By Justin DiLoro / Billswire.usatoday.com
For all intents and purposes, the 2019 preseason has started for the Buffalo Bills.
With the playoffs out of reach for this season’s campaign, Buffalo’s focus needs to shift toward which players will be a part of this squad during the next calendar year.
In a way, this process (no pun intended) has already started, based on the series of moves that the Bills have made over the past few months, whether it was the realization that wide receiver Terrelle Pryor would not fit into the long-term plans of the team or that Robert Foster would be a viable receiving option, the wheels have been in motion.
In particular, let’s hone in on last week’s action against the Detroit Lions as a starting spot for our purposes. Quarterback Josh Allen, who had just finished a historic run (that’s a pun) for yards gained on the ground for signal callers, rushed for only 16 yards on the afternoon. Allen, along with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, worked in a throw-first mentality and not a take-off at the first sign of pressure one. While it will cause some stressful moments, the long-term payoff of Allen becoming more comfortable moving through his progressions will be priceless.
This concept needs to be applied to any player or position of question over the next two games. We are aware of what LeSean McCoy and Chris Ivory can bring to the table. However, McCoy’s regression this season and Ivory’s lack of usage has been of some concern. Even if both veterans are healthy, Buffalo should give opportunities to reserves Marcus Murphy (if healthy, of course) and Keith Ford. By this point, evaluations are set in stone on the veterans.
Let’s see more of Isaiah McKenzie and Robert Foster. Let’s see if Zay Jones can become a consistent producer. If not, McKenzie could be pushing the second-round pick for playing time next year. At tight end, let’s see more Logan Thomas and Jason Croom. Charles Clay is slowly playing himself out of Buffalo, as his production has not come anywhere near his price tag.
The offensive line could undergo a massive turnover next season. Vlad Ducasse has been inactive, giving more time to Wyatt Teller. In addition, bring in Ike Boettger and Conor McDermott and see if they can hang with the big boys. Last week, Ryan Groy and Teller were on their backs, literally, from Detroit’s pass rush. If this is a pattern, then maybe relying on these players in the future could be an issue.
The defensive line has been fairly strong this year. Jerry Hughes and Shaq Lawson have played well, while the interior rotation has worked well. However, it’s time to see if Harrison Phillips can officially take over for Kyle Williams next year.
The linebacker spot has been a bit of a mess with injuries creeping up in recent weeks. With Matt Milano out for the season, the Bills need to figure out who can be the depth players for this club next year. Several reserves have been a part of a fledgling special teams unit. These players, including Deon Lacey, Julian Stanford, and Corey Thompson, need to show greater worth as depth linebackers since the special teams contributions have been dodgy at best.
The next two games will be massive for Levi Wallace. As an undrafted free agent, it’s been a long road for him to earn a starting job in the NFL. If Wallace can be the stabilizing force opposite Tre’Davious White, who has not played to his usual level of strong play the last few weeks, the Bills could have a low-cost cornerback duo for years to come.
Buffalo, even though they are out of the playoffs, is in a prime spot to set themselves up well entering the offseason. These final games will give the front office a chance at evaluating several players in game conditions while recognizing which holes need to be addressed over the next few months. They can determine which positions are truly ones with giant question marks. Some analysts critique teams who say that organizations need to end the season to carry momentum into the offseason as a solid start for the upcoming year.
In this case, it fits the Bills, a team that needs to prioritize which roster spots can be filled internally while determining what resources can be dedicated toward players who are currently on other teams’ rosters and in college.