In a stunner move, just a week before free agency opens up, the Buffalo Bills have decided that Tyrod Taylor will not be their man under center next year. The team has traded away Taylor to the Cleveland Browns for a third round draft pick in this years’ NFL draft.
With this move, the Bills now only have Nathan Peterman as their solo quarterback on the roster. They also have six picks in the first three rounds, as well as more money for their cap space. While the Browns get an improvement at quarterback from last season, the Bills can now focus on who to go after in either free agency or the draft.
This move can shake up the draft heavily. With the Browns owning the number one and number four overall picks this draft, there were talks of Sam Darnold being selected as their next guy at quarterback. Now that may not be the case.
In Taylor’s three seasons with the Bills, he played well but inconsistently. Yes, he did help the end the 17 year long playoff drought for the Bills, but it can be argued that he was not the main reason why. Being more of a running quarterback helped the Bills in situations, but also cost them big games. He’s more than likely going to take over as the starting quarterback unless the Browns are to keep searching for other quarterback options.
Taylor will have new receivers to throw to in newly acquired receiver Jarvis Landry, Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman.
Both teams won the trade in their own ways. The Browns upgrade their quarterback position and only had to give up a third round pick. The Bills save money and their cap space will look better, they gain another draft pick to make it six potential new starters for next season, and they can try to find their next franchise quarterback.
What Could The Bills Do Next?
After this deal, the Bills will either focus on free agency and go after a veteran or find a rookie to take over the franchise. Nick Foles is still a viable option, but are the Bills willing to the price that the Philadelphia Eagles want? There is also A.J. McCarron who the team could pick up on a cheap contract.
If the Bills want to start from scratch, the draft will give them plenty of options at quarterback, and they have the assets to possibly trade up in the draft if they desperately want someone specific.
With free agency coming up very soon, the Bills have turned into a team to watch out for. General manager Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott are up to something, it’s just a matter of time before everything is revealed.
Brandon Ray is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage and covers the Buffalo Bills. Follow him on Twitter at @brandon_ray79 and @FPC_Bills for Buffalo Bills coverage.
