The Buffalo Bills enter the 2019 season with a great deal of talent on the roster. Here are the best among the group as of right now.
Through the ups and downs of last season, there is one takeaway that I noticed after the beatdown of the Miami Dolphins in Week 17: “Next season is the next stage after the down year.”
The Buffalo Bills finished 6-10, third in the division behind the Dolphins and the New England Patriots. From drafting their hopeful franchise quarterback, living through different interception nightmares and discovering no-name talents near the end of the season, the Bills are taking it slowly in the right direction.
The Bills had a busy offseason. Bringing in free agents and draft picks to build the culture that Sean McDermott wants. With the frenzy and the draft over, teams head into practice mode to get ready for battle in September.
With a fresh start in 2019, the Bills retained players, brought in new players and let go of players. They look to be not an elite team, maybe not even an average team, but they have improved greatly this past offseason. We look at the players that look to be near the top of roster when it comes to overall talent.
Granted, they may not have top-five talent on the team, but they serve as impactful players who makes the plays when the pressure is on.
6. Cole Beasley
The slot receiver who comes from the Dallas Cowboys may not be a big name or even a big guy. Although, the one word to describe Beasley: reliable. You cannot ask for anything more than reliability from an employee. Beasley will be looked at for the short routes and on third downs.
When the Bills offense is faced with third down, look for Beasley to be on the field preparing to pick up the first down to keep the chains moving. With a low drop percentage, Beasley will serve as an excellent target for Josh Allen.
5. Ed Oliver
The ninth overall pick immediately upgrades the defensive line with the retirement of Kyle Williams. Oliver is a three-gap DT who can shoot the gap and create interior pressure.
Rookie or not, he is looked at as the future of this defensive line. For years to come, the Bills may have themselves a stud that is a force to be reckoned with.
This may be a reach, but so was the Daniel Jones pick to the Giants. Foster started out as a talent that almost lost his chance with the team last season. As the season progressed, so did he. The duo of Allen to Foster found the connection late into the season.
Foster is still young and has the ability to develop into a deep threat that allows Allen to unleash his cannon. If he keeps his attitude in check, cornerbacks better be prepared to see Foster often.
The 21-year-old has earned respect from his coaches and teammates by his character and his play last season. He now has one year of experience down and he is ready to take it to the next level.
Edmunds is the quarterback of the defense that finished as the second-best defense in 2018. Do not think that Edmunds is content with his play. The young bull has many miles to go but he has a head start on heading into greatness.
2. Matt Milano
Since his arrival, Milano demonstrates hard work and quickness. I think of Milano as the rookie Kiko Alonso that played in Buffalo; fast, physical and hustled sideline to sideline. Milano has been excellent under McDermott.
A broken leg ended his season short last year. He is now clear and should be ready to go. The Milano-Edmunds combo at linebacker is a young and deadly one.
1. Josh Allen
Not going to lie, it is weird to be putting a quarterback on this list but it sure does feel right. From weeks 12-17 last season Allen put on a show for the Bills organization. His maturity is excellent, his teammates seem to have gained confidence in him and as of now he gives no reason to think that the team may need to find another quarterback.
He was chosen to be the potential franchise guy the team needed. Allen has a much better offensive line, he is surrounded with more weapons and he has nowhere to go other than up from here. A lot is expected of Allen this season, let’s see if the sophomore can pick up where he left off.