To this date, Buddy Nix has a D grade, but can possibly achieve an F by seasons end.
In 2010, he drafted CJ Spiller to a team that already had Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch and plenty of other needs. In the second round and third round, he reached for Torrel Troup and Alex Carrington to help provide depth for the 3-4 change. These two players have yet to make an impact on this team, and look like depth players to date. The 2010 draft, Buddy Nix's first draft as GM should be LARGELY considered a failure on all accounts.
To start the 2011 season, Buddy Nix trades Lee Evans, a questionable move which would expose our depth later on in the season. In the 2011 draft, Nix chose Marcel Dareus which looks like a great selection although other draftees before/after Marcel have arguably impacted their teams more. We can also note that the team already had Kyle Williams, and an argument can be make that we should have traded back. I'll go on record and support the #3 pick of Dareus. In the second and third round, Aaron Williams and Kelvin Sheppard was selected, both solid picks at positions of need. The 2011 draft should be considered a bright spot on a very gloomy two years for Buddy Nix.
Key moves that I think has led Buddy Nix to a insuffienct grade:
1. Hiring Chan Gailey, a coach that insisted on changing our 4-3 defense into a 3-4. This move has created more positional holes, and has arguably set us back two years. Our defense has regressed significantly, and our draft selections for the 3-4 defense have yet to make any impact. It seems inevitable that we will switch back to the 4-3 defense. Gailey is also responsible for the hiring of George Edwards.
2. Selecting CJ Spiller in the 2010 draft. At the time, the Bills already had a backfield of Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson. If the argument is, CJ Spiller was the BPA then we should have traded back in the draft.
3. Trading away Marshawn Lynch and Lee Evans. On a team as depleted of talent as the Buffalo Bills, it should have been clear that we must continue to add talent and keep the talent we already have.
4. Free Agent acquisitions: Shawne Merriman, and the lack of free agency moves. We put all our eggs in a oft injured OLB and refused to sign coveted free agents in both off-seasons. The signing of Barnett, and Florence are bright spots.
5. Signing Fitzpatrick to a 6 year extension during the season.