NFL Team Previews: Buffalo Bills
The second team in the AFC East I will be doing is the Buffalo Bills, coached by Rex Ryan and general managed by Doug Whaley. Last season, with Ryan's first year as head coach since moving on from the Jets, hopes were very high from the Bills, and some even thought they could beat the Patriots in the division. As it turned out, they went 8-8 on the year and led some to believe that coach Ryan is already on the hot seat. He, and the rest of Bills Nation, hope that those expectations come to this season, or there may be more changes around the team with professional sports longest playoff drought.
DRAFT RECAP: This is why a lot of teams passed on Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith, injury history. First round pick DE Shaq Lawson got his shoulder re-injured in offseason workouts, with reports of previous injury history there prior to the draft. He won't return until at least mid-October, which for rookies, means that he likely won't be a huge factor until next season, when he can get a full offseason under his belt. Outside of the injury history, Shaq Lawson should be a solid replacement for Mario Williams opposite DE Jerry Hughes. DT Adolphus Washington was a value pick in the third round, as he had been projected in the first round by some experts. QB Cardale Jones is a project, but is definitely worth a 4th round gamble with a team who has a recent history of questionable QB play. The best move by the Bills, and maybe anyone in the draft, was taking ILB Reggie Ragland in the second round. With Preston Brown in the middle, Ragland, the top ILB in the draft, looks to be aiming to start at an outside role, but he still should be a very effective player for years to come.
FREE AGENCY: The Bills were one of the least active in free agency, at least in terms of major names and impact players. They helped shore up outside linebacker by adding former Tennessee Titan Zach Brown to battle Manny Lawson for the starting job next to Preston Brown and Ragland. Other than that, they mainly did depth signings across the board, as no other signed players look to be in the mix for a starting role.
PLAYERS LOST: At least via free agency, the Bills lost more than they received. DE Mario Williams left for the division rival Miami Dolphins, which, until Lawson returns at full strength, leaves a hole a DE. He brought Kraig Urbik with him. The Eagles also poached a couple of Bills, OLB Nigel Bradham and CB Leodis McKelvin and Ron Brooks, but Zach Brown had a better season and Ron Brooks spent his season on IR. McKelvin, is the biggest loss, as reports say he was the best among the Eagles corners. However, the Bills look to be in pretty good shape defensively, and with Rex Ryan at the helm, that should follow suit.
STRONGEST POSITION: I'll go with running back here. LeSean McCoy is still getting it done, as he put up some pretty decent numbers for only participating in 12 games last season, and with a starting caliber player behind him in Karlos Williams. Williams was a touchdown machine last season, and many have hopes that he will take another step forward and provide a legitimate 1-2 punch in the backfield. Rookie Jonathan Williams from Arkansas is a nice insurance policy, and FB Jerome Felton (yeah, I'll include fullbacks in this too) has had a very good career for the Vikings in the past and now the Bills, although fullbacks are never guaranteed to make any roster.
WEAKEST POSITION: I'll go with defensive end until Shaq Lawson returns. Receiver without Sammy Watkins is a bigger concern, but until he actually is projected to start the season hurt, I'll go with the defensive ends. Jerry Hughes is a good player, but he is also dealing with minor injuries. He will be available for training camp and obviously the regular season. Outside of Hughes, the Bills' next two up on defensive end are IK Enemkpali (the guy who punched Geno Smith), and Lavar Edwards, both of whom had minimal impact so far in their careers.
FIVE MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS TO THE BILLS SUCCESS: QB Tyrod Taylor, WR Sammy Watkins, DT Marcell Dareus, FS Corey Graham and RB LeSean McCoy. Taylor had a breakout season last year, and with a year under his belt he is expected to help this offense make another jump in the right direction. Having a healthy Sammy Watkins is key, as he is the franchise player, and because the Bills are still searching for a legit 3rd wide receiver. Marcell Dareus took a huge step back after a big payday, going from an average of seven sacks his first four seasons, to just two last year. He needs to now be the anchor of this line without Mario Williams around. I still think LeSean McCoy is one of the best backs in the game, and he needs to prove it this year. FS Corey Graham had 127 tackles last season, and with question marks about the safeties around him, he needs to be that good this season.
PREDICTION: I really don't know, mainly because this team is full of a lot of players who are battling injury, and/or need to prove themselves. In other words, I see a lot of boom or bust potential with this team. If Taylor proves last season was a fluke and Watkins and McCoy get injured again, this team could be the worst in the AFC. If everything clicks and Shaq Lawson provides a midseason boost defensively, they could make the playoffs. I don't believe it's time to give up on Rex Ryan just yet, but I believe the Bills are a year away (if they make the right decisions this offseason), and will likely finish in the 7-9 to 9-7 range.
