WGR

‘So here we are one year later, and the more things changed, the more they stayed the same. The Bills still need to add a top-end wide receiver talent. There may be some available in free agency, but this is supposed to be one of the best wide receiver drafts in many years, maybe ever. With fewer holes now than they had a year ago, that could be the way to go to make a big addition, or two.’

‘The 22-year-old had a strong first season in the NFL with the Bills after being selected out of Houston with the ninth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Oliver was able to appear in all 16 regular season games this season, starting seven of them while registering 43 combined tackles, five sacks, five tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits, two passes defended and a forced fumble.’

‘If it wasn’t for an injury in week two which kept him out three games, Singletary would have most likely been in the Rookie of the Year conversation at the end of the season. As it was, he put up some terrific numbers in his first year as a pro, averaging 5.1 yards per carry, good for most in the entire NFL for any back with at least 150 carries, and 5th overall amongst all players. He also became the team’s featured back as the season went on, due to his impressive performances and Frank Gore’s ineffectiveness. There’s no reason Singletary won’t be the clear-cut number one back on the team headed into next season, and at only 22 years old and three years still remaining on his rookie contract, the future looks bright for both the player and position for the Bills. However, you need more than one running back in the NFL to have a fully formed offense, and the question will now become, “who joins Singleterry in the Bills backfield as the complimentary piece next season?”’

‘It’s the first such honor for White, who tied for the league lead with six interceptions this season with New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (also chosen All-NFL and All-AFC) and the Vikings’ safety Anthony Harris (selected All-NFC).’

‘Barkley’s value is two-fold. He’s a veteran who they believe can get them through a few games if he needs to start, but has also been a good mentor and example for Allen. At the end of 2018, Barkley and Derek Anderson were both set to be a part of the team headed into training camp, surrounding Allen with two veterans he could continue to watch and learn from. But with Anderson’s retirement, that role fell squarely on Barkley, and he embraced it, while also being ready to play if needed. But Barkley will now enter the final year of his two-year contract, and the further Allen goes on his career the less he needs that veteran backup behind him. Barkley will be on the roster when the team reports to training camp, and should be the No. 2, but he’s also scheduled to make $2 million next season.’

‘The 50-year-old got his NFL coaching career started in 2008 with the Chicago Bears, where he served as a defensive assistant under head coach Lovie Smith. Washington eventually became the defensive line coach in Chicago in 2010 before joining the Panthers one year later.’

‘Daboll staying in Buffalo for his third season would allow quarterback Josh Allen to have the type of continuity that other quarterbacks from his draft class haven’t had. Daboll has received some criticism for the Bills finishing 23rd in the NFL in total offense, but Allen did take steps in his second season.’

‘”The obvious thing is continuing his footwork and his mechanics like any young guy. Sometimes you don’t get your feet right, you get a little quick, you feel the pressure, you know you have got to get the ball out and sometimes you rush it. He missed some throws at various times of the year that if his feet had been right maybe he gets it, but his feet and mechanics have improved… He’s trending up, and I’m very proud of Josh. Unfortunately in this day and age, people want to focus on the things that a quarterback didn’t do, but if you look around the league at young quarterbacks, I’m very proud of where Josh is in comparison.”‘

‘Next year is Year 3 for Allen. This whole project was going to last at least this long. We always knew that. It’s all the more reason to choose a different path for your franchise, one that isn’t drafting a quarterback and committing years to his development. If the guy reaches real stardom and sets you up for years to come, sure, that’s super. It can happen. It usually doesn’t.’

‘There are a lot of reasons the Bills could re-sign Lawson. They have the money, he is only 25-years-old, he is coming off a career-high season with 6.5 sacks, and he is a favorite in the locker room. A lot of those same reasons are why many other teams may want to spend a lot on him too. Pass-rushers always get bigger contracts than maybe they should be valued at in the open market.’

‘McDermott will now begin searching for a replacement for Teerlinck. One in-house candidate could be Aaron Whitecotton, who served as the team’s assistant defensive line coach under Teerlinck for the past two years.’

‘I thought it was interesting that McDermott said that while he was with the Carolina Panthers, they let a few too many of their leaders get away one offseason, which hurt the locker room and the overall team’s growth. Both men have always made it a point to have at least one veteran leader in each position group room and want to make sure they continue to do that. With the retirement of Lorenzo Alexander, they want to make sure they don’t allow that leadership void to be an issue.’

‘Here is our first, and perhaps way too early Bills mock draft for the 2020 offseason…’

‘”I’m happy with the season I had,” Lawson said. “I had a career-year this year and it’s only up from here. Only have to get better.”‘

‘Of the 11 players signed to the reserve/future contracts, 10 of those players were on the practice squad, including players like wide receiver Nick Easley, cornerback Cam Lewis, wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III, quarterback Davis Webb and running back Christian Wade. The only player that was not brought back from the practice squad was offensive tackle Brandon Hitner.’