While the Bills have improved their roster and addressed some positional needs early in free agency, trading back or out of the first round still remains their best option.
The NFL Draft is one of the most unpredictable parts of the offseason. However, as it nears, it’s easier to evaluate the value of certain picks. Depending on how the board develops for the Bills, they should keep all options open. In that case, trading back becomes more likely.
Why the Bills Should Trade Back
The main reason for the Bills trading back is related to their recent acquisition of wide receiver D.J. Moore. In that deal, the team gave up a second-round pick. This now leaves them with 65 selections between their first- and third-round picks.
Since they filled a need at a high-value position like wide receiver, they have more flexibility in their draft strategy.
While the Bills could pick another wide receiver at 26, trading back to gather more picks on day two will let them address other positions with high-upside players. Instead of selecting the fifth or sixth-best player at key positions like wide receiver or edge rusher, it would be smarter to make multiple picks on day two. This approach could also help fill gaps at left guard and linebacker with players who can contribute immediately. Additionally, it would help the Bills save money on their draft budget since they wouldn’t need to pay anyone first-round wages.
Although this might seem like a cheap move, it could greatly help build their roster for future seasons. Skipping the first round will probably face criticism from fans because it’s not flashy. Still, the Bills must be careful with every decision they make during the offseason. As a competitive team with one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league, they’ll be managing the cap for years to come. Therefore, planning moves years in advance is essential to maintaining their success.
Why Jacob Rodriguez Should be the Pick
Besides left guard, linebacker remains arguably the Bills’ biggest positional need. While they have Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams set to start in Jim Leonhard’s new 3-4 system, they need more depth behind them.
They also risk Dorian Williams performing well in a contract year and being priced out of the team. Aside from roster construction and positional needs, there are plenty of reasons to favor Jacob Rodriguez. For one, Rodriguez would be an ideal fit for the aggressive defensive style Leonhard and Joe Brady plan to implement this upcoming season.
Although Rodriguez has limited experience playing linebacker, he has a knack for locating the ball. In his recent season at Texas Tech, he accumulated 128 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions, and seven forced fumbles. These achievements earned Rodriguez the Bronko Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik awards, and he finished fifth in Heisman voting.
Rodriguez has impressive stats, and the film supports them as well. Watching him play, it’s obvious why he was vital to Texas Tech’s success. However, the reasons Rodriguez likely isn’t expected to go in the first round of many mock drafts are his age, size, and limited defensive experience.
After playing quarterback at Virginia in 2021, he transferred to Texas Tech, where he saw limited playing time in 2022. He then received a medical redshirt in 2023. He did not become a full-time starter until 2024. At the start of Rodriguez’s rookie season, he will be 24. This age might already have taken him off some teams’ draft boards. He’s also 6’1″ and weighs 231 pounds, according to his official combine measurements.
Some people may see these things and dismiss him immediately, but his talent is enough to overlook issues like this. If the Bills choose Rodriguez, they won’t regret it. He’ll step in and compete for a starting spot right away.
Other Trade Back Options
While Jacob Rodriguez would be a solid choice in a trade-back scenario for the Bills, there are still a few other players to watch.
The first is LSU safety AJ Haulcy, whom the team reportedly brought in for a visit. Haulcy would fulfill another one of the Bills’ long-term needs.
Besides Cole Bishop, the Bills’ other safety options are C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone, both on single-year deals.
Two other players the Bills could choose after trading back are Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell and Missouri linebacker Josiah Trotter. Both Bell and Trotter also visited the Bills’ facilities before the draft. Whether the Bills end up picking Jacob Rodriguez, Josiah Trotter, Chris Bell, AJ Haulcy, or someone else, trading back seems like a good option for the team.
What to Look Forward To
With the NFL draft less than a month away, many things can still unfold. As more colleges finish their pro days, some players will climb and fall on teams’ draft boards, making the already unpredictable draft even harder to predict.
Whether the Bills choose to stay put or trade their first-round pick, no one knows until they’re on the clock, and that’s what makes the draft so exciting to anticipate every year.
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