So, what exactly do the Buffalo Bills have to do in the off-season to finally end their long playoff drought in 2016? General manager Doug Whaley has already said the team won’t be active in free agency this year, instead focusing on re-signing their own players who are eligible for free agency. Here are my suggestions for the positions they need to upgrade to reach the promised land:
Quarterback
In my opinion, the Bills can go into 2016 without worrying about who their starting QB will be. Tyrod Taylor showed enough this past season to have earned the job. The problem is the gaping void at backup quarterback. EJ Manuel is clearly headed out of town after not developing at all in his three seasons here, and Josh Johnson, an in-season free agent signing, is a journeyman who isn’t the answer either. Zac Dysert is on their practice squad and will get an opportunity, but Whaley needs to upgrade this position for sure. The best free agent option is probably Matt Moore, Ryan Tannehill’s backup in Miami. Since Whaley has stated he is unlikely to do any free agent shopping, however, the Bills may look for a backup option in the middle or late rounds of the draft. Possibilities there include Stanford’s Kevin Hogan, Christian Hackenberg of Penn State and a late round prospect, Jake Coker, signal caller for national champion Alabama.
Receiver
Some experts suggest the Bills need to draft a complementary receiver to play opposite Sammy Watkins and draw coverage away from their budding superstar, but as long as he’s healthy, Robert Woods is capable of filling that role. If the team feels the need to add some speed to their receiving corps, they might look to drafting a prospect like Pitt’s Tyler Boyd, who also would be a great addition to their return game and should be available in the second or third round. Whaley may have already addressed this position, having signed a couple of street free agents, Greg Little and Jarrett Boykin, a college teammate of Tyrod Taylor at Virginia Tech.
Offensive Line
Whaley’s top priority to strengthen the Bills’ chances of ending their playoff drought is to try to keep the offensive line intact, specifically the left side of the line. He needs to get guard Richie Incognito and tackle Cordy Glenn re-signed. If the team feels the need to pick up line depth in the later rounds of the draft, a couple of intriguing players are Indiana guard Dan Feeney and tackle Willie Beavers of Western Michigan.
Linebacker
This is a position the Bills need to address with a high pick in the draft. They are sorely lacking in playmaking linebackers, which are essential in Rex Ryan’s defense. Alabama’s Reggie Ragland and Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith are both projected first round picks. Ragland has been the pick many mock drafts have pegged as going to the Bills with their top choice, 19th overall. Smith suffered an injury in his season-ending bowl game and might be a risky pick, but he’s a top player. Second round possibilities include a pair of backers from Georgia, Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins. In free agency, there’s a player available who has excelled in Ryan’s scheme – Calvin Pace. He would have to come at a low price for Buffalo to have the means to sign him however. One thing about today’s game – there is a lot of shading as far as positions when it comes to what constitutes a linebacker or a defensive end these days. Jerry Hughes, for instance, describes his position as a “hybrid”, part end and part outside backer. Mario Williams never seemed comfortable playing that role. The Bills may go after a player high in the draft that would be considered one of these types, an “edge rusher” if you will. Clemson’s Shaq Lawson and Alabama’s Jonathan Allen are possibilities if they go that route.
Safety
With Aaron Williams’ career in jeopardy due to a neck injury and Corey Graham’s declining play, this is also a position of need. If the Bills use their top pick on a safety, Clemson’s Jayron Kearse is the only top player at the position considered first round material who would be left at the 19th slot. In the second round, Ohio State’s Vonn Bell would be a good choice. San Diego safety Eric Weddle has seemingly worn out his welcome with the Chargers, and is a free agent. He is a very capable player who is also most likely out of the Bills’ price range, unless they decide to make some surprise roster cuts to free up more cap space.