Doug Marrone was not happy with the Buffalo Bills’ decision to make a major trade to move up to draft Sammy Watkins last year, according to a report.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter says Marrone was unhappy with the trade. Alternate accounts had the former Bills coach either “storming out” or “walking out” of the room after the Bills made the trade to move up to select the former Clemson wide receiver.
Watkins had 65 catches for 982 yards and six touchdowns in his successful rookie season. Though he proved to be a good player, the issue is the price Buffalo paid to move up to get him, especially when you consider the other receivers in the draft class.
The Bills traded a first and fourth-round pick in 2015 in order to move up from No. 9 to No. 4 for Watkins. Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr. and Kelvin Benjamin all went after Watkins in the first round and had arguably better rookie seasons. Buffalo does not pick this year until No. 50.
Marrone helped lead the Bills to a 9-7 season but opted out of his contract. He reportedly was disenchanted with the organization and discouraged Bill Polian from taking an executive job with the team. He also had a very good reason to be upset with the trade; it was a bad one by the Bills.
