The 2022 season has just ended, and as of March 13, the 2023 campaign will open its doors. DNA of Sports therefore takes the opportunity to offer you an overview of the different franchises during the off-season. Which players to keep and cut? Which free agents to extend? Which rookies to watch? Here are some ideas, franchise by franchise. In the spotlight today, the Buffalo Bills.
Fourth failure in the playoffs for Sean McDermott’s men. Despite a talented workforce, the Bills fail to make it to the Super Bowl. The franchise even had to resign itself to finding that they had been overtaken by the Bengals in the role of ogre Kansas City runner-up. Yet, in 2023, the team should still be largely competitive and play the leading roles. But alterations and additions are necessary. Josh Allen is only human and despite all his talent, the quarterback needs more weapons to fully exploit his full firepower.
The owners
1. Josh Allen (QB)
2. Stefon Diggs (WR)
3. Matt Milano (LB)
Long gone are the days of doubts about Josh Allen. Among the best in his position, and candidate for the title of MVP each season, the Buffalo quarterback has risen through the ranks of the NFL. Now the main custodian of his team’s attack, he carries successes and defeats. Despite a game sometimes resulting in waste as shown by his number of interceptions, Allen is above all capable of brilliance and leading the Bills to victories and a 3rd division title in a row. A first since 1991.
His sidekick Stefon Diggs is no stranger to the rise of the quarterback. Since his arrival in the state of New York, it has been three seasons with more than 1200 yards and more than 100 receptions. If he sometimes continues to complain, as during the playoff game against Cincinnati, his presence remains essential for Allen and the attack.
He is the soul of defense. Matt Milano has established himself over the seasons as absolutely essential for his squad. With or without him, the face of the team is not the same. Omnipresent in the heart of the game, Milano knows how to do everything. Tackle, blitz, cover, he is everywhere and a nightmare for his opponents. It is quite logical that he was rewarded with a nomination in the 1st All Pro team.
Undesirables
– Nyheim Hines (RB)
A little tour and then go away? Arrived during the season Nyheim Hines achieved the feat of succeeding in returning two engagements for touchdowns in the same game. But he also managed to produce a negative running record. A starving involvement in the riders’ committee when we thought his arrival was intended to enrich him, it is quite unlikely that the staff will keep a contract of nearly 5 million dollars only for a returner.
The summer man
Gregory Rousseau (DE)
Drafted at the end of the 1st round 2021 with many hopes, but only one full year of university experience, it was expected that the player would need time to fulfill his potential. After an already interesting 1st season, the young pass rusher confirmed good progress in 2022, notably doubling his number of sacks (8) despite missing four matches. Guess working with Von Miller as a mentor helps. And precisely the latter injured during the season should logically miss the start of the season. Expectations will therefore be even higher on the former Hurricanes player. Rousseau will have to assert himself as the heir of his illustrious elder and lead Buffalo’s defensive line in the hunt for opposing quarterbacks.
The main free agents
1. Jordan Poyer (S)
2. Devin Singletary (RB)
3. Tremaine Edmunds (LB)
4. Roger Saffold (G)
5. Shaq Lawson (DE)
The others: Case Keenum (QB), Dane Jackson (CB), Jaquan Johnson (S), Tyler Matakevich (LB), AJ Klein (LB), Jamison Crowder (WR), Jake Kumerow (WR), David Quessenberry (OT) , Greg Van Roten (L), Ike Boettger (L), Bobby Hart (L),
Pillar of the defensive backfield, the team does not play the same with or without him. However, Jordan Poyer seems to be turning to other horizons. After 5 seasons in Buffalo, the All Pro safety has announced that he is looking for a final contract, preferably in a low tax state. This effectively excludes the state of New York. Another defensive executive, Tremaine Edmunds, never reached the full potential of the hopes placed in him during his draft in 2018. If he is however a very solid player, he remains in the shadow of an omnipresent Matt Milano and essential. At 24, he should easily find a very interesting contract elsewhere.
Symbol of an irregular and too often limited offensive backfield, Devin Singletary should also pack his bags during the offseason. The emergence of James Cook and job expectations should lead the front office to another solution.
Roger Saffold has been clear about his intentions. He wants to return to Buffalo in 2023 and is not looking to “rob the bank”. Implied, a decent offer would be enough to convince her. Given the gaps on the inside of the offensive line, this would not be without interest for the team. Useful in the rotation, Shaq Lawson returned to Buffalo last season in exchange for a small contract. If the same type of agreement can be reached, his return would be good for the defensive line.
Top 5 Needs
1. Running back
2.Guard
3. Receiver
4.Safety
5. Defensive tackle
When you own a gem like Josh Allen, it’s wise not to overexpose him. And yet. It is the quarterback who has been the main threat on the ground for his team for several seasons. While it remains in his style of play to be mobile, Allen has to do more to move the chains, increasing the risk of injury. Finding a runner capable of taking that pressure off him is essential. But to help a runner express themselves or simply to deploy an effective running game, Buffalo also needs to create gaps. For several seasons, the interior of the offensive line has struggled to shine in the field. The contribution of a guard capable of opening the way for a runner goes hand in hand with the choice of the runner himself.
Despite his 4200 yards in the air, Josh Allen sometimes seems to lack solutions. If Stefon Diggs is an indisputable and brilliant number 1, he lacks an alternative around. Gabe Davis sometimes struggles to confirm and too often remains irregular. Same observation for Isaiah McKenzie. New targets to vary passing patterns and multiply options will have to be considered sooner or later in the spring.
With Poyer on the start and the uncertainty around Damar Hamlin, the last curtain will have to be reinforced during the offseason to support Micah Hyde.
Target
Odell Beckham Jr. (WR)
Absent for a year, and his touchdown in the Super Bowl won by the Rams, Odell Beckham is expected on NFL grounds in 2023. And the whimsical 30-year-old receiver is looking for a challenge that will allow him to shine and play the leading roles. Already received by the Bills during the season for a potential end-of-season freelance, the interest between the two parties seems to be mutual. For Buffalo, offering other targets to Josh Allen is a necessity. But with tight finances and an unattractive free agent class, options are limited. The bet would seem to be profitable for the franchise and the player. Beckham would also not have the pressure of the game. Being able to position himself as number 2 behind Stefon Diggs or even in 2 bis with Gabe Davis. Enough to have freedom in the defenses to shine.
The new blood
Bijan Robinson (RB)
Making Josh Allen the most prolific runner on the team has gone on long enough. If the Bills want to be able to continue to rely on their quarterback for many years to come, they have to surround him with a runner capable of relieving him and taking away the sole responsibility of the game. With this in mind, the franchise had to elsewhere informed about Christian McCaffrey before his transfer to San Francisco.
Among the darlings of the next draft, Bijan Robinson is a pure phenomenon. Author of 18 touchdowns and more than 1,500 yards in 2022, the runner is a real demon for opposing defenses. Reading, patience, support, acceleration capacity, he is already ripe to perform in the NFL and bring an immense and immediate boost to Buffalo’s backfield.
Other choices: O’Cyrus Torrence, Trenton Simpson, Siaki Ika
