2016 NFL Draft: Was Bills Second Round Trade Worth It?

The Buffalo Bills traded with the Chicago Bears to move up from #49 to #41 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. They made the trade in order to get inside linebacker Reggie Ragland from Alabama who many draft experts had projected to go in the first round.

Part of the reason why Ragland fell was because teams were afraid about a report that came out that he has an enlarged aorta. According to NFL.com, Ian Rapoport reported that “teams don’t see the condition as something that will affect his football career, however, and consider it something that will merely bear close watching.”

It doesn’t seem like the Bills have too much to worry about with Ragland’s health so this report might have helped the Bills land one of the best value picks in the draft. Ragland is considered the top inside linebacker in the draft by most experts and the only concern with him is in coverage and if he will be able to be a three-down player in the NFL.

In order to move up, the Buffalo Bills gave up their #117 overall fourth round pick this year and their 4th round pick next year as well for swapping second round picks with Chicago. While Bills fans have to be extremely happy with the pick considering their needs at linebacker, they also have to wonder was this trade worth giving up two fourth round picks in order to move up just eight spots in the second round?

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According to Pro Football Talk’s draft trade value chart, the Bears got the better end of the deal but not as much as you would think. The #41 overall pick which the Bills received was worth 490 points. The Bills gave up the #49 pick (410 points), the 117th pick (60 points) and next year’s 4th round pick which can vary in value depending on where they finish but let’s give it another 60 points for now like this year’s fourth rounder. Then you also have to consider the time value of the pick because it’s not until next year but for the sake of simplicity we’ll leave the value at 60 points.

The total of the three picks the Bills gave up is 530 (410+60+60). Compared to the 490 point value of the Bears #41 overall pick it was pretty close. On top of that, you need to consider that the Bills moved up to get a potential starting inside linebacker on their defense and filled a major position of need so there is no need to worry about Pro Football Talk’s draft value chart saying the Bills got the slightly worse end of the deal.

The answer to the question posed at the beginning is YES, it was worth it. Because of a medical report which most teams don’t believe will have an effect on his career the Bills were able to fill a major defensive need with a starter in the second round who is considered to be the best at his position of all the available talent by most experts. This trade was absolutely great for the Buffalo Bills.

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