The Buffalo Bills were already shopping for a quarterback. When the NFL schedule was released on Thursday, it became clear who the Bills need to engineer their offense. Josh Rosen is a perfect fit for Buffalo.
The NFL's schedule release is usually more an event of pomp and circumstance rather than actual impending consequences. In Buffalo's case however, there are real repercussions.
[divider]2018 NFL DRAFT:
Draft Home | Compare Draft Prospects | Prospect Rankings
Compare NFL Teams | Compare NFL Players[divider]
The Bills first three games in 2018 are at Baltimore and at Minnesota in weeks one and three, and home to the Chargers in week two. All three teams have above average defenses. A week four trip to Lambeau could have the Bills staring at 0-4 before the first #BillsMafia viral clip.
If Buffalo were to draft the wrong rookie quarterback, a poor start could have long-term effects not only on that particular signal-caller, but also the fan-bases willingness to back that first-year player.
| Wk 1 | Wk 2 | Wk 3 | Wk 4 | Wk 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8 | Wk 9 | Wk 10 | Wk 11 | Wk 12 | Wk 13 | Wk 14 | Wk 15 | Wk 16 | Wk 17 |
| @ BAL | LAC | @MIN | @GB | TEN | @HOU | @IND | NE | CHI | @NYJ | BYE | JAX | @MIA | NYJ | DET | @NE | MIA |
Buffalo needs a quarterback who is not only ready to take on offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's system, but also has the ability to withstand the criticism that will come with an expected poor start.
Sam Darnold is the most balanced prospect, but his penchant for turning the ball over could be compounded by that early arduous stretch. Josh Allen is the most physically talented, but those initial games could have him doubting his gifts and negating his best attributes. Finally, Baker Mayfield is the most efficient, but a player of his caliber, who has yet to really experience losing could grow contempt and look for a way out of a bad situation.
It is Rosen who is most pro-ready and has the self-confidence and smarts to work through any adversity. He has dealt with it all at UCLA; injuries, coaching discontent and constant media scrutiny. He knows how to step towards the oncoming "rush" rather than work around the obstacles many college athletes and young professionals face.
The rigors of the first half of the season are only somewhat appeased by the second half of the season, especially after the bye. The team's last five games are against Miami twice, New England, Jets, Jacksonville and Detroit. The way the schedule plays out could lead to a positive finish to a troubled 2018.
ESPN's Mike Clay recently projected Buffalo to finish dead last in 2018. If he were proven correct or near it, Rosen's ability to mute outside negativity and finish off the year strong–with wins or positive growth–would be seen as heading in the right direction in a rebuilding year. His outspoken personality would be an injection of truth and hope that a city like Buffalo needs.
When the Bills traded Tyrod Taylor to the Browns, it became clear the Bills were in the market for a quarterback. After free agency and the signing of AJ McCarron, the Bills' needs had not changed. They are still in the need for a quarterback.
While the Bills would be more than pleased to take any of the top four quarterbacks in this year's draft, Rosen's ability, confidence and history is their best bet. The Bills schedule didn't dictate that, it just made it explicit.
[divider]
NEXT: NFL Mock Draft 9.0
