The Bills Are “Trying Like Hell To Get Up And Get A Quarterback”
April 4th, 2018
Key position to deal.
Joe has maintained two things: the Bucs are sitting pretty at No. 7 and should trade down if the opportunity arises.
Yeah, Joe is giddy the Bucs got defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul from the Giants. But that third – pick the Bucs had to cough up, it pinches.
Thank God the Bucs do not need a quarterback. And with the NFL being such a quarterback-driven league, teams are willing to do crazy things to get that franchise quarterback.
The Buffalo Bills currently sit at No. 12. They had no quarterback even when they had three-plays, 75-yards Tyrod Taylor, who the Bills traded to the Browns.
Looking at the draft board and quarterbacks available, it’s not a stretch to believe that four quarterbacks could be selected in the first six picks. Stranger things have happened in past drafts and if this month’s draft turns squirrelly, one of the top four-rated quarterbacks (Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen or Baker Mayfield) might just be sitting on the board when the Bucs are on the clock.
And we all know how much teams pant for a quarterback. In fact, heavy metal headbanging Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports writes how the Bills are in deep heat trying to land a starting quarterback from their draft position at No. 12.
Several general managers I spoke to believe there is still ample opportunity for the Giants and Bills to make a move – Bills general manager Brandon Beane worked under [Giants general manager Dave] Gettleman in Carolina for a spell – and no one is convinced that the Bills are done wheeling and dealing.
“Brandon is trying like hell to get up and get a quarterback,” said one general manager who has spoken to Beane recently. “I’m convinced he’ll trade up twice more if he has to. It reminds me of (Eagles general manager) Howie (Roseman) a few years ago (when he was moving up to land Carson Wentz).”
Of course. Gettleman isn’t interested in dropping all the way back to 12th overall, where the Bills currently sit after their trade with the Bengals. But if Beane can split the difference somewhat, then odds are quite good the Bills and Giants could be trade partners. If, say, the Broncos aren’t convinced there is a quarterback worth taking at the fifth spot, that would be a perfect launching point for Beane. And that would be a sweetspot for Gettleman.
What team is La Canfora not mentioning? The Bucs.
Of course, it seems the Bills want to make a move prior to the draft. But if they cannot, and one of the aforementioned quarterbacks is on the board when the Bucs’ are on the clock at No. 7, it would be a perfect position for Licht to recoup that third round pick spent for JPP, and an additional pick or two.
Joe would guess Bucs fans would be very happy if, after the second day of the draft, Marcus Davenport, Will Hernandez and Sony Michel were each holding up Bucs jerseys at One Buc Palace.
Spinning into Will Hernandez is what many Monday’s feel like pic.twitter.com/DkXQCTP2Ss
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) April 2, 2018
April 4th, 2018 at 1:04 pm
The problem is no one immediately behind the Bucs needs a QB either, so the Bills can haggle with any of them.
April 4th, 2018 at 1:09 pm
that will be nice
April 4th, 2018 at 1:14 pm
Hope we can get a BOGO…
April 4th, 2018 at 1:17 pm
Either way, the Bucs could be in good shape….if there is a trade in front of them, then 4 QBs may be chosen in the top 6 leaving one of the “big 3” for us…..or, we could find a partner at 7.
The problem for teams waiting to trade with teams right behind us is that they don’t know who we are talking to……it could be Ariz, Bills, NE…..so, if they wait for us to pick, they could get burned.
I like where we are sitting right now.
April 4th, 2018 at 1:17 pm
Now that the patriots are also gunning for a QBs trade up with two first round picks things just got interesting. If Mayfield or Allen fall to #7 we will have two teams in a bidding war. They will likely have the ammo to get ahead of us but that just means that its even more likely that 4 QBs go ahead of us and we get one of the top 3 (Barkley, Chubb, Nelson). I would actual prefer a trade down than Nelson but he would be one hell of a consolation price.
April 4th, 2018 at 1:23 pm
I have been convinced for a long time that 4 QB’s are picked with the first 5 picks of the draft.
If for some reason one(Rosen or Mayfield) make it to the Bucs 7th overall pick then the Bucs should be able to get a treasure trove of picks.
