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Now, please hear me out, because I'm posting this to get some honest opinions from those who think Buffalo has no choice but to do "everything they can" to land Geno.
I've already read through previous posts about the pros and cons of drafting Geno. I've read the ones that say the Bills should stay at 8 and draft the BPA. I've been part of the conversation about drafting Matt Barkley or waiting til Round 2 or trading back into the lower first round to draft Nassib. And I've advocated taking our shot at Wilson, Glennon, Manuel, Jones and even Scott. But that's not what this post is about.
It's about finding the ammunition to trade up for the highest-rated QB in the draft, who could be the Face of the Bills franchise for the next decade.
Buffalo has two Pro Bowlers it can offer up that would be hard for the Jags and Raiders to pass up.
Jacksonville's interior line just lost free agent DT Terrance Knighton, who signed with Denver. The Jags also released underperforming safety Dawan Landry.
Meanwhile, the Raiders just cut starting free safety (and former 1st rounder) Michael Huff. And they're going to be desperate to replace the pathetic Tommy Kelly and unrestricted free agent Richard Seymour, who may be as good as gone by the weekend.
Want more proof? 7 out of 9 mock drafts on NFL.com have the Raiders taking Florida DT Shariff Floyd or Utah'a Star Lotulelei, if his heart condition checks out.
So, why can't the Bills flip flop picks and offer up either Kyle Williams or fellow 2-time Pro Bowler Jarius Byrd? If they have to kick in a second-rounder and a future pick, so be it.
Obviously, Williams health is in question, as he awaits minor surgery on his right foot. But according to him, it's not nearly as bad as his left one was and he should be 100% by training camp.
As for Byrd, he can still be traded (despite the franchise tag) because the Bills have the right to rescind his tender, at any time, if he hasn't signed it. So far, Byrd hasn't signed it (and doesn't actually have to until a June 15th deadline). In addition, Buffalo mysteriously used the non-exclusive franchise tag on Byrd. That means Jarius is free to talk to and negotiate with any team he wants to, until he signs his tender. It normally means the Bills can match any offer and if they don't, they'd receive 2 first-round draft choices by Byrd's new team.
But instead of doing that, Buffalo could work out a 'move-up' trade with Jacksonville or Oakland that includes Byrd, the rescinding of his tag and the waiver of the two first-round picks that the trade partner would normally have to relinquish. In exchange, the Bills would get their man, Geno Smith!
Edited by dcjoev, 15 March 2013 - 01:13 AM.
