Realistic Draft Trade Possibilities for the Buffalo Bills

Eleven. 

That is the number of trades second-year general manager Doug Whaley has executed since officially taking over as the head honcho in the Buffalo Bills front office. In fact, nine of the 11 trades Whaley has made have been during the draft, including two player-for-player swaps that did not involved picks whatsoever. 

Whaley sent a buzz through the NFL with his trade up for Sammy Watkins last May—one that continues to draw mixed reviews. That trade ensured the Bills would be without a first-round pick in 2015, but Watkins' glimmer of star potential should make the team feel better in a top-heavy first round. 

The Bills have been mum on thoughts about trades for the most part, but it would not be surprising to see them move around in the draft depending on how their board looks at the end of the first round. Whaley will have to get creative with limited resources to make deals work, but don't be surprised when you see a trade announced with the Bills logo attached by the end of the draft's second day. 

Over the next few slides we'll explore a handful of trade possibilities—some more realistic than others—that could present themselves during draft week for the Bills. 

Trade Sixth-Rounder and 2016 7th to Houston Texans for Safety D.J. Swearinger

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Word came out on Tuesday afternoon that the Houston Texans were placing starting safety D.J. Swearinger on the trade block, according to NFL.com insider Ian Rapoport.

Safety is not at the top of Buffalo's draft needs, but it is certainly a position they will entertain over the final two or three rounds. Losing Da'Norris Searcy from the starting lineup hurts the Buffalo defense a little bit after Searcy put together a solid campaign in his fourth year with the team before bolting for Tennessee in March.

Duke Williams slides into Searcy's spot, but it remains to be seen if he's a long-term fix there after starting four games in two seasons with the Bills. Williams excelled as a big hitter in the run game but struggled a bit in coverage in extended playing time, which fits his scouting report coming out of Nevada.

Williams was the 33rd ranked safety last season, according to Pro Football Focus, while Searcy was a few spots higher at 18th. 

Meanwhile, Swearinger was one of the worst safeties in the NFL, according to PFF. So why would the Bills want to add him?

Swearinger is owed less than $2 million over the final two years of his rookie contract and he has solid stats as a starter. A majority of his negative ratings on PFF are as a result of his poor reads on run plays, which makes him an interest rotational player with Williams, who excels in those situations. The Texans safety was also a college teammate of current Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore, if that connection makes any difference at all. 

Swearinger has worn out his welcome a bit because of a big ego and mixed results to back it up. Rex Ryan is the type of coach that would embrace swagger in the defensive backfield.

For a sixth and a conditional seventh next season, Swearinger would certainly be worth the look. 

Trade No. 81 to Philadelphia Eagles for No. 113, No. 145 and LB Marcus Smith

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If there is one thing we know heading into the draft this year, it is that Eagles coach Chip Kelly is not cut from the same cloth as other NFL head coaches. Kelly has reshaped the team completely from last season and it's hard to imagine that he is done. 

While Eagles beat reporter Tim McManus (h/t Bleeding Green Nation) believes Marcus Mariota trade rumors continue to be a possibility, the ammunition to move up to the top two picks is going to be a steep price for the Eagles. It may not be Robert Griffin III territory, but the compensation probably would not be far off.  

Needless to say the Eagles may be looking for a quarterback in the second or third rounds instead. If one of the second-tier quarterbacks drops to the third round and appeals to Kelly's senses, a trade with the Bills might make some sense. 

A first-rounder in 2014, Marcus Smith battled injuries and Kelly's dog house in his rookie season. So much so that he is allegedly already on the chopping block courtesy of Kelly the general manager, per Mark Eckel of NJ.com (h/t BGN). 

Mike Mayock hit the nail on the head on draft coverage following the Eagles picking Smith last year. He was a raw talent coming out of Louisville with pass-rushing upside as a 3-4 linebacker. Coming over to Buffalo Smith would be able start anew in a scheme that fits him better and play alongside college teammate Preston Brown, who is sliding to the Mike in Ryan's defense. 

Grabbing up an extra pick for their trouble isn't too bad either. 

Trade Sixth-Rounder to Philadelphia for Guard Evan Mathis

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Staying with the Bills-Eagles trades for one of the more probable opportunities for the Bills to pick up some veteran talent. 

Evan Mathis has been involved in trade rumors since the season ended and thus far the market seems to be pretty dead for the 33-year-old guard. I would expect that to change when teams start talking pick swaps in the later rounds of day three. 

Mathis is nearing the end of his NFL career and has dealt with a few injuries over the last few seasons, but he's steadily been a top-five player at his position since joining the Eagles in 2011. The guard has two years left on his deal that are relatively cap friendly and he is only owed 2.4 million in guaranteed salary through the 2016 season. 

Trading for Mathis does not necessarily mean the Bills will not look at one of the top guards in the second round, but it would give them some flexibility at the spot. Mathis would immediately become the Bills' best guard on the roster.

Just Move Down and Collect Picks

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The Bills do not have to press in this draft as they have in previous years. Sure, the quarterback situation is still a fluid situation, but this is the most talented roster they have fielded since the mid-1990s. 

The back half of the first round doesn't provide a whole lot of value to teams this year, so it might be a blessing in disguise for the Bills to sit back and watch the things unfold. They do not have much flexibility in terms of volume of picks, but they should feel good enough about their roster to move down from the 50th selection to garner more slots in the middle of the draft. 

Whaley will be working the phones no matter what and he has shown that he will not shy away from pulling the trigger on a big deal. Whether a trade for a veteran player happens or not, expect the Bills to be active beginning on Friday night.