Rich Barnes

Revisiting the Bills' 2017 trades

By Ryan Talbot | Contributing writer

The Buffalo Bills spent a good part of 2017 wheeling and dealing. During the NFL draft, the Bills made three trades. They didn't slow down after Brandon Beane was named general manager. During his brief tenure with the team, Buffalo has made four trades. It's time to revisit each trade and see how Buffalo is faring close to the middle of the 2017 season.

Don't Edit

The Associated Press

Trade 1

The Bills' first big trade came during the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. At pick 10, the Bills could have filled multiple needs. Instead, the team sent the pick to the Kansas City Chiefs. Here's a look at the full breakdown of the trade.

Chiefs receive:

Bills' 2017 1st round pick (No. 10) to select QB Patrick Mahomes

Bills receive:

Chiefs' 2017 1st round pick (No. 27): Tre'Davious White

Chiefs' 2017 3rd round pick (No. 91): Traded to Rams

Chiefs' 2018 1st round pick

Don't Edit

Who's currently winning the trade?

EDGE: Bills.

This trade won't be determined until Patrick Mahomes has had a few seasons of playing time. If the Kansas City Chiefs end up with a franchise quarterback, they'll ultimately win this trade. As of now, the Bills have comfortably won this trade. Tre'Davious White has had his rookie moments, but he's played very well overall in his first season with the Bills. Holding the Chiefs' first round pick in 2018 also helps push this trade heavily in Buffalo's favor at this time.

Don't Edit

Michael Perez

Trade 2

After trading down in the first round, the Bills moved up in round two.

Rams receive:

Bills' 2017 2nd round pick (No. 44): TE Gerald Everett

Bills' 2017 3rd round pick acquired from Chiefs (No. 91): DB John Johnson

Bills receive:

Rams' 2017 2nd round pick (No. 37): WR Zay Jones

Rams' 2017 5th round pick (No. 149): Traded to Falcons in Dion Dawkins trade

Don't Edit

Who's currently winning the trade?

EDGE: Rams.

Gerald Everett has been a solid contributor for the Rams through seven games. He's recorded one start and has seven receptions for 154 yards and one touchdown. John Johnson has made three starts for Los Angeles and 18 total tackles, three passes defensed and one interception.

There's still plenty of time for Zay Jones to turn around his rookie season and help make this trade look better for Buffalo, but he's struggled early in his rookie season. Jones has seven receptions for 83 yards on 32 targets through six games.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Bob Leverone

Trade 3

The Bills traded up again in day two of the draft. This time, the team was moving up in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons to grab an offensive tackle.

Falcons receive:

Bills' 3rd round pick (No. 75): LB Duke Riley

Bills' 5th round pick acquired from Rams (No. 149): S Damontae Kazee

Bills' 5th round pick (No. 156): RB Brian Hill

Bills receive:

Falcons' 2017 2nd round pick (No. 63): OT Dion Dawkins

Don't Edit

Who's currently winning the trade?

EDGE: Push.

Duke Riley has appeared in all six games with the Falcons including five starts. Riley has recorded 20 total tackles to date. Damontee Kazee has also appeared in all six games (1 start). He has 11 total tackles and two forced fumbles. Running back Brian Hill has appeared in one game, but has not posted any stats.

Buffalo should be very happy with their side of the trade. Dion Dawkins has appeared in all six games for the Bills and has recorded three starts early in his career. His play has been up and down, but there have been more positives than negatives in his play.

At this time, it's fair to call the trade a push.

Don't Edit

Associated Press

Trade 4

Brandon Beane's first trade saw him move a quarterback that was well behind Tyrod Taylor and Nathan Peterman.

Chargers receive:

QB Cardale Jones

Bills receive:

Conditional draft pick

Don't Edit

Who's currently winning the trade?

EDGE: Push.

Cardale Jones made the Chargers' 53-man roster, but it's hard to imagine him developing into a quality player in this league. He wasn't going to make Buffalo's 53-man roster, so getting something for the quarterback was a positive move for Beane and the Bills.

Don't Edit

Rich Barnes

Trade 5

Brandon Beane made two big trades following Buffalo's first preseason game. The first trade sent away the team's No. 1 receiver.

Rams receive:

WR Sammy Watkins

Bills' 2018 6th round pick

Bills receive:

CB E.J. Gaines

Rams' 2018 2nd round pick

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Who's currently winning the trade?

EDGE: Bills.

The Los Angeles Rams are playing excellent football, but Sammy Watkins hasn't been as involved as many expected. Watkins is fourth on the team in receptions (18) and yards (264).

E.J. Gaines has been terrific since joining the Bills. He's recorded five starts for Buffalo and has 24 total tackles, six passes defensed, one interception and two forced fumbles. Gaines is currently Pro Football Focus' 34th best cornerback (80.7 grade).

This trade would be a push if we only considered Watkins and Gaines, but the trade favors Buffalo as they'll receive the Rams' second round pick in the 2018 draft.

Don't Edit

Bob Leverone

Trade 6

After trading away Sammy Watkins, the Bills also sent cornerback Ronald Darby to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Eagles receive:

CB Ronald Darby

Bills receive:

WR Jordan Matthews

2018 3rd round pick

Don't Edit

Who's currently winning the trade?

EDGE: Bills.

Ronald Darby dislocated his ankle in the Eagles' season opener. He hasn't appeared in a game since the injury, but is expected to return to the field in Week 8.

Jordan Matthews has appeared in five games (4 starts) with Buffalo. He has 12 receptions for 172 yards and one touchdown. The wide receiver returned to the field in Week 7 after missing one game due to a thumb injury.

In addition to Matthews, Buffalo also added a third round pick from the Eagles. Right now, the combination of Matthews and the day two pick are enough to say that the Bills are currently ahead in this trade.

Don't Edit

Jeffrey T. Barnes

Trade 7

Brandon Beane's next trade involved a linebacker who didn't fit into Buffalo's current scheme. The Bills sent Reggie Ragland to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Chiefs receive:

LB Reggie Ragland

Bills receive:

2019 4th round pick

Don't Edit

Who's currently winning the trade?

EDGE: Push.

Reggie Ragland has appeared in four games with the Kansas City Chiefs and recorded five total tackles. The linebacker didn't see much playing time in the Chiefs' latest game. Ragland had nine total snaps in Week 7 against the Raiders.

Buffalo didn't receive any immediate help in the trade, but Ragland may have been released if the Bills did not find a trade partner. Adding a fourth round pick in 2019 wasn't bad value for a player who didn't fit the current scheme.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Bill Wippert

Trade 8

Beane's last trade saw him trade a cornerback to his former team for a wide receiver.

Panthers receive:

CB Kevon Seymour

Bills receive:

WR Kaelin Clay

Panthers' 2019 7th round pick

Don't Edit

Who's currently winning the trade?

EDGE: Panthers.

Unless the Bills find the steal of the 2019 NFL draft, this trade can go down as a loss for Buffalo. The Bills already waived Kaelin Clay and he was claimed by the Panthers on Tuesday. Carolina now has both players on their roster from the trade.

Don't Edit

More from NYup.com