Further Offensive Improvement

[elijah]

Is Diggs enough to make this offense strong enough to make a Super Bowl run? 

 

Right now I see a top 20 offense that should be consistent enough to ride a stronger defense than last year to a playoff victory or two. I don’t see a top 10 offense that can bail the defense out 2 or 3 times or compete with KC/Baltimore en route to the Super Bowl. 

 

We know that Beane isn’t tone deaf at this point and we know that he’s aware when things need to be addressed, but we’re  running out of cap space and lack a 1st round pick. 

 

Spotrac has us sitting around $25M cap space and $32M for the top 51, but that’s without Jefferson, Matavich & Taiwan Jones contracts factored in, so it’s closer to $15M & $22M.  

 

Cutting Murphy, Long and Lee Smith could bring that back up to around the $25M & $32M numbers. 

 

So, with that in mind, how do you want to see Beane round out the offense this offseason? 

 

I think a #2 RB, an improvement over Kroft as #2 TE, and a better #4 WR would pull the offense together into that top 10 unit.  You can never have too much O-Line depth either. 

 

In my dream scenario, Jonathan Taylor/JK Dobbins last until the early 2nd where we can trade up.  A WR like Travis Benjamin continues to slip in FA until they’re willing to sign for a value prove-it deal (1yr/$5M?) and TE can be addressed in the 3rd with a Hunter Bryant/Brycen Hopkins. 

 

What say you about where the offense is and where and where you want it to be? 

[RyanC883]

6 minutes ago, elijah said:

Is Diggs enough to make this offense strong enough to make a Super Bowl run? 

 

Right now I see a top 20 offense that should be consistent enough to ride a stronger defense than last year to a playoff victory or two. I don’t see a top 10 offense that can bail the defense out 2 or 3 times or compete with KC/Baltimore en route to the Super Bowl. 

 

We know that Beane isn’t tone deaf at this point and we know that he’s aware when things need to be addressed, but we’re  running out of cap space and lack a 1st round pick. 

 

Spotrac has us sitting around $25M cap space and $32M for the top 51, but that’s without Jefferson, Matavich & Taiwan Jones contracts factored in, so it’s closer to $15M & $22M.  

 

Cutting Murphy, Long and Lee Smith could bring that back up to around the $25M & $32M numbers. 

 

So, with that in mind, how do you want to see Beane round out the offense this offseason? 

 

I think a #2 RB, an improvement over Kroft as #2 TE, and a better #4 WR would pull the offense together into that top 10 unit.  You can never have too much O-Line depth either. 

 

In my dream scenario, Jonathan Taylor/JK Dobbins last until the early 2nd where we can trade up.  A WR like Travis Benjamin continues to slip in FA until they’re willing to sign for a value prove-it deal (1yr/$5M?) and TE can be addressed in the 3rd with a Hunter Bryant/Brycen Hopkins. 

 

What say you about where the offense is and where and where you want it to be? 

 

good questions.  Here is what I would do:  get a FA (cheap) RB to platoon with Singletary.  Allows us to run at the end of the games.  I'd love another TE to pair with Knox, but we may have that.  In the 2nd, hope that Cleveland (OT) falls to us.  Having a OT on a rookie contact is a solid investment.  

 

I'd be okay taking another TE in the 3rd, but would rather go BPA then.  I don't think we need to reach for anything, and in the 3rd, there could be a good WR to take to replace Brown/Beasley in 2 yrs or so.  

 

 

[H2o]

They will get a couple of OL players on value deals like always, maybe a RB, but I believe that's all after that. The rest of the depth will be plugged through the draft. 

[elijah]

12 minutes ago, RyanC883 said:

 

good questions.  Here is what I would do:  get a FA (cheap) RB to platoon with Singletary.  Allows us to run at the end of the games.  I'd love another TE to pair with Knox, but we may have that.  In the 2nd, hope that Cleveland (OT) falls to us.  Having a OT on a rookie contact is a solid investment.  

 

I'd be okay taking another TE in the 3rd, but would rather go BPA then.  I don't think we need to reach for anything, and in the 3rd, there could be a good WR to take to replace Brown/Beasley in 2 yrs or so.  

