By Justin DiLoro / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills reside at the No. 9 spot in the draft order at the 2019 NFL Draft. While the team is in a great spot to select a potential franchise player, the Bills are not married to that position.
In fact, Brandon Beane shared how the team “doesn’t need to be” in a top-ten spot for this year’s draft, as the general manager highlighted in January.
While the Bills could draft a highly-rated defensive lineman, offensive lineman, or wide receiver with the ninth pick, there may be more bang for their buck by trading down and acquiring additional assets at the draft.
As we have seen in the past with Beane, all options are on the table.
Here are seven teams that make sense for the Bills to trade down with at the draft this year:
Washington Redskins
The Redskins hold the 15th overall pick in the first round. The team is in need of selecting the quarterback of their future this year. After Kyler Murray, it appears that Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins and Missouri’s Drew Lock seem to be the next logical quarterbacks off the board. Most draft experts predict that Murray will come off the board with the first pick as well.
If only one is still available at the No. 9 spot, Washington could get antsy and want to move up the board. The Redskins have multiple third-round, fifth-round, and seventh-round picks. Some of those could come to Buffalo if the Redskins wish to select a quarterback.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos are in a similar spot as the Redskins. While they would only would move up one spot from No. 10 to pick in Buffalo’s slot, they would effectively box out any other teams from taking their quarterback. Of course, that’s if general manager John Elway is interested in finding Joe Flacco’s incumbent.
Last year, the Bills and Broncos had the framework in order for a trade at the 2018 draft. With Bradley Chubb still on the board at the fifth pick, Denver decided to make the selection instead of trading, as the story goes. They did select a premier player for the defensive front seven. However, one wonders how Josh Allen could have fit with that offense (and the thin air of Mile High Stadium). Buffalo could squeak out a Day 2 pick, which would be enticing to move down one spot.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bills and the Bengals, we believe, have crossed paths in various ways over the past two years.
Cincinnati, who holds the 11th overall pick, could look for their replacement to Andy Dalton with this pick. To move up two spots, Cincy could send a day two or early day three pick to the Bills as well. Even if the Bengals are not interested in a quarterback, they may make a play for the heir apparent to A.J. Green. Their need for a quarterback isn’t as dire as other teams on the list, but it’s still something the squad will consider entering the draft.
Oakland Raiders
A trade with Oakland general manager Mike Mayock could be fun. It would be similar to the Bills trading down with the Kansas City Chiefs two years ago, as Buffalo would tumble to the bottom quarter of the first round.
However, instead of the Bills acquiring a first-round pick in 2020, would they be able to grab both of Oakland’s late-round picks, in addition, a Day 3 pick? Oakland does not have a third-round pick, and acquiring two firsts and a second to move up 15 spots seems a bit steep. The Raiders would conceivably draft two of the top-10 players in the draft, following along with the pattern that Cleveland set last year. The Bills, for their part, could end up with two first-round talents that could start immediately.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers pick in the middle of the first round at No. 16. They are in the market for an offensive lineman, and Carolina may be able to fill that void by moving into the top 10. The thought is that the Panthers and Bills have done business in the past, so there is a natural connection here. Buffalo would not have to move down too far while acquiring an additional Day 2 pick. At the 16th spot, the Bills would still have solid options at offensive line and defensive line to choose from.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta was 28th in yards allowed last season. Their focus could be on developing their front seven, although moving into the top-10 would give them options at selecting one of the top secondary collegiate players as well. As the Falcons select 14th, they would flop spots with the Bills and give the up-and-coming AFC East challengers an additional Day 2 pick. In a similar position as if the Bills traded with Carolina, Buffalo would still have some stellar options to choose from at this point in the draft.
Green Bay Packers
If Green Bay’s front office is in love with a player, they may consider jumping into the top 10 to grab him. The Packers have two first-round picks: No. 12 and No. 30. Flipping the first of their picks along with a Day 3 selection would give the Packers leverage to select a top-tier defensive lineman.
In addition, the two first round picks for Buffalo would still position them well to pick an impact player. Green Bay needs to find Aaron Rodgers more weapons so they may be willing to give a bit more to move up. In addition, the Packers have 10 draft picks including two in the fourth and sixth rounds to maneuver their way up the board.