Lacanfora: Bills have reached out to Raiders about Khalil Mack trade

[BullBuchanan]

49 minutes ago, musichunch said:

 

Your opinion. 

Well, what exactly is this place?

[Yav]

1 hour ago, Niagara Dude said:

Please don't compare Bennett who was a rookie and this guy who is 27,  no more then (2) 2nds and 3rd or 4th rounder.  Give me one good reason why we only received a second for Sammy who was only 23 and this guy some fans want to give up multiple 1st rounders.  

 

Let me accept Jerry and 3 picks  (2) 2nd rounders and a 3rd or forget it,  at his size he will wear down in the next 3-4 years.  Coming off a bad year,  just like Sammy and we only goy a 2 rounder

Sammy had horrible production for his draft position and was constantly injured and didn't make the pro-bowl. 

 

How can you compare Sammy and Mack is the question. 

[purple haze]

9 hours ago, scribo said:

That is rough. How does a team in such a situation expect to be competitive? 

See the move to Las Vegas and the shiny new stadium. The NFL business paradigm shifted long ago and many of the old guard owners were affected.  Art Modell and Bud Adams moved.  Spanos moved.  

 

He takes his share of heat, and understandably so, but end of day, Mr. Wilson was a true friend to Buffalo, NY.

Edited August 24, 2018 by purple haze

[billsfan89]

3 hours ago, njbuff said:

Raiders have very little leverage in this.

 

The longer Mack doesn't show up, the more the Raiders will get pennies on the dollar for Mack.

 

The Bills don't have to rush into this thing and give up the bank for Mack.

 

I bet a team can wait till the deadline and give up, maybe, a third round pick for him. The Raiders at the deadline know that Mack isn't re-signing there, so the Raiders have nothing.

 

Unless the value is a third round pick right now, the Bills can wait this thing out.

 

I don't think there is a team foolish enough to give up anything of significance knowing they can pursue Mack as a FA in 2019.

 

Couldn't the Raiders just franchise Mack? They have him under control (2 franchise tags plus his current year under contract) until 2020. They aren't going to be in a down to the wire trade him or lose him for nothing situation. Some team will at least offer a 1st plus a 4th for Mack. I can't see the Packers turning down Mack if the cost is the Saints first rounder and their 4th round pick. 

[purple haze]

9 hours ago, SouthNYfan said:

 

 

 

Look at the spurs with Leonard.

He said publicly he wants to sign with only in la

So they traded him to Toronto because Toronto went full in and gave them a huge package for him

Will he sign? Who knows? Toronto too a risk but only gave up about 70% of what he's worth.

Same thing happened last year in the NBA with Paul George.

Said he wanted to go to LA Lakers only, and wanted to sign with them as a FA, so Indiana traded him for 60 cents on the dollar to OKC, and he wound up loving it there and staying.

 

So who knows, somebody might pony up for Mack even without a commitment, but just teams won't go full price for that, so it just means the raiders will have to take below market value to get it done.

NBA operates differently than the NFL.  The NFL is more set in its ways.  I doubt a team would trade for a player in that way outside of a QB.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

Just now, billsfan89 said:

 

Couldn't the Raiders just franchise Mack? They have him under control (2 franchise tags plus his current year under contract) until 2020. They aren't going to be in a down to the wire trade him or lose him for nothing situation. Some team will at least offer a 1st plus a 4th for Mack. I can't see the Packers turning down Mack if the cost is the Saints first rounder and their 4th round pick. 

 

...sure can......odd thing is how quiet GM McKenzie has been......probably reports to Chuckie now......

[That's No Moon]

9 minutes ago, purple haze said:

See the move to Las Vegas and the shiny new stadium. The NFL business paradigm shifted long ago and many of the old guard owners were affected.  Art Modell and Bud Adams moved.  Spanos moved.  

 

He takes his share of heat, and understandably so, but end of day, Mr. Wilson was a true friend to Buffalo, NY.

That's right, he only THREATENED to move.

[Nihilarian]

1 minute ago, billsfan89 said:

 

Couldn't the Raiders just franchise Mack? They have him under control (2 franchise tags plus his current year under contract) until 2020. They aren't going to be in a down to the wire trade him or lose him for nothing situation. Some team will at least offer a 1st plus a 4th for Mack. I can't see the Packers turning down Mack if the cost is the Saints first rounder and their 4th round pick. 

They can't afford him and Raider fans want Davis to sell the team from what I read.

