So this tweet from CBS Sports NFL insider Jason LaCanfora happened early Monday afternoon.
First and foremost it’s worth noting that LaCanfora should be applauded for his Buffalo Bills front office and coaching staff reporting in recent months. He was the first to suggest Rex Ryan could be fired before last season ended (he was) and was way out in front of now former general manager Doug Whaley’s demise for several weeks, if not months.
However, I simply don’t buy the entirety of his Tweet as accurate.
Here’s my two cents…
♦ The most credible thing about the tweet is Pegula loving quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Considering Pegula was personally at private workouts and visits of the top QB prospects, I completely buy into him wanting a quarterback at the top of the draft, although I guesstimated Deshaun Watson ahead of Mahomes with both behind Mitch Trubisky.
♦ This also contradicts an allegation I threw out at Pegula prior to the draft of calling him a “meddling” owner who’d interfere in personnel decisions. I can’t imagine a scenario where the owner wouldn’t have the final say on any player he really wanted, so for the Bills not to select Mahomes or anyone at all with the tenth pick shows Pegula left last word to the person pulling the trigger, who very clearly was….
♦ Sean McDermott. Whaley was a lame-duck GM going into the draft and everyone knew it. It’s exceptionally improbable Whaley was the one pushing the button on any of the Bills picks and/or trades with the organization knowing he and the scouting department were getting shitcanned immediately after the draft’s conclusion.
♦ Separately and at least partially related, it makes you wonder what the Bills would’ve done at No. 10 had they not found a trade-down partner. The combination of WGR’s Sal Capaccio reporting the Buffalo learning towards Marshon Lattimore had they kept they pick and actually taking Tre’Davious White at 27 makes the corner Lattimore the likely choice, but perhaps Pegula gets a little more assertive over Mahomes if Buffalo doesn’t gain a valuable first in 2018 by moving down. Obviously I’m completely guessing but my gut tells me Mahomes would be a Bill had Buffalo had not done the deal with Kansas City.