Buffalo Bills biggest mistake over the past decade, according to Bleacher Report

Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport found the Buffalo Bills’ biggest mistake from the past decade.

In Gary Davenport’s most recent article on Bleacher Report dubbed “Every NFL Team’s Biggest Mistake of the Past Decade,” the analyst found the Buffalo Bills’ most significant mistake from the past decade. He noted that there were some contenders, but one takes the cake.

Trading up to No. 4 to draft wide receiver Sammy Watkins in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Davenport explained that drafting E.J. Manuel was close to winning the “award,” but trading two first-rounders and a fourth for a receiver that didn’t do much in Buffalo was his obvious choice. As he said in the article;

"While wide receiver Sammy Watkins has had some success in the NFL—he topped 1,000 yards with nine scores for the Bills in 2015—he missed 11 games over his first three seasons, and the Bills traded him to the Rams prior to the 2017 season.He also cost the Bills not just the No. 4 pick in 2014, but also the 19th overall pick and a fourth-rounder the following season."

Watkins has proved to be productive in the NFL, but it was never enough for the Bills to extend him. Countless times while in Buffalo, Watkins was put on the injury list. When he played, he wasn’t the All-World receiver most thought he’d be.

Though Watkins had a good rookie and sophomore season; tallying 125 receptions for 2,069 yards and 15 touchdowns, his third year sealed his fate in Buffalo. He played in just eight games and compiled 28 receptions for 430 yards. When Brandon Beane showed up to be general manager, he sent a clear message; no more disappointments, just hard work.

Beane traded Watkins to the Rams for cornerback E.J. Gaines and a second round pick. In Los Angeles, he continued to show he wasn’t worth a No. 4 pick, racking up 39 receptions for 593 yards and eight touchdowns. In his first year in Kansas City, he played in 10 games and caught 40 passes for 519 yards and three touchdowns.

Watkins has the talent to be an elite receiver. He was the best receiver heading into the 2014 draft, and the Bills saw that. But he hasn’t been close to what the Bills expected, in large part due to injuries. However, the team needed talented pass catchers, and Watkins was, again, the best available.

Considering that they didn’t quite overdraft Watkins and that they got substantial compensation in return for him, reaching for drafting Manuel appears to be their biggest mistakes. Yes, the Bills paid a high-price to get Watkins, but they moved on from it well. It took far longer for the team to rebuild the quarterback position.