Photo Credit: David J. Phillip | AP Photo
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Friday, April 27, 2018 | BataviasBest.org
Oh what a night.
One that Bills fans, for better or worse, won’t soon forget.
You saw mixed fan reaction on Thursday night as you scrolled through social media after the Buffalo Bills traded up in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft in order to select their new franchise quarterback – Wyoming’s Josh Allen. Some were ecstatic (including this guy), some were unmoved, and some were downright distraught.
Josh Allen to bills.. I LIKE THAT!! Congrats to @JoshAllenQB
— Juan M Tiscareno (@TiscarenoJuan) April 27, 2018
As a Bills fan I have to say Josh Allen is probably gonna be the worst of the QBs drafted tonight
— Adam Blickstein (@AdamBlickstein) April 27, 2018
I just wanna go see Infinity War this weekend and not have to talk to anyone about Josh Allen. I’ll come around, but it’s not gonna be tonight… #Bills #InfinityWar
— AC (@acerr_) April 27, 2018
ANNNNDDDDD Josh Allen is wearing Bills beads. This dude really was born to play here.
— Kevin King (@KevPKing) April 27, 2018
The talking heads, however, all seemed to be on the side of the anti-Allen crowd.
So the Bills trade out of spot with Mahomes/Watson on the board to get draft capital, then trade draft capital for Josh Allen a year later.
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) April 27, 2018
Josh Allen will continue Buffalo tradition of overthrowing Bills receivers. #NFLDraft
— Ben Maller (@benmaller) April 27, 2018
The Bills drafted Josh Allen.
Related: The Bills love mediocrity.
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) April 27, 2018
Whichever way you look at it, you have to applaud the Bills for being able to trade up to draft what they feel is their franchise QB, while also holding on to their other first round pick – which they used on a top-tier MLB. Even if you feel they took the wrong player, their management of the first round was impressive and I believe they have set themselves up for success in the coming years.
Remember ladies and gentleman the Bills also signed veteran QB AJ McCarron in the offseason, which means we may not see Josh Allen for a year, or two – which I am fine with. I believe McCarron can, without a doubt, be as good if not better than Tyrod Taylor was a year ago, and good enough to keep the Bills in the playoff hunt.
Josh Allen had many detractors entering the draft, largely due to his inaccuracy throughout his college career.
Meanwhile, Allen will have time to develop and fine-tune his deficiencies which. at least the pundits believe, there are many.
The average lifespan of a starting quarterback in the NFL lies somewhere between 10-15 years, which will afford the Bills a few seasons of patience at the beginning of their new QB’s career. In other words, although it would be a major plus, he doesn’t have to be good right away.
I know, after 20 years of ineptitude, Bills fans are tired of waiting for their franchise guy. However, wouldn’t you rather wait a couple of more years, while still competing for a playoff spot, in order to better prepare yourself for what the Bills hope will be a promising next 10-20 years of football in Buffalo?
I say the answer is yes.
With that being said, it’s understandable for Bills fans to be tepid with their excitement concerning their team’s first round effort. In the end, history says that Buffalo gets it wrong when it comes to quarterback pretty much every time.
However, I believe this time it’s different.
I just do.
So hang in there, Bills fans. Things are starting to move in the right direction.
