By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com

The Buffalo Bills are hoping to turn a corner in the 2019 season. The club added numerous pieces of talent to both sides of the ball via both free agency and the recent NFL draft.

Despite that, many players on Buffalo’s roster that could get a chance to be a difference maker are either young or haven’t quite gotten the attention they deserve. If the new pieces for the Bills can mesh with the returning ones, several players on the team could see their first nods to the Pro Bowl.

Here’s a look at some Bills players that could have a chance to make it to their first Pro Bowl this upcoming season:

CB Tre’Davious White

Weird to think, but yes, White has yet to make a Pro Bowl in his young career. As a rookie, he burst onto the scene which caused some, includingthe football analytics folks at Pro Football Focus, to tab him as the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2017, even though he still didn’t make that year’s Pro Bowl.

In his second season White could’ve taken a slight step back, but not much, if any. A reason for that is opposing quarterback avoiding him much of the season so his numbers did drop some. White can only play the hand he’s dealt as a defender. He’s still held in very high regard league-wide so some improved team success during the upcoming NFL season for the Bills could surely push White into the Pro Bowl.

OL Mitch Morse

Morse, 27, was the marquee signing for the organization this offseason. The former second-round pick of the Chiefs signed a four-year deal with the Bills worth $44.5 million with $26.5 of that guaranteed. His average annual value on the contract is $11.125 million. What does all these dollars and cents mean? Morse is the highest-paid center in the NFL.

With that in mind, that storyline could volt Morse to the Pro Bowl next season. Not to say he Morse doesn’t have talent and hasn’t been effective in his career, the Pro Bowl is as much of a popularity contest as it’s based off of statistics. Being the highest-paid center in the NFL will only help Morse’s odds of making the Pro Bowl if the Bills’ offensive line is vastly improved from 2018. Especially since there really aren’t any hard statistics to go off when voting in offensive lineman anyway, such as touchdowns or interceptions.

But with “stats” in mind, PFF provides analysis for offensive lineman since we’re lacking hard stats there and the outlet tabbed Morse as the 13th best center in the NFL last year. He’s entering his fifth season and prime years of his career, so the Pro Bowl seems doable for him next season, all things considered.

DE Jerry Hughes

Like White, it could be a bit surprising that Hughes hasn’t made a Pro Bowl, but perhaps not. While considered a strong player for the Bills on a consistent basis, Hughes’ numbers have never really popped off the stat sheet. Sacks are what gets an edge player in the pre-Super Bowl contest, and since 2014, Hughes hasn’t had a single season with double-digit sacks.

The reason for considering Hughes as a Pro Bowler next season is more so about those around him. Buffalo added Ed Oliver in the middle of their defensive line. The rookie replaces Kyle Williams, who was an “all-around” defensive tackle. Oliver is touted for his pass-rushing prowess. If teams are worrying about Oliver, plus a healthier Trent Murphy on the other side of the Bills’ defensive line next season, could that open the door for Hughes to get back into double-digit land? Other youthful players on the Bills’ defense will also be another year experienced, too.

Hughes had seven sacks last year but PFF graded him with the second-highest pass-rushing grade (90.4) in the NFL, the highest pass-rush win rate (23.9%) and the league’s highest pressure rate (19.7%).

LB Matt Milano

Matt Milano quietly goes about his business for the Bills. The former fifth-round pick of the team lets his play do all the noise-making.

Since starting down the stretch for Buffalo in his rookie season, the now third-year pro has yet to look back. He’s a tackling machine who is a former safety that can put those ball-hawk skills to use as he has four career interceptions already as a linebacker.

Tremaine Edmunds will also hopefully take a step forward in his development this year, but he had a rocky rookie year and Milano is one year his elder. With that, we’ll give Milano the nod over him in terms of chances to make the Pro Bowl in 2019. PFF also loves it some Milano, as he notched as the NFL’s 13th best overall linebacker grade last year and sixth-best in terms of AFC teams. So really, he could have already landed a Pro Bowl nod.

QB Josh Allen

Allen is a total toss-up. If you’re a “homer,” you’re all over this idea. A bit more of “realist” and your eyes are probably rolling.

But there’s a bunch of factors and circumstances in play here. First, there’s the obvious. This 2019 offense is a lot different looking than the one Allen had around him in his rookie season. We’ll still have to wait and see if things come together for the unit.

If they do, a big reason will be because Allen becomes the next second-year QB to take a big step from his rookie year. Recently players such as Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes are just two QBs that were drastically better as sophomores in one way or another. That improvement, especially in Goff’s case, coincided with big improvement in his accuracy, which is the path Allen will have to follow to obtain a Pro Bowl caliber season.

S Jordan Poyer

Poyer is part of perhaps the best safety duo and overall secondary in the NFL. Like White, he still hasn’t received a Pro Bowl nod for his efforts. As a former Packer, a more popular organization nationally in the NFL in recent years than the Bills, Micah Hyde garnered a 2017 Pro Bowl nod for the Bills. Again, not that Hyde isn’t deserving, just, popularity plays a part. In 2018, no one did, which makes sense because the Buffalo pass defense ranked first in the entire league?

Anywho, Poyer, 28, who spent the early portions of his career as a special teamer, has done nothing but shine with the Bills. Most recently, he’s been doing so in spring practices, too. We’re still a long ways away from the regular season, but the Bills will hope he carries that momentum into the regular season.

WR John Brown

Brown’s circumstances as a Pro Bowl naturally resides on the arm of Allen. But that combination could turn into exactly that. Through minicamp, Brown’s looked the part of a No. 1 wideout for the Bills. At least, depth chart wise. If that continues to hold true in the regular season, the 29-year-old target has a look at a Pro Bowl in the exact way you’re likely imagining.

Brown run far, Allen throw far.

A season filled will home run shots for the Bills could certainly do the trick for him.

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