 

[RochesterRob]

6 minutes ago, purple haze said:

See the move to Las Vegas and the shiny new stadium. The NFL business paradigm shifted long ago and many of the old guard owners were affected.  Art Modell and Bud Adams moved.  Spanos moved.  

 

He takes his share of heat, and understandably so, but end of day, Mr. Wilson was a true friend to Buffalo, NY.

  In my mind Modell and Adams makes me think that there is a parallel to WNY.  Cleveland was a wasteland economically back during the late 1980's and Modell was done wrong by various politicians on the city, county, and state level.  Both the Indians and Browns needed new homes plus I get most fans don't like dual purpose stadiums along with the reasons why but that is what Cleveland should have done.  Modell might have a entirely different legacy if the cards had fallen differently.  The oil economy tanked during the 1980's ;leaving less government revenue to fund a new stadium for the Oiler's.  Had the economy gone differently it is very probable Houston would have had a new facility during the 1990's and the Oiler's would have remained in Houston.  By the way I miss saying Houston Oiler's.  The WNY economy is far from robust and the politicians are far from in synch on a new stadium for the Bills.  The point is Modell and Adams both gave their old cities a fair chance by most measures but could not bridge the gap.

[billsfan89]

9 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

...sure can......odd thing is how quiet GM McKenzie has been......probably reports to Chuckie now......

 

I think if the Raiders are holding out for something more than a 1st and a mid round pick or two and it doesn't come they would just let Mack holdout the rest of the season and franchise him in 2019 and trade him once teams know their draft positions. I am sure a contending team would definitely trade a pick from 20-32 plus some other picks for him on a franchise tag. So this notion that the Bills are going to come in and get him on the cheap for a 2nd or 3rd round pick "Because its better than nothing" is just wishful thinking. The Raiders can definitely pull a late 1st from him on a franchise tag. 

 

7 minutes ago, Nihilarian said:

They can't afford him and Raider fans want Davis to sell the team from what I read.

 

 

The issue from what I have read isn't that they can't afford him. Davis just handed Gruden 10 million a year. If they were pinching pennies they wouldn't have done that. The issue is more so that Gruden doesn't want to give into a player holding out and thinks that the Raiders defense would be bad with or without him. Also if they were pinching pennies they still could franchise him and trade him since they don't start to pay out most of the money on a franchise tag until training camp and the regular season (Although it is fully guaranteed.) 

Edited August 24, 2018 by billsfan89

[Beast]

2 hours ago, K-9 said:

Please indeed. Your condescending tone aside, I'm aware of the changes the league has undergone in the 31 years since we acquired Bennett. 

 

What, PRECISELY, is the value difference between a 27 year old All Pro at the second most critical position vs. that of a future draft pick? 

 

When you can quantify that value and answer that with certainty perhaps I'll change my position that the trade dynamics surrounding the acquisition of a premier player in his prime at the second most critical position have changed for teams whose salary cap situation doesn't prohibit such an acquisition for the next several seasons. 

 

 

 

I don’t need to quantify the obvious.

 

When the Raiders trade him you come back here and tell us what you think.

[purple haze]

8 minutes ago, That's No Moon said:

That's right, he only THREATENED to move.

He didn't though.  And he could have at different times.

[That's No Moon]

6 minutes ago, purple haze said:

He didn't though.  And he could have at different times.

He didn't because taxpayers kept making it worth his while to stay.  Let's not pretend it was benevolence.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

3 minutes ago, billsfan89 said:

 

I think if the Raiders are holding out for something more than a 1st and a mid round pick or two and it doesn't come they would just let Mack holdout the rest of the season and franchise him in 2019 and trade him once teams know their draft positions. I am sure a contending team would definitely trade a pick from 20-32 plus some other picks for him on a franchise tag. So this notion that the Bills are going to come in and get him on the cheap for a 2nd or 3rd round pick "Because its better than nothing" is just wishful thinking. The Raiders can definitely pull a late 1st from him on a franchise tag. 

 

......a "steal" isn't happening......sooner or later Reggie is chirping in Davis' ear about the whole thing........they don't have cap room now to restructure and I don't know their 2019 situation......now here's an interesting twist to the saga.....maybe Dopey Davis wants Reggie to resign......there have been rumors about Bruce Allen reuniting with Chuckie in Oakland, like their TB days......I know Brandon had a call into the Deadskins' Boy Danny Snyder about an opening if that was to happen.....wow..........

