Buffalo Bills taking step back after trading Sammy Watkins and Ronald Darby
After trading Sammy Watkins and Ronald Darby, the Buffalo Bills are signalling that a rebuild is coming.
The Buffalo Bills were busy making moves on Friday shipping out Sammy Watkins and Ronald Darby in separate deals. The team looks to take a step back as Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott look to make their mark on the team in their first season in control.
Watkins and a sixth round pick were dealt to the Los Angeles Rams for E.J. Gaines and a second round pick. Dealing the former Clemson star will be a tough one for Bills fans to let go but with the New England Patriots continuing to dominate the AFC East, the team has decided to try to build towards the future rather than try to compete now. The 24-year old leaves Buffalo with 2,459 yards on 153 receptions and 17 touchdowns. He will be a central figure in the Rams passing game giving Jared Goff a formidable weapon.
Coming back to Buffalo is a player who also has had his fair share of injuries. Gaines suffered a lisfranc injury and has been unable to get back to form as a great coverage corner. He could be used in zone packages and will need to have an impressive audition if he wants to see playing time. He is in a contract year so if he is not able to catch on with the Bills he will likely walk at the end of the season.
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Giving up a player like Watkins was a tough move by management which is why they went out and got Jordan Matthews and a third round pick from the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bills did have to part with cornerback Ronald Darby in the deal for Matthews and the trade does fill a need for both teams. Darby gives the Eagles a quality starter with speed and Matthews has the size physicality and durability that the Bills needed on the offensive side of the ball.
These moves may not help the Bills for this season but with two picks in each of the first three rounds of the 2018 draft, Buffalo has a chance to build a contender moving forward. What it will come down to is their drafting which can be a risky move but it can be rewarding if done properly.
Next: Bills sign veteran receiver Anquan Boldin
What do you think about the Bills moves? Do you see this as a rebuilding step and what should they do next? Let us know in the comments below.