The biggest thing in the 15 years of losing is that they never completely bottomed out. The Sabres will finally find out how rewarding that will be for years to come.
The list of the current top QB's and where they were drafted certainly holds that to be true. While you can hit on a QB after the 1st round (Brady, Wilson), statistics and history has shown it is the least probable out of all the positions.
All the hype even before he was hired in the media was that he was an up and coming innovative coach (statistically based), a chip kelly lite. He has turned out to be like Dick Jauron and has proven he knows nothing about the probabilities of the game.
My point is that you don't need to even draft high in the 1st round to get viable WR's and that WR's are not the thing that leads to winning in the NFL. QB's make the best WR's in the game. WR's are an area like running backs, you don't make myopic front office moves to improve those positions. The Falcons are currently learning that lesson.
Antonio Brown - Round 6 (195)
Demaryius Thomas - Round 1 (22)
T.Y Hilton - Round 3 (92)
Golden Tate - Round 2 (60)
Jordy Nelson - Round 2 (36)
Julio Jones - Round 1 (6)
Emmanuel Sanders - Round 3 (82)
Dez Bryant - Round 1 (24)
Jeremy Maclin - Round 1 (19)
Desean Jackson -Round 2 (49)
Just another reason you don't waste exorbitant resources on WR's especially those that hinder future decision making. You waste those resources to find the QB.
Currently Watkins Ranks
15th in targets
19th in total yards
22nd in yards/game
19th in TD's
18th in receptions beyond 20+ yards
37th in YAC
13th in receptions for 1st downs.
Long of 84 yards
The Cleveland Browns are in sole possession of 1st place for the 1st time in 19 years and have a 49.5% chance to make the playoffs using a template to build sustained success.
The Buffalo Bills are in 2nd place and have a 12% chance to make the playoffs using a myopic approach.
St. Doug is a run of the mill, typical conservative HC that doesn't understand in-game probabilities and time management. He has been far from impressive.
The sabres will totally bottom out to try to get automatic talent which is a great thing and what the Bills failed to do in 15 years of futility and mediocrity. Short term pain, long term gain.