The NFL trade deadline comes and goes at 4 pm on Tuesday, but the Bills have already swung three deals this calendar year that have served the club well in the 2013 season. Here's a look at the moves Buffalo GM Doug Whaley and former GM Buddy Nix made to better position the team for success.
April 25th, 2013The trade: Buffalo sends its eighth overall pick to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for their 16th pick in round one and 46th pick overall in round two.
The result:The Bills land their franchise quarterback in EJ Manuel in round one and pick up Kiko Alonso in round two. The two players land starting roles as rookies. Manuel runs the offense, and Alonso runs the defense as the starting middle linebacker.
April 29th, 2013
The trade:The Bills ship LB Kelvin Sheppard to Indianapolis in a player-for-player deal that nets Buffalo OLB/DE Jerry Hughes.
The result:Not the beneficiary of much playing time with the Colts, Hughes has made an impact in Buffalo. Through the team's first eight games Hughes has 16 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 QB hurries and 25 QB hits.
August 25th, 2013
The trade:Buffalo in desperate need of a healthy quarterback trades LB Chris White to Detroit in exchange for QB Thad Lewis.
The result:Initially stashed on the practice squad, Lewis was elevated to the active roster following the injury to Manuel. He has started the last three games posting one win and two losses. Lewis has completed just over 60 percent of his passes for 652 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions and a passer rating of 80.2.
Summary
Buffalo's three trades have not only raised the collective talent level, but potentially added three difference making players. The deals have netted them a franchise quarterback and defensive stalwart for the next decade, a pass rusher who is still on the rise and a quarterback who is campaigning for a long term backup role.
