The Buffalo Bills took care of their immediate future at the quarterback position after signing Kevin Kolb to a two-year deal and now the team will look to the future, as they host prospect Matt Barkley for a workout ahead of the NFL Draft in April.
According to ESPN.com, sources said that the team brought in Barkley for a private workout on Monday that also included wide receiver Robert Woods. The Bills likely will be in position to take Barkley if they want him, as they have the eighth pick and now it appears as if the Oakland Raiders will not select a quarterback after completing a trade for Matt Flynn.
The Bills have been very stringent in looking at quarterbacks, bringing in West Virginia's Geno Smith, Florida State's EJ Manuel, Oklahoma's Landry Jones and Tennessee's Tyler Bray for workouts as the draft approaches. The team originally was in the running for Matt Flynn with the Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars, but the Raiders emerged as the favorite.
Woods could also be an option for the Bills, as they would like to add another strong receiver to the roster to play off of Stevie Johnson and to allow him to stretch the field even more. Barkley is coming off of his pro day that saw him miss just five of 60 passes and it was the first time he threw for scouts since injuring his shoulder in November against UCLA. He looked crisp while working with Woods in the workout and the Bills likely will take a closer look at his shoulder when he comes in.
The Bills are in need of yet another starting quarterback after releasing Ryan Fitzpatrick, who later signed with the Titans to be a backup. Fitzpatrick became expendable after putting in two straight disappointing seasons after signing a six-year, $59 million contract. Fitzpatrick passed for 3,400 yards and 24 touchdowns, but he also had 16 interceptions and over the past two seasons he has thrown for nearly 40 picks while going 20-33 as a starter for the Bills.
The team ranked 25th in passing last season and is still looking for a quarterback to take over the mantle for Jim Kelly. The Bills went just 6-10 last season and now also missed out on Flynn, who went to the Raiders for two draft picks. During his time with the team, Fitzpatrick had 80 touchdowns and 64 interceptions, including a career high 23 picks in 2011.
Barkley is looking like a potential option for the Bills depending on how the draft shakes out, but with the Raiders and the Cardinals acquiring quarterbacks, chances are he will be there. The Cardinals are currently working on a deal with Carson Palmer and the Raiders, likely keeping Geno Smith out of Oakland. The Jaguars could take him, but that would leave Barkley as well as coach Doug Marrone's old Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib available.
