The Buffalo Bills are in the market for a new starting quarterback after relapsing Ryan Fitzpatrick and the draft may be the best way to go about it, which is one reason they have kept their eye on USC Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley.
According to ESPN.com, the Bills are interested in Barkley with the number eight pick in the draft, as they are preparing for all contingencies, including if Geno Smith is drafted early by the Oakland Raiders or the Jacksonville Jaguars. Barkley threw for scouts for the first time last week and the Bills look at him as a possibly franchise player after putting up excellent number at USC.
Barkley was injured in November in USC's rivalry game against USC and then missed the final two games of the season. The shoulder injury forced him to miss the Senior Bowl as well as the NFL scouting combine, two of the biggest workouts for quarterback prospects. The Trojans pro day was the first chance scouts had to see Barkley in action since the injury and he was crisp ass day, making 50 of his 55 throws while working with fellow USC receiver Robert Woods, who was also working out for scouts.
SI.com writer Don Banks put out a mock draft that has the Bills taking Barkley, as Geno Smith was already off the board. He writes that the team is starved for a long-term quarterback solution after striking out with Fitzpatrick and they see the 2013 draft as the best opportunity to do that.
Barkley's impressive pro day has him moving up boards for scouts and talent evaluators and with Tarvaris Jackson and Aaron Corp on the roster, the Bills are look at every situation to help improve the position. There is a chance the Bills could wait until the second round to draft a quarterback, head coach Doug Marrone has eyed his quarterback from Syracuse last year in Ryan Nassib, who is expected to be taken after the first round.
Barkley looked excellent during his 45-minute throwing session, missing on just five throws over that span. There were representatives at the workout for 31 of 32 NFL teams and the Bills, Jaguars, Jets and Raiders could be landing spots for the quarterback. The Bills have also showed great interest in Geno Smith and had a private workout for him.
According to ESPN.com, Smith had dinner with team officials and then had a workout the day after. The team has raved about his mobility and arm and they like his ability to protect the ball, as he threw for 25 touchdowns last season before throwing his first interception (and he only had six the rest of the season).
The Bills have done their due diligence on every top prospect, as they are also looking at Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones and Florida State's EJ Manuel. Both players had privet meetings with the team and there is a chance that if the top guys are taken within the first eight picks, the Bills could fall back and take one of the lesser-heralded names to be their starter.
Another intriguing option for the team is Seahawks backup Matt Flynn, as Seattle has been entertaining offers for the quarterback all offseason. News reports came out that the Raiders are interested in acquiring him, as are the Bills and Jaguars. The Bills are seen as a legitimate option, while the Jaguars may not be in the running after initially showing some interest.
Flynn has limited staring experience, but he is young enough to be a bridge quarterback for the Bills and he could also take the reins while a younger guy like Nassib, Jones or Manuel sits behind him for a year or two.
