Buffalo Bills: Breaking down the most vital position battles

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Jul 30, 2016; Pittsford, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Cardale Jones (7) puts in some extra work after the first session of training camp at St. John Fisher College. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /

Tyrod Taylor will be the starter Week 1 barring an injury, but the heated battle will be at backup quarterback.

For the past two seasons, fans have been receiving mixed messages from all over the place on how to feel about Tyrod Taylor. He was a quarterback brought in by Rex Ryan and although it was made to look like he was competing for the starting job in 2015, everyone knew who Rex’s guy was.

Since being named starter, we have learned a few things. First off, he’s not a bad quarterback — despite the negative media coverage (or as Donald Trump would put it, “covfefe”). He has definitely had his ups and downs and doesn’t have a lot of games with huge numbers, but he’s the best mobile quarterback in the NFL and simply does things that other QB’s can’t do.

In my opinion, Tyrod Taylor needs the right coach and right system to truly showcase what he can do. Rex Ryan wasn’t that coach. With the Buffalo Bills bringing in a head coach that has seen a mobile quarterback go to the Super Bowl (Cam Newton) and an offensive coordinator that absolutely loves Taylor’s style of play, I think Buffalo has found the coach and system for Taylor.

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Having more tight ends on the field and adding a receiving fullback will give Taylor check-down options when things get stuffy. If Sammy Watkins can stay healthy and Zay Jones plays well, adding in a top-tier running game, Taylor will have everything needed to succeed.

With that being said, fans will know for sure after this season whether or not T-Mobile is their quarterback.

As for the backup quarterback, it’s currently a race between T.J. Yates, Nathan Peterman and Cardale Jones. Yates is the only one with any experience, with Jones only having a quarter of regular season experience and Peterman being a rookie.

Out of those three, Yates would be my backup Week 1 because he’s proven to be a game manager when needed — even in the playoffs. However, I’m not sure if they will keep Yates. He knows the system, but with two young quarterbacks with potential, he could’ve just been brought in to help smooth the transition between the coordinator change.

I doubt all three will stay and the performance of Cardale Jones will likely be the deciding factor between keeping him and Peterman, or keeping Yates and Peterman.

It’s going to be a good battle.

Prediction: Tyrod starts, Yates gets cut, Peterman and Jones stay to backup — giving the team two fall-back options.

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