Fans of the Bills who were hoping their team would select a wide receiver at No. 28 on Thursday might have felt let down when they learned the team would be trading the pick. From the reactions on social media, it seemed they were more than disappointed with the trading partner chosen.
The Chiefs, who have knocked the Bills out of the playoffs three times in the last four seasons, moved up from No. 32 and selected fast wide receiver Xavier Worthy to address one of their major needs.
Fans’ disappointment stemmed from the playoff history between the two teams, the Bills’ own need for a player in that position, and perhaps because they recalled a previous draft-day trade with the Chiefs that brought Patrick Mahomes to Kansas City.
In exchange for the pick, Buffalo acquired a third-round pick from the Chiefs. The Bills then traded out of the first round altogether and also obtained a fifth-round pick from the Panthers.
Brandon Beane, the General Manager of the Bills, emphasized that the trade with the Panthers was more significant to the team than the Chiefs’ plans for the No. 28 pick.
Beane stated, “I could see them taking a receiver but you don’t truly know… But where they were moving from, I don’t think it mattered to us who they were picking.”
He highlighted the importance of the draft assets acquired in the trades, which provide flexibility to address various team needs or make further moves depending on how the draft unfolds.
With the first pick of the second round, the Bills have numerous options to consider. They could select from a pool of available players or entertain the possibility of trading with a team eager to move up for their desired player.
Making a successful choice in the second round would help alleviate any concerns about the team’s decisions on Thursday night.