[Trogdor]

11 hours ago, thurst44 said:

Wait, are you really calling Tremaine Edmunds a failed pick after two pre-season games (which weren't even as bad as people here are suggesting)?! Matt Milano is a 5th rounder who after a season is looking very good. A.J. Tarpley was an undrafted free agent. Shaq Lawson and Adolphus Washington have a bit more logic to them, but the book has hardly been completely closed on them yet (Lawson has played bits of two seasons).

 

I'm very much pro trading for Mack and the thought that trading a 1st even if you think it's a top ten (which i doubt) is not worth it is insane as with a top ten pick you hope that guy will become close to as good as a Khalil Mack in a few years. Mack could make this one of the top Ds in the league, if not the top. However, by stretching for too many names, you dilute your point (and the piling on 20-year-old Edmunds before he has played one meaningful game is getting tiresome and really needs to stop).

Plus Ragland and Bradham are contributing well on other teams. Pos had a solid long career, he just couldn't get past the LOS for a tackle lol. We honestly could use someone like him with solid tackling technique. 

[K-9]

16 minutes ago, Binghamton Beast said:

 

I don’t need to quantify the obvious.

 

When the Raiders trade him you come back here and tell us what you think.

Right. Can't quantify the obvious.

[napmaster]

1 hour ago, Niagara Dude said:

Coming off a bad year,  just like Sammy and we only goy a 2 rounder

 

We got a 2nd rounder and a starting CB (Gaines) for Watkins.  Unless players are included, the Raiders would get a 1st at a minimum.

[billsfan89]

11 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

......a "steal" isn't happening......sooner or later Reggie is chirping in Davis' ear about the whole thing........they don't have cap room now to restructure and I don't know their 2019 situation......now here's an interesting twist to the saga.....maybe Dopey Davis wants Reggie to resign......there have been rumors about Bruce Allen reuniting with Chuckie in Oakland, like their TB days......I know Brandon had a call into the Deadskins' Boy Danny Snyder about an opening if that was to happen.....wow..........

 

The Raiders are right up against the cap in 2018. But their 2019 situation is pretty good. They have 45 million in space but they also have about 5-6 contracts they could cut to free up 35-45 million more in cap space while not taking much dead money (Jordy Nelson and Bruce Irvin alone would free up 16 million in space while not having any dead cap.) So in terms of 2019 that shouldn't be an issue. But I do not know if their lack of cap space in 2018 is presenting any problems. 

 

I honestly doubt it is the cap since if teams want to they can always find a way around the cap. I think it is more Gruden's old school mindset of wanting to set their standard of not tolerating holdouts. I think this will end with a trade to the Packers. They will give the Raiders the Saints 1st plus their own 4th in 2019 along with a conditional 4th that could be a 3rd. That's not a bad return as the Raiders set up a nice 2019 draft and have a ton of cap space. But they really should have realized how special Mack is and given him a contract. 

[PIZ]

3 minutes ago, napmaster said:

 

We got a 2nd rounder and a starting CB (Gaines) for Watkins.  Unless players are included, the Raiders would get a 1st at a minimum.

 

Does it matter that Sammy Watkins was 3 years younger when he was traded than Mack is right now?

 

 

[Not at the table Karlos]

1 hour ago, mannc said:

You make some good points, but Sammy is a full three years younger than Mack.  That makes a difference.  Sure Mack could be highly productive into his 30s, but he’s on the small side for an edge rusher and might not be nearly as effective if he loses a step. Mack might turn out to be dominant for years to come, but these are things a team will think about before committing $60 million guaranteed to a player, not mention giving up premium draft picks.  I say Mack can be had in exchange for one first round pick.

Then stand him up and make him a LB where he was already an all pro

[billsfan89]

5 minutes ago, napmaster said:

 

We got a 2nd rounder and a starting CB (Gaines) for Watkins.  Unless players are included, the Raiders would get a 1st at a minimum.

 

Also Sammy was on the last year of his rookie contract plus 3 years younger (although with a much bigger injury history) not holding out for a new deal. So even though Sammy wasn't nearly half the player Mack is Sammy came with a lot more favorable terms. That definitely added value to Sammy in terms of a trade. Mack's value as a player is much higher than Sammy's but Mack asking for a contract brings down his value a bit. The Raiders will get a 1st plus a mid round pick or two and possibly a player for Mack. But they aren't getting 2 firsts or a 1st and a 2nd or anything super crazy. The central piece to a package with Mack will be a 1st plus some other value added picks and players. 

