Circling The Wagons

The Bills continued to upgrade the offense with the third round selection (78th overall) of Marquise Goodwin from the University of Texas. He is not the most polished route runner, and his hands have been questioned at times, but Goodwin provides a matchup problem because of his pure, world-class speed. He might be the fastest player in this draft. Goodwin can return kicks and punts, take handoffs on reverses, and if everything goes according to plan, develop into a nightmare matchup in the slot.

The Bills used the second round draft choice acquired in yesterday’s Rams trade (46th overall) to select ILB Kiko Alonso from Oregon. Alonso is known as a physical run stopper but he also has the speed to cover backs in the passing game. At 6-3, 238, scouts say he can possibly play OLB in a 4-3 scheme but he will be in the inside with the Bills. A good-awareness, high-effort player, Alonso should fit in well on Mike Pettine’s defense.

The Bills used the first of two second round picks (41st overall) to fill a need at wide receiver. Robert Woods is considered by many a complete player and the most NFL-ready receiver in the draft. He set numerous USC and PAC-12 records and should start opposite Stevie Johnson from day one in Doug Marrone’s offense.

The Buffalo Bills traded down from the 8th spot in the first round to the 16th spot in the first round with the St. Louis Rams.

The Rams used the pick to select WR Tavon Austin of West Virginia. No QB’s had come off the board at the time of the Bills-Rams trade.

Rams Get
1st Round (8th overall)
3rd Round (71st overall)

Bills Get
1st Round (16th overall)
2nd Round (46th overall)
3rd Round (78th overall)
7th Round (222nd overall)

The Bills then used the 16th selection to draft QB E.J. Manuel of Florida State. Manuel became the first QB taken in this years draft and the first QB ever taken by the Bills as its top draft choice.

You have to give Buddy Nix and the Bills credit. They accurately gauged the QB interest of their NFL counterparts and managed to trade down and acquire some valuable draft choices.

I’m a little surprised Ryan Nassib wasn’t their guy, but they had the pick of the litter among QB’s in this draft, and they got the one they wanted. It’s gonna be an interesting next two days.