 

 

Incredible that we have the flexibility to do this and prepare for the future like this, the teams came a long way under Beane 

[Victory Formation]

I’d love to see Isaiah McKenzie signed to a 1 year deal at vet minimum. Could also see a guy like Quez Watkins tearing ***** up in the fourth round. 6’0 185 4.35 40, played for a small school, could be a diamond in the rough.That’d be a great way to round out that WR room. I also think a bell cow RB like Jonathan Taylor or JK Dobbins could take some serious pressure off of Josh Allen. I’m not convinced that Allen can carry an offense on his arm alone yet, he needs a strong running attack behind him and a good defense. Wouldn’t mind a true RT to the mix to groom behind Nsekhe, Ford goes in to RG. Plenty of room for improvement.

[billsfan89]

This team still needs to add a WR early in the draft and the TE situation is a bit shaky but I don't see them making a run for a vet TE given the Kroft extension and the faith they have in Knox. The offense needs to add a short yardage bruiser back and a WR for depth (given Brown's shaky injury history and the need to get younger behind Beasley, Brown and Diggs WR is still a need.) The offensive line also could use a depth player just to sure up things too. But right now in my opinion the major depth needs are for a role player bruising back and a WR behind the starting trio. 

[LabattBlue]

30 minutes ago, elijah said:

Is Diggs enough to make this offense strong enough to make a Super Bowl run? 

 

Right now I see a top 20 offense that should be consistent enough to ride a stronger defense than last year to a playoff victory or two. I don’t see a top 10 offense that can bail the defense out 2 or 3 times or compete with KC/Baltimore en route to the Super Bowl. 

 

We know that Beane isn’t tone deaf at this point and we know that he’s aware when things need to be addressed, but we’re  running out of cap space and lack a 1st round pick. 

 

Spotrac has us sitting around $25M cap space and $32M for the top 51, but that’s without Jefferson, Matavich & Taiwan Jones contracts factored in, so it’s closer to $15M & $22M.  

 

Cutting Murphy, Long and Lee Smith could bring that back up to around the $25M & $32M numbers. 

 

So, with that in mind, how do you want to see Beane round out the offense this offseason? 

 

I think a #2 RB, an improvement over Kroft as #2 TE, and a better #4 WR would pull the offense together into that top 10 unit.  You can never have too much O-Line depth either. 

 

In my dream scenario, Jonathan Taylor/JK Dobbins last until the early 2nd where we can trade up.  A WR like Travis Benjamin continues to slip in FA until they’re willing to sign for a value prove-it deal (1yr/$5M?) and TE can be addressed in the 3rd with a Hunter Bryant/Brycen Hopkins. 

 

What say you about where the offense is and where and where you want it to be? 

So upgrading the backup RB, backup TE and backup WR, are going to take the Bills from a Top 20 offense to a Top 10 offense?

 

Fuzzy Math?

Edited March 19, 2020 by LabattBlue

[TigerJ]

Unquestionably, the Bills need to add at least one quality rotational running back.  Beyond that improvement of the offense mostly depends on improvement from Josh Allen, and that is a wild card.

[elijah]

4 minutes ago, LabattBlue said:

So upgrading the backup RB, backup TE and backup WR, are going to take the Bills from a Top 20 offense to a Top 10 offense?

 

Fuzzy Math?

Not exact numbers, but the point is that the stars and key contributors are there, now the depth is what’s needed to really lie this together and let them be a top unit 

[DJB]

Christian McCaffrey 

[elijah]

17 minutes ago, DJB said:

Christian McCaffrey 

I’m not sure we have the cap space or the assets to trade for CMac, and I’m not sure I would want to allocate that money to a RB even if we had the cap

[DJB]

20 minutes ago, elijah said:

I’m not sure we have the cap space or the assets to trade for CMac, and I’m not sure I would want to allocate that money to a RB even if we had the cap

 

It was simply a dream but unlikely  scenario

[BuffaloMatt]

53 minutes ago, billsfan89 said:

This team still needs to add a WR early in the draft and the TE situation is a bit shaky but I don't see them making a run for a vet TE given the Kroft extension and the faith they have in Knox. The offense needs to add a short yardage bruiser back and a WR for depth (given Brown's shaky injury history and the need to get younger behind Beasley, Brown and Diggs WR is still a need.) The offensive line also could use a depth player just to sure up things too. But right now in my opinion the major depth needs are for a role player bruising back and a WR behind the starting trio. 

