It's no secret the Bills will look different in 2024 on both sides of the ball. The one constant is Josh Allen and James Cook. When you compare what the Bills offense might look like in 2024 to what it was in 2023, you will see several new starters, but some previous starters will have much larger roles next season, most notably Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid. Neither of these guys were considered starters as the 2023 season began, but that will change in 2024. Rooke camp and OTAs are just around the corner too, so we'll begin to see these guys on the field very soon.
But what about other positions on the offensive side of the ball? We also have some turnover along the line and could see some new faces starting there too. Who will be the top two boundary receivers in this offense? That answer might surprise you, but you'll have to read on to see my thoughts on that. Also, I'll put out my predictions on the starting offense later this week, as there are many changes there. But, let's get into my Bills' starting offense prediction.
Buffalo Bills 2024 starting offense
Quarterback:
Josh Allen - No surprises here.
Running Back:
James Cook - Again, no shockers in the Bills backfield. I wouldn't be surprised if rookie Ray Davis ascends to number two behind Cook. I love Ty Johnson, but Davis will push him for the lead backup role.
Wide Receivers:
Khalil Shakir - Here is where it gets interesting. I know Shakir did his work from the slot last season but the team has big plans for Shakir, and I think that could be as an outside receiver on the boundary.
Keon Coleman - Coleman will get every opportunity to work the boundaries and earn the starting role opposite Shakir this offseason, and I think he'll get the job done.
Curtis Samuel - Samuel is a big reason why I think Shakir moves to the outside. I have more faith in Shakir on the outside, and Samuel with his speed and separation ability would be dangerous out of the slot.
Tight End:
Dalton Kincaid - Last season started was Dawson Knox penciled in as the starter, but Kincaid has more than proven he should be the starting tight end, and that's exactly what I expect to see on opening weekend. That said, I also imagine Joe Brady will incorporate variations of two tight end sets with Knox on the field with Kincaid.
Offensive line:
Dion Dawkins - LT - Dawkins enjoyed one of his best seasons last year and there is no reason to believe that won't carry over into the 2024 season. The Bills are locked in at this position for the foreseeable future.
Connor McGovern - LG - I know the team has said that McGovern will slide over to center, replacing former center Mitch Morse, but I think an incoming rookie will take that job, pushing McGovern back to left guard.
Sedric Van Plan-Granger - C - Van Pran-Granger seems to be a favorite among fans and draft analysts as one of the Bills' best picks in this draft class. I agree and he'll earn the starting job by the end of the pre-season.
O'Cyrus Torrence - RG - I fully expect Torrence to take a big step in his development in year two. He was solid last year, but the long season started affecting him. I think he will earn a Pro Bowl nod in 2024.
Spencer Brown - RT - This time last year, most fans were calling for Spencer's replacement after a sub-par 2022 performance. But in 2023, Brown showed the fans what the coaching staff already knew, Brown can play at a high level in this league.
As I previously mentioned, when this team goes into two tight end sets, expect Dawson Knox to be on the field, along with Kincaid. And if they decide to use formations featuring two backs, I expect the fullback Reggie Gilliam to be the primary guy out there with Cook; however, I can see Brady getting creative with Cook and either Davis or Johnson alongside him. How the Bills offense looks in 2024 is intriguing for a couple of reasons. One, we don't know for sure how the position groupings might fall, and secondly, I'm very interested to see Joe Brady's stamp on this offense. Last season, he was essentially running a variation of Ken Dorsey's offense. Now with a full offseason, we'll see Brady's offense in 2024.
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