ESPN article ranking the top NFL rosters

[BADOLBILZ]

Article is part of ESPN+ https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/37892244/2023-season-roster-rankings-starting-lineups-all-32-nfl-teams

 

1. Chiefs

2. Eagles

3. Buffalo Bills

 

Strongest unit: Safety. Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer have been nothing short of elite since teaming up in Buffalo in 2017. Both are 32 years old and missed substantial time in 2022, so perhaps a slip in play could be in store. But Buffalo will have a healthy Damar Hamlin and newcomer Taylor Rapp (who played 90% of the Rams' defensive snaps in 2022) as quality depth. -- Clay

 

Weakest unit: Wide receiver depth. Stefon Diggs is elite, but No. 2 WR Gabe Davis was limited to a situational deep-threat role for most of 2022. Davis is back, but Cole Beasley, Isaiah McKenzie and Jamison Crowder are gone and will be "replaced" by journeymen Deonte Harty and Trent Sherfield and Day 3 fliers Khalil Shakir and Justin Shorter. Buffalo will need a big rookie season from versatile tight end Dalton Kincaid. -- Clay

 

X factor for 2023: Safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. Two years ago they fueled the league's best defense, but in 2022 they combined for just 14 games played. Both are up in there in age, but do they have one more strong season left in them? -- Walder

 

Nonstarter to know: WR Deonte Harty. In 2021, Harty was efficient with a 30% target rate and a 2.9 yards per route run that trailed only those of Cooper Kupp, Deebo Samuel and Davante Adams. Injuries limited him in 2022, but those numbers still have me intrigued. -- Walder

 

4. Dolphins

Edited June 29, 2023 by BADOLBILZ

[GoBills808]

when it's put that way i feel way less confident in this upcoming season lol

[BADOLBILZ]

14 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

Yea I wonder if Poyer/Hyde can remain healthy… and what a shock, more questions about the WR depth… everywhere but this message board.😅

 

Yeah some of the takes about the WR corps have been pretty comical.    The objections to calling Harty and Sherfield "journeymen" was amusing.   They are the very definition of such.

 

Getting a proven WR2 who can run a full route tree started the offseason as the one position that could improve the team the most.    Instead all our Bills WR takes gotta' end with "hopefully this TE can play WR at a very high level as a rookie".  

[Jauronimo]

7 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

Yeah some of the takes about the WR corps have been pretty comical.    The objections to calling Harty and Sherfield "journeymen" was amusing.   They are the very definition of such.

 

Getting a proven WR2 who can run a full route tree started the offseason as the one position that could improve the team the most.    Instead all our Bills WR takes gotta' end with "hopefully this TE can play WR at a very high level as a rookie".  

One man's journeyman is another man's franchise #5 WR.  The other man is John from Hemet.

[boyst]

11 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

One man's journeyman is another man's franchise #5 WR.  The other man is John from Hemet.

...I need to call 911 to report a murder... ***** brutal. 🤣

[BuffaloBillyG]

13 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

Yeah some of the takes about the WR corps have been pretty comical.    The objections to calling Harty and Sherfield "journeymen" was amusing.   They are the very definition of such.

 

Getting a proven WR2 who can run a full route tree started the offseason as the one position that could improve the team the most.    Instead all our Bills WR takes gotta' end with "hopefully this TE can play WR at a very high level as a rookie".  

No objections for that. They are. Harty is on his 2nd team. Sherfield his fourth. But I don't see that as a negative.

 

By that definition Beasley (Bills were his 2md team), John Brown (Bills were his 3rd in his first run), Crowder (Bills 3rd team) were journeymen as well. In fact, more players then not in this day and age would fall under "journeymen" label.

[FireChans]

11 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

No objections for that. They are. Harty is on his 2nd team. Sherfield his fourth. But I don't see that as a negative.

 

By that definition Beasley (Bills were his 2md team), John Brown (Bills were his 3rd in his first run), Crowder (Bills 3rd team) were journeymen as well. In fact, more players then not in this day and age would fall under "journeymen" label.

oh god dude. I don't have enough eyeroll emojis.

[LABILLBACKER]

49 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

Yea I wonder if Poyer/Hyde can remain healthy… and what a shock, more questions about the WR depth… everywhere but this message board.😅

The lack of a bona-fide #2 wr absolutely kills this team. I think it's also effects the recent Diggs behavior.  Teams know after Stefon we're vulnerable.  That's why Diggs is getting doubled more than ever.  This year's team will have to depend more on Knox, Kincaid, Harty & Sherfield for support.  I personally have closed the book on Gabe. Whatever he contributes will be supplemental.  If Hyde,  Von and Tre can return healthy this defense will compete.  But once we enter the playoffs,  we must absolutely have a strong secondary target besides Diggs.

