The NFL is back, and Sportsnet is breaking down everything you need to know about each of the 32 teams in the month leading up to kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 7. Today, the Buffalo Bills.
Head coach: Sean McDermott
Last season’s record: 7-9
Playoff result: Buffalo hasn’t seen post-season football since 1999
Key free agent gains: New GM Brandon Beane and first-year head coach McDermott have already put their stamp on the franchise, ridding the team of many of the remnants of Doug Whaley’s tenure and acquiring an impressive stock of draft assets throughout the off-season — Buffalo already has six picks in the first three rounds of the 2018 draft — with an eye on building a team in their image. What that image is remains to be seen.
The Bills’ new regime’s overhaul took a wild turn in mid-August when Buffalo sent Sammy Watkins to the Rams and acquired Jordan Matthews from the Eagles. Shipping out their No. 1 receiver is a big deal considering what the Bills gave up to get him in 2014, but Matthews was more productive in his first three seasons than the injury-prone Watkins so it may work out in the end for Buffalo.
An almost entirely new group of receivers will fill in behind Matthews. After losing three of their top four wideouts to free agency, Buffalo’s receiving corps will consist of rookie Zay Jones, Andre Holmes, recently-acquired Kaelin Clay and Brandon Tate (the lone surviving WR from last season). Which of these pass catchers will step up to fill the void left by the departed is a big question mark in Buffalo.
Another interesting situation to watch will be how McDermott and new offensive co-ordinator Rick Dennison use Patrick DiMarco and Mike Tolbert, two Pro Bowl fullbacks signed in free agency. How will they contribute in the backfield along with LeSean McCoy, especially after Sunday’s surprising cut of impressive sophomore Jonathan Williams?
On the defensive end, safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer will take over in the backfield. E.J. Gaines (acquired in the Watkins deal) will likely start opposite rookie Tre’Davious White at corner, while Shareece Wright, Leonard Johnson and undrafted rookie Greg Mabin fill out the rest of the secondary.
Key free agent losses: The Doug Whaley era is over in Buffalo and with it have gone many players who defined the last few Bills seasons. On defence, Buffalo lost 2016’s leading tackler in Zach Brown, who signed a one-year deal in Washington. Additionally, the entire secondary has been overhauled. Most notable was Stephon Gilmore signing a big deal in New England, and Ronald Darby and Corey Graham both ending up in Philadelphia, one through trade and the other via free agency.
Offensively, Watkins is gone after a frustrating tenure in Western New York. Maybe even more frustrating? The loss of a valuable offensive contributor to a Patriots offer sheet for the second consecutive year. Last off-season it was Chris Hogan, this time Mike Gillislee, who after an eight-touchdown 2016 figured to play a big role for Buffalo in 2017.
Robert Woods signed a five-year, $34-million deal with the Rams (reuniting with Watkins in L.A.) which is not money the Bills should’ve paid for a receiver who had just one touchdown in 13 games last season, but Buffalo may struggle to find an adequate replacement if Zay Jones isn’t ready to step in as their No. 2 right away.
Key draft picks: Buffalo will be hoping that isn’t the case, and are banking on their first two picks stepping in Week 1 to have an immediate impact. Tre’Davious White, selected with the 27th overall pick in April, will start at the spot vacated by Gilmore and is considered the Bills’ top cornerback following the Darby trade.
Second-round pick Jones had a monster senior year at East Carolina in 2016 (158 receptions for 1,746 yards) and will likely be leaned on early by Tyrod Taylor (or whoever starts for Buffalo), especially if Jordan Matthews isn’t healthy by Week 1.
Dion Dawkins, a versatile offensive lineman selected in the second round, may see action in Week 1 and it could be anywhere along the offensive line. Not expected to start consistently at any one position during the season, Dawkins may feature as a jack of all trades along the line in his rookie year.
Another notable draftee who could find himself in the spotlight sooner than expected is fifth-round quarterback Nathan Peterman, who has garnered praise from the Bills’ new GM and fellow teammates after a decent pre-season. Peterman will likely get the call next Sunday if Tyrod Taylor isn’t ready to play Week 1 after suffering a concussion on Aug. 26.
X-factor: Tyrod Taylor, who has yet to prove himself as a long-term solution under centre for Buffalo. The 27-year-old pivot restructured his deal this off-season while Whaley was still in charge, so the new regime has no commitment to Taylor. If he isn’t able to find a new level of consistency this season, his time in Buffalo could come to an unceremonious end.
2017 will be a success if: Real progress is shown by the team under the new front office. Buffalo has had a sometimes head-scratching off-season, stockpiling draft picks while simultaneously causing panic with questionable trades, signings and cuts. If no true direction is obvious come season’s end, how is this regime any different than the rest?
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