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It’s no secret that the Buffalo Bills are trading up to draft their quarterback of the future in the 2018 NFL Draft. The recent trend in the NFL is to have the rookie quarterback sit for a season to adapt to the lifestyle that comes with the profession, while learning the game and developing as a player. Most of the time, teams set themselves up with a quarterback to bridge the gap.
The only quarterback on the roster is Nathan Peterman, who isn't ready to start games in the NFL after his rookie season. After missing out on the first wave of options for the Bills to sign that short-term player, the options are limited. There are few options left for the Bills to sign to be, at the very least, a mentor to the rookie they are likely to draft.
Matt Moore
Moore has been a backup for the majority of his career. The 33-year old has been in the NFL since 2007 and could help a rookie develop on and off the field. Moore has spent the past seven seasons with the Miami Dolphins and has been a reliable second option for the team. Bills general manager Brandon Beane was in Carolina when Moore starter 13 games there in his first three seasons.
Derek Anderson
Anderson was a starter in the NFL for a short period of time with the Cleveland Browns and the Arizona Cardinals. Entering what would be his 15th season in the NFL, Anderson has been around the block more than once. Beane and Bills coach Sean McDermott is familiar with Anderson as he has been on the Carolina Panthers since 2011.
Matt Cassel
After Tom Brady went down with a knee injury in 2008, Cassel led the Patriots to an 11-5 season. He later started two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs before being pushed behind the scenes as a backup. Cassel was on the Bills roster for one game in 2015. During that offseason, he was the frontrunner to get the Bills starting quarterback spot before Tyrod Taylor emerged in the preseason.
AJ McCarron
McCarron is the most intriguing option for the Bills and his price may have dropped as options to start have diminished. McCarron has started just three NFL games but he showed flashes of being a reliable option for a team. He doesn't have the experience to mentor a rookie but he may give the Bills the best chance to win in 2018. Before the start of free agency, McCarron was projected to make upwards of $15 million per season. After yesterday’s frenzy, McCarron will come at a more team-friendly cost.
Other names out there are Jay Cutler, Drew Stanton, Chad Henne, Mark Sanchez, Blaine Gabbert, EJ Manuel, and Brock Osweiler.