The Bills flew over and above there expectations last year. So what happens this year, a decline, a complete combustion? Who knows the Bills are in a very delicate place as a rebuilding franchise that somewhat flukeishly made the playoffs last year putting the ownness on coach Sean McDermott to once again get his team to outperform their talent level in 2018.
The Bills finally ended their poisonous marriage with Tyrod Taylor last year. I argue Taylor was there best shot but it doesn’t matter now because he’s gone and this QB battle is the only one in the NFL that is truly wide open in training camp. So let’s review the contestants. First up you have AJ McCaaron the wonder backup, the one people say if given a chance he can be a great QB. However, with him comes great uncertainty and the fact that you have only seen brief flashes of greatness in one or two games. McCaaron should be the frontrunner for the job but not by a lot. Then you have Nathan Peterman, Mr. interception. If you can put aside his dismal performance against the Chargers he has performed relatively well, but keep in mind that is in the pre-season. Peterman knows the offense the best of the three competing QB’s and that brings us to contestant number three, Josh Allen. Allen is the big armed rookie out of Wyoming that gave one of two reactions to scouts. One: This guy is the best arm we have seen in a while, he has great movement in and outside the pocket and he is a physically perfect specimen for a QB. Two: This guy is an absolute disaster. He turns the ball over, he over throws receiver’s and his analytics stink. Personally, I believe Peterman wins the job but then gets benched about three weeks in for McCaaron and Allen takes over mid-season.
A problem for all these QB’s is going to be who they are throwing to. It’s pretty limited at the moment, Kelvin Benjamin is coming off a knee injury and has never proven he can be a number one guy. Then you have Zay Jones and he may not even make the roster after a scary incident involving running through a glass door earlier this offseason. Other than that, it’s a collection of potential training camp cuts, this may be the weakest receiving group in the leauge. Like legitimately the worst in the entire leauge and it isn’t even close.
If Lesean McCoy is suspended, which he may or may not be this team is done. At running back they have nothing behind him. Chris Ivory I would assume is the guy who will take over if Shady is suspended. Check back to this section later as I will update as the Shady scenario unfolds. In summary though not at all good for the Bills who may lose by far their best player.
The Bills defense however is intriguing to me. The defensive line is anchored by Star Lotulelie a declining vet who can still stop the run and lead the defensive line well. At linebacker rookie Tremaine Edmunds was an exciting pick and fits in well with the Bills defense. Pair him with an ok, but aging, Lorenzo Alexander and you have a decent linebacking core. Meanwhile the secondary by far is the best position group on this team. Vontae Davis joins after being cut by the Colts and can make an immediate impact put next to last years break out rookie Tre’Davious White. Micha Hyde shores up the back end as one of the best safeties in the leauge. The Bills defense will keep passers at bay but may have trouble actually getting to them.
The Bills have the potential to be the worst team in the leauge. Who knows what they will be but on offense it certainly won’t be pretty. Count me out on this team, better luck next year.
Ceiling: 8-8
Floor: 0-16
Record Prediction: 1-15