Croom, Smith, Knox, Kroft, Sweeney, Becker - Six TE on roster. I'd be surprised if we drafted one unless it's the BPA

[Rockinon]

Second half of the season, Josh and the offense was really figuring things out. Diggs is only going to improve things. I can see Buffalo picking up another RB and leading the league running the ball. I'm also salivating over seeing how our WRs compliment each other.  There is some serious speed on this team. Defenses will need 2 deep safeties.  Brown and Diggs will be open a lot if defenses don't.  Having serious deep threat receivers does a lot to help the run game too. Stack the box and get burned over the top....back the defense up to defend the deep ball and the running game and short passes rule the roost.

 

That doesn't mean we won't seek out another WR, OL, RB or TE.  Good teams have depth.  Whoever we pick up next may not need to be a starter, just a quality backup. This team is well on it's way to filling nearly every hole. Every position group has some serious talent too. Getting pumped. We may pick up players on defense too. Look for the weak links on the roster. Those are the guys that prime candidates to be replaced. Don't just look at starters. You have to look at who might be a liability as a backup as well.

[BobChalmers]

RBs are a dime a dozen - they'll find one or two...

 

but this team REALLY needs to improve on the OL.

Edited March 19, 2020 by BobChalmers

[H2o]

1 hour ago, DJB said:

Christian McCaffrey 

Queue Sherlock in 3....2....1....

[djp14150]

There is another buyout time in early June to spread out cap hit over 2 yrs. the peop,e they may cut depends on draft picks.

 

you can get vets cheap at this time.

[Wagon Circler]

I think a Melvin Gordon or Carlos Hyde would make us pretty much set to go.

A 4th wide receiver in the draft.

[Markaf431]

2 hours ago, elijah said:

Spotrac has us sitting around $25M cap space and $32M for the top 51, but that’s without Jefferson, Matavich & Taiwan Jones contracts factored in, so it’s closer to $15M & $22M.  

 

Cutting Murphy, Long and Lee Smith could bring that back up to around the $25M & $32M numbers. 

 

I think a #2 RB, an improvement over Kroft as #2 TE, and a better #4 WR would pull the offense together into that top 10 unit.  You can never have too much O-Line depth either. 

 

 

So you want to cut a solid OL backup in Long but then state you can never have too much OL depth? 
 

huh?  

[Rc2catch]

The offense is fine.

There are plenty of weapons already and we still have the draft and basement bargain players to sign later. 
If you want to worry about the offense start a thread on if Daboll can utilize these guys and change up the philosophy from last year. 

[formerlyofCtown]

3 hours ago, elijah said:

Is Diggs enough to make this offense strong enough to make a Super Bowl run? 

 

Right now I see a top 20 offense that should be consistent enough to ride a stronger defense than last year to a playoff victory or two. I don’t see a top 10 offense that can bail the defense out 2 or 3 times or compete with KC/Baltimore en route to the Super Bowl. 

 

We know that Beane isn’t tone deaf at this point and we know that he’s aware when things need to be addressed, but we’re  running out of cap space and lack a 1st round pick. 

 

Spotrac has us sitting around $25M cap space and $32M for the top 51, but that’s without Jefferson, Matavich & Taiwan Jones contracts factored in, so it’s closer to $15M & $22M.  

 

Cutting Murphy, Long and Lee Smith could bring that back up to around the $25M & $32M numbers. 

 

So, with that in mind, how do you want to see Beane round out the offense this offseason? 

 

I think a #2 RB, an improvement over Kroft as #2 TE, and a better #4 WR would pull the offense together into that top 10 unit.  You can never have too much O-Line depth either. 

