Tyrod Taylor: Most Surprising Player of 2015?

Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) runs for a touchdown with New York Jets inside linebacker Demario Davis (56) in pursuit during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) runs for a touchdown with New York Jets inside linebacker Demario Davis (56) in pursuit during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) looks on as quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) runs the ball during the second half against the Houston Texans at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buffalo beat Houston 30-21. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) looks on as quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) runs the ball during the second half against the Houston Texans at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buffalo beat Houston 30-21. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Was Tyrod Taylor the Most Surprising Buffalo Bills Player in 2015?

The Bills had many players whose performance in 2015 could be considered surprising whether it was in a good or bad manner.

Fans were dumbfounded when Dan Carpenter missed six extra points during the season. He had been a very reliable kicker for Buffalo in his first two seasons. He is paid close to one of the top ten kickers in the league despite the fact that he doesn’t even take the kickoffs for the team. It was shocking to see him miss six extra points and to hear chatter about whether he should be cut by the Bills during the season.

The Bills had a running back who scored nine touchdowns and, unexpectedly, his name wasn’t LeSean McCoy. It’s also surprising that this running back, Karlos Williams, was able to contribute as much as he did as a rookie who was selected in the 5th round.

No one expected Richie Incognito to be able to come back from not playing in the league for a year and a half to having a Pro Bowl season. He was selected to the team as an alternate. It was not a given that Richie would be a positive influence in the locker room but he showed that he had matured and was a leader for the team.

Bills fans were worried about how long Leodis McKelvin would be out with an injury when Ronald Darby played poorly early in the pre-season. Not long after the season started, Bills fans stopped worrying about that. Darby did so well, that when McKelvin came back, he was used as a safety instead of cornerback due to the way Darby excelled in his role and because of the injuries the team had sustained at safety.

Despite all of these other unexpected performances, both good and bad, Tyrod Taylor was definitely the most surprising of the bunch. If someone stated that the Buffalo Bills would have a quarterback in the Pro Bowl before last season started, most people would tell that person to check themselves into a mental institution.

With Tyrod being established as the most surprising player on the Bills roster, it’s time to move on to the rest of the league and to examine if any other players deserve to be labeled the most surprising in 2015.

Next: More Surprising Than Manning and Berry?