Pre-Draft: Bills already much better than last year

[khlax3]

I just want to say up front sorry for the long post. We are 1 week out from the draft and I thought it would be a good idea to take a look position by position to see where the bills were from a roster standpoint compared to the majority of last year compared to the current roster.

 

Saftey- Much Better

For the majority of 2022 the roster was an injured poyer, Hamlin getting is first starting experience, Johnson who was a major disappointment, and Lewis/marlowe. In 2023 we are looking at a healthy Poyer and Hyde as well as Rapp (who is starting caliber) and Hamlin who now has experimence playing meaningful minutes

 

Corner- Same/Slightly Better

I went back and forth between same and better for this position. The players are for the most part the same but I expect this group to be better this year. White will be 1 1/2 removed from injury and have an offseason to get back into the grove and playing shape, Elam and benford are going into year 2 and showed promise in year 1, and we also have Jackson and Johnson back.

 

Linebacker- Significant downgrade

2022 we had Edmunds and Milano along with Dodson, Bernard, Spector and matekovich. This year we return everyone but Edmunds and have Klien prior to the season but even if one or 2 of them exceed expectations it like will still be a significant downgrade from Edmunds

 

DT- Same

This is the same group as 202. Oliver, Phillips, Jones, Settle. All 4 guys dealt with injuries last season and you hope they came be better if healthy but at this point you can’t say they got better or worse than last year 

 

DE- Same

Just like DT we are returning the same group. Miller, Groot, Epenesa, Basham, Lawson. I went with same here as well even though Miller missed several games last season there is no gurantee he is healthy to start the season. Epenesa has his best year last year but I think he has hit his ceiling 

 

QB- Same

Hopefully Allen is healthy and we swapped kyle Allen for Kenuem. Kenuem may be better than Kyle Allen but ultimately if Josh is hurt the season is over anyway

RB- Same

2022 we had Singletary, cook, Moss, Jones, Gilliam. In 2023 we lose Jones who offered nothing at the position and singletary who is a significant loss but we get cook in year 2 who showed progress throughout the year, Hines will have an offseason to be incorporated into the offense, and Harris who I think is an equal player to singletary but is a better fit as he offers something the team was missing

 

TE- Same 

As of right now this position looks the same as last year but I expect to add someone in the draft

 

WR- Slightly Better

For the majority of 2022 we played with Diggs, Davis, McKenzie, Shakir and guys we were grabbing off the street. 2023 we have diggs who is great and Davis who is who he is. Shakir is going into year 2 and looked good when he got opportunities. I think Sheffield and Harty ar Euphrates to McKenzie and we have much more depth than last year

 

OT- Same

Dawkins, Brown, Doyle, Quessenberry.  2023 players look similair to 2022. Although I’m not willing to say this position group is better there is potential. Brown missed all last offseason with a back injury and should be able to participate this year. Doyle was injured all year and Quesenberry also battled multiple injuries. It’s also year 2 in Kromers system

 

IOL- Better

2022 was primarily saffold, Morse, bates with Van Rotten as the primary backup. Saffold was terrible replacing him with McGovern is a big upgrade. Bates will also be going into year 2 of starting and we are going into year 2 with Kromer. Edwards and Boettger as back up IOL is much better depth than last year.

 

Overall besides linebacker this team has already either stayed the same or improved across the board. We will add several players on the draft and FA that will continue to improve each position. There has been a lot of doom and gloom on this board since the season ended but the future looks good!

 

[Green Lightning]

Without a OL pick in the top of the draft we're only marginally better on the OLine. Beane is doing his OL thing again, quantity not quality.  If what we have now is the starting line up we'll be throwing 40 times a game and relying on Super Josh to move the chains on 3rd and short. I am hoping for a new OL starter in this draft. RT preferably, but will be happy for a C or IOL that can actually move the LOS a few inches.

[wppete]

Tremaine Edmunds is a huge loss for this team. Going to be hard to replace him. 

[Mikie2times]

39 minutes ago, khlax3 said:

I just want to say up front sorry for the long post. We are 1 week out from the draft and I thought it would be a good idea to take a look position by position to see where the bills were from a roster standpoint compared to the majority of last year compared to the current roster.

