In yet another remembrance why Doug Whaley is no longer general manager of the Buffalo Bills, the team cut former 2014 second-round draft pick Cyrus Kouandjio this morning.
Quarterback Josh Woodrum was also released.
In addition the Bills announced the signings of wide receiver Rod Streater and tight end Wes Saxton.
Kouandjio has dealt with multiple injuries during his frustrating Bills career and didn’t perform particularly well when healthy enough to be on the field. He started just seven games over three seasons and saw the field in 25 games—not the expectation Buffalo had when selecting him 44th overall.
He also made headlines this offseason for an alleged incident with police in Elma.
MoranAlytics Take: The writing was on the wall against Kouandjio the second Buffalo moved up to grab offensive tackle Dion Dawkins in the late second round last month. It’s likely Dawkins will start opposite Cordy Glenn with Jordan Mills being the backup swing tackle. Tackle Seantrell Henderson could be on his way out once his suspension ends.
It’s funny how Whaley patted himself on the back via a Sirius radio interview earlier this week on drafting second-rounder Ronald Darby—of whom the jury’s still out on after a lousy sophomore campaign following a promising rookie season.
Perhaps he should’ve conversed on his highly consequential whiff on Kouandjio. It’s not only Koudandjio not panning out but more about the long list of solid players Whaley passed on that went later that same round—a list that includes Davante Adams, Jeremy Hill, Carlos Hyde, Kony Ealy, Allen Robinson, Jarvis Landry and some quarterback the Bills probably could use right now named Jimmy Garappolo.
Couple that with Whaley trading up for Sammy Watkins in the richest receiver draft class in recent memory, if not ever while trading their 2015 first in the process and it’s likely to go down as one of the worst drafts in team history.
Thanks a lot, Doug.
The good news is this current Bills administration is showing a willingness to wash their hands with players they don’t feel are fits, regardless of how young they are or where they’re drafted. I wouldn’t be surprised if fellow 2014 draftee Preston Brown is gone before this summer’s end as well.
Maybe it shows the incumbent members on the roster that with a new sheriff(s) in town, no one is assured of anything.
Regardless, it’s hard to fathom releasing Cyrus as a move the organization comes to regret.
