The 2022 NFL season for the Buffalo Bills, filled with preseason hype that the team was primed to win a Super Bowl, instead evolved into a crucible of obstacles put in front of them that included:
Death of Dawson Knox’s brother
Kim Pegula’s illness
Injuries to key players (Von Miller, Micah Hyde, etc.)
Dealing with multiple blizzards/home game relocated
Damar Hamlin’s near death
Josh Allen’s elbow injury
Despite the setbacks, the Bills managed 13 wins, another AFC East title and a wild card playoff win. They enter 2023 battle-tested and much more under the radar, to the point where some analysts are writing them off. Here is our preseason preview of where the three-time AFC East champs sit entering the upcoming season:
Front Office/Coaching
Buffalo still has a solid roster top to bottom thanks to the work of GM Brandon Beane and his staff, and if early indications on this year’s draft class prove to be true, they could be better than last year’s group. It’s a sign of how strong of a roster they have that both seventh round draft picks – Nick Broeker and Alex Austin, failed to make the final 53 man roster, yet both were claimed off waivers when they were released. Beane has also done his annual job of adding some low-key free agents who should strengthen certain areas. As for coaching, the major change has Sean McDermott taking over the defensive play calling from the departed Leslie Frazier. Most expect this change to result in a more aggressive approach on that side of the ball, a change that will surely be popular with the players.
Quarterbacks
QB Kyle Allen, Bills’ annual new backup QB
Following in the footsteps of Matt Barkley, Mitch Trubisky and Case Keenum, Kyle Allen is the newest backup option behind Josh Allen in the Bills’ quarterback room. Josh is the unquestioned starter, and with Kyle Allen, offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, QB coach Joe Brady and Barkley (on injured reserve for the year) there is plenty of support for the team’s top player. As long as Josh Allen is calling signals and not his golfing buddy Kyle, the Bills will be in the hunt for a Super Bowl title.
Running Backs
James Cook, the Bills’ new bell cow RB
Buffalo has been trying, mostly unsuccessfully, to develop a rushing attack in the last few years. They are a passing offense so they only need a slightly above average run game to keep defenses honest. This season, they have an almost completely new stable of running backs to try to finally accomplish that goal. James Cook isn’t new, but he is entering his first year of being counted on to be the main back in the offense. He has skills as both a runner and pass receiver, and has flashed brilliance at times. Now he has to prove he can be a positive contributor consistently. His backups are a pair of veterans who offer different skill sets than Cook. Latavius Murray is a solid short yardage back who should be valuable on the goal line while Damien Harris is an under the radar free agent signing who could play a major role in spelling Cook with no dropoff in production. He was a major thorn in the side of the Bills in his time in New England, rushing for over 100 yards in 3 of the 4 games he played against them. The Bills keep only one fullback on the roster, and that’s Reggie Gilliam. He’s mostly a blocker and special teamer, but occasionally is involved as a receiver out of the backfield.
Receivers
Trent Sherfield, Bills’ new slot receiver
Pundits are always downgrading Buffalo’s receiving corps, claiming that after the alpha dog Stefon Diggs there is no threat. “Big Play” Gabe Davis, a newly minted captain on the team, begs to differ. He is primed for a big season after battling drops and an injury last year. A new slot receiver was brought in from Miami in free agency – Trent Sherfield. He was a key piece for the Dolphins despite being overshadowed by Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and his value for Buffalo is enhanced by a trait the Bills’ coaches like – versatility. Although likely playing mostly in the slot, he is capable of manning any of the WR spots, helping Dorsey be creative with formations, etc. GM Beane was determined to add speed to the receiving corps also, thus the signing of Deonte Harty from the Saints. He’ll be another slot option as well as returning kicks. Khalil Shakir starts the year a little banged up, but he for sure will have an impact down the line as the fifth receiver. Draft pick Justin Shorter, a big, physical wideout, starts the season on short-term injured reserve where he’ll get a chance to develop his game. Buffalo has a trio of capable tight ends entering the 2023 season thanks to the addition of rookie top draft pick Dalton Kincaid, who has high expectations. Along with established starter Dawson Knox, the Bills can employ double tight end formations to get favorable matchups and also help the run game. Quinton Morris is the third TE, and he has solidified his place on the team as a dependable backup and top special team guy.