 

Saftey- Much Better

For the majority of 2022 the roster was an injured poyer, Hamlin getting is first starting experience, Johnson who was a major disappointment, and Lewis/marlowe. In 2023 we are looking at a healthy Poyer and Hyde as well as Rapp (who is starting caliber) and Hamlin who now has experimence playing meaningful minutes

 

Corner- Same/Slightly Better

I went back and forth between same and better for this position. The players are for the most part the same but I expect this group to be better this year. White will be 1 1/2 removed from injury and have an offseason to get back into the grove and playing shape, Elam and benford are going into year 2 and showed promise in year 1, and we also have Jackson and Johnson back.

 

Linebacker- Significant downgrade

2022 we had Edmunds and Milano along with Dodson, Bernard, Spector and matekovich. This year we return everyone but Edmunds and have Klien prior to the season but even if one or 2 of them exceed expectations it like will still be a significant downgrade from Edmunds

 

DT- Same

This is the same group as 202. Oliver, Phillips, Jones, Settle. All 4 guys dealt with injuries last season and you hope they came be better if healthy but at this point you can’t say they got better or worse than last year 

 

DE- Same

Just like DT we are returning the same group. Miller, Groot, Epenesa, Basham, Lawson. I went with same here as well even though Miller missed several games last season there is no gurantee he is healthy to start the season. Epenesa has his best year last year but I think he has hit his ceiling 

 

QB- Same

Hopefully Allen is healthy and we swapped kyle Allen for Kenuem. Kenuem may be better than Kyle Allen but ultimately if Josh is hurt the season is over anyway

RB- Same

2022 we had Singletary, cook, Moss, Jones, Gilliam. In 2023 we lose Jones who offered nothing at the position and singletary who is a significant loss but we get cook in year 2 who showed progress throughout the year, Hines will have an offseason to be incorporated into the offense, and Harris who I think is an equal player to singletary but is a better fit as he offers something the team was missing

 

TE- Same 

As of right now this position looks the same as last year but I expect to add someone in the draft

 

WR- Slightly Better

For the majority of 2022 we played with Diggs, Davis, McKenzie, Shakir and guys we were grabbing off the street. 2023 we have diggs who is great and Davis who is who he is. Shakir is going into year 2 and looked good when he got opportunities. I think Sheffield and Harty ar Euphrates to McKenzie and we have much more depth than last year

 

OT- Same

Dawkins, Brown, Doyle, Quessenberry.  2023 players look similair to 2022. Although I’m not willing to say this position group is better there is potential. Brown missed all last offseason with a back injury and should be able to participate this year. Doyle was injured all year and Quesenberry also battled multiple injuries. It’s also year 2 in Kromers system

 

IOL- Better

2022 was primarily saffold, Morse, bates with Van Rotten as the primary backup. Saffold was terrible replacing him with McGovern is a big upgrade. Bates will also be going into year 2 of starting and we are going into year 2 with Kromer. Edwards and Boettger as back up IOL is much better depth than last year.

 

Overall besides linebacker this team has already either stayed the same or improved across the board. We will add several players on the draft and FA that will continue to improve each position. There has been a lot of doom and gloom on this board since the season ended but the future looks good!

 

If you're betting on Tre being his old self (which I feel is possible) this position immediately upgrades by about as much as LB downgrades. I'm really hoping that is the case.  In fact, to go further, we could have the best secondary we have ever fielded with the depth we gained at corner last year and if our safeties can remain healthy. A lot of what if's, but really only room to better IMO.  

[CaptnCoke11]

I think the running back room is better with Harris in and Cook going to see an increased role 

[Fan in Chicago]

50 minutes ago, khlax3 said:

I just want to say up front sorry for the long post. We are 1 week out from the draft and I thought it would be a good idea to take a look position by position to see where the bills were from a roster standpoint compared to the majority of last year compared to the current roster.

 

Overall besides linebacker this team has already either stayed the same or improved across the board. We will add several players on the draft and FA that will continue to improve each position. There has been a lot of doom and gloom on this board since the season ended but the future looks good!

 

I can go with your assessment and conclude that the overall team is better, but i think marginally better. However, I dont think we have improved enough to pass the Bengals and Chiefs. So, while important to improve, it will mean squat if we continue to be ill-equipped to win against them in the playoffs. 

Yes, there is the draft but again, the other two teams have it too. 

 

As it stands right now, I am less optimistic about the upcoming season than I was about the last 2. (2020 was just a very pleasant surprise). 

[Sierra Foothills]

Good post.

 

I agree with all of your positional assessments except I think we'll be much better at CB, not Same/Slightly better.

