Buffalo Bills Should Not Trade Up From Number 54 Spot

The 2020 NFL Draft will be the second time in recent memory where the Buffalo Bills will not have a first round pick. In 2014, the team traded up from number nine to number four with the Cleveland Browns to draft the best receiver prospect in that years’ draft, Sammy Watkins. The Bills gave a haul of picks to the Browns including a 2015 first round pick.

The Bills are heading into this draft without a first round pick, after acquiring Stefon Diggs from the Minnesota Vikings. The Bills ended up giving the Vikings three picks in 2020 (first, fifth, sixth) and a 2021 fourth-round pick. The Vikings would also give the Bills a 2020 seventh round pick.

Brandon Beane has seven picks to work with for the organization:

• 2nd round: #54 overall 
• 3rd round: #86 overall 
• 4th round: #128 overall 
• 5th round: #167 overall 
• 6th round: #188 overall 
• 6th round: #207 overall 
• 7th round: #239 overall

With past trades that the Bills have made, they are in a position to not miss out on any of the later rounds. They originally had two fifth-round picks, before trading one to the Vikings they originally acquired from the Browns when Wyatt Teller was traded. The extra sixth round pick is from the trade between the Patriots and Bills regarding Russell Bodine.

There has been chatter about Beane potentially moving up from their second round pick at 54. That is almost unheard of, especially when the team does not have a first rounder.

What would be the point of trading up? The team does not have any major holes to fill on either side of the ball. All that they really need is depth at a few positions. Linebacker could use some backup on the outside. Maybe go get another receiver. Definitely bulk up in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Plus, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get a compliment back for Devin Singletary.

Stay Put

There is no major need to trade up and get a certain prospect. Then again, I don’t know Beane’s mindset and what he has planned. Looking at the overall layout of the Bills roster, it would be best for the team to relax on the first night of the draft, and wait for their original second round pick to arrive then get to work.

-Brandon Ray is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage and covers the Buffalo Bills. Make sure to follow Brandon on Twitter at @brandon_ray79. For Bills coverage and analysis, make sure to give @FPC_Bills a follow on Twitter as well.