Washington Redskins: Why a trade down with Buffalo is unrealistic

The Washington Redskins need to make the most of their opportunity in the draft this year. Might the proper utilization of such an opportunity involve a trade down with the Buffalo Bills?

For the optimistic, aggressive Redskins fan, such a move seems like a perfect proposition. The Bills move up to the No. 13 pick, and the Washington Redskins presumably move down to picks No. 21 and No. 22, where they can nab two high-quality players instead of one.

The 2018 NFL Draft is deep at positions the Redskins need, such as defensive line, linebacker and running back, so the drop off of value from a player at No. 21, as opposed to No. 13, would be relatively small. Thus, the hypothetical trade down with Buffalo has been gaining quite a bit of steam in the Washington Redskins’ community, as of late.

But how realistic is this move? Was it ever realistic? The answer, it seems, is no.

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In an attempt to validate this pipe dream, one might say that the Bills could trade for the No. 13 pick if a quarterback they like slips that far. But the Bills are in no position to let that happen. They have the motivation and the draft capital to trade up into the top three, at the very least.

After the Bills recent trade of Tyrod Taylor to Cleveland, Buffalo now has two first-round picks, two second-round picks, two third-round picks, and two fifth-round picks, including five picks in the top 65 picks of the draft. That’s a lot of draft capital.

Draft capital in the current year has more immediacy, and therefore holds more value. The Bills could easily give a both firsts, a second, and a third, all in this year, and comprise a fairly compelling argument to trade with the Giants or the Colts. For a team that needs a franchise quarterback, why not trade up high enough so you can have the first pick?

Furthermore, with the Dolphins and the Jets, the Bills’ AFC East rivals, also in the market for a top-tier quarterback as well, the Bills will likely be further motivated to beat out the competition for the first choice at quarterback in the draft. They won’t settle for the No. 13 pick. The stakes are too high for that, and they have very attractive trade assets, more than any other team.

Next: NFL Mock 6.0: Redskins grab a defensive lineman

So, on the surface, a Washington Redskins’ trade with Buffalo seems like a match made in heaven. But it is entirely unrealistic; a disheveled dream. This trade isn’t about what the Redskins want. It’s about what the Bills want. And if the Bills want to keep the Jets from getting Josh Rosen by taking him for themselves, they aren’t moving to the No. 13 pick. They’re moving to the top. To keep telling yourself that this trade can happen is irrational, and unhealthy. There are other possibilities out there. But this is not one of them.

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