Whaley doesn't get much credit for assembling an excellent staff. Once hired, he immediately brought in Monos and Fisher. I agree with the sentiment that draft picks matter because he and his staff have made solid picks in all rounds; however, he and his staff make up for trading picks by finding FA talent that one might normally develop from picks in the later rounds. Rather than waiting 2-3 years for picks to develop, the alternative strategy is to find players who have had some time on practice squads or vets who provide a role.
While one can find examples to criticize Whaley, taken as a whole, he AND his staff have put together the most talented Bills roster we've had in a long, long time.