5 biggest X-factors for the Buffalo Bills offense in 2022
By Theo Bachman
The Buffalo Bills’ offense was a rollercoaster in 2021. Offensive line issues caused the Bills to swoon during the middle of the season, but the unit put it together at the end of the season. The Bills’ offense behind a reshuffled offensive line was nothing short of dominant in the playoffs.
This offseason, the Bills retooled their offensive skill positions. Jamison Crowder and Gabriel Davis will replace Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders. The offensive line will remain the same except for one change; Rodger Saffold will replace Darryl Williams. The team also used a second-round draft pick on dynamic running back James Cook, which should give Josh the receiving weapon out of the backfield this team lacked.
The Bills’ offense was Top 5 in yards and points last year and could be even better this season; these are the five players that will need to outperform expectations for the Bills’ offense to be even better in 2022.
5 biggest x-factors for the Buffalo Bills’ offense in 2022
Dawson Knox
In the two games that Dawson Knox missed last year, the offense struggled mightily. They managed just 10 points in the first three quarters against the Miami Dolphins, and the following week they failed to reach the end zone in a 9-6 loss to the Jaguars.
Knox doesn’t need to take a massive jump in his production, but he does need to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke.
Knox is an athletic marvel but struggled to catch the football in his first two seasons, catching 56% and 54.5% of his passes and only catching five touchdowns. However, he upped his catch percentage last season to 69% and grabbed nine touchdowns- a single-season record for a Bills tight end.
On top of his impact in the passing game, Knox’s physicality and blocking add an attitude and swagger to this offense. Knox’s absence proved his impact, and whether or not Knox can match his production should be a huge storyline for the Buffalo Bills heading into 2022.