 

As you implied, Tre White will be back to his usual self instead of a shell of his former self. Before his injury he was on his way to his 3rd straight All-Pro season. Having just turned 28 years old I expect him to return to his prime. Talented sophomores Elam and Benford should be considerably better and vets Taron Johnson and Dane Jackson are solid and in their primes.

 

Also I believe a vector for McDermott's unhappiness with Frazier was the soft approach used at CB. This year I expect the group to play much tighter press coverage and I expect them to be well above average.

 

 

[Success]

12 minutes ago, CaptnCoke11 said:

I think the running back room is better with Harris in and Cook going to see an increased role 

 

Damien Harris is a much different RB than any we've had in recent years. He just has to stay healthy. Cook complements him perfectly, imo.

 

An improved line and a real running game could make this offense the best we've seen in the JA era.

 

[Sierra Foothills]

Beyond the personnel, last year was a clear case of failing to overcome a heaping pile of adversity. IMO this in no way impugns their season.

 

The fact they only lost 3 games and by a mere cumulative total of 8 points speaks to the talent and character of this team.

 

Making the reasonable assumption of less adversity, I think the Bills have as good a shot as any to make it to Allegiant Stadium next February.

 

 

[Mikie2times]

9 minutes ago, Fan in Chicago said:

As it stands right now, I am less optimistic about the upcoming season than I was about the last 2. (2020 was just a very pleasant surprise). 

Which is fine by me. Not directed at your take, but as a whole. Given the injuries last year and then player progression. Allen, Cook, Shakir, Brown, Groot, White, Poyer, Elam, Benford, Hyde, Von. All should be better. Perhaps even Oliver in a contract year. 

 

Then you start thinking, can Davis be any worse? Can Knox be any worse? unlikely. Heck, Knox could have a huge rebound year. 
 

Then coaching. You know McD will be better than Frazier and I have to think Dorsey is better with the year of experience. 
 

Some sneaky FA agent signings. 
 

We have alot of reasons to think we will be better than a team that won 13 games but very few obvious ones that get people talking about how we should be the SB favorite. I like it. 

[Sierra Foothills]

8 minutes ago, Sierra Foothills said:

Beyond the personnel, last year was a clear case of failing to overcome a heaping pile of adversity. IMO this in no way impugns their season.

 

The fact they only lost 3 games and by a mere cumulative total of 8 points speaks to the talent and character of this team.

 

Making the reasonable assumption of less adversity, I think the Bills have as good a shot as any to make it to Allegiant Stadium next February.

 

3 minutes ago, KzooMike said:

Given the injuries last year and then player progression. Allen, Cook, Shakir, Brown, Groot, White, Poyer, Elam, Benford, Hyde, Von. All should be better. Perhaps even Oliver in a contract year. 

 

Then you start thinking, can Davis be any worse? Can Knox be any worse? unlikely. Heck, Knox could have a huge rebound year. 
 

Then coaching. You know McD will be better than Frazier and I have to think Dorsey is better with the year of experience. 
 

Some sneaky FA agent signings. 
 

We have alot of reasons to think we will be better than a team that won 13 games but very few obvious ones that get people talking about how we should be the SB favorite. I like it. 

 

Yes, (forgive me for quoting myself btw)... life experience has shown many of us that the difference between failure and success, between winning and losing is sometimes almost a coin flip. I was just reminded of that very fact today in fact.

 

In today's world people want to see irrefutable proofs, undeniable statements. Last year's example was Von Miller. Where did that emphatic improvement get us when the football gods were essentially conspiring against the Bills all season long?

 

The same people often can't discern incrementalism and the idea that minor improvements in a few areas (including in LUCK) can make all the difference in the world.

 

We live in a world where the ideas of patience and incrementalism have no appeal. But there's no telling what next season will be like with a bit of improvement and a bit more luck. It might make all the difference in the world and it might make a much bigger difference than another big splash.

 

 

 

 

[Kiva]

Edmunds was a major liability. We will improve just by having him gone. Mr. Whitewash constantly in the wrong position and slow, mentally and physically. . 

[khlax3]

1 hour ago, KzooMike said:

If you're betting on Tre being his old self (which I feel is possible) this position immediately upgrades by about as much as LB downgrades. I'm really hoping that is the case.  In fact, to go further, we could have the best secondary we have ever fielded with the depth we gained at corner last year and if our safeties can remain healthy. A lot of what if's, but really only room to better IMO.  