Btw don’t look at the trade charts to see what the Bucs would get because teams will throw out crazy offers to get their man.
I know this sounds crazy, but if the Bills have not moved up when the Bucs pick it would not surprise me if Bucs get both of their first round picks this year and their first round pick from next year to move up.
April 4th, 2018 at 1:24 pm
Theo is right. The next three teams. We need the bills and at least one other team to want our spot. Bidding war, please!
April 4th, 2018 at 1:24 pm
Replace Davenport with Derwin James … James+Hernandez+Michel and I’d take that trip over only one of the big 3 (Saquon/Chubb/Nelson) any day.
April 4th, 2018 at 1:26 pm
Theodore
we could draft the QB they covet… then trade him back to them for kings ransom
April 4th, 2018 at 1:27 pm
Now we’re talking Joe! Let’s hope that’s how it plays out.
April 4th, 2018 at 1:37 pm
I’d love that draft haul. Also dont think Buffalo is going to trade to 7 before the draft. Dont see them making 2 trades before then. I dont expect Licht to wana trade the pick before then either, unless the haul too good to pass up. Anything can happen on draft night tho. I hope buffalo, miami or arz wants the 7 pick. 3 or 4 players in the first 2 rounds would be ideal. DE, G, RB and DB. Man if that happened I’d be excited.
April 4th, 2018 at 1:50 pm
The trade won’t happen until we are on the clock and the QB they want falls to us. The Browns and Colts will have first crack at the trade back so I doubt we will get a shot. Our best chance would be for the Patriots to move ahead of Buffalo and get ther fourth QB. Then Buffalo might panic and throw us picks for Jackson. That’s one heck of a long shot.
April 4th, 2018 at 1:58 pm
My bet is on the Bills and Broncos making the trade. If Beane is desperate for a QB, it’s not for any QB. I don’t see the Bills picking up the leftovers at 7. They need to get their guy before pick number 4 is made. Only the Browns and Jets are a guarantee at drafting a QB in the top 5. The Dolphins are the only team from picks 6-11 that might go for a QB. But, why would the Bills trade for pick 7 if they miss out on picks 1-6? They would be betting against themselves because I doubt the Bucs would trade with any team without 2 first round picks in hand. So, that leaves the Dolphins out of the picture.
A trade with the Patriots would be interesting because the Bucs first and second round picks would be very close to each other. They could make a run on 1st Rd talent. But, I just don’t see the Patriots trading up to #7 unless Belicheat wants to stick it to Brady and Kraft to grab Brady’s replacement. Trading up is against his philosophy under normal circumstances. I think the Patriots will stay where they are and use one of their picks on Ridley.
I don’t see the Broncos drafting a QB. Case Keenum is the real deal. It’s not like they signed Mike Glennon or something.
April 4th, 2018 at 2:02 pm
Buffalo obviously intends to get a QB. And they have the Ammo to do it. Two 1sts, Two 2nds and Two 3rds is what they currently have available in this years draft – including the #12 overall.
Bills would probably like to get up to #2 to have their pick of the 2nd best QB. Giants likely don’t want to go down to #12 sitting at #2 currently. Especially if they want a chance at one of the big 3 and or the 4th QB selected.
#7 actually becomes a viable “trading up to the top” position for Buffalo to try and get into pre-draft. Bills could couple #7 and #12 to get up to #2 on draft day. The math works 100 points in favor of the Giants so its doable.
So what would the Bucs get to trade down with Buffalo – before the draft even started.
Bills #22 (later 1st), #53 & #56 (later 2nd) and #96 (last 3rd rd pick before supplementals) equals the value of the #7 pick + 106 value points. Also enticing enough to be doable.
For trading down pre-draft in this scenario – the Bucs would be getting a later 1st, Two 2nds and a late 3rd.
Bucs would have picks #22(1st), #38,#53,#56(2nd), #96 (3rd) and #98 (4th)
6 of the top 100 players in this draft
Who would accept that offer pre-draft? I personally would be very tempted to agree to that if I was GM of the Buccaneers.
Bucs could basically fill all of their holes with good to very good prospects in each area of need. RB, CB, OG, Safety and a couple DL players.