Edited August 24, 2018 by billsfan89

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

2 minutes ago, billsfan89 said:

 

The Raiders are right up against the cap in 2018. But their 2019 situation is pretty good. They have 45 million in space but they also have about 5-6 contracts they could cut to free up 35-45 million more in cap space while not taking much dead money (Jordy Nelson and Bruce Irvin alone would free up 16 million in space while not having any dead cap.) So in terms of 2019 that shouldn't be an issue. But I do not know if their lack of cap space in 2018 is presenting any problems. 

 

I honestly doubt it is the cap since if teams want to they can always find a way around the cap. I think it is more Gruden's old school mindset of wanting to set their standard of not tolerating holdouts. I think this will end with a trade to the Packers. They will give the Raiders the Saints 1st plus their own 4th in 2019 along with a conditional 4th that could be a 3rd. That's not a bad return as the Raiders set up a nice 2019 draft and have a ton of cap space. But they really should have realized how special Mack is and given him a contract. 

 

...I think you're DEAD ON...nice assessment.....BUT...who is in charge of this ship, Gruden or McKenzie?......

[billsfan89]

1 hour ago, mannc said:

You make some good points, but Sammy is a full three years younger than Mack.  That makes a difference.  Sure Mack could be highly productive into his 30s, but he’s on the small side for an edge rusher and might not be nearly as effective if he loses a step. Mack might turn out to be dominant for years to come, but these are things a team will think about before committing $60 million guaranteed to a player, not mention giving up premium draft picks.  I say Mack can be had in exchange for one first round pick.

 

I think one first will be the central component for a trade but I speculate that 2 additional mid round picks will likely be what is traded for Mack, Something in the range of 2019 1st and a 2019 3rd (Swapped with the Raiders 5th) and a 2020 3rd (Once again Swapped with the Raiders 5th) along with maybe a throw in player that isn't of high value (think EJ Gaines during the Sammy trade.) That's not crazy since the amounts to a 1st and two 4th rounders plus a player of modest to no consequence. 

 

Overall it will be a decent return for the Raiders but not a crazy one. 

Edited August 24, 2018 by billsfan89

[Augie]

6 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

...I think you're DEAD ON...nice assessment.....BUT...who is in charge of this ship, Gruden or McKenzie?......

 

I’d bet on the man with his own Brinks truck. I’ll say it again, even a decade ago Gruden wore people out, especially players. Too many players thought he was a weasel and had bad things to say from his Bucs days. I’m sure some liked him, but....I don’t see this as a big win for Raiders fans. 

[FearLess Price]

10 hours ago, LikeIGiveADarn said:

 

Pretty much. Not enough fluid cash to put into escrow for his signing bonus

 

Yeah so you cant blame Gruden. Blame whoever made his contract witout accounting for maks salary. A good head coach is worth more than 1 player in most cases tho

[BuffaloBillyG]

17 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

...I think you're DEAD ON...nice assessment.....BUT...who is in charge of this ship, Gruden or McKenzie?......

Follow the money. There is no way even an idiot like Davis hands Gruden that large and that long of a contract without handing him the reigns. And I don't believe Gruden leaves his cushy TV job without being in control.

[billsfan89]

10 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I’d bet on the man with his own Brinks truck. I’ll say it again, even a decade ago Gruden wore people out, especially players. Too many players thought he was a weasel and had bad things to say from his Bucs days. I’m sure some liked him, but....I don’t see this as a big win for Raiders fans. 

 

I think longer term they might end up making the right decision on Mack despite doing it for piss poor reasons. If they a respectable haul of picks for Mack (which I suspect they might, let just say a 1st and two 3rd round picks spread out across 2 drafts) they will set themselves up nicely to address their needs in 2019 having a good amount of cap space (so much more if Mack isn't on the books) and draft picks along with a good young QB in place. But they could also lose one of the best pass rushers in the game who might have 4-5 great seasons left in him for a late 1st round pick and some upper mid round selections that might not pan out. 

 

Pass rushers like Mack aren't easy to find, I think the Raiders will quickly see that.

[Augie]

1 minute ago, No Place To Hyde said:

Follow the money. There is no way even an idiot like Davis hands Gruden that large and that long of a contract without handing him the reigns. And I don't believe Gruden leaves his cushy TV job without being in control.

 

This had to be about his ENORMOUS ego. Could he not get by on his $5mil or so per year from TV and cruised to the finish line? 

