ESPN’s Field Yates: Buffalo Bills are ‘NFL’s most improved team’

(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

ESPN NFL insider and analyst Field Yates is a fan of the Buffalo Bills’ productive off-season.

The NFL off-season is a continually evolving series of arguments, speculation, and hope alike. The Buffalo Bills are no stranger to this, but in 2019, there’s a new spin. National recognition for their efforts.

Widely respected ESPN NFL and fantasy football insider Field Yates, a Boston area native, joined WGR 550’s One Bills Live to talk about the Bills’ 2019 squad and their off-season. The result of the discussion? Praise from Yates, specifically, towards their productive off-season. He claimed that the Bills are the most improved team of the off-season, saying;

"In the NFL, it’s always important to have a plan. —  I think the Bills have done a unique job of identifying a plan and really following through with it. They want to draft and develop the nucleus of their roster. When the opportunity presents itself in free agency, they’re going to be aggressive in filling spots that are primary needs."

Yates then noted that the Bills might not beat the Patriots out for the AFC East crown or win 10 games, but they are a competitive team.

"I feel like they’ve clearly made progress this year and they look like a far more competitive team than were they were at this time last year."

Bills Mafia should agree with Yates’ praise for the team’s off-season. General manager Brandon Beane has been adamant about upgrading the roster around quarterback Josh Allen. In free agency and the draft, he did just that by improving every offensive position group.

To catch passes from Allen, Beane brought in speedster receiver John Brown and slot specialist Cole Beasley. The team then signed move tight end Tyler Kroft, all-around blocker Lee Smith, and drafted two athletic tight end prospects in Dawson Knox and Tommy Sweeny.

Adding to Allen’s arsenal of pass-catchers was a good start, but he didn’t stop there. Beane brought in veteran offensive line free agents including Mitch Morse, Quinton Spain, Ty Nsekhe, Spencer Long, and La’Adrian Waddle — the first three could start week one. In the draft, he picked up the highly touted Cody Ford, another immediate starter.

Of course, an offense isn’t complete without a run game. Beane knows it, and that’s especially true considering their additions. He brought in the ageless Frank Gore and third-down ace T.J. Yeldon to supplement LeSean McCoy. In the third round of the draft, Beane selected Devin Singletary; a potential bell-cow back down the line.

Beane’s copious additions to the offense highlighted the Bills’ off-season. Last year the team struggled to score, but their defense kept them in games. With No. 9 overall pick Ed Oliver in-fold — who compares favorably to Aaron Donald — the Bills’ defense may be stouter than ever.

With an improved offense and an already good now great defense intact, the Bills look like legitimate playoff contenders. The busy off-season performed by the Bills’ brass should be noted as the prime reason for their ascension (in power rankings for now).

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