 

In my dream scenario, Jonathan Taylor/JK Dobbins last until the early 2nd where we can trade up.  A WR like Travis Benjamin continues to slip in FA until they’re willing to sign for a value prove-it deal (1yr/$5M?) and TE can be addressed in the 3rd with a Hunter Bryant/Brycen Hopkins. 

 

What say you about where the offense is and where and where you want it to be? 

So they are going to cut Long right after picking up his option and open up the void a DE they just filled.

 

Also, if we have a stronger D than last year then we are good to go.

I think Josh Allen taking another step could take us to top15 maybe higher.

Edited March 19, 2020 by formerlyofCtown

[Don Otreply]

It’s coming.,. ?

 

Go Bills!!!

[yungmack]

I think Joshua Kelley of UCLA would be an excellent RB addition who should be available in the later rounds.

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

5 hours ago, elijah said:

Is Diggs enough to make this offense strong enough to make a Super Bowl run? 

 

Right now I see a top 20 offense that should be consistent enough to ride a stronger defense than last year to a playoff victory or two. I don’t see a top 10 offense that can bail the defense out 2 or 3 times or compete with KC/Baltimore en route to the Super Bowl. 

 

We know that Beane isn’t tone deaf at this point and we know that he’s aware when things need to be addressed, but we’re  running out of cap space and lack a 1st round pick. 

 

Spotrac has us sitting around $25M cap space and $32M for the top 51, but that’s without Jefferson, Matavich & Taiwan Jones contracts factored in, so it’s closer to $15M & $22M.  

 

Cutting Murphy, Long and Lee Smith could bring that back up to around the $25M & $32M numbers. 

 

So, with that in mind, how do you want to see Beane round out the offense this offseason? 

 

I think a #2 RB, an improvement over Kroft as #2 TE, and a better #4 WR would pull the offense together into that top 10 unit.  You can never have too much O-Line depth either. 

 

In my dream scenario, Jonathan Taylor/JK Dobbins last until the early 2nd where we can trade up.  A WR like Travis Benjamin continues to slip in FA until they’re willing to sign for a value prove-it deal (1yr/$5M?) and TE can be addressed in the 3rd with a Hunter Bryant/Brycen Hopkins. 

 

What say you about where the offense is and where and where you want it to be? 

 

 

So you're cutting 3 players and saving around $7 mil.  Do you actually think you can sign 3 players as good as those three are for less than $7 mil?  You've no t just created more holes to fill.

 

You  want to improve the TE play over Kroft, so you cut a blocking TE.  If you do what you're saying there'd be little to no roster spots open for rookies anyway, so may as well trade all the draft picks left.

 

Just keep cutting players under reasonable contracts is the way to go right to salary cap hell within a couple years.

[elijah]

16 hours ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

 

 

So you're cutting 3 players and saving around $7 mil.  Do you actually think you can sign 3 players as good as those three are for less than $7 mil?  You've no t just created more holes to fill.

 

You  want to improve the TE play over Kroft, so you cut a blocking TE.  If you do what you're saying there'd be little to no roster spots open for rookies anyway, so may as well trade all the draft picks left.

 

Just keep cutting players under reasonable contracts is the way to go right to salary cap hell within a couple years.

Cutting Murphy alone saves $7M, and he’s simply not needed. Between Hughes, Addison, Jefferson and Johnson, he’s getting overpaid at a position that has been rebuilt through FA and is loaded with depth. There’s no holes created by moving on from Murphy, and the $7M can be used at a position of bigger need like CB. 

 

In this scenario after cutting Lee Smith to save another ~$2.5M, you’re drafting a rookie who’s cap hit would be lower and could still fill Smith’s role, so no hole created. 

 

As for Long, it may be a bit counter-productive to cut him but you can save over $3M and for how little he saw the field last year that may be worth it. But at that point, cutting Long would be splitting hairs a little bit 

[Not at the table Karlos]

It’s all on Josh. If he continues to improve so will the offense.

[njbuff]

2 minutes ago, Not at the table Karlos said:

It’s all on Josh. If he continues to improve so will the offense.

 

A bigger key might be Cody Ford at RT.

 

If he becomes more consistent, watch out.

