This is the time of the draft season where speculation takes over as we try to project team needs. One team that has many needs but is in an interesting situation is the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have had a rough couple of years but are hoping to get moving in the right direction. Holding the #3 overall pick, the Bills have an opportunity to add a difference maker to their roster. However, they might be in a bit of a pickle as they try to decide their plan of attack. Mocking the Draft writer KillerKowal did a nice breakdown of the Bills Team Needs. He identified rush linebacker, defensive line, and quarterback as the top needs. At #3 the Bills will likely have the opportunity to add someone at either of those positions. The question is, what position is more important to the Bills? After the jump I am going to give some reasons why I feel the Bills should select a quarterback with the #3 pick. I would love to hear some thoughts about this topic.
Do the Buffalo Bills Need a Quarterback?
Ok, here is my argument for why the Bills should select a quarterback with the #3 pick. I feel it all starts with evaluating the talent available and building your draft board. We can use my draft board as an example where I have Blaine Gabbert #12 and Cam Newton #13. However, chances are that Buffalo's board looks very different then my rankings. Next, I would start evaluating my roster and determining my immediate and future needs. In order to make the best selection for the franchise, I would be honest with where my team is and decide if we have a real shot at competing right now. In the Bills case they are several years away from contending for a playoff spot. Lastly, I would consider financial considerations such as ticket and jersey sales. Here is the list in order of importance to me ( I would like to see your list or maybe different things to consider):
1. Player Evaluation
2. Honest look at my franchise standing
3. Current and Future needs
4. Money
As I wrote this article, I got a decent sense about what NFL teams might go through before making a draft day selection. I want to point out that I did not get any inside info about the thought process but determined this on my own opinion. I will be working on getting some thoughts from someone closer to a team but for now this will have to do.
The Player Evaluation portion gave me my first opinion and I immediately thought, why would the Bills select #12 ranked player at #3? Both Gabbert and Newton have potential but question marks, you can check out their Scouting Reports HERE. There is also a growing group of 2nd round developmental quarterbacks. The Bills can wait to select a quarterback until the 2nd or even 3rd round. That player can then grow and learn under current quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Score- Drafting a QB- 0 Not Drafting a QB- 1.
Next, I did a little research on the Bills and went back and watched a game or two. I came away feeling that the team lacked talent but ultimately played really hard. If they can keep their coaching staff in place and add some players at key positions a playoff run might be in their future. However, the overall lack of talent at keys spots led me to the honest opinion that the Bills need to plan for the future. Score- Drafting a QB- 1 Not Drafting a QB- 1
Since I decided the Bills should be planning ahead the evaluation of future needs trumps current needs. It is likely that at least one of two top quarterbacks will be available when the Bills pick at #3. However, my evaluations lead me to believe that neither Gabbert or Newton are worthy of the #3 pick and are anything but sure fire franchise quarterbacks. The key with each of these players is potential and both have much higher upside than current quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. If you’re planning for the future you might need to take a risk on a player with high upside. The fact that the NFL is a quarterback driven league also plays into this decision. If both Gabbert and Newton live up to their potential they could be Super Bowl winning quarterbacks. A teams ultimate goal is winning Super Bowls which in my opinion gives the edge towards taking a quarterback at #3. Score- Drafting a QB- 2 Not Drafting a QB- 1
I hate to say it but money plays a big factor on draft day. Teams such as the Bills who struggle with attendance and are tough to market on a national stage like to focus on creating a buzz. No position creates more of a buzz than quarterback. Selecting a quarterback with high potential will lead to more ticket and jersey sales. Networks such as ESPN and blogs all over the Internet will be discussing your team. Imagine the conversations that will be created if the Bills select Cam Newton. Imagine the national TV coverage that will be created from that selection. Unfortunately, this factor will play a role in what direction the Bills take at #3. The money factor might be a little lower on the list than some of the others but it will still be considered. Score- Drafting a QB- 3 Not Drafting a QB- 1
This was a quick breakdown of the thought process that might go into your teams selection. Based on the above breakdown I came to the conclusion that the Bills are should select a quarterback at #3 overall. However, there is still a possibility that the player evaluation factor will trump some of the others. Going through this process completely changed my initial thoughts. I still think that Buffalo could target a quarterback in the 2nd or 3rd round and improve other areas of the team. I would to see some feedback. I am completely off base w/ my factors?
