Bills Central

Unorthodox draft proposal has Bills following Patriots Super Bowl strategy at QB

The New England Patriots were very successful for a long time. An interesting draft strategy suggests the Bills follow in their footsteps.
Brian Letscher|
Jan 26, 2025; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship game.
Jan 26, 2025; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship game. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

In this story:

Buffalo Bills | News, Scores, Schedules & Standings

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen is not the problem. Allen has matured into an MVP for the Bills, leading them to five straight AFC East titles and their first playoff wins in decades. Bills GM Brandon Beane, however, may want to consider a different strategy for Allen's backup.

Many teams with star quarterbacks punt on a backup. Why invest a valuable mid-round pick in a player that will never play unless the teams' Pro Bowl starter is injured, in which case the season is doomed anyway? Seems to make sense.

RELATED: Buffalo Bills in perfect position to steal combine 'freak' WR for Josh Allen

The Athletic's Tim Graham offers a different take, one that worked very well for the New England Patriots when they had Tom Brady behind center. The Patriots consistently used anywhere from a 2nd to 6th round pick to draft a young backup for Brady. They then developed that player over the first few years of his cheap rookie deal, providing them a competent backup like a Matt Cassell or Jimmy Garrapolo.

Matt Cassell
Dec 21, 2008; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel (16) makes a call in the third quarter. | David Butler II-Imagn Images

"That’s the most attractive scenario: selecting a quarterback who serves a role, provides insurance for three seasons and develops to the point of being traded or leaving as a free agent that gooses the compensatory draft formula, " Graham wrote.

One would be hard-pressed to find a mock draft that has the Bills picking a quarterback to backup Allen, even with a late round pick, especially given their defensive needs and the fact that this draft class is light on QB talent. Beane and Bills do, however, have 10 picks. If a QB of early round value falls mid-to-late, this may not be a bad strategy. It certainly worked for their AFC rival Patriots.

—  Enjoy free coverage of the Bills from Buffalo Bills on SI  —

More Buffalo Bills News:

Published
Brian Letscher
BRIAN LETSCHER

A Michigan native, Brian graduated from the University of Michigan in another century, where he earned a degree in economics and a Rose Bowl Championship ring while playing football for the Wolverines under Head Coach Gary Moeller. Brian went on to coach Division 1A football for several years before becoming a full-time writer and actor while maintaining an unhealthy interest in sports. He is currently developing a scripted television series, THOSE WHO STAY, based on a series of historical fiction articles he wrote about Bo Schembechler's Michigan football program as they struggle to unite and win the championship - which requires beating #1 Ohio State - during the tumultuous civil rights and anti-war movements of 1969.

Home/Draft