with one of their two picks on Friday night. Reports say Whaley led a Bills contingent to Texas to meet with Bryce Petty on Tuesday. This of course can be a smokescreen or it can mean genuine interest in the Baylor prospect. The most NFL ready QB is Garrett Grayson who is from a smaller conference but played in a pro set offense. The Bills already have four QBs on the roster but when you don't have a franchise player at the most important position there is a thought that you should take one every year in the draft until you get that guy.

If the Bills fill those two glaring holes on Friday like we predict in our Seven Round Mock Draft then they can go add depth on day three when they have four late round picks with a fifth, two sixths, and a seventh round pick. They can use another pass rusher, middle linebacker, and you can always use a corner. A safety is not out of the question either with the loss of Da'Norris Searcy. Whaley and Rex Ryan both say with the quality of talent on the roster now it will be difficult for late round picks to make the team. They will likely have a better chance if the players are picked at positions where the depth isn't as strong. If they go for other positions than a project type player or two that they can stash on the practice squad would probably be the way to go.

It is likely time to stop lamenting the loss of the first round pick and lack of picks in general. The front office did their job this offseason in circumventing the draft issue and leaving the team in much better shape than in previous years without needing a high impact draft like they have needed in the past. The strength of the draft is at their main need position so if they can add a starting offensive linemen on day two it will be a successful draft.