Cardale Jones’ decision to return to Ohio State bummed out many, but the ownership in Orchard Park, New York lost the most. After recently hiring Rex Ryan, the Bills had a coach with playoff experience and a defense that finished fourth this past season without their leading tackler Kiko Alonso. However, what continually crushes Buffalo is the inconsistent playmaking ability at the quarterback position. The EJ Manuel project has failed, and this team needed Cardale Jones.
As Jones dominated the best of college football, some thought, including me, that he could be destined to be an NFL draft pick in 2015. The stars were aligning, as Jones had first round potential but likely wouldn’t be taken until the fourth or fifth round. Buffalo needed a quarterback and had no first round pick to get someone like Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota.
The team doesn’t even need a star QB, just one that can throw the ball to Sammy Watkins and hand it off to Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller. Yet they could have gotten a star in Jones. Free agents such as Brian Hoyer or Mark Sanchez are available, and most likely one will be suiting up for Buffalo in 2015. However, Jones had Buffalo written all over him.
Jones has the mobility and pocket awareness to play at the next level. He had a beautiful 45 yard pass in the championship game where he stepped up in the pocket, moved right while keeping his eyes up, and hit Devin Smith in stride at the 5 yard line. That throw reminded me of Andrew Luck or Aaron Rodgers, something that can’t be coached.
Jones also has the arm strength to play in Buffalo during the winter. He throws a great deep ball and would force defenses to cover the deep threat, opening up running lanes for Rex Ryan’s ground and pound offense. The best part about it? Buffalo would get their future quarterback with a late pick instead of a first rounder.
I understand Jones played only three college games, but he beat the best of the best one the three biggest stages: the Big Ten championship game, the Sugar Bowl semifinal, and national championship. He was playing against future NFL talent and dominated. Is he a risk? Absolutely. Is he worth a third round pick? Yes!
Buffalo is the biggest loser from Jones’ decision to return to school. Maybe they’ll have a chance to draft him in 2016, but at that time it might cost them a first round pick. For a franchise that has been in quarterback purgatory ever since Jim Kelly retired and hasn’t made the playoffs going on 15 years, being able to draft Jones in a few months time may have been too tempting to pass up.
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