Outside of the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns, there may be no team in more need of a quarterback than the Buffalo Bills.
Buffalo traded Tyrod Taylor to Cleveland earlier this offseason, and then signed former Cincinnati Bengals backup quarterback AJ McCarron. The former Crimson Tide quarterback has made just four starts in his first four seasons. He holds a 2-2 overall record but one of those losses came in the playoffs.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane helped the franchise snap a 17-year playoff drought alongside first-year head coach Sean McDermott. The two are looking to bring stability to the organization, but will likely need a franchise quarterback to do so.
The 2018 NFL Draft may provide their best opportunity. The Bills hold two first-round selections (No. 12 and 22) and have a total of six picks in the first three rounds. They could technically make a trade for a future franchise quarterback and give nothing away in future drafts.
Gettleman and Beane already have a connection due to their time together in Carolina. If the Giants are not in “love” with a quarterback prospect at No. 2 overall, New York and Buffalo could surely work a deal that would benefit both sides.
The Giants could send the No. 2 overall pick to the Bills for both of Buffalo’s first-round selections along with a second- and a third-round pick (Nos. 53 and 65). This trade would only have a 15 point differential, according to the NFL Draft Value Chart.
The trade would also help Buffalo leapfrog two AFC East rivals, the Jets and Dolphins.
With a stockpile of draft picks, Big Blue could address multiple needs. GMEN HQ’s Mock Draft 4.0 shows how the Giants could potentially utilize those draft picks so that they are able to win both now and in the future.
Of course, New York’s decision to trade back hinges on the evaluation of this year’s top prospects. Gettleman has reiterated multiple times that the Giants have to envision a player eventually wearing a gold jacket for them to use the No. 2 pick on him.
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Whether the Giants believe Darnold, Barkley, Rosen, Allen, or Chubb can be a future Hall of Famer is unknown. If there’s any uncertainty, trading back might be the best solution.
The Giants have multiple needs after a 3-13 season. Trading back would allow them the ability to fill multiple holes while also adding much-needed depth.