NFL Draft 2013: Grading The Bills First Round Pick

Jan 1, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback EJ Manuel (3) passes in the second quarter of the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at the 2013 Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix stated on more than one occasion that he wanted to trade out of the top ten. As the picks rolled in, the Bills were able to find a partner in the form of the St. Louis Rams.

Buffalo sent it’s 8th and 71st overall picks to the Rams for 16, 46, 78, and 222. The Rams used the 8th pick to draft WR Tayvon Austin of West Virginia while the Bills got more time to figure out their draft plans.

When the time came, Buffalo found itself with a chance to take any of the top quarterbacks available. And being the position that many expected the team to address with its first round pick, it seemed to be a forgone conclusion that that would in fact be the pick. And that’s exactly what happened.

With the 16th overall pick, Buffalo wasted no time selecting E.J. Manuel out of Florida St. With every QB still on the board, it comes as a surprise that Manuel became the first QB off the board.

The Bills were able to trade back in the first, add more picks, and get their, hopeful, QB of the future. Bills fans, while not ecstatic about the selection, have to be happy that they didn’t draft Manuel at 8. He gives the Bills a solid QB that should lineup under center on opening day against New England.

Now begins his acclimation to cold weather in Buffalo.

GRADE: B+

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