This off season was a very difficult time to go through for Buffalo Bills’ fans.
First, the trading of Sammy Watkins to the Los Angeles Rams. Then, seconds later another trade went down. Buffalo sent cornerback Ronald Darby packing to Philadelphia in exchange for wide receiver Jordan Matthews, who is now dealing with a chip fracture in his chest. Then, on Monday afternoon the Bills announced they had traded linebacker Reggie Ragland to Kansas City for a 2019 fourth-round draft pick.
The day of Watkins/Darby trades (Aug 11), Brandon Beane asked about possibility of trading Reggie Ragland. His response: #Bills pic.twitter.com/yrxZuwGW1d
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) August 28, 2017
Bills General Manager, Brandon Beane, asked about the possibility of trading linebacker Reggie Ragland on the day of the Watkins & Darby trade.
It’s so frustrating as a Bills fan to go into yet another season knowing that making the playoffs is more of a fantasy rather than a reality. So it brings up the elephant in the room. Are the Buffalo Bills tanking for next years NFL Draft?
I certainly think the Bills are tanking, but others like General Manager Brandon Beane refuse to buy into the whole tanking idea.
"“I was very annoyed,”Bean said on Pro Football Talk Live (Monday August 15) about the speculation of his team tanking. “We would not have tried to get Anquan Boldin on our team if we were tanking. We would not have tried to get Jordan Matthews– who if you look at his numbers in his first three years, they’re pretty good. We would not have tried to get E.J. Gaines. We would have just tried to get more draft capital if we weren’t worried about 2017.We’re going to compete our tails off for 2017.”"
I mean if the Bills are tanking for next years draft, do you blame them? The class is filled with talent, especially at the quarterback position. Quarterback Sam Darnold out of USC looks to be the top quarterback going into the season. But quarterback Josh Allen out of Wyoming could give Darnold a run for his money. He’s got a big arm, is a fine signal caller and can scramble well when needed.
But there’s also the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner, Lamar Jackson out of Louisville. Jackson seems to be a better version of current quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Jackson came off a career year in 2016, throwing for 3,543 passing yards and even rushing for 1,571 yards on the ground. Racking up a total of 51 touchdowns with 21 of those 51 coming on the ground and capping it all of with the 2016 Hysman Trophy.
Everything seems to be pointing to the tanking spot for the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have six picks in the first three rounds for next years draft. But yet Beane and company are still trying to convince the media and Bills fans that they’re competing this year.
Buffalo Bills 2018 Draft Picks
Round 1: Two
Round 2: Two
Round 3: Two
Round 4: One
Round 5: One
Round 6: One
Round 7: One
It’s clear to see where this team is heading; it’s heading towards the future. The Bills are looking to rebuild, but it seems they don’t want to tell anyone. It’s crazy how a couple of trades can change an outlook on an entire season.
Over past month, Bills now have traded LB Reggie Ragland, WR Sammy Watkins, CB Ronald Darby, QB Cardale Jones. Picks piling up in Buffalo.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 28, 2017
Do you think the Bills are tanking?
Are the @buffalobills tanking?
— Paolo Sottile (@paolo_sottile) August 29, 2017
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Leave your thoughts down below!