April 4th, 2018 at 2:08 pm
@Pickgrin,
There is no way the Bucs will settle for pick #22 and leave pick #12 untouched with a desperate team needing a QB. The Bills will make out with the better end of that trade. #7 and #12. Are you kidding me? When it comes to QB hungry teams, the points are not exactly followed to the letter.
April 4th, 2018 at 2:10 pm
^^^
and still have picks in round 5,6,6 and 7 to take some chances on “diamonds in the rough” and get some developmental prospects with.
April 4th, 2018 at 2:14 pm
If we get the chance to have multiple 2nd and or 3rd rd picks in this draft – I say do it.
Late 1st through 2nd rd and into the 3rd is the sweet spot of this draft
April 4th, 2018 at 2:19 pm
It’s pretty simple.
Either 4 QBs go or the big 3 (Chubb/Nelson/Barkley) are all gone by 7; at which point the trade down market to teams like Miami (11), Buffalo (12), and Arizona (15) and others begins – because it’d mean teams didn’t want to trade down with Nelson/barkley/others on the board still; and that the Bucs are the first team really willing to entertain more reasonable trade down options.
It’s very possible there could be a trade where the Giants go to 7 and the Bills go to 2 before the draft; but the Giants would be risking missing out on one of the “big 3”
Bucs get pick 12, pick 56, & pick 96 (or picks in rounds 1/2/3)
Giants get pick 7, pick 22, & a next year 1 (or 3 1st rounders)
Giants still keep a high pick and get 2 more 1s on top of it.
Bills get up to get a QB giving up their 2 1s, a 2, a 3 and future 1
Bucs move back just 5 spots and land a 2nd + 3rd rounders to give themselves 5 impact picks this draft
April 4th, 2018 at 2:20 pm
@theodore
It is t about the teams behind us not needing a quarterback. If the quarterback they want is there a 7. Another team like the dolphins could also want that player and trade ahead of them. It’s about trading up as high as you can to beat out other teams from trading in front of you. So if he is there at 7 they pull the trade. If not the dolphins could already be on the phone with the 8th team to make the trade and they lose out. So are best hope is baker being available when we draft and hope the bills trade the farm for him.
April 4th, 2018 at 2:23 pm
I’m down with pickgrin! Run a handful of scenarios at http://www.first-pick.com and you will see that it is extremely difficult to fill our holes if we stay at #7. Barkley and Chubb WILL NOT be there at #7. If you trade down, you might not get one of the 2 or 3 elite players, but you could end up getting a handful of top tier players if we drop down in the right spots.
April 4th, 2018 at 2:26 pm
Man..Just think where we Would be..had we just swallowed out losing pride and tanked that last game against the Saints!! We’d be..Ridin with the King!
April 4th, 2018 at 2:32 pm
Improbable dream scenario… Bucs trade down with Buffalo for the 12th and 22nd picks… As 12 arrives, New England spots a guy they like, and gives us the 23rd and 31st picks… So we convert 7 into 22, 23, and 31… And we come away with Derrius Guice, Will Hernandez, and one of the CBs (Hughes, Oliver)… Then in round 2 we grab the safety, Harrison, from Alabama.
April 4th, 2018 at 2:32 pm
Joe, I hope it plays out EXACTLY like you outlined it.
Then this “forever celler dweller” might get to show signs of life.
I dunno.
Its been dead a long time.
And I think Hernandez will be a better guard than Nelson.
Better pad level. Plays stronger.
April 4th, 2018 at 2:46 pm
Pass…We have a chance at an elite talent at number 7 (James included). Why would we trade back to get a more mediocre player that the Bucs have shown cannot develop.
April 4th, 2018 at 3:05 pm
@MJ
I agree….and if we were say sitting at #5, would could demand a kings ransom for that pick…..but it is what it is……some fans are giddy we won 5games…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!…..GO BUCS!!!!!
April 4th, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Agree with Berto. The informed know that Nelson is a generational player (that means once in 20 years). Bucs will become a smashing running team and Jameis will slice up defensive backfields that are biting on the play action. Take Michel , Penny , or Chubb at RB in round 2 and you are headed to Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta-Sweeeet!!!!
