By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Bills fell in their final regularly scheduled game of the 2019 season against the Jets, 13-6.
In terms of stock reporting, it was a different one considering plenty of old faces were in the lineup. The game played out like a preseason contest with plenty of backups for the Bills.
Here’s how some of those players saw their stock move following the Bills’ loss to the Jets:
Stock up
WR Duke Williams
The one that everyone wanted to see happen, happened. Receiver Duke Williams started for the Bills and played a heck of a game with his opportunity.
His overall stat line was shaky with 12 targets and only six catches, but a few of them were off target. Of note, one was certainly a drop on third down which he would’ve liked back. All in all, Williams had 108 yards receiving in a game with a backup quarterback tossing him the ball against a solid defense that was playing their starters. Promising signs.
TE Tommy Sweeney
Right behind Duke Williams was Tommy Sweeney. The Bills didn’t start Dawson Knox and the tight end that took advantage of that was fellow rookie Tommy Sweeney. He caught all five targets sent his way and even hauled in a long pass of 22 yards late in the game when the Bills cut the lead to within one score. His 76 total yards receiving was second on the Bills behind Williams. As a blocker, Sweeney didn’t have any glaring misses, either.
WR Isaiah McKenzie
Isaiah McKenzie had the most well-rounded game for the Bills this season, literally.
First on offense, McKenzie played a role both on the ground and in the air. His 30 yards rushing on two carries led the Bills in rushing yards. Quite honestly that’s a bad sign for the team, but at least a good one for McKenzie. On five targets, he had two catches, but one miss was an “incompletion” from Barkley on a handoff. On that play he actually had a head’s up moment as well when he knocked the ball out of bounds.
Finally, McKenzie even played defense. Due to injury, he lined up as a cornerback for a few plays. Versatility at its best.
DE Trent Murphy
Trent Murphy’s had a bit of a quiet tenure for the Bills but in his regular season finale for the team this year, he had his best game with Buffalo to date. Murphy had three tackles and two sacks, his first multiple-sack game as a member of the Bills.
While the Bills want more pass rushing out of him, he’s actually graded out pretty well via Pro Football Focus’ grading system this year. His 75.1 overall grade is the 27th best edge defender grade and higher than Jerry Hughes’ 72.4.
DT Corey Liuget
A backup that certainly had a good game is former first-round pick Corey Liuget on the interior of the Bills’ defensive line. Buffalo still saw some starters in their late in the game because of the rotation Sean McDermott’s defense calls for on the D-line, but in his role, Liuget still mustered up six tackles, leading the Bills, and 2.5 of them were for loss. He helped anchor the Bills’ strong effort on the ground against the Jets, as they were limited to 85 rushing yards. Le’Veon Bell only had 2.6 yards per carry (41 total).
S Jaquan Johnson
One under the radar backup that was impressive was safety Jaquan Johnson. The usual special teamer had three tackles in the game, and had a very impressive interception of Sam Darnold on the sideline. He toe-tapped to record the catch. However, it was called back due to a Kurt Coleman penalty, but let’s not completely forget that great catch.
Stock down
QB Matt Barkley
Backup quarterback Matt Barkley will hopefully do better if ever called upon while playing with starters around him. His backup offensive line wasn’t good, even though he was only dropped one time in the game for a sack. Barkley did make a few good throws in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late. He had two interceptions and two fumbles, losing one. He also should have had another lost fumble, but upon review, the call was overturned in a very questionable manner.
WR Robert Foster
While Duke Williams and Isaiah McKenzie took advantage of their increased playing time, Robert Foster did not. Foster had four targets and didn’t manage to haul in a single catch in the game. Foster also played in 98 percent of offensive snaps, more than both Williams (89%) and McKenzie (77%). After playing excellent down the stretch in 2018, Foster’s 2019 season has been one of the most intriguing, up-and-down seasons for the Bills.
Head coach Sean McDermott
Sean McDermott’s defense, even the backup unit, held the Jets offense to 13 points. Although, the Jets are pretty bad. Plus he gave linebacker Lorenzo Alexander a nice sendoff which was a really cool gesture.
But let’s face it, the Bills had one goal in this game. Go in and get out healthy. That didn’t happen. Buffalo’s No. 2 cornerback in Levi Wallace was injured making an interception while right tackle Ty Nsekhe, who missed five-straight games, also was banged up. Both left the game with ankle injuries and had on walking boots in the locker room per multiple reports. Those are two potential starters who could miss the playoffs now for the Bills.
CB Levi Wallace
As mentioned Levi Wallace was injured. And that’s basically the start and end of this one. Ty Nsekhe, at times, has been an upgrade from rookie Cody Ford at right tackle, but in terms of capable backups, that depth is better than the Bills at cornerback. Kevin Johnson had a good summer for the Bills and if called upon, will hopefully have a big game against his former team in the Texans on Saturday.
TE Tyler Kroft
Like Robert Foster, Tyler Kroft didn’t take his opportunity. On four targets, Kroft only had one catch for five yards in this one. Tommy Sweeney did play in more snaps than Kroft, but if there was going to be any game Kroft made an overall impact instead of just one touchdown catch against the Steelers, it was this week. That didn’t exactly happen and his future after the season could be in doubt.