Buffalo moved from No. 8 to No. 16 and added three more…
Buffalo moved from No. 8 to No. 16 and added three more picks, selecting EJ Manuel, Kiko Alonso, Marquise Goodwin and Chris Gragg. Manuel did not solve quarterback, but Alonso delivered an exceptional rookie season and later became the trade asset used to acquire LeSean McCoy, while Goodwin provided four seasons of speed. St. Louis used No. 8 on Tavon Austin and No. 71 on T.J. McDonald. Both teams found contributors, with Buffalo's depth and Alonso's later value providing the edge.
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 2013 1st round pick (16th overall, EJ Manuel), 2013 2nd round pick (46th overall, Kiko Alonso ), 2013 3rd round pick (78th overall, Marquise Goodwin) and 2013 7th round pick (222nd overall, Chris Gragg)
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 2013 1st round pick (8th overall, Tavon Austin)
- pick 2013 3rd round pick (71st overall, T.J. McDonald)
Trade Analysis
The Rams moved aggressively for Tavon Austin because they wanted a game-breaking offensive weapon. To climb from No. 16 to No. 8, St. Louis sent Buffalo its first-, second- and seventh-round selections while the teams also swapped third-rounders. Austin became a versatile package player and return threat, but his production never matched the expectations of a top-eight pick. He did not reach 600 receiving yards in a Rams season, although his rushing and return work created occasional explosive plays. The third-round piece, safety T.J. McDonald, was more dependable and started 48 games over four seasons.
Buffalo's side was defined by volume. The Bills selected quarterback EJ Manuel at No. 16, linebacker Kiko Alonso at No. 46, receiver Marquise Goodwin at No. 78 and tight end Chris Gragg at No. 222. Manuel failed to establish himself as a franchise quarterback, which prevents the return from becoming a runaway success. Alonso, however, was outstanding as a rookie, producing 159 tackles and four interceptions before a knee injury wiped out his 2014 season. Buffalo then traded Alonso for LeSean McCoy, extending the value of that selection into four productive seasons from a star running back.
Goodwin also gave Buffalo four seasons of field-stretching speed, while Gragg contributed as a reserve. The package therefore survived Manuel's miss because multiple other assets produced value.
St. Louis deserves a B-: McDonald was a solid multi-year starter, and Austin was useful, but the team paid heavily for a player who never became the offensive centerpiece envisioned. Buffalo earns an A- because Alonso's rookie impact and later conversion into McCoy, combined with Goodwin and other depth, outweighed the Manuel miss. The Bills win on cumulative realized value rather than because every selection succeeded.