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NFL Preview: 3 potential breakout stars from every AFC East squad

By David Ricuito

Sep 11, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) warms up before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) warms up before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Running back James Cook
Aug 20, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (28) cuts upfield in the second quarter of a pre-season game against the Denver Broncos at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /

AFC East Team No. 3 — Buffalo Bills

RB James Cook

EDGE Greg Rousseau

WR Khalil Shakir

With last season’s leading rusher Devin Singletary leaving the team in free agency, the Bills will need a new lead back. They have a group of interesting ball carriers, including Damien Harris, Latavius Murray and Nyheim Hines, but James Cook is the most intriguing. Cook rushed for 507 yards in just 89 attempts, good for 5.7 yards per carry. The blazing playmaker could be in for a big year in 2023 if he gets the bulk of the carries.

Greg Rousseau had a solid sophomore season, picking up eight sacks in just 13 games while only playing 56 percent of the snaps. Rousseau is also quite young; he just turned 23 in April and is younger than some rookie pass rushers that were just drafted. Another year of development and a bigger role will set him up for a strong season.

Khalil Shakir had a quiet rookie season with only 20 targets (10 receptions) and 161 receiving yards. Now that Isaiah McKenzie and Cole Beasley are both gone, Shakir will have a chance to see his role grow. He will have to compete with the likes of Trent Sherfield and Deonte Harry, but the starting slot role in the Bills high-powered offense is up for grabs, and whoever gets it will surely produce big.

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