Buffalo Bills: How & why this offseason was Brandon Beane's best work
By Joe Cook
Brandon Beane's Best Work Continued:
Improved the Teams' Pass Catching:
While the team is returning with Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis as the top two pass catchers this season, the core as a whole, is much improved. Diggs is a top 3-5 receiver, and Davis is a good number two with the potential to explode and be a monster this season.
Behind them, is what we can assume will be an improved Khalil Shakir in his second season, Deonte Harty, Trent Sherfield, and rookie Justin Shorter. Shakir will likely get a lot more looks after flashing a lot in his rookie season. Harty earned a significant deal from the Bills and because of that, we can assume he’s the top slot option heading into camp.
He also brings an ejection of speed, and the threat to score from anywhere. The same can be said for Sherfield who will likely be the number five receiver. Shorter is a massive receiver who can help the Bills in the red zone and a very intriguing number six receiver for the Bills.
The takeaways from this, the Bills have actual receivers who can contribute all throughout their depth chart. Unlike in past years, where they would just keep extra receivers on as special teams players.
Not to mention, the biggest offensive addition of the off-season, first-round pick, tight end Dalton Kincaid. Kincaid has elite hands and is a receiving tight end who should fit right into the Bills’ aerial attack. The Bills are hoping they landed their own type of Travis Kelce. All-in-all, this is shaking out to be the best group of pass catchers Josh Allen will have thus far in his career.
Improved Running Back room:
Just like the receiver room, the Bills running back room is much improved this year. The largest part of that is second-year man, James Cook, is expected to shoulder most of the work. Everyone saw the dynamism Cook brought to the offense last year, especially as his workload increased down the stretch.
The younger brother of Dalvin Cook is primed for a breakout year as the Bills’ bell-cow back, behind a vastly improved offensive line. He averaged 5.7 yards per carry last season, which was one of the tops in the entire league. Add in his receiving ability and the Bills could have themselves a potential offensive player of the year candidate.
Behind Cook, is former Patriot and Buffalo Bill killer, Damien Harris. Harris will slot in as the number two back and will be a fine power-back and short-yardage option for the Bills. He will also be one of the better backups in the league. Nyheim Hines might be the best number three option for a running back room in the entire league.
Latavius Murray will provide a great veteran presence and reliability if called upon. One of the biggest things to note, the Bills' running backs are much quicker than the ones before them, Devin Singletary and Zack Moss. The Bills could feature one of the best passing offenses, and now a top-running offense this season.