What are your "Gotchas" for the 2018 Bills

[freddyjj]

In any season there are some unforeseen circumstances that pop up and can really impact any teams performance.  Some are obvious like losing your starting franchise QB.  Others are less obvious, and I call them "gotchas".  

 

So, that being said, here are my potential less obvious 2018 "gotchas"for the Bills.  i will skip QB and WR as they have been addressed ad nauseum.

 

1. Trent Murphy's injury status worsens and he goes to IR and our DE situation and pass rush don't improve.  Brady, Rodgers, Rivers, Stafford, Cousins, Luck, Flacco and Watson are a scary bunch or QBs if given time.
2. LeSean McCoy loses more than 2 games to a suspension.  Coupled with his usual 2 games missed due to injury we could be looking at an 800 yd rushing season from Shady.  I actually like an Ivory/Murphy grouping as his backups but feel Shady in Daboll's offense could be special - think a bigger faster Dion Lewis.  Shady - stay healthy and out of trouble please.
3. Our Nickel package gets victimized with the 2 LBs on the field in passing downs.  Edmunds is gifted physically but needs to learn the game and improve on tackling in space as evidenced in Carolina game.  A Humber/Milano WLB combo can be run at if Milano is in there and Humber has apparently lost a step in coverage.  I don't see another Bill able to start at WLB and play in the nickle too.  Could still see a trade here as crucial role in McDs D.
4. DT if Kyle or Star get hurt.  Right back where we were last year with the only upside being Harrison Philips.  Not seeing Adolphus Washington improving yet.
5. Outside CB depth still an issue.  Vontae Davis needs to show he can cover AND tackle.  He looked a little off against the Cats.  Right now I wonder if Frasier moves gaines outside for White/Davis if hurt and puts T Johnson at Slot.
6. Swing Tackle?  My guess is D'ondre Wesley earns this role and Newhouse and McDermott get cut.  We also need a better 4th OT on this team as no depth at OT.  McBeane may look for a waiver wire pickup or trade here too.

 

What say you?  These may seem like small issues but they can be compounded by actions by OBD, suspensions or injuries.  

Edited August 14, 2018 by freddyjj
spelling

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

With the exception of #2 practically every team in the league is in trouble when they need to start playing backups due to injury.

 

With regards to #2 really doubt the "wheels of NFL justice" will move that fast.  Add appeals into things, would be surprised if he were to get suspended this season.  Unless all of a sudden they find the guy who broke in,  likely this thing will drag on for awhile.  From what you read about the whole thing, likely may be one of these cases that the police aren't bothering spending many resources trying to solve either as sounds like a "divorce gone bad" without ever getting actually married. 

 

My prediction is next year either he's with another team or if back with the Bills, the team will use a fairly high draft pick on a RB.  And while O-line and particularly WR can take a couple of years to learn the game RB is the one position that rookies can become a star.

Edited August 14, 2018 by Ed_Formerly_of_Roch

[White Linen]

These are not gotchas.

[ganesh]

If Benjamin goes down, we will be pretty thin at WR.

Still don't know much about this OL and its ability to pass protect

We still may not have much pass rush from our front seven