2 minutes ago, billsfan89 said:

 

I think longer term they might end up making the right decision on Mack despite doing it for piss poor reasons. If they a respectable haul of picks for Mack (which I suspect they might, let just say a 1st and two 3rd round picks spread out across 2 drafts) they will set themselves up nicely to address their needs in 2019 having a good amount of cap space (so much more if Mack isn't on the books) and draft picks along with a good young QB in place. But they could also lose one of the best pass rushers in the game who might have 4-5 great seasons left in him for a late 1st round pick and some upper mid round selections that might not pan out. 

 

Pass rushers like Mack aren't easy to find, I think the Raiders will quickly see that.

 

I don’t see people knocking down the doors for him. The longer it takes, the lower the price I suspect. The contract demands makes him less attractive, so the Raiders get less. Just my guess. Mack will be lucky if he gets out. 

[JaCrispy]

Before this whole situation with Mack started, I sort of envisioned potentially having to draft DE #1 in 2019- just looking at how our roster was shaking out...if Beane is serious about Mack, it’s a good bet he may have been predicting the same as well- in which case, spending a first rounder may not be that big of s deal to him.

[billsfan89]

2 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

This had to be about his ENORMOUS ego. Could he not get by on his $5mil or so per year from TV and cruised to the finish line? 

 

It could also be boredom. Gruden has been in the booth for a decade. He knows what that is and got comfortable doing it. I think at his age (Gruden is 55) he has to know that it is pretty much now or never to get back into coaching. He is still young enough by the standards of coaches and I think the insane offer of money and control from the Raiders was just too good to pass up. All these coaches are egotistical control freaks. Gruden just had too good of a position in the booth to leave for a less than immaculate offer but one team finally gave him what he wanted for some reason. 

4 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I don’t see people knocking down the doors for him. The longer it takes, the lower the price I suspect. The contract demands makes him less attractive, so the Raiders get less. Just my guess. Mack will be lucky if he gets out. 

 

There is supposedly a lot of interest in Mack from various teams, we just don't know if the Raiders asking price is too high or if the offers are coming in low. Some team will give up a least a first round pick for him in my estimation. I think this is a case of the Raiders holding out for more than what his value to another team is. I think the Packers would package the Saints first rounder with a couple of their mid round picks but I suspect the Raiders want at the very least a first, a second in 2020 and a mid round pick in 2019 plus a player. 

 

Mack is an elite player and even factoring in his contract demands which make him less valuable (You have to essentially give up draft capital and cap space for him) I still think a 1st rounder will be included in the trade package to get him. It won't be 2 first rounders or anything insane but give past trades of this nature Mack is the kind of player that some win now team would be willing to take a risk on. 

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

13 minutes ago, No Place To Hyde said:

Follow the money. There is no way even an idiot like Davis hands Gruden that large and that long of a contract without handing him the reigns. And I don't believe Gruden leaves his cushy TV job without being in control.

 

 

....LMAO bro......

1. Mark is Wacky Al's Kid; the wackier the merrier.

2. That bowl top trim is "Moe in red"; same mentality;

3. 10 year stale Chuckie gets $100 mil; where else but duh Raiders?

4. Silent Reggie is lining up his UBER ride.

 

...."The Real Housegirls of Oakland"......

 

[beerme1]

7 hours ago, nucci said:

Ok, but he's holding out for a new contract while he is still under contract......is that the culture  you're talking about?

 

 

Would you not have wanted Bruce Smith? Seems to me this was a regular occurrence with him if I recall.  Always felt he was worth more than he was getting and would hold out a little while from camp or preseason. 

[ColoradoBills]

5 hours ago, BullBuchanan said:

Mack is also coming off a disappointing season. I'm worried he may have already played his best ball, and may be a very good, but not top tier elite player on his second contact.

 

What statistic gives you that fact?

Mack just came off 10.5 sacks with 61 solo tackles and a combined 78 tackles.  That's All Pro for a DE.

 

 

2 hours ago, BullBuchanan said:

Not really. Bosa, Chandler Jones, Campbell, Miller, Lawrence are all top tier with a lot more just behind them. You don't need the best, you need one of the best.

 

Don't bring up Lawrence.  Him and Mack came into the league at the same time.  Lawrence's numbers are no where close to Mack's and he signed a

one year contract (because he can't stay healthy) for over 17 million.

 

Von Miller, yeah he's great that's why he is the highest paid.  Mack is in the same category.