April 4th, 2018 at 3:20 pm
I’d need more than a 3rd rd pick to drop from 7 to 12 and pass on Barkley or Nelson. They can recoup a 3rd rd pick by trading down in the 2nd rd.
April 4th, 2018 at 3:38 pm
TRADE WINSTON TO THE BILLS AND TAKE A Q/B AND GET RID OF ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH HIM , AND TAKE THE BILLS 1,2,3 PICK OF THIS YEAR AND 1 ROUND NEXT YEAR…….
April 4th, 2018 at 4:30 pm
HEY YO BUC… STOP YELLING!
April 4th, 2018 at 4:38 pm
^^^ Drug Test
April 4th, 2018 at 4:39 pm
Why in the world would the bills do that? Are they smoking crack?
April 4th, 2018 at 4:49 pm
@ JM
You mean we would probably have either Chubb or Barkley if we settled for a 4-11 season instead of a 5-11 season??? As Joe would say…. Jimmny Christmas!!!
April 4th, 2018 at 4:51 pm
@ above was meant for MJ not JM.
April 4th, 2018 at 5:31 pm
Let do the math. The Browns are taking a QB at #1. Giants are unknown at #2 but I thinking that are leaning to Chubb unless Darnold is there for them. The Jets #3 are committed to taking a QB. The Brown at #4 have had a lot of 1st round picks so they need quality over quantity. I just can’t see them moving back. At #5 the Broncos need a long term QB and seem to like Mayfield and Allen. The Colts at #6 are on record of not wanting to move too far back so I doubt that anything that Buffalo or New England have to offer. This means that two of the 6 picks will not be QBs. That puts us in a very realistic chance of at least one of the QBs being on the board.
April 4th, 2018 at 5:36 pm
Trade Winston?
Go pull for another team loser
April 4th, 2018 at 5:43 pm
Any draft scenario that gets the Bucs Davenport, either Wynn or Hernandez, and either Guice, Michel or Nick Chubb, I’d be very much excited by that.
April 4th, 2018 at 5:47 pm
Correction: … at least two of the six picks…
April 4th, 2018 at 5:55 pm
YO Buc
Trade away a 24 yo franchise qb? Glad you aren’t our GM
April 4th, 2018 at 6:01 pm
Mike
So why would we be riding high if we were LOSERS and tanked that last game.
Where would we be picking? Who would we get that we’re not going to get.
April 4th, 2018 at 6:20 pm
@StPeteBucsFan
In 22 days we will see what we might have given up by winning that last game of the season. I don’t think we are considered “winners” last year by bringing our record up from 4-11 to 5-11. If that win costs us Chubb or Barkley in the draft, that in itself would be considered a loss for our team. Hopefully they are either both off the board by this years #5 pick or one falls to us at #7. Quenton Nelson would however be a wonderful consolation prize.
April 4th, 2018 at 6:26 pm
Stay at 7…This year there are only about 15 actual 1st round graded players. Yes, it is deep in rounds 2-4 with good players, BUT, at 7 we are guaranteed to land an immediate starter\ high quality pick. Hind sight is always 20\20 and a loss week 17 to the AINTS would have given us pick #5 and assured us one of the big 3. But IMO if the big 3 are gone , we take James and have a new leader on defense and best ss in league…biggest impact from a safety since Lynch days. Keep building Licht, we probably will be picking in the 20’s from now on so stay at 7 and get a blue chip prospect. GO BUCS !!!
April 4th, 2018 at 7:16 pm
Honestly, I would think pretty hard about sending Winston to Buffalo for three 1st’s and a 2nd or 3rd. Depends who’s sitting there at 7. I might actually pull that trigger if Baker Mayfield is still on the board.
April 4th, 2018 at 7:43 pm
YO BUC, what exactly are all of the problems with Winston? He’s a 24 year old franchise QB. His current stat line is better than practically any other young QB at the same point in their career.
If you would give up on a player of his caliber at this stage in his career then you are either a moron or a racist.
April 4th, 2018 at 8:51 pm
NOT A MORON OR RACIST, JUST WAIT AND SEE IF HE’S STILL WITH THE BUC’S IN THREE MORE YEARS…. YOUR STUPID FOR EVEN SAYING THAT JABOO BUC THAT DON’T KNOW ANY BETTER…
April 4th, 2018 at 8:55 pm
@JabooBuc
For me it has nothing to do with race or stupidity. There is something missing in his game and there’s something missing in his head.