Offensive Line
Connor McGovern adds beef to the Bills’ interior line
The divisional playoff loss to Cincinnati last year was a wake-up call that Beane needed to beef up the offensive line as Josh Allen was under duress the whole game. Both starting guards will be new this season, with free agent Connor McGovern replacing Rodger Saffold at left guard and impressive rookie O’Cyrus Torrence taking over on the right side. Center Mitch Morse returns to anchor the line, and starting tackles Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown are also back. Brown is still a work in progress and he’ll be pushed for playing time by newcomer Germain Ifedi, a late waiver acquisition, and Ryan Van Demark, who earned his way onto the roster after serving time on the practice squad last year. Reliable Ryan Bates is the main backup, and he can play any position on the line. Alec Anderson, who like Van Demark elevated himself from the PS to the roster, is being groomed to mirror Bates in that he can man any spot. Another interior reserve is veteran free agent signee David Edwards.
Defensive Line
DT Daquan Jones, an underrated defender
The Bills’ defensive line will automatically be improved once future Hall of Famer Von Miller returns from his injury, but the team also added some extra help on both the inside and at defensive end in tackle Poona Ford and pass rusher Leonard Floyd, who will be counted on to replace at least some of Miller’s production in getting after opposing quarterbacks. Newly extended Ed Oliver mans one starting tackle spot, alongside an underrated star of the D-line in DaQuan Jones. His absence in the divisional playoff loss was a big factor. Greg Rousseau starts on the outside and is expected to improve on his 8 sack season of a year ago, with Floyd starting the year opposite him. Ford, Jordan Phillips, the one man hype machine, and Tim Settle will spell the starting tackles in the team’s D line rotation, while on the outside Shaq Lawson, Kingsley Johnathan and A.J. Epenesa (who bagged 6 sacks in a rotational role) will tag in for the starters.
Linebackers
LB Terrel Bernard has been hampered by injuries
The glaring missing piece from the linebacking corps, of course, is departed Tremaine Edmunds, who left for the Bears in free agency. Buffalo only employs 2 ‘backers most of the time, and All Pro Matt Milano is one of them, so they still should be OK there. Edmunds’ spot is still up in the air. Veteran Tyrel Dodson is the presumed starter at this point, but he hasn’t exactly put a stranglehold on the job. Second year LB Terrel Bernard was expected to compete to start, but he was hampered by a hamstring injury all through the preseason. An interesting option was signed to the practice squad on cutdown day in veteran Christian Kirksey. He was a starter and captain with the Texans and his statistics are actually better than what Edmunds provided here. Rookie Dorian Williams is starting out as a backup to Milano, but could be moved to MLB if none of the others provide the answer. Also on the LB depth chart is special teamer Tyler Matakevich.
Defensive Backs
S Micah Hyde was sorely missed last season
The Bills will open the season with a secondary manned by a veteran group that didn’t play a single down together in 2022. The reliable veteran safety tandem of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer is back together, joined by cornerback Tre’Davious White and nickel corner Taron Johnson. The other outside cornerback spot is still undecided, with Dane Jackson, Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford all competing. In any event, the cornerback position is steeped in depth. Cam Lewis and Siran Neal are listed as CBs on the roster also, and both can fill in at safety if needed. They are also valuable special teamers. Veteran Taylor Rapp, signed away from the Rams, and Damar Hamlin are the main reserves behind Hyde and Poyer.
Special Teams
Special teams ace Siran Neal
The Bills value special teams highly, and are blessed with a veteran kicking game trio of dependable players in punter/holder Sam Martin, kicker Tyler Bass and long snapper Reid Ferguson. They have one of the NFL’s top gunners in Siran Neal, and other bomb squad vets like Tyler Matakevich, Cam Lewis, Tyrel Dodson, Damar Hamlin and Reggie Gilliam. One area that might still be unsettled is in the kick return department. They’ll have to choose between options such as Deonte Harty and Khalil Shakir for those roles.
Here’s your annual song to get psyched up for the upcoming season, the Bills’ Shout song: