PFF ranks Buffalo Bills passing attack ninth worst in NFL
By Connor Price
Pro Football Focus has Buffalo Bill Tyrod Taylor graded as the eleventh best quarterback in 2016. His season grade rounded out at 84.6; just a couple points down from 2015 (88.3).
This grade can fool you because he is not the best passer. His low passing grade (79.4) is offset by his high run grade (87.3).
PFF ranked all 32 teams on their passing attack and slotted the Buffalo Bills at 23rd.
In regards to the teams ranked lower than the Bills, the only shock is the Baltimore Ravens (rank 26) just because of their quarterback. The Bills are just behind a few high-octane passing attacks such as the New York Giants (19) and Seahawks (16).
The fact that the Buffalo Bills are in the lower tier of the NFL in passing attack shocks absolutely no one.
The run-heavy offense and dual-threat quarterback are the Bills’ bread and butter. After boasting the top-ranked rushing attack in the NFL last season, they’ll most likely utilize a similar game plan this year.
Buffalo’s 2016 offensive statistics:
- 189.8 pass yards per game (30th in NFL)
- 164.4 rush yards per game (1st in NFL)
The fact that their rush yards per game almost eclipsed their passing yards is a sight not many NFL teams have ever seen.
Here is what Pro Football Focus had to say about the Bills’ passing attack:
"“Outside of WR Sammy Watkins (22nd highest yards per route run – 1.94) and rookie Zay Jones (who led the FBS in targets and receptions last season), the Buffalo Bills have a variable cast of underwhelming options at wide receiver. Andre Holmes had a decent season in 2014 (1.47 yards per route run, 59th), Corey Brown had the fourth lowest among 96 qualified receivers in yards per route run last season in Carolina, and then Brandon Tate and Rod Streater. Not to mention the main question – how well will QB Tyrod Taylor get the ball to these guys?”"
The Tyrod Taylor fantasy bandwagon is filling up quickly. NFL.com has him listed second on their top fantasy bargains.
Related Story: Buffalo Bills: Tyrod Taylor 2017 fantasy football outlook
Taylor has been a consistent fantasy quarterback in recent years, but what will the Bills’ passing attack look like this year?
The Bills’ first-string quarterback will be Taylor, followed by TJ Yates, and Nathan Peterman. Cardale Jones is on thin ice as we enter the weeks before training camp. He has an uphill climb to make the roster. A couple of years ago Jones was on top of the college football world, winning a championship with the Buckeyes. Now he is struggling to make the Buffalo Bills’ quarterback depth chart.
Pro Football Focus is right; there are so many uncertainties at the receiver position. Sammy Watkins and Zay Jones each have superstar potential. Look further down the roster, and they lack any depth. This will be the team’s first year under the new regime. Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane will bring in a new gameplan with a new book of passing plays. An area where former coach, Rex Ryan, lacked production.
When you have the top rushing attack in the NFL, it is tough to complain about a ton else except when there aren’t many W’s in the win column. The only thing we can do is hope the team brings balance to that.
Next: Buffalo Bills: 5 players that could surprise everyone in 2017
Do you agree with Pro Football Focus’ comments on the Buffalo Bills’ passing attack? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!