Next year's Roster

[PoundingDog]

I'm going to say that Cook is the biggest positive surprise (yes bigger than Allen changed his game to be less volatile) this year which could have a profound impact to the Bills going froward. I still don't think he's complete back in the form of the like of Barkley but I feel comfortable to put him in Diggs position of the past that we design plays to put him in prominent weapon status.

 

We talk about players who do not shrink in the playoffs. In the past, we have Allen and who else? Even Diggs was not that in Buffalo. But this year Cook showed he is that guy we can depend on in the playoffs. He's a must resign in my book now. 

 

The Wide receivers will continue to be "everyone eats" pattern. I think we need to add some speed. Again, it is not something we need to chase (like trading multiple picks or allocate big money. Hope younger ones like Coleman can pop at some point like Cook.

 

Defense is where we need to pour more resource and this is where it is easier to achieve a turn around quickly. I think the main issues are at the front and the backend. The kind of LBs we have - being smart and fast - got exposed because of what happens in front and behind of them. I don't have the details on how to solve the issue but from a higher view, that's what I would have set priority and direction to build upon.

 

The loss yesterday hurts, but if you look at it from a different perspective, we are moving in the right direction; most of us expect us to take a step backward this year (damn Chiefs, they took similar hit 2 years ago, but surprised everyone all the way to superbowl champs). We are just moving slower than the Chiefs. The kind of offense we were running from Daboll to Dorsey had run its course. What we have now fits playoff style better. The defense definitely took a step back like we expected and is not playoff caliber. I'm not talking about dominant defense that shuts people out completely; just one like the Chiefs, making it difficult for opponents - great QBs can still move the ball but they require you to make great play after great play. 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

3 hours ago, Sestak4ever said:

Gone - Elam, Kincaid(maybe find a trading partner), Miller, Hamlin, Spector, Cooper. I’m sure there are many others, but these seem to stand out.

 

Miller, Spector sure  Cooper thought he's a FA?? Hamline shouldn't be starting but  would be as good a backup as many teams have.   Kincaid is a huge over reaction like often the case here.  Posters here would have ran many Bills players off after first couple of seasons (Brown, Knox are at top of list) who have become strengths.   Did Kincaid have a disappointing year, yes, but was that on him or the offensive scheme?  Why did he have less targets to me that's due to scheme?  Looking at  his numbers, seemed like once he came back from being injured, he wasn't looked at very much.

 

As far as last play, that's one of those where his momentum is carrying him one way, and now needs to come back the other way.  It's a very easy play to make for those sitting in their recliners watching on TV, but much harder for the actual player on the field.

[JP51]

15 hours ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

 

Other than WR what position on offense is there even a likely open roster spot.

 

I'd sign Hollins to a 2 year deal, need one more WR and rest needs on on defense.

 

Agree biggest FA need is a DE who can get 10 sacks.  Heard rumors that Hendrikson on Bengals may be cut loose to save $$

I would totally look at Hendrickson... 

[zow2]

Kincaid, Keon and Cooper are on my sh*t list.  Just not good enough at all in the biggest game.  Meanwhile KC's role receivers are making plays all over the place.  

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

13 minutes ago, JP51 said:

I would totally look at Hendrickson... 

 

Yeah, question is ho much $$ will it take

[May Day 10]

They need a legit disruptor on the D-Line.  A disruptor I think would free-up Rousseau IMO too.

 

Chris Jones is probably KC's most important player.  If the Bills had Chris Jones instead of the Chiefs I wonder if it is the Bills going for a threepeat

[GASabresIUFan]

Here is the Bills current 2025 depth chart based on the contracts of spotrac.com

 

Offense (19)

QB (3) - Allen, Trubisky, White

RB (2) - Cook & Davis - FAs Johnson and Gilliam

WR (3) - Shakir, Samuel, Coleman - FAs Hollins & Cooper

TE (3) - Kincaid, Knox, Amari Rogers(?) - FA - Morris (Not sure where Rogers came from)

C (2) - McGovern & SVPG - FA Clapp

G (2) - Edwards & Torrence

T (4) - Dawkins, Brown, Grable, Clayton - FA - Anderson, Van Denmark

 

Defense (21)

DT (3) - Oliver, Jones & Carter 

DE/Edge (4) - Groot, Solomon, AJE & Miller - FA - Smoot 

LB (6) - Milano, Bernard, Williams, Andreessen, Ulofoshio & Spector

CB (5) - T Johnson, Benford, Elam, Ingram, Codrington - FA Douglas

S  (3) - Rapp, Bishop, Lewis FA - Hamlin

 

Specialists (3) - 

Bass (PK), Martin (P), Camarada (P)  FA - Ferguson (LS)

 

FAs of note;  Hollins, Johnson, Gilliam, Anderson, Smoot, Hamlin & Ferguson\

 

Don't see Douglas, Cooper or Clapp returning.

