This could be the draft where we see a different type of Bills front office. Instead of playing it conservatively, the Bills may very well trade their future to move up in the draft and snag their potential franchise quarterback. If Josh Allen does not go number one overall to the Cleveland Browns, it’s a free game for any other quarterback needy team.
The Bills fall into this category. With their current situation, Brandon Beane could make an aggressive move to trade up. Will it be for the right quarterback though? The phrase “trust the process” could be shut down if the Bills trade away many assets to draft Josh Allen, a guy who can be argued as being more of a bust than a boom.
There’s no doubt that Allen has the strongest arm in the draft. Arm strength as a quarterback isn’t much use if the ball is not completed accurately. Allen’s highest completion rate is 56% as a starter in college. When he’s forced to be mobile in and out of the pocket, his accuracy weakens even more.
Granted he missed time in 2017, he only threw for 16 touchdowns and did not reach over 2,000 yards passing. He did not perform well against Boise State, who was ranked #22 overall. He threw for only 131 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Boise State is a respectable college football team, but they are nowhere near the talent like Alabama or Georgia.
Even though Allen is able to play in rough weather, which we all know Buffalo is come November and December time, the accuracy issue is a major red flag. The Bills cannot afford to trade up and draft someone who has more reasons to be believed as a bust more than a boom.
If the Bills are to indeed trade up, they should target a Sam Darnold, a Josh Rosen or a Baker Mayfield. They could even stay content at #12 and not go for a quarterback this early, but if they trade up, they should avoid taking Allen at all cost if possible.
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 Bills coverage.