 

Chandler Jones was a disappointment in NE, that's why he was traded.  He is much better in Arizona but still not the all around player Mack is.

 

Bosa could be exceptional.  If so he will command close to 25 million a year when his rookie contract is up.

If the Chargers wait to pay him the way the Raiders are doing with Mack, he will leave too.

 

So if your conclusion is Mack may not be the best because of Von Miller or maybe Bosa....................

 

 

[Augie]

15 minutes ago, billsfan89 said:

 

It could also be boredom. Gruden has been in the booth for a decade. He knows what that is and got comfortable doing it. I think at his age (Gruden is 55) he has to know that it is pretty much now or never to get back into coaching. He is still young enough by the standards of coaches and I think the insane offer of money and control from the Raiders was just too good to pass up. All these coaches are egotistical control freaks. Gruden just had too good of a position in the booth to leave for a less than immaculate offer but one team finally gave him what he wanted for some reason. 

 

There is supposedly a lot of interest in Mack from various teams, we just don't know if the Raiders asking price is too high or if the offers are coming in low. Some team will give up a least a first round pick for him in my estimation. I think this is a case of the Raiders holding out for more than what his value to another team is. I think the Packers would package the Saints first rounder with a couple of their mid round picks but I suspect the Raiders want at the very least a first, a second in 2020 and a mid round pick in 2019 plus a player. 

 

Mack is an elite player and even factoring in his contract demands which make him less valuable (You have to essentially give up draft capital and cap space for him) I still think a 1st rounder will be included in the trade package to get him. It won't be 2 first rounders or anything insane but give past trades of this nature Mack is the kind of player that some win now team would be willing to take a risk on. 

 

I’d go with a first and a player (Yeah, YOU, Jerry). I don’t see a lot more just because Mack will not be a cheap deal, like the 1st rounder would. But you DO know what you’re getting. Sending Hugh’s saves some $$$. 

[ndirish1978]

I think the real question is "would you draft Khalil Mack with next year's first rounder?" Cause we gave up TWO first round picks for Watkins and he turned out to be meh. I don't get the people balking at getting a DPOY for an early draft pick.

[JGMcD2]

3 minutes ago, ndirish1978 said:

I think the real question is "would you draft Khalil Mack with next year's first rounder?" Cause we gave up TWO first round picks for Watkins and he turned out to be meh. I don't get the people balking at getting a DPOY for an early draft pick.

We didn’t give up two first round picks for Watkins. We swapped our first round pick with Cleveland’s first round pick. Then we traded them a future future first round pick. 

 

2014 Bills 1st Round Pick + 2015 Bills 1st Round Pick - 2014 Browns 1st Round Pick = 1 First Round Pick given up for Sammy Watkins. 

[SWATeam]

1 minute ago, JGMcD2 said:

We didn’t give up two first round picks for Watkins. We swapped our first round pick with Cleveland’s first round pick. Then we traded them a future future first round pick. 

 

2014 Bills 1st Round Pick + 2015 Bills 1st Round Pick - 2014 Browns 1st Round Pick = 1 First Round Pick given up for Sammy Watkins. 

Please not this again...

 

 

[ndirish1978]

5 minutes ago, JGMcD2 said:

We didn’t give up two first round picks for Watkins. We swapped our first round pick with Cleveland’s first round pick. Then we traded them a future future first round pick. 

 

2014 Bills 1st Round Pick + 2015 Bills 1st Round Pick - 2014 Browns 1st Round Pick = 1 First Round Pick given up for Sammy Watkins. 

 

We spent 2 first round picks for the right to draft him, stop the semantics. Did we draft in the first round of 2015?

[ColoradoBills]

10 minutes ago, JGMcD2 said:

We didn’t give up two first round picks for Watkins. We swapped our first round pick with Cleveland’s first round pick. Then we traded them a future future first round pick. 

 

2014 Bills 1st Round Pick + 2015 Bills 1st Round Pick - 2014 Browns 1st Round Pick = 1 First Round Pick given up for Sammy Watkins. 

 

Don't forget the 2015 4th round pick!

[Nihilarian]

4 minutes ago, ndirish1978 said:

 

We spent 2 first round picks for the right to draft him, stop the semantics. Did we draft in the first round of 2015?

If you say it like this...

 

The Bills traded their 9th overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft along with a 2015, 1st round pick, and a 2015 4th round pick to move up to 2014, #4 overall spot to select Sammy Watkins. 

 

The Buffalo Bills SPENT two firsts and a fourth on Watkins.