 

[iccrewman112]

6 minutes ago, May Day 10 said:

They need a legit disruptor on the D-Line.  A disruptor I think would free-up Rousseau IMO too.

 

Chris Jones is probably KC's most important player.  If the Bills had Chris Jones instead of the Chiefs I wonder if it is the Bills going for a threepeat

I’d like to see a DJ Reader type player to pair with Oliver on the interior. Help the run defense and eat up blocks for Ed to be more effective. 
 

a real disruptor on the edge would be great as well but always hard to come by and tough to afford.

[Bullfrog]

Imo our D has really no identity. We need a Chris Jones type player (not talking about position) to build around. Chris Jones pretty much shut down our tush push. 

 

We need a game changer on d. We have Allen on offense but we have nothing on D. 

And yes we do need more separation WR's. Allen is improvising on almost every play. The man really did earn the MVP this year even if they don't give it to him.

[SCBills]

1) Bring back Hollins and Johnson.

 

2) Extensions for Cook and Shakir.

 

3) Explore trades for a Pass Rusher.

 

4) Find Josh Allen an outside separator at WR to replace Cooper.

 

5) Bulk up the IDL.

 

6)  Let Rousseau play out the 5th year option or offer in trade for Crosby/Garrett.  Cut/Trade Elam.  Bernard/Benford, play out final year and then evaluate after season.

 

7) Load up LB/CB/S depth/competition in Rounds 4-6.

 

Edited Monday at 07:28 PM by SCBills

[BillMafia716ix]

It’s tough. Good thing for us our offensive line is locked up. The need a playmaker at WR.

 

Defense they have a lot of work to do. Need to find at least two DE, 2 CB’s, Saftey, and LB. We have a lot of overrated, overpaid guys on defense. Benford, and Taron Johnson are great and Milano is injury prone and getting older. They don’t have much else after that.

Edited Monday at 07:32 PM by BillMafia716ix

[JP51]

27 minutes ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

 

Yeah, question is ho much $$ will it take

Indeed... that is always the way... 

[gonzo1105]

Overhaul the defense by getting younger and faster and add another separator at the WR position. Inside or outside doesn’t matter to me just get open 

[st pete gogolak]

i'll put this in the form of a question(s), since I'm not sure what the right answer is on a lot of this.  

 

Offense - remarkably few decisions to make in the offseason.  OL and QB are set.  Sign Hollins and Ty Johnson?  Yes, if the money is right.  Sign Cooper?  Probably not.  If no, find a decent boundary WR in FA and draft some for some speed outside.  Trade Kincaid or Knox?  For whatever reason, team never really seemed to run a lot of plays out of two TE formations.  Preferred extra OL or three wide set.  That's about it on the offensive side.

 

Defense - tons of questions.  First, do we stick to a base 4 - 2 - 5 or move more to a 4 -3?  It won't happen but do we have personnel to run a 3 -4?  Up front, Miller's gone, Rousseau, Oliver, Carter, AJ and Solomon are back.  To me, Rousseau would be a prototype 3 - 4 DE.  Could Oliver play role of a DE in a 3 - 4?  Would need to draft NT early.  Even if we stay with 4 - 2 or 4 - 3, need to draft some heft up front.  Probably draft a DE early.

 

LB's - Milano - Bernard - Williams in a 4 -3.  Solomon plays rush LB in a 3 - 4.  Backups Andresson and U.  

 

DB's - Benford (hope he is ok), Elam (I know, I know but might as well have him play out the contract), Ingram, draft pick, Bishop SS; can Taron needs to be on the field, can he play boundary CB or FS?  Move to nickel when needed?  Rapp.

 

This year was the best Bills team with Josh.  Next year's team will be better.  To me, the biggest issue is a change in defensive philosophy.  We simply must be more aggressive overall and more aggressive going after the QB.

[LABILLBACKER]

16 hours ago, Chicharito said:

Hopefully 2 ***** down corners. Miller will be gone and hopefully Rousseau too. I can’t watch him just stand there anymore. Let’s not forget Hamlin he needs to be replaced. Now offensively we need a WR or three that can create separation. 

Let me start by saying Von, Groot and Epenesa have been big disappointments. I'm not retaining any of these 3.  Hamlin has to go also.  He is a perennial backup that never should've seen as many snaps as he had.  I'm also letting Rasul & Cooper walk.  Just not enough contributions from them.  Obviously keep Rapp and pray we can mold Bishop somehow?  Hated losing Cine.  Elam will probably be outright released as his trade value might be a 7th round pick.  This defense needs a complete rebuild. Both on x's & o's and Jimmy's & Joes. 

