Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills: Deshaun Watson Becoming Top Draft Target

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:36 p.m. ET

Fansided, Erik Lambert/FanSided via NFL Mocks

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to the bench against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills remain one of the most perplexing franchises going in the NFL. Nothing proves this more than their ongoing quarterback quandary.

Ever since Jim Kelly retired this team hasn’t been able to make a decision on that position and stick to it for any length of time. First it was Rob Johnson and Doug Flutie. Then it was Drew Bledsoe, J.P. Losman, Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick, E.J. Manuel and Kyle Orton. Now they have Tyrod Taylor, easily their most productive QB in years and word is they’re ready to make another change.

Matt Miller of the Bleacher Reported stated from his weekly Scouting Notebook that there is a running belief the Bills will target a quarterback in the first two rounds. Not only that but there is a name out there that is creating a buzz.

“The Buffalo Bills have to add a quarterback early in this draft, and speaking to a rival GM about that opening, he said, “They’ll draft one in the first two rounds, and if I had to pick it’d be [Deshaun] Watson based on what [Doug Whaley] likes and how he thinks.”

This is a fascinating situation to say the least. It’s difficult to determine exactly what the Bills will be able to see that’s different between Deshaun Watson and Tyrod Taylor. They are virtually the same exact type of quarterbacks: athletic, mobile, decent arms and playmakers. The key difference is Taylor protects the football better just based on interception rates. Thus the Bills would be gambling that Watson is worth the risk because of his highly-touted leadership qualities.

It’s certainly a puzzling idea. Perhaps more than anything it’s an indication that Taylor really was Rex Ryan’s quarterback and GM Doug Whaley was never on board with him. Otherwise this ongoing talk that the team is ready and willing to move on from a guy who reached the Pro Bowl in 2015 would be considered ludicrous. Especially since even good quarterbacks are hard to find.

Whaley may just want his own guy and a fresh start. Easy to understand but difficult to justify given the more pressing needs they have across the roster.