Great competitor, but for about a quarter a game he turns into one of the dumbest QBs I’ve ever seen back there.
He still has waaaaay to many of the “WTF are you thinking!” plays every game. Can he fix that? I really don’t think he can, I think he loses complete control of his decision making skills and does and says whatever asinine thing pops into his head.
QB stats from here on out mean very little. Matt Stafford according to historic stats is probably on his way to the Hall of Fame. That should tell you all you need to know.
April 4th, 2018 at 9:01 pm
…and if Winston plays the same way the next couple years he will not get a long term contract from this team. His 5th year option will get picked up and he’ll probably get the franchise tag for one year and they will try to trade him. Next year they will use a pick on a developmental QB if Koetter and Licht survive.
April 4th, 2018 at 9:20 pm
gotbbucs: so, did you say the same things about Manning or Farvre when they were throwing INT’s all over the place in their 3rd year?
Sure, he makes dumb plays every now and again. It’s pretty typical of a very young player trying to make plays out of nothing. One of his greatest traits can be his biggest faults. His competitiveness allows him to sometimes make great plays. But sometimes, it can cause him to make incredibly bad plays when nothing is there.
Think about it…he’s been a great player at every level he’s played and he’s used to making plays. At this level, sometimes the play is eating the ball and waiting for the next play. That’s hard to learn. But experience will teach him if he want’s to hang around in this league then he won’t risk the ball. It will come…
April 4th, 2018 at 9:30 pm
yet through all that “stupidity” comes 69 tds in three seasons.
April 4th, 2018 at 9:46 pm
Lindy’s Draft Magazine lists the Bucs the number 1 team in passing in 2017 which was accomplished by Winston despite a hurt shoulder and terrible protection by our OL. We would be fools to trade him!
April 4th, 2018 at 9:48 pm
Here’s a little comparison for you within our own division:
Winston Ryan Newton Brees
Games: 13 16 16 16
Pass Att 442 529 492 536
Pass Com 282 342 291 386
Comp % 63.8 64.7 59.1 72
Pass Yds 3504 4095 3302 4334
TD’s 19 20 22 23
INT’s 11 12 16 8
In 3 fewer games, his numbers stack up pretty well against 3 pretty good divisional QB’s. If he had played the additional 3 games based on his average performance, he would been on par with Brees for almost every number but INT’s.
But sure, he’s awful so we should just give up on him.
April 4th, 2018 at 10:14 pm
no way in hell you trade down
April 4th, 2018 at 10:17 pm
Trading Winston is not even a thought, and anyone who says trade him should question themselves about their knowledge of football. 24 yrs old!!!! NONE of the great qb’s past or ptesent have neither the numbers or the intangibles that are better than Winston. He is good as it gets for a young “franchise” qb. Its such nonsense to even entertain such comments about trading Winston. If they did trade him, then what?? We wait and pray we find someone to build around, thats INSANE. Say what you will about his turnovers, but he clearly is what about 30 other teams would love to have as the centerpiece of their team. Good Lord, what do some of you expect?
April 4th, 2018 at 10:24 pm
This is an important year for Jameis, a whole bunch of wtf plays again and he will be on borrowed time, cannot argue with gotbbucs post–I am a Winston fan but he needs to stop the throwing into triple coverage and fumble/throw it up for anybody balls
April 4th, 2018 at 10:55 pm
YO BUC Says:
April 4th, 2018 at 8:51 pm
MORON -> yes… Those who capitalize their entire posts on the interwebs are dumb.
BUC’S -> It’s Bucs. No apostrophe. It’s not possessive.
YOUR -> It’s “you’re”… as in “you are”
“YOUR STUPID FOR EVEN SAYING THAT JABOO BUC THAT DON’T KNOW ANY BETTER”
Incomprehensible… and juvenile.
Also, Jameis, for all his faults, has shown enough to suspect he’s going to be a very good QB. The good outweighs the bad. So shut your piehole.
Back to line 1… MORON. Sure appear to be.