The Worst Buffalo Bills' Draft Misses in Recent Memory
EJ Manuel - Former Quarterback of the Buffalo Bills
Image: The Worst Buffalo Bills' Draft Misses in Recent Memory - The Wandering Buffalo
Before we even start reviewing some of the worst Buffalo Bills draft selections, there’s a touch of recency bias here. I’m only 24 years old and probably haven’t been a fan for as long as some of you who are currently reading. These are just my personal opinions.
As a Bills fan, it's impossible to forget the 17-year playoff drought that we endured. It was a time of hardship and disappointment, and nothing seemed right for our beloved team. Bills Mafia stuck by the team through thick and thin, and we never lost hope that our team would again rise to glory.
But during those long years of struggle, the Bills also made some questionable decisions on draft day, leaving many fans scratching their heads. Here are some of the worst draft misses in recent memory.
EJ Manuel
The selection of EJ Manuel in the 2013 NFL Draft was highly anticipated by Bills fans who hoped he would answer the team's quarterback woes. Manuel had a successful college career at Florida State and was highly regarded for his arm strength and accuracy. However, things did not go according to plan. During his rookie season, Manuel sprained his right lateral collateral ligament, causing him to miss five weeks. He returned to the starting lineup, but inconsistency plagued him throughout the season. The following year, Manuel was benched in Week 5 in favor of Kyle Orton, who led the Buffalo Bills from a 2-2 record to a 9-7 record, making it the Buffalo Bills’ first winning record since 2004.
Despite some flashes of potential, Manuel could never establish himself as the franchise quarterback that the Bills had hoped for. His accuracy and decision-making were often criticized, and he struggled to perform in clutch situations. After four seasons with the Bills, Manuel was released, ending his tenure in Buffalo. Clearly, he was not the quarterback the Bills had hoped he would be.
In the years since Manuel's departure, the Bills have had much more success at the quarterback position with the arrival of Josh Allen. However, the disappointment of Manuel's lack of success still lingers in the minds of Bills fans, who had hoped for so much more from their former first-round pick.
Sammy Watkins
The 2014 NFL Draft was a highly anticipated event for the Bills, as they were expected to make a big splash with their high draft pick. In a controversial move, the team traded up to select wide receiver Sammy Watkins with the fourth overall pick. Watkins was a highly touted prospect known for his speed and athleticism on the field. However, his time in Buffalo was plagued by injuries, which limited his playing time and effectiveness. Despite flashes of brilliance, he could not stay healthy for extended periods, leading to frustration among fans and management for the rest of his tenure with the Buffalo Bills.
After three seasons with the Bills, Watkins was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for draft picks. While his time in Buffalo was short-lived, Watkins' legacy remains complicated for Bills fans. On the one hand, he showed tremendous potential and was a dynamic playmaker when healthy. On the other hand, his injuries and lack of consistency were significant sources of frustration for fans who had hoped for more from the talented wide receiver.
Ultimately, Watkins' departure from the Bills marked the end of a controversial chapter in team history. While the trade-up for him was seen as a bold move then, it ultimately did not pay off for the team. However, the lessons learned from the Watkins era have undoubtedly helped shape the Bills' approach to the draft and player acquisition in the years since.
Aaron Maybin
Aaron Maybin is widely regarded as one of the biggest draft busts in Buffalo Bills history. The Bills selected Maybin with the 11th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, expecting him to become a cornerstone of their defense for years. However, his time in Buffalo was short-lived, as he failed to live up to expectations and was released after just two seasons. Maybin was a highly touted linebacker out of Penn State, where he had recorded 12 sacks and 20 tackles for loss in his final college season. He was seen as a disruptive force who could wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks and was thought to have immense potential at the NFL level.
Maybin recorded 0 sacks and 24 tackles in 27 games. He was a healthy scratch for several games in his second season with the team, and his lack of production eventually led to his release. Maybin's failure to live up to his draft status greatly disappointed the Bills and their fans. The team had invested a high draft pick in him, hoping he would become a game-changing pass rusher. Instead, he was one of the least productive players on the team, and his departure was seen as a necessary move to help improve the defense.
In the end, Aaron Maybin will always be remembered as one of the Buffalo Bills' biggest draft busts. His failure to live up to expectations disappointed the team and its fans, but it also serves as a reminder that even the most highly touted prospects can fail to make an impact at the NFL level.
J.P. Losman
J. P. Losman is a name that brings back unpleasant memories for Buffalo Bills fans. He was drafted in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft and was supposed to be the team's quarterback of the future. Unfortunately, Losman failed to live up to expectations, and his time in Buffalo is remembered as one of the worst draft picks in recent memory.
At the time of the draft, the Bills were looking for a quarterback to replace veteran signal-caller, Drew Bledsoe. Losman was seen as an athletic quarterback with a strong arm, and the Bills selected him with the 22nd overall pick. However, his time in Buffalo was plagued by inconsistency and injuries. During his five seasons with the Bills, Losman started 33 games and compiled a record of 10 wins and 23 losses. Throughout his Buffalo career, Losman threw for 6,211 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 34 interceptions. Losman's best season came in 2006 when he threw for 3,051 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. However, the team still finished with a disappointing record of 7-9.
While J.P. Losman showed flashes of potential, his lack of consistency and durability ultimately doomed his time in Buffalo. The team missed out on several other talented players in the 2004 NFL Draft, which only compounds the disappointment of Losman's underwhelming career with the Bills.
Mike Williams
When it comes to drafting players, it's never a sure thing. Teams can pour countless hours of research and evaluation into prospects, only to see them fall short of expectations. The Buffalo Bills have had their fair share of draft misses over the years, but few are as memorable as the selection of left tackle Mike Williams in the 2002 NFL Draft. Williams was seen as a can't-miss prospect from the University of Texas, with prototypical size and strength for an offensive lineman. The Bills, who had the fourth overall pick in the draft, needed a franchise left tackle to protect quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Williams was eventually released by the Bills in 2006, having started 48 games over four seasons with the team. Losing his starting job to Jason Peters.
Williams' struggles were a significant disappointment for the Bills, who had invested a high draft pick and a lot of money in him. He was one of the team's worst draft picks of the past two decades, and his failure to live up to expectations set the Bills back in a critical position for years to come. Williams never found success in the NFL. After his four-year tenure with the Buffalo Bills, Williams signed with Washington for a year in 2009. He started only eight games.
In the end, the selection of Mike Williams is a cautionary tale for NFL teams about the dangers of putting too much stock in a single player, even one with all the physical tools and potential in the world. For the Bills, it serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough scouting and evaluation and the need to make intelligent decisions on draft day. Williams never lacked the physical gifts, he lacked the desire to play.
Fortunately, the days of Doug Whaley and Tom Donahoe are behind us. Let us know who you think are the worst Buffalo Bills draft picks in recent memory in the comments below.
