Analysis
6/7/22
6 min read
Grading Every Buffalo Bills Position Group Going into 2022
The Buffalo Bills have been very close to making the Super Bowl in each of the last two seasons and will be looking to do so once again. They have added even more talent to their roster and filled some holes with veterans as well as rookies. Below, we will break down each position group of the Bills.
Read: Grading Every Miami Dolphins Position Group
Read: Grading Every New York Jets Position Group
QB: Josh Allen, Case Keenum, Matt Barkley
Grade: A
Explanation: This one speaks for itself, as Josh Allen has developed and ascended to be one of the league’s top QBs. With him leading the charge, it will be hard for the Bills to not have success. In addition to the star power of Allen, Buffalo has Case Keenum and Matt Barkley as backups, who both have plenty of starting experience, especially Keenum.
RB: Devin Singletary, Zach Moss, James Cook, Duke Johnson, Taiwan Jones, Raheem Blackshear
Grade: B-
Explanation: This group has probably been the one position that Buffalo has just been unable to get right. In the last two seasons, the Bills have just not been able to run the ball very successfully, despite the investments made in the position, as they drafted Devin Singletary and Zach Moss in the third round of their drafts. This trend continued when Buffalo drafted James Cook in the second round, hoping he can finally solve the riddle of the run game or at least help, as his receiving skill set brings something else to the table.
WR: Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, Jameson Crowder, Khalil Shakir, Jake Kumerow, Isaiah McKenzie, Marquez Stevenson, Isaiah Hodgins, Tanner Gentry
Grade: B+
Explanation: This group is spearheaded by Stefon Diggs, as he is a star in today’s game and was the key piece to helping Josh Allen improve so drastically. While Gabriel Davis did not do much during the regular season, his legendary playoff performance earned him an increased role this year. Jameson Crowder and Khalil Shakir will serve as replacements for Cole Beasley so the Bills likely will not miss a beat. Between Shakir and the speed of McKenzie and Stevenson, Buffalo can be creative with these speed and gadget guys. While this group is deep and solid, there is a clear drop-off in talent from Diggs compared to the rest of the roster.
TE: Dawson Know, O.J. Howard, Tommy Sweeney, Quintin Morris, Jalen Wydermyer
Grade: B+
Explanation: This is another group that has been a large piece in Allen’s growth, as Dawson Knox went from a bit of an unknown to developing into one of the league’s better TEs. He is far from a superstar, but he gets the job done. Between OJ Howard and Tommy Sweeney, they can act as at least competent backups, as the Bills should feel comfortable playing multiple TEs on the field at once.
OL: Dion Dawkins, Spencer Brown, Roger Saffold, Mitch Morse, Cody Ford, Ryan Bates, Tommy Doyle, Davis Quessenberry, Ike Boettger, Greg Mancz
Grade: B
Explanation: The Bills OL has been one that has continued to change over the past few years, trying to find the best combination possible to trot out. Dion Dawkins and Mitch Morse have been consistent pieces along the OL and remain solid options at their positions. Ryan Bates and newly signed Roger Saffold will likely occupy the guard spots, as both are starting quality but probably not much more, especially at this point in Saffold’s career. Spencer Brown, the former third-round pick, is a growing player that played pretty well as a rookie, so taking the next step will be huge for him. This OL is probably good enough to get the job done but will likely not be near to the league's best units, which is why they are graded as so.
DL: Von Miller, Gregory Rousseau, Boogie Basham, Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, Tim Settle, AJ Epenesa, Shaq Lawson, Jordan Phillips, Eli Ankou, Brandin Bryant, Mike Love, Daniel Joseph, C.J. Brewer, Prince Emili, Kingsley Jonathan
Grade: B+
Explanation: The Bills DL has also been one that has consistently changed over the past few years. At one point, they were one of the league’s best groups and at one point, were one of the league’s weaker groups. They have remained very solid run defenders through each season and still do this season, spearheaded by DaQuan Jones, Ed Oliver, and Tim Settle upfront. Buffalo has made premium investments in the EDGE position as well, desperately trying to figure out how to get after the QB with draft picks of AJ Epenesa, Boogie Basham, Gregory Rousseau, and now the massive signing of Von Miller. If healthy, Miller will drastically improve their pass rush, especially in the playoffs. This is a very solid group, but the younger edge defenders still need to take another step forward, as that will improve their group's grade.
LB: Matt Milano, Tremaine Edmunds, Tyler Matakevich, Terrel Bernard, Andre Smith, Tyrel Dotson
Grade: B+
Explanation: With the weaknesses at the LB spot for many teams in the league, Buffalo is lucky to have a duo of such talented LBs. Both are versatile and make plays all over the field and deserve the money that they are currently paid or will be paid in the future. That said, Edmunds did not play his best football last year and will need to be a key improvement for this team in 2022. Behind the two starters, the group is filled with inexperience as depth issues could hurt them if one of the starters goes down.
CB: Tre’Davious White, Taron Johnson, Kaiir Elam, Dane Jackson, Siran Neal, Christian Neal, Cam Lewis, Nick McCloud, Olaijah Griffin, Travon Fuller, Tim Harris, Ja’Marcus Ingram
Grade: A-
Explanation: For this group, Tre’Davious White is a star CB on the outside. When healthy he is one of the league’s best. Taron Johnson has grown into one of the league’s best slot corners as well and will be huge for this defense in 2022. Opposite White will be first-round pick Kaiir Elam, who has a lot of potential to be very good. This group has a lot of talent at the top, but there is a large drop-off after that. In addition to Elam’s inexperience, none of the backups have much experience and are not necessarily household names, as the depth issues could be a problem if someone goes down like White did last year.
S: Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Damar Hamlin, Jaquan Johnson, Josh Thomas
Grade: A
Explanation: The safety group has consistently been one of, if not, the team’s strongest groups over the past few years, as it helps to have the best safety duo in football between Poyer and Hyde. They are huge reasons for the success of the defense and team as a whole. They also have some depth concerns at this position, as if either starter gets hurt, there will likely be a large drop-off in play.
