The Bills are the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season, and for good reason. They are a more loaded team than last season, aided by the additions of James Cook, OJ Howard, and Jamison Crowder on offense.
Their biggest strength was their defense, giving up the fewest points, yards, first downs, passing yards, and passing touchdowns. Drafting Kaiir Elam and going all-in on Von Miller will keep this defense intact, with the hopes that Miller is the guy who will get this already stout defense rolling.
However, someone will have to step up opposite him. Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison both left for Houston this offseason, so the Bills will have to get the young guys rolling, and that could mean they need to see if Greg Rousseau will have a breakout year.
While Devin Singletary has led the way in the ground game out of the backfield, Cook is now in the mix in the RB room. Singletary is the most complete out of the trio of him, Cook, and Zack Moss, but the Bills don't completely trust him enough to be the top option—he recorded over 20 touches in just three games last season. And though Moss is the power back, he saw minimal action in the playoffs. Cook gives them a receiving option, however.
The biggest weakness is in the O-line. Josh Allen was sacked 26 times last season, and not much has changed on the line except for the addition of Rodger Saffold III, which isn't much.
There's not a certain player who is under pressure on the Bills, but they have a reputation for being the best pass defense in the league, but a lot of it falls on Tre'Davious White, who is likely to miss a portion of this season after tearing his ACL late last season.
Don't expect the Bills to go backwards, but keep in mind that the AFC is LOADED. The AFC East has also improved, and teams will be coming for them. The Bills will take on several top teams in the league like the Rams, Chiefs, Packers and Bengals.
Draft Picks
Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
1 | 23 | CB | Kaiir Elam | Florida |
2 | 63 | RB | James Cook | Georgia |
3 | 89 | ILB | Terrel Bernard | Baylor |
5 | 148 | WR | Khalil Shakir | Boise State |
6 | 180 | P | Matt Araiza | San Diego State |
6 | 185 | CB | Christian Benford | Villanova |
6 | 209 | OT | Luke Tenuta | Virginia Tech |
7 | 231 | ILB | Baylon Spector | Clemson |
Key Losses
CB Levi Wallace: Signed with Steelers
DE Mario Addison: Signed with Texans
WR Emmanuel Sanders: Unsigned free agent
DT Harrison Phillips: Signed with Vikings
WR Cole Beasley: Unsigned free agent
DE Jerry Hughes: Unsigned free agent
QB Mitch Trubisky: Signed with Steelers
RB Matt Breida: Signed with Giants
OG/C Jon Feliciano: Signed with Giants
OG/OT Daryl Williams: Unsigned free agent
Key Additions & Extensions
DE Von Miller: 6-year deal, $120 million
TE OJ Howard: 1-year deal
WR Jamison Crowder: 1-year deal
OG Rodger Saffold III: 1-year deal
DT DaQuan Jones: 1-year deal
QB Case Keenum: Acquired via trade from Browns
OG Greg Van Roten: 1-year deal
Biggest Questions
How will Ken Dorsey do in his first year as the Bills' offensive coordinator?
How will the Bills handle the pressure of being the Super Bowl favorites?
Who will be the starting running back?
Who will get the sacks?
Can Gabriel Davis solidify his spot as the Bills' WR2?
Schedule
Week 1: Thursday, 9/8, at Los Angeles Rams, 8:20 PM on NBC
Week 2: Monday, 9/19, vs. Tennessee Titans, 7:15 PM on ESPN
Week 3: Sunday, 9/25, at Miami Dolphins, 1:00 PM on CBS
Week 4: Sunday, 10/2, at Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 PM on CBS
Week 5: Sunday, 10/9, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1:00 PM on CBS
Week 6: Sunday, 10/16, at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 PM on CBS
Week 7: BYE WEEK
Week 8: Sunday, 10/30, vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:20 PM on NBC
Week 9: Sunday, 11/6, at New York Jets, 1:00 PM on CBS
Week 10: Sunday, 11/13, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 11: Sunday, 11/20, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1:00 PM on CBS
Week 12: Thursday, 11/24, at Detroit Lions, 12:30 PM on CBS
Week 13: Thursday, 12/1, at New England Patriots, 8:15 PM on AMAZON PRIME
Week 14: Sunday, 12/11, vs. New York Jets, 1:00 PM on CBS
Week 15: 12/17 or 12/18, vs. Miami Dolphins, Time and network TBD
Week 16: Saturday, 12,24, at Chicago Bears, 1:00 PM on CBS
Week 17: Monday, 1/2, at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:30 PM on ESPN
Week 18: 1/7 or 1/8, vs. New England Patriots, Time and network TBD
Projected Starters
1 RB 3 WR 1 TE Offense
Position | # | Player |
QB | 17 | Josh Allen |
RB | 26 | Devin Singletary |
WR | 14 | Stefon Diggs |
WR | 13 | Gabriel Davis |
WR | 80 | Jamison Crowder |
TE | 88 | Dawson Knox |
LT | 73 | Dion Dawkins |
LG | 76 | Rodger Saffold III |
C | 60 | Mitch Morse |
RG | 71 | Ryan Bates |
RT | 79 | Spencer Brown |
Nickel Defense
Position | # | Player |
DE | 50 | Greg Rousseau |
DT | 92 | DaQuan Jones |
DT | 91 | Ed Oliver |
DE | 40 | Von Miller |
ILB | 58 | Matt Milano |
ILB | 49 | Tremaine Edmunds |
CB | 27 | Tre'Davious White |
NB | 7 | Taron Johnson |
SS | 21 | Jordan Poyer |
FS | 23 | Micah Hyde |
CB | 24 | Kaiir Elam |
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