Buffalo Bills Offense Skill Position Depth Chart Preview
The Buffalo Bills are now under the control of Rex Ryan, and have seen some significant turnover offensively at the skill positions this offseason.
They’ll have a new quarterback, a new running back, and a brand new slot receiver to lead one of the most intriguing groups of skill position players in the NFL that could get the Bills back into the playoffs and into NFL relevancy.
The biggest question mark starts obviously at the quarterback position, but Buffalo has a trio of players contending for the job that could give them a shot at a playoff spot this year with a stellar defense. Let’s take a look at the skill positions offensively and what kind of depth the Bills have.
Quarterback
This is the biggest question mark for the Bills at this point. Will Matt Cassel be the starter, or will it be E.J. Manuel? What about newly acquired Tyrod Taylor, who turned down a three-year deal from the Denver Broncos to sign in Buffalo?
May 26, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) throws a pass during the organized team activities at the ADPRO Sports Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
There are a lot of moving parts here, but right now it would seem Cassel is the likely front-runner for the job due to his past NFL experience. That said, he showed really poorly last season as a backup with the Vikings, and since his 2010 season in Kansas City, he’s been pretty bad in general.
The Bills are going to need steady play from the QB position, and if Cassel can’t at least elevate the players that have been placed around him, it could be time for E.J. Manuel to prove his first round worth and be the starting quarterback the Bills has once envisioned he would be.
If not Manuel, the intriguing pick at QB for the Bills is Tyrod Taylor, who has shown some promise in his time as a backup for the Buffalo Bills. Our own Joe Wedra wrote about Taylor’s chances of emerging as the starter this offseason.
Running Back
The Bills made perhaps the most shocking move of the offseason in the entire NFL when they acquired LeSean McCoy from the Philadelphia Eagles. McCoy had an MVP caliber season in 2013 with the Eagles, but was sort of a dud in 2014. He looks to have a bounce back year in an offense that is going to hopefully amplify his strengths.
McCoy is obviously a star player in this league, but the Bills don’t just have a bunch of chumps lining up behind him either. In fact, their group of running backs is quite possibly the best in the league, and the key backup is going to once again be Fred Jackson, the oldest running back in the NFL and the Bills’ returning leading rusher.
May 26, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs with the ball during the organized team activities at the ADPRO Sports Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Jackson is perhaps better utilized as a receiver out of the backfield at this point in his career, but he’s a great backup nonetheless. The Bills will love having him around as a key veteran piece of this group, which also includes former 49ers running back Anthony Dixon, who apparently goes by ‘Boobie’ now.
Dixon set career highs in attempts, yards, average, and first downs last year as a reserve in Buffalo and looks to do the same again this year. He’s a big, powerful back.
The Bills also acquired Bryce Brown last year, another former backup of LeSean McCoy in Philadelphia. He’s not gotten the opportunity to show what kind of back he’s capable of being like we saw in Philadelphia two seasons ago, but that talent is still there and the Bills could look to him if needed.
As if that weren’t enough, Karlos Williams was drafted by the Bills in the fifth round this season. I don’t know if there are enough spots on the roster for all of these players, especially since the Bills will likely roster a fullback as well.
Williams is another big back with a ton of talent and speed to burn. He has a chance to develop into something special, but he’s going to need time.
Wide Receiver
Over a year ago, the Bills paid a steep, steep price to acquire Sammy Watkins. Now a year later, it seems the price may have been well worth it.
Watkins led the Bills in receiving and looks like a star in the making. He had a 65-985-6 line as a rookie, averaging over 15 yards per reception. As good as Watkins was as a rookie, the Bills are expecting a breakout year in 2015 from their young start player. He’s going to be key to their offensive resurgence, but he’s not alone.
The Bills acquired Percy Harvin in free agency as a cap casualty from the New York Jets. Apparently, Rex Ryan made a heck of an impression…
May 26, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Percy Harvin (18) catches a pass during the organized team activities at the ADPRO Sports Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Harvin will man the slot and be a top flight playmaker for Buffalo on the inside. He’s got to prove he can stay healthy and be a team player, but the Bills look on paper to have an incredible group of receivers on their hands with the speed and quickness of Harvin on the inside, Watkins on the outside, and the emergence of Robert Woods.
Woods was second on the team last year with 699 yards and five touchdowns, and looks like he’s developing into a really good WR2 for the Bills.
With Watkins, Woods, and Harvin, the Bills have a trio of receivers that any team in the NFL should envy in terms of their talent and upside working together, but it doesn’t end there.
Marquise Goodwin, Chris Hogan, and Marcus Easley give the Bills some nice depth at the receiver position.
Tight End
Nov 2, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Charles Clay (42) makes the touchdown catch in the first half against the San Diego Chargers at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Charles Clay was another big time offseason addition brought in from division rival Miami, and he could pay huge dividends early on. Clay proved in his time with Miami that he is one of the most productive and versatile offensive weapons in the league.
He’s going to be as big of an addition to this offense as anyone, in my opinion, and over the long run he could be the difference maker the Bills need. Behind him on the depth chart is Chris Gragg, an incredibly athletic option at the tight end position who can provide mismatches that way.
Nick O’Leary was drafted in the fifth round and looks like the type of player who could carve out a role in the NFL for a really long time with sure hands, solid blocking ability, and reliability in the red zone.