How Dumb is Buffalo? (Watkins Trade then SJohnson Trade)

[DropKickFlutie]

The Buffalo draft last night was questionable in moving up 5 spots but having to give up Pick9 PLUS their first rounder next year (likely top5 pick) and also a mid-round pick.
Buffalo then compounded the idiocy by just trading away Stevie Johnson for a conditional 4th rounder that can turn into a 3rd rd pick depending on performance.

Steve Johnson was a 1000 yard 7 TD receiver for 3 years in a row, who they gave up for a mid-round pick. They took Watkins, a rookie receiver and spent multiple top-10 1st round picks plus a mid-rounder.

It boggles the mind
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/11458/steve-johnson

 

[Aßßynormal]

I agree with that, except if his contract and/or his attitude is a problem.

 

[dryheat44]

I don't think moving Johnson is dumb at all. He's clashed with Marrone repeatedly, a bit injury prone, and his contract figures to be higher that Watkins. I don't think anybody outside of the Johnson household believes Johnson is better than Watkins. Then they also have Robert Woods on a rookie deal and Mike Williams plus another 2nd year speedster (Goodwin?). Moving Johnson was the right move, and they got a better return for him than I would've figured.

Now, did they overpay for Watkins? Probably. But it's hard to argue that the Bills offense isn't better now.

 

[patchick]

Buffalo then compounded the idiocy by just trading away Stevie

I have a feeling that the causality runs the other way. They paid a premium for an elite receiver because they knew that they wanted to be rid of Johnson.

 

[Off The Grid]

I have a feeling that the causality runs the other way. They paid a premium for an elite receiver because they knew that they wanted to be rid of Johnson.

Yeah, exactly.

Everybody's known for a while now that they were planning on doing precisely that.

Johnson probably sold his house weeks ago.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I don't think moving Johnson is dumb at all. He's clashed with Marrone repeatedly

In college or the NFL, it is extremely important that the coach owns the locker room. Clearly Johnson was a problem in the locker room and had to go.

Interestingly I think Collins had a problem with his coach at Southern Miss two years ago. However he seems to be a model Patriot since being drafted.

 

[DropKickFlutie]

Now, did they overpay for Watkins? Probably. But it's hard to argue that the Bills offense isn't better now.

Disagree. At best Watkins will put up what SJohnson was already producing. And to get at best similar production, they basically traded two top-10 1st round picks in return for a mid rd pick.

 

[Ifleninwasawizard]

Eh, if they think Johnson is a problem for the team then he has to go. Sometimes the integrity of the team is more important than production at one position.

On the other hand, you don't want to throw your #4 overall to the wolves right away. It could be a bad situation if other teams are throwing their top CB's on him. Sure, you need him to beat those guys in the future, but you can't demand it year one.

 

[mmasterkillah]

The Bills did not help themselves with the trade, but they needed to rid themselves of Stevie. I will always literally laugh out loud whenever I think of his huge drop against Pittsburgh that he blamed God for on Twitter.

 

[dryheat44]

Disagree. At best Watkins will put up what SJohnson was already producing. And to get at best similar production, they basically traded two top-10 1st round picks in return for a mid rd pick.

Johnson had 52 catches for less than 600 yards last year and appeared very brittle. I have to believe Watkins "at best" will give them more production + he's seven years younger.

I have to think this was also done with an eye toward allowing Manuel to grow into a leadership role without the negative influence.

 

[Why?PJ]

Johnson has been a horrible human being since he came into the league. If Watkins can really produce, the trade will be more than worth it. That offense looks like it could be really great if Manual can stay healthy.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Disagree. At best Watkins will put up what SJohnson was already producing. And to get at best similar production, they basically traded two top-10 1st round picks in return for a mid rd pick.

Except that Watkins also gives them an explosive return guy as well.

 

[scout]

How dumb was Cleveland trading for Johnson due to losing their best receiver because of character issues?

 

[stumeister]

" Nobody circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills"!!!

 

[Gymrat]

Bad teams put game changing talent together n get much better all the time. What was our record the 2 previous seasons b4 Brady. Truth b told Johnson was the 4th most talented wr on that team. How can anybody b sure that pick is top 10 next yr. Remember the raiders pick we had. Still makes me curious if that pick was top10 would we have Quinn or watt or would bill have traded down to pick up some more role players. Look at the rams in 99 the cardinals in 08 n Seattle recently. Truth is buffalo is putting talent together. If Manuel is just good they r a threat. The online is taking shape, dline could b dominant,wr's, Alonzo. They could b a playoff team.

 

[varjao]

Bad teams put game changing talent together n get much better all the time. What was our record the 2 previous seasons b4 Brady. Truth b told Johnson was the 4th most talented wr on that team. How can anybody b sure that pick is top 10 next yr. Remember the raiders pick we had. Still makes me curious if that pick was top10 would we have Quinn or watt or would bill have traded down to pick up some more role players. Look at the rams in 99 the cardinals in 08 n Seattle recently. Truth is buffalo is putting talent together. If Manuel is just good they r a threat. The online is taking shape, dline could b dominant,wr's, Alonzo. They could b a playoff team.

I think that the problem of the Bills is more related to management/coaching than roster. Even thought, they seem to be drafting better the last couple of drafts and I expect them to be in the wild card battle. I like EJ Manuel, if he stays on the field he's better than whatever the Jets have at QB and probably has a better upside than Tanehill who I think hit is ceiling.

The problem is that this team is cursed and the Jests and Dolphins also improved...anyway, I don't see the division that easy like before, we went 4-2 last year and I think it's fair to expect similar record this year.

 

[Kontradiction]

I don't think moving Johnson is dumb at all. He's clashed with Marrone repeatedly, a bit injury prone, and his contract figures to be higher that Watkins. I don't think anybody outside of the Johnson household believes Johnson is better than Watkins. Then they also have Robert Woods on a rookie deal and Mike Williams plus another 2nd year speedster (Goodwin?). Moving Johnson was the right move, and they got a better return for him than I would've figured.

Now, did they overpay for Watkins? Probably. But it's hard to argue that the Bills offense isn't better now.

They built up their OL as well. If Manuel actually becomes a starting caliber quarterback, that can be a very dangerous offense even a year from now.