The Buffalo Bills released quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick after two disappointing seasons under center and now the team has started working on finding a starter for the future, as they held private workouts for both Geno Smith and EJ Manuel and are holding one for Oklahoma's Landry Jones ahead of the NFL Draft in April.
According to ESPN.com, sources told the AFC East blog that the Bills had a private workout for Landry Jones over the week to evaluate him further before the NFL draft. Jones was a star during his time at Oklahoma and the Bills could see him as a long-term starter after releasing Fitzpatrick and if a team like the Raiders drafts Geno Smith, who is considered by many to be the best quarterback in the draft.
The Bills currently have Tavaris Jackson and Aaron Corp at the position after releasing Fitzpatrick and the team has spent years trying to find someone to reclaim the position that Jim Kelly once had. The team has used names like Trent Edwards, JP Losman and Rob Johnson, but no one has been able to follow in Kelly's footsteps yet.
The team brought in Doug Marrone as the new head coach, so the Bills could decide to take Ryan Nassib, who put up great numbers last season while Marrone was at Syracuse coaching him. The Bills have the eighth pick in the draft and Geno Smith could be taken before then, leaving the Bills in a position to take Jones, Nassib or Manuel.
Manuel and Nassib are considered second round options, while Jones could go in either the first or second after throwing for 4,267 yards and 30 touchdowns last season. The Sooners went 10-3 and the quarterback has been prolific while playing under Bob Stoops, throwing for over 4,000 yards in three straight years.
Manuel could also be an interesting option for the team, as he has athleticism and speed and could work well with wideout Stevie Johnson on roll out plays and other schemes. Manuel is considered a second round pick, but the Bills could find a way to trade down in the first to grab draft picks and take him if they feel no one else will.
The Bills went just 6-10 last season and had issues scoring with Fitzpatrick as the starter.. The Bills are trying to add more offense to the roster, as the team had dinner with free agent Fred Davis, according to courses that spoke to ESPN.com.
The 27-year-old tight end was injured last season against the Giants after leading the Redskins with 25 catches for over 300 yards. The former USC tight end has good hands and could give the Bills a player that can move the chains and take some heat off of Johnson and running back CJ Spiller. Davis said he is doing well in rehabilitation and that he should be ready for the start of the season. During his career, Davis has made 155 catches for 1,973 yards and 12 touchdowns. (UPDATE: Davis signed with the Redskins).
The Bills could have other options if they feel they don't want to spend a draft pick on a quarterback, as they could trade for Matt Flynn from Seattle, Carson Palmer out in Oakland or even Tim Tebow in New York. If the Jets decide to release Tebow, the Bills could take a look at him. (UPDATE: Flynn went to the Raiders and Palmer may go to the Cardinals.)