Buffalo Bills Sending Mixed Messages as NFL Draft Approaches

Jan 13, 2017; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott (left) speaks during a press conference as general manager Doug Whaley looks on at AdPro Sports Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2017; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott (left) speaks during a press conference as general manager Doug Whaley looks on at AdPro Sports Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams fans await the announcement of quarterback Jared Goff as the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft at dra buffalo bills ft party at L.A. Live. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The weeks leading up to the draft usually are more smoke screens and hidden messages to try and find late value for NFL teams, including the Buffalo Bills.

The Sunday before the draft, teams are most likely finalizing any last minute rankings on prospects, practicing multiple mock drafts to be prepared for any scenario and sending a couple more public messages to drive up value on something. That falls right in line with what we’re hearing from the Buffalo Bills.

This got me thinking about what all of the biggest and VERY public messages the Bills have sent out heading into the draft. Some messages could’ve been released on accident, while others were probably made public to try and coax a trade or a team picking before them to reach.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest ‘breaches’ of the Buffalo Bills‘ draft plan and talk about their feasibility — starting with who will actually be making the selections.

It’s a separate story to analyze who is actually going to make the final decision on each draft pick. However, let’s assume the man with the job title gets to make the final pick. Buffalo Bills GM Doug Whaley has done well drafting, in this bloggers opinion.

Are there misses? Yes. Are their hits? Yes.

So who Doug Whaley prefers in the event of a tied ranking and grade is a big deal. This offseason, there are reports of ‘love’ in Whaley’s eyes. According to Bleacher Reports Matt Miller, the wild card of the draft will be if Doug Whaley is “as in love with [Deshaun] Watson as we hear he is.”

It’s been a tough year for Whaley and I am happy when it’s all said and done that he has found ‘love’. Hopefully at No. 10 the Bills will allow him to pick his perfect match and we can all go on honeymoons to many Super Bowls to come.

Was that believable through the sarcasm? How about you put down the tin foil hat that you are wearing, I don’t need to read your mind.

Every team keeps their draft boards close to their vest, unless your the Cleveland Browns. If the Bills REALLY want Watson — or any of the QBs — they won’t drive up interest by expressing public emotion.

More from Bills Draft

Do I think Watson is a strong candidate to be drafted in the 2nd round? Yes. I also believe that it benefits the Buffalo Bills, who have a starting QB, to see as many QBs picked before them as possible.

So why not try to make Watson sound like a strong future star?

When you draft your fantasy football team and you are picking #10, do you tell the entire league that you ‘really hope _____ ‘ falls to you? No.

This isn’t The Bachelor, this is the NFL Draft and the QB position is the greatest value in sports. For the Bills, if Arizona, Cleveland, Houston or anybody else gets worried you may actually pick a QB ahead of them, that adds interest for trades and will only give Whaley and McDermott more options.

Even the Browns who have the top overall pick are making multiple players ‘their top guy’ — all just to see what offers come in.

Let’s take a look at the next public rumor.