The Buffalo Bills haven’t picked No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft since 1985 when they took Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith.
According to a recent report from Bleacher Report’s Dan Pompei, Buffalo has interest in trading for the top selection in May’s draft, which is owned by the Houston Texans.
“Word from the NFL meetings is the Texans are trying hard to deal the first pick in the draft,” Pompei writes. “They want to move down and acquire extra selections. Sources say they might have a trade partner in the Bills, who appear interested in moving up. It is unclear who the Bills would want in a trade-up scenario.”
The Bills have the No. 9 pick in the first round, and have several different needs. A wide receiver is needed to bolster the skill surrounding quarterback E.J. Manuel, who was taken in the first round last year. Clemson’s Sammy Watkins would be a good receiver for Buffalo to target. The Bills also need a safety after the free-agent departure of Jairus Byrd.
Buffalo has a lot of holes to fill on its roster, which is why it doesn’t make sense for the Bills to give up players and/or draft picks to make a substantial move up eight spots in the first round.
That type of move also doesn’t make much sense for Houston. Moving down eight spots and potentially missing out on some talented players, such as quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, would do nothing to help a Texans team in the midst of a rebuild.