[elijah]

1 minute ago, njbuff said:

 

A bigger key might be Cody Ford at RT.

 

If he becomes more consistent, watch out.

And if he doesn’t progress, he may be a downfall of the offense. 

 

I wanted to see further offensive line improvements but unfortunately this far in with this little cap space and no 1st round pick, it seems like we know who our starters are 

[njbuff]

1 minute ago, elijah said:

And if he doesn’t progress, he may be a downfall of the offense. 

 

I wanted to see further offensive line improvements but unfortunately this far in with this little cap space and no 1st round pick, it seems like we know who our starters are 

 

Ford has the talent.

 

All eyes will be on him to start 2020.

[njbuff]

5 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

I think they'll bring in a quality veteran RB, but I want most early draft picks to be all offense. 

 

Need another early round WR, IMO.

 

If they bring in a quality vet RB, the Bills will basically draft BPA regardless of position.

[Jumpsuit Jim]

Our defense and scheme are strong. If we have a top half (16 or better) offense, we can make a deep push in the playoffs. 
 

While Diggs is a super great addition to the offense, the improvement needs to come from Josh. If he becomes just an average quarterback this year (14-18 rank), we are going to be dang good as a team. 

I am soooo freaking excited. 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

2 hours ago, elijah said:

Cutting Murphy alone saves $7M, and he’s simply not needed. Between Hughes, Addison, Jefferson and Johnson, he’s getting overpaid at a position that has been rebuilt through FA and is loaded with depth. There’s no holes created by moving on from Murphy, and the $7M can be used at a position of bigger need like CB. 

 

In this scenario after cutting Lee Smith to save another ~$2.5M, you’re drafting a rookie who’s cap hit would be lower and could still fill Smith’s role, so no hole created. 

 

As for Long, it may be a bit counter-productive to cut him but you can save over $3M and for how little he saw the field last year that may be worth it. But at that point, cutting Long would be splitting hairs a little bit 

 

So until you're strapped for cash and can't sign someone you want to sign IMO don't cut anyone.  You have no idea if all of the names mentioned above make it through pre-season healthy.  That also gives you the option to see if  the drop off from Murphy to Johnson is small or large.  While Jefferson supposedly can play both positions, until you know how they are using him its an unknown so to say there's no holes created is a stretch.   And again lets see first of all the DT's make it through healthy

 

Replacing a blocking TE like Smith with likely at best a mid round rookie and to say there's no hole created is more than a stretch.  I will though say I could see Sweeney taking Smiths spot as the blocking TE and also get better receiving from him than you'll get from Smith.  But again at this point maybe the coaches have an idea that could happen or something similar but for any fans to say they can do that with no drop off in talent is based on no real knowledge.   And again, let see if everyone makes it through camp first healthy, then start making cuts.

 

Likely there will be some vets cut this year when adding in the new additions, plus still have high draft picks, but these guys also may have got at least a small bonus for being on the roster on March 18th, so if you wanted to cut them,. should have done it prior, or wait things out.

[Artem Lipatov]

Our OL was avarage last year. We need dominant OL to improve offfence.  I expected upgrade this offseason but so far no signings here (( 

[Jumpsuit Jim]

1 hour ago, ScottLaw said:

They need more offense.... they don’t have enough right now. Hoping they make another quality addition their via both the draft and FA.

I agree that they need more offense; I’m just optimistic in that the offense will come from players already on the team. I think Josh will take a step and become an “average” quarterback ranking wise. I think Knox and Sweeney will become very productive at tight end. I think that Motor will excel as the featured back. And most importantly, I think Ford will become a good offensive lineman (RT specifically). I think we did NEED a wideout and that Diggs fills that need. While there might be upgrades at other positions, I don’t feel like they are needs. 
 

but that’s just me. 

[Jumpsuit Jim]

46 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

That’s a lot of ifs/I think’s.

 

Just think they need more known commodities/better talent on offense. RT, TE, RB, and depth at WR specifically 

I am frequently accused of being overly optimistic. It can be a fault. 

[GreggTX]

There's no question that our OL needs a lot of work still, but ultimately this is Allen's team and he will largely determine or success or failure.