In my initial assessment I tried to be reserved in my outlooks but I agree corner could be significantly better this year. I also said “Same” for running back but it is a position that could be significantly better as well. 

[John from Riverside]

I think the ol should be classified as better

 

They brought in two guards that have both shown a lot of promise getting rid of saffold who just didn’t have it

 

Very unheralded is getting Ike after his injury with a full off-season

 

And let’s keep in mind that wow, Spencer Brown did not have a great start to the year. He was coming off of a back injury.

 

I would still draft competition

[khlax3]

58 minutes ago, Fan in Chicago said:

I can go with your assessment and conclude that the overall team is better, but i think marginally better. However, I dont think we have improved enough to pass the Bengals and Chiefs. So, while important to improve, it will mean squat if we continue to be ill-equipped to win against them in the playoffs. 

Yes, there is the draft but again, the other two teams have it too. 

 

As it stands right now, I am less optimistic about the upcoming season than I was about the last 2. (2020 was just a very pleasant surprise). 

I get the finish to last year was disappointing and we had a terrible showing against the bengals however we have beaten the chiefs 2 out of the last 3 and if it wasn’t for 13 seconds in would be 3 straight. Also looking at KC free agent moves it appears they have actually regressed. The have significant downgrades at OT and WR at this point and no positions where they have made a clear upgrade. The bengals have had a significant downgrade at safety and depth however they did get a significant upgrade on the oline. The bengals are going to be extremely tough again this year but the dynamics will change quickly once they have to pay Higgins chase and burrow this year 

[BillsShredder83]

1 hour ago, Fan in Chicago said:

I can go with your assessment and conclude that the overall team is better, but i think marginally better. However, I dont think we have improved enough to pass the Bengals and Chiefs. So, while important to improve, it will mean squat if we continue to be ill-equipped to win against them in the playoffs. 

Yes, there is the draft but again, the other two teams have it too. 

 

As it stands right now, I am less optimistic about the upcoming season than I was about the last 2. (2020 was just a very pleasant surprise). 

Depends. If you're looking at it position group by p.g. you could say marginally... but if you the OL and WR rooms are upgraded, synergy between the O could really be something.

 

Need a really great draft and see how it plays out. Josh has never had a great OL. 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

1. We are worse at safety and for the time being MLB.  We are returning two aging vets that were injured last year. Hamlin is a good story but he wasn't that good on the field. If they don't draft a MLB then the on field play will probably be worse but at a considerably reduced cost.

2. OT is worse. Dawkins regressed in 2022 and Brown failed to improve. Really hurting at OT but I think this will be addressed in round 1-3.

3. IOL - should be better against the pass and depth is probably better too

 

MLB, OT, WR, Edge, TE. I will take four of those 5 in any order in the first four rounds. 

 

[Freddie's Dead]

Imma disagree with you about RB and WR and call each a slight downgrade.  Both Singletary and McKittrick were better than a lot of people here gave them credit for.  I hope I can be proven wrong, but I don't think their production will be easily replaced.

[GreggTX]

Our OL still sucks really bad. I would love it if our first 2 picks were RT and G then sign Hopkins and an average FA MLB. We could still add depth at a number of other positions that were exposed last year as much weaker than casual observers thought. Also, how are our DE's any better with Von still on the mend? It's the same guys. I'd also like to add a FA blocking TE with soft hands to compliment the current group.

 

I really think Beane is greatly overestimating our OL. None of the guys he's signed are any good. There is a serious shortage of blocking ability in that group. They could well be our Achilles heel -- especially against good DL's.

 

We got hammered pretty good by injuries last year. I think a lot of guys weren't 100%. Also, I'm not worried about Dawkins. He's good, but not great and by far our best OL. We'll have to wait and see, but he's not a real concern to me. Brown, on the other hand, scares me a lot.

Edited April 20, 2023 by GreggTX

[Donuts and Doritos]

But are they better in comparison to other AFC teams this year or have those teams jumped them? (Bengals, KC, Miami, Jets if they get Rodgers, Chargers, Cleveland w/ Watson, Jags, etc...) That's the real question.

 

I don't feel like they've improved by as much as some of these other teams have & don't feel as good about them going into this draft as I did about the team last year. But I'm also down on some players like Gabe, & the coaching ie: Dorsey & having McD wear 2 hats. I feel a regression coming on. Years of disappointment has trained me into a pessimist I guess. I hope I'm wrong.