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As we inch closer…and closer…and closer to the start of training camp, now is a great time to look back at the stylin’, profilin’, wheelin’ dealin’ Doug Whaley.
In an effort to think about possible moves that could be made during camp, prior to the trade deadline or at the start of free agency/draft, let’s take a look back at all the trades Doug pulled off in his time as Bills GM. While some trades are still works-in-progress as far as who “won” or “lost”, we can look at the timing of the trades and how that may lead to future trade opportunities. I will put a big fat asterisk for the 2013 Buddy-was-GM-but-depending-on-if-the-players-are-doing-well-only-Whaley-gets-credit off-season, but we’ll discuss it nonetheless.
2013
Draft Trades (1) – Buffalo drops back to pick EJ Manuel at 16, while picking up a 2nd rounder (Kiko Alonso), 3rd rounder (Marquise Goodwin) and a 7th (Chris Gragg), trading their 1st rounder (Tavon Austin) and 3rd rounder (TJ McDonald) to the Rams. Worth It? – I think even with EJ being the bane of some of the fandom’s existence, getting Alonso (who was then flipped for McCoy) alone makes the trade worthwhile.
Post Draft – Buffalo traded Kelvin Sheppard for Indy’s Jerry Hughes. Worth It? – Yeah. C’mon now. This was an out and out steal.
Training Camp – Buffalo traded ST/LB Chris White for Thad “Dolphin Killer” Lewis. Worth It? – ST’er for a QB that helped sweep the ‘Phins? Worth it.
2014
Free Agency – Buffalo traded 6th rounder (Robert Herron) to Tampa Bay for the rights to Mike Williams. Worth It? – Trading for a player you then have perpetually in your doghouse doesn’t seem like a smart move, but I think this one had more to do with the Marrone / Whaley relationship than the trade itself.
Draft Trades (5) – 1. Buffalo makes the “bold move” (TM Russ Brandon) to acquire Sammy Watkins 4th overall, at the cost of a 1st in 2014 (traded by Browns to Vikings to acquire Anthony Barr), a 1st in 2015 (Cam Erving) and 4th in 2015 (Ibraheim Campbell). Worth It? – TBD. The cost was great, but if he can match his 2014 class brethren in production (maybe 1.25x his brethren?) all shall be well. OBJ and Erving would’ve been nice though…
2. Post Watkins trade, the Bills then flipped Stevie Johnson to the 49ers for a conditional 2015 pick, which was a 2015 4th rounder (traded to Philly for Bryce Brown and traded to Detroit for Gabe Wright). Worth It? – Sadly, yes. My love of Stevie aside, getting him off the team and onto the 49ers allowed him to play with his home-town team (if only for a year) and allowed the Bills to clear the decks for Watkins’ ascension to #1 receiver (though technically that was Jackson). Coaching had a lot to do with both decisions – Watkins’ stats (due to playing when he DID NOT HAVE TO) and Stevie, because well ANTICS.
3. Buffalo also traded their second rounder (Lamarcus Joyner) to the Rams to move back and acquire Cyrus Kouandjio in 2nd and a 5th rounder (Cyril Richardson). Worth It? – I lean on the TBD side of this, but as it stands, unless Cyrus steps up outside of being a motivational replacement for Henderson at RT (more later), the Bills traded back to acquire two linemen that have been lackluster at best. I think they can turn it around, but results are not there. Yet.
4. Buffalo traded a conditional pick 2015 (aforementioned 4th from 49ers) to Philly for Bryce Brown and a 2014 7th rounder (Seantrel Henderson). Worth It? – I’d say on balance yes. Even if Brown is jettisoned for Karlos Williams at some point during training camp, getting the 7th that turned into Henderson may yield a productive starter at RT (or LT). HOWEVER, that’s a big if, because Seantrel hasn’t been one in his career to live up to the lofty expectations given his immense talent. I’m personally inclined to let him stay at RT or swing tackle if Kouandjio steps up and let Glenn eat, but I’m crazy apparently.
5. Finally, Buffalo traded their 5th rounder (Kevin Pamphile) to Tampa Bay in exchange for a 2014 7th rounder (Randell Johnson) and a 2015 5th round pick (traded to Minnesota for Cassel). Worth It? – Johnson’s a depth player and help on special teams – and Cassel for a 5th rounder, while heinous and deplorable etc. etc. might net a starter for 2015. So, *holds nose*, yes, worth it.
Training Camp – None.
2015
Free Agency (2) – 1. Buffalo traded Kiko Alonso for LeSean McCoy. Worth It? – TBD. But by trading a linebacker with two knee injuries that required surgery before anyone could see him on the field I will tip my cap and say well played Mr. Whaley. LeSean also got a nice contract out of the deal, which made it worth it only to hear folks say “CJ is not worth 14 million” volte face after McCoy got his cashola.
2. Buffalo traded 2015 5th rounder mentioned above (which turned into Grady Jarrett for Falcons) and a 2016 7th round pick (TBD) for Matt Cassel and a 2015 6th round pick (Tony Steward). Worth It? – I mean, the 5th rounder I was like okay. But then to trade a pick out of 2016 (even a 7th) for a guy who might not be on the roster at the end of camp? We’ll see…
Draft Trades – None.
Training Camp – TBD.
So we’ve looked at the trades themselves, so what can that bode for the future? I have some thoughts.
- A lot of the picks were traded later by the recipient for…other picks. Whaley seems to have the pulse of the fungibility of draft picks (and players in the one-for-one deals) with only Chip Kelly coming away from a Bills deal feeling as if he were treated unfairly. The Rams being trade buddies in 13 and 14 really counter-balances any allegations of impropriety to me, but I’ll leave final judgment for you to decide. Overall, kudos.
- While there wasn’t a trade to be made late in training camp 2014, the Bills did acquire Orton during that time. So if there is a player that is seen as a “must-get”, do not assume the Bills will stand pat this year.
- The sheer number of player-for-player trades lends me to be intrigued as to how Rex (and Whaley) truly view some of the roster. Areas were there are gluts (wide receiver, corner, running back) may be ripe for trading for guys that may fit a role for the Bills more effectively.
- As the elephant in the room (Quarterback competition) – which I’m sure Joe will jump in and throttle me for not mentioning sooner develops during camp, there will also be the question of “who can they get?” Answer right now – no one really. But going into 2016 free agency and draft they will be equipped – cap situation as it is or not – to make a move if there’s one to make. #PegulaBux
As we move throughout this season it’ll be interesting to see whether an opportunity shows up for Whaley to make a quick deal. With the McCoy deal in particular, there’s now a precedent that an established player with production can net *almost* any player on the roster. Which should be comforting should the 3 man power trip that is the Bills QB situation not fix itself.
I’ll be back in the next few weeks with pre-season (not Preseason) previews and a few #Taeks from the first days of training camp (Fri – Mon) including the first night practice. Feel free to tweet me things you want pics/observations/whimsy on!
But as always, just One Fan(n)’s Opinion.
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