This week the offseason moves into the next phase for the Buffalo Bills as they kick off the voluntary organized team activites (OTAs). This will be the case for the next few weeks before they hold mandatory minicamp and will be the final time the team is together before they return to St. John Fisher University in July.
The Bills went through significant changes this offseason and with this comes challenges for the coaching staff. The roster has more moving parts this season due in large part to the work of the front office bringing in as much competition as they did.
The hope is that players emerge to fill key roles but it might be a pretty long process to get there. This is where the challenge comes into play as they will probably do more evaluating than in years past.
During these voluntary OTAs, and even minicamp, positions won't be won. However, the players can give themselves an advantage heading into training camp with how they do over these next few weeks.
These are some of the key position battles worth watching this week for the Buffalo Bills.
Ray Davis vs. Ty Johnson vs. Frank Gore Jr.
The top of the depth chart is set for the Buffalo Bills at running back with James Cook. He emerged as the featured back last year and will once again be in that role, and probably see his role even grow compared to last season.
After Cook, it is a wide-open competition for what could be two, maybe three spots, on the 53-man roster. The Bills did bring back Ty Johnson this offseason, who was essentially the backup down the stretch after Joe Brady took over as offensive coordinator. He did a good job and should be the front-runner to stay in that role.
However, the Bills did add two rookies to the position that if they impress this summer could put Ty Johnson on the roster bubble. In the fifth round, the Bills drafted Ray Davis who is a powerful runner that can have an impact in short-yardage situations.
In addition to Davis, the Bills also signed Frank Gore Jr. as an undrafted free agent, who is the son of former Bills' running back Frank Gore. Even with the name recognition, he is probably the longshot at this point but if he runs well then he could replace Ty Johnson this fall.
Wide Receiver after Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, and Keon Coleman
The one position that probably has the most uncertainty at this point is wide receiver and that is due to the fact that it went through the most change. In fact, the only receiver who is on the roster who has caught a regular season pass from Josh Allen is Khalil Shakir, and this probably why general manager Brandon Beane has 13 total receivers on their roster presently.
The Bills have to replace nearly 300 vacated targets from last season with the departure of Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, and Deonte Harty. At the top of the depth chart are Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, and second-round pick Keon Coleman, who may not have a defined role but are locks for the 53-man roster.
After that, it is a pretty wide-open competition and the Bills will be looking for three or four additional wide receivers to round out the position. The next group that has a good chance to earn a spot is Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mack Hollins, and Justin Shorter however it wouldn't be surprising to see Chase Claypool, KJ Hamler, Andy Isabella, or Tyrell Shavers jump up the depth chart.
Connor McGovern vs. Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
For the first time in over five years, the Buffalo Bills will have someone other than Mitch Morse at center. He was a veteran leader for the offensive line and it will be very important for the coaching staff to get his replacement correct, and hopefully decide on that sooner rather than later.
The expectation right now is that Connor McGovern will move from left guard to center with David Edwards replacing McGovern at left guard. However, fifth round rookie Sedrick Van Pran-Granger is an experienced center that could become the starter almost immediately.
The reason the Bills need to get this right sooner rather than later is that it will be important for Josh Allen to get as many reps as possible to work on the snap, both under center and out of shotgun. In addition, the center is responsible for communicating with the other players on the offensive line and having those players get familiar with whoever the center is.
This position battle might be the most important of any to figure out this season for the Buffalo Bills.
Mike Edwards vs. Taylor Rapp vs. Cole Bishop
In my opinion, the safety position is pretty much decided as Sean McDermott will want veterans to start the year at safety replacing Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. When considering the Bills are starting the season against good passing games like the Dolphins, Jaguars, Ravens, and Texans it could be tough for a rookie to establish himself.
However, with that said Cole Bishop was a high draft pick and certainly has the physical ability to step in immediately as a starting safety. It is one of those positions that the coaching staff will give Bishop every opportunity to earn that starting job.
If the three safeties were to be ranked in terms of their chances to start Taylor Rapp probably is the favorite. He has a year of experience in this defense and knows the playbook better than the other two which would leave a battle between Edwards and Bishop. Mike Edwards has plenty of experience, particularly playoff experience, from his time with the Bucs and Chiefs which should help him in this position battle.
Sam Martin vs. Matt Haack vs. Jack Browning
One position battle that is flying under the radar at this point is at punter as the Bills have three on the roster competing for only one spot. The Bills still have their punter from last season in Sam Martin however it would appear the coaching staff is looking for more with the additional punters they brought in this offseason.
One of those players is one the Bills are familiar in with Matt Haack, who was the team's punter prior to Martin. He certainly doesn't have the same power as Martin but one thing he does very well, and could be the ultimate deciding factor, is that he is excellent holding on field goals. In the season Haack was with the Bills, Tyler Bass had his highest field goal percentage.
The final player is undrafted free agent Jack Browning, who handled both punting and field goal duties the past two seasons at San Diego State University, where he averaged over 45 yards per punt. Ultimately, the winner of this position battle might be the one that works best with Bass and if Browning shows he can excel there then it wouldn't be surprising to see the rookie beat out the veterans.