 

Last year was our opportunity to land a wr and we failed.  And we can't count on our TE's anymore. Sign Hollins cheap and roll with Samuel one more year. Maybe sign a FA WR??

 

Top Draft Priorities 

DE, DT, CB, WR, S

[KOKBILLS]

I'm fully aware of the fact that this will come across as negative...But I swear it's not meant to be... I do think though that as an organization, philosophically because of who is in charge, this team has peaked. We're not going to get any better because they refuse to get out of their comfort zone both in scheme and talent evaluation. And as long as those three (Reed, Mahomes, Spags) remain in KC, we are not going to the SB... Especially if McDermott continues to run the same Defensive scheme and preach fundamentals over everything. A scheme that many teams not named KC figured out this year. And fundamentals are great, as long as they are backed up by strategy and great play calling. 

 

That being said... Here's what I would do.

 

I really don't see any reason to keep anyone on the Defensive line not named Ed Oliver. There are decent players there...sure... But in big games they have continuously come up short. I would absolutely be interested in Crosby or Garrett... Of course I would. This Draft is very deep on the Defensive line. Move whoever you can for picks. Keep Solomon because he's cheap... Completely rebuild it.

 

The secondary has to be rebuilt as well... Benford, Taron, Bishop, and even Ingram and Lewis as depth are fine...But the rest needs to be fortified with speed and talent big time. 

 

I'd use at least one of those 2025 picks on a sideline to sideline LB with SPEED...

 

Add speed at WR of course... Good grief add speed and people who can beat man coverage. Bring Hollins back on a one year. I would absolutely trade for George Pickens diva and all... 

 

And yes, I would do what I can within reason considering the position to keep Jimbo... Ty Johnson should be resigned obviously. He won't be expensive. 

 

No matter what the Bills easily win the AFC East in 2025 and battle for the AFC... But until they can get out of their comfort zone and come up with something in these big games they will continue to come up short. And it is what it is. 

 

[Roundybout]

I’m knocking on all the wood in the forest, but looks like we are okay at kicker. 

[Pete]

1 hour ago, zow2 said:

Kincaid, Keon and Cooper are on my sh*t list.  Just not good enough at all in the biggest game.  Meanwhile KC's role receivers are making plays all over the place.  

Cooper made positive plays

[Sestak4ever]

1 hour ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

 

Miller, Spector sure  Cooper thought he's a FA?? Hamline shouldn't be starting but  would be as good a backup as many teams have.   Kincaid is a huge over reaction like often the case here.  Posters here would have ran many Bills players off after first couple of seasons (Brown, Knox are at top of list) who have become strengths.   Did Kincaid have a disappointing year, yes, but was that on him or the offensive scheme?  Why did he have less targets to me that's due to scheme?  Looking at  his numbers, seemed like once he came back from being injured, he wasn't looked at very much.

 

As far as last play, that's one of those where his momentum is carrying him one way, and now needs to come back the other way.  It's a very easy play to make for those sitting in their recliners watching on TV, but much harder for the actual player on the field.

I agree with your point, but in big games that catch needs to be made, especially in that situation. He also seemed like he did not give full effort to make the first down earlier in the game. Not sure if it was due to any lingering issues from his injury, but he also dropped some very catchable passes earlier in the season. If it’s due to injury, then okay. If it’s due to lack of heart and effort, that’s another matter.

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

44 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

Let me start by saying Von, Groot and Epenesa have been big disappointments. I'm not retaining any of these 3.  Hamlin has to go also.  He is a perennial backup that never should've seen as many snaps as he had.  I'm also letting Rasul & Cooper walk.  Just not enough contributions from them.  Obviously keep Rapp and pray we can mold Bishop somehow?  Hated losing Cine.  Elam will probably be outright released as his trade value might be a 7th round pick.  This defense needs a complete rebuild. Both on x's & o's and Jimmy's & Joes. 

 

Last year was our opportunity to land a wr and we failed.  And we can't count on our TE's anymore. Sign Hollins cheap and roll with Samuel one more year. Maybe sign a FA WR??

 

Top Draft Priorities 

DE, DT, CB, WR, S

 

Well if you're letting Groot go, you're throwing $14 mil out the door, so very doubtful that happens.  I think Hamlin as a backup is probably as good a player as many other teams have.   Don't know if he needs to be cut, but certainly should not be starting.  Last year I was hoping they'd sign Douglas to an extension, but his play tailed off and would let him go.  I'd use 1st round pick on CB if it were up to me.

Edited Monday at 08:44 PM by Ed_Formerly_of_Roch