Team Previews - Buffalo Bills
Projected Starting Lineup
QB: A.J. McCarron RB: LeSean McCoy WR: Kelvin Benjamin WR: Zay Jones WR: Jeremy Kerley TE: Charles Clay
LT: Dion Dawkins LG: Ryan Groy C: Russell Bodine RG: Vlad Ducasse RT: Jordan Mills
Bills 2015-2017 Offensive Profile 2015-2017 Pass Attempts Rank: 31st, 32nd, 31st 2015-2017 Rush Attempts Rank: 2nd, 2nd, 4th 2015-2017 Play Volume Rank: 20th, 18th, 15th 2015-2017 Yards Per Play Rank: 8th, 15th, 29th Unaccounted for Air Yards from 2017 (Rank): 1,276 (14th) Unaccounted for Carries from 2017 (Rank): 149 (13th)
Brian Daboll's average offensive production as an Offensive Coordinator in the NFL. (5 Seasons)
Passing: ATT COMP PCT YDS AVG YDS/G LONG TD TD% INT INT% SACK YDSL RATE
497 289 57.8 3220 6.43 187 65 15 4.1 16 3.46 39 241 73
Rushing: ATT YDS AVG LONG 20+ TD YDS/G FUM FUML 1DN
459 2002 4.24 67 10 12 133 10 6 99
Receiving: REC TAR YDS AVG TD LONG 20+ YDS/G FUM FUML YAC 1DN
288 494 3223 11.26 15 65 42 203 3 3 1390 161
Quarterback-
The Bills enter the 2018 season with a bunch of questions and it starts at quarterback. A.J. McCarron filled in for Dalton four times during the 2015 season. He completed 76-of-115 passes (66%) for 832 yards and 6 touchdowns with only 2 interceptions. The problem is that Bengals team had a lot of offensive firepower while the Bills best player is on the downward part of his career. McCarron is a game manager much like he was tasked with at Alabama. He does not wow you with any spectacular throws but he is pretty calm in the pocket and makes good decisions. While I think he can manage an extremely talented roster, he has little to no prayer in making this Bills team successful on offense.
The Bills were so thrilled with the off-season acquisition of McCarron that they decided to trade up several spots in the draft to select Josh Allen at No. 7. The kid that can throw it over the Teton’s, but couldn't throw it in an ocean. This is another Buffalo Bills mistake that will set the franchise back several more years. He is one of my least favorite QB prospects in sometime, as he is not very accurate, and failed to dominate a rather weak conference. He contains the highest amount of upside in this draft, but with accuracy and poor decision making I do not see him becoming a successful NFL quarterback. I would expect the Bills to struggle early and for Josh Allen to take over early in the season.
Wide Receiver-
What if I told you the Bills had 185 catches, 2,775 yards and 20 touchdown receptions in just 48 games played last year? Well they did, it just was for the Rams, Patriots and 49ers. The Bills could really use Robert Woods, Sammy Watkins, Chris Hogan and Marquise Goodwin this year. Instead they will be relying upon Kelvin Benjamin, Zay Jones, and Andre Holmes.
Benjamin has showed up to camp every single year at least 30 pounds overweight. His lack of motivation can be seen every Sunday. He has trouble creating separation and getting open and does not offer much after the catch. This is usually not a recipe for success in the NFL and the Bills will be counting on him as their primary receiver. While he might fall into production due to volume, I will not have many shares of Benjamin on my fantasy rosters.
If rookies need a plan of what NOT to do Zay Jones is the poster boy. He produced an awful 36.5% catch rate during his rookie season. His longest reception of the season was 33 yards, and only added two touchdowns as a primary receiver. You thought that was bad, well then the off-season happened. He had shoulder and knee surgery and will be out for part of camp. Then he got blackout drunk and arrested for vandalism and wondering the halls naked after a fight with his brother. I am not even going to touch Andre Holmes as he has yet to produce more than 15 catches in the last three seasons.
Tight End-
Charles Clay is entering his fourth season with the Bills. He has finished with roughly 50 catches in each of the previous three seasons with the Bills and has been somewhat of a security blanket for this dreadful team. With the lack of tight end options in the NFL, Clay can be utilized as streaming tight end.
Running Back- We finally get to a starting fantasy option! Well that is if the police or Goodell have anything to say about it. LeSean McCoy will be on my fubar list this season, as he had a bit of an issue with an ex girl friend living in one of his homes. If you saw the photos and he is in fact responsible, I hope he is put down like one of Vicks dogs. Too soon PETA? McCoy lost his three best offensive linemen, Glenn, Incognito, and Wood and turns 30 this season. He is coming off of his worst yards per carry (3.94) of his career. If he does not get suspended he should receive tons and I mean tons of volume, as there are not many other good options in Buffalo. Another positive for the running game is that Brian Daboll lead offenses have finished top six in rushing attempts three out of four years as an OC.
While I have always been a fan of Chris Ivory and his violent running style, I am not sure how productive he can be with every team focusing on shutting down the run. Travis Cadet is an intriguing option if McCoy does get suspended as he should get TONS of work in the passing game. I also would not be at all surprised if they gave a veteran like Peterson, or Murray a call if McCoy’s legal issues get taken to the next level. I would not take McCoy in the first three rounds after that I do get the value of his selection. More to follow based on the legal situation of LeSean McCoy.
2018 Vegas Win Total The worst part about not going to or living in Las Vegas is when they post the Buffalo Bills win total at 6.5. I would wager 5 figures that they do not win 7 games next year. The bad news for me is that this total has come screaming down already. They finished 9-7 last year, but were 6-2 in one-score games. I have a feeling they will not be so fortunate this coming season. Not only do they have a talent issue but they also have to face one of the best divisions in the NFL, the NFC North.