[FireChans]

Just now, LABILLBACKER said:

The lack of a bona-fide #2 wr absolutely kills this team. I think it's also effects the recent Diggs behavior.  Teams know after Stefon we're vulnerable.  That's why Diggs is getting doubled more than ever.  This year's team will have to depend more on Knox, Kincaid, Harty & Sherfield for support.  I personally have closed the book on Gabe. Whatever he contributes will be supplemental.  If Hyde,  Von and Tre can return healthy this defense will compete.  But once we enter the playoffs,  we must absolutely have a strong secondary target besides Diggs.

Every year we do less for #2 WR's! It's actually insane.

[GoBills808]

Just can't shake the feeling that we are relying on 3 players in Hyde/Poyer/Miller...all coming off significant injuries whose combined age is 98 years old

 

throw in White who I don't expect to every really regain his form and there's an argument that the defense is in big trouble

[billsfan89]

Top to bottom the Bills roster is among the top 4-5 in the league and arguably top 3. The Bills boast a defensive unit with only one glaring hole (MLB) and 10 other starters of high quality, a D-line that is very deep, a great LB in Milano, a CB group that is deep and talented and a good safety combo that while older has better depth behind it. The ST unit top to bottom is very good, Bass is one of the best kickers in the league, Martin a top 10 punter, Hines/Harty a great returner duo and a solid cast of specialists. The offensive talent is also very good. Josh is one of the best QB's in the league, Knox/Kincaid are a top 5 TE duo, the RB core while not having a superstar RB is a solid group of 4, the O-line is massively improved with the additions of Cyrus and McGovern at guard and at WR Diggs is a stud and Davis and the rest of the WR group aren't bad. 

 

Yes on defense I would like to see the team have a better MLB and yes on offense I would like a better WR2 and a true backup swing LT/RT but to look up and down a roster and see only 2 major holes and one glaring depth hole is pretty solid. Esp given the fact that the Bills outside of about three areas actually have quality depth on top of a good front-line talent in most areas. 

 

Hopefully the Bills can add D-Hop and a true backup for Dawkins before camp starts and maybe in season if MLB is a glaring need make a trade to sure that up. 

[SWATeam]

3 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

Just can't shake the feeling that we are relying on 3 players in Hyde/Poyer/Miller...all coming off significant injuries whose combined age is 98 years old

 

throw in White who I don't expect to every really regain his form and there's an argument that the defense is in big trouble

We've hedged those issues a bit with the signing of Rapp and Floyd.

 

I expect Tre to be much better this year.

[GoBills808]

Just now, billsfan89 said:

Top to bottom the Bills roster is among the top 4-5 in the league and arguably top 3. The Bills boast a defensive unit with only one glaring hole (MLB) and 10 other starters of high quality, a D-line that is very deep, a great LB in Milano, a CB group that is deep and talented and a good safety combo that while older has better depth behind it. The ST unit top to bottom is very good, Bass is one of the best kickers in the league, Martin a top 10 punter, Hines/Harty a great returner duo and a solid cast of specialists. The offensive talent is also very good. Josh is one of the best QB's in the league, Knox/Kincaid are a top 5 TE duo, the RB core while not having a superstar RB is a solid group of 4, the O-line is massively improved with the additions of Cyrus and McGovern at guard and at WR Diggs is a stud and Davis and the rest of the WR group aren't bad. 

 

Yes on defense I would like to see the team have a better MLB and yes on offense I would like a better WR2 and a true backup swing LT/RT but to look up and down a roster and see only 2 major holes and one glaring depth hole is pretty solid. Esp given the fact that the Bills outside of about three areas actually have quality depth on top of a good front-line talent in most areas. 

 

Hopefully the Bills can add D-Hop and a true backup for Dawkins before camp starts and maybe in season if MLB is a glaring need make a trade to sure that up. 

I think this is wildly optimistic

 

There is zero chance absolutely zero that Knox Kincaid can be credibly called a top5 TE duo at this moment

 

Ditto oline massive improvement

 

 

1 minute ago, SWATeam said:

We've hedged those issues a bit with the signing of Rapp and Floyd.

 

I expect Tre to be much better this year.

He can't be much worse

 

i love tre white as much as the next guy but he was a liability last year and getting better just means he'd be on the lower end of what you'd like your best CB to be

[SWATeam]

3 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

 

He can't be much worse

 

i love tre white as much as the next guy but he was a liability last year and getting better just means he'd be on the lower end of what you'd like your best CB to be

I'll be surprised if he's not elite again.  It's not like he ever won on pure athleticism anyways.

 

Looks to me like we have 4 legitimate outside corners which is a great problem to have.

[FireChans]

Just now, SWATeam said:

I'll be surprised if he's not elite again.  It's not like he ever won on pure athleticism anyways.

 

Looks to me like we have 4 legitimate outside corners which is a great problem to have.

I think I'd rather have 1 star and 1 solid starter than 4 solid starters in today's NFL.

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

Still say this team should do everything they can to bring in Hopkins. The lack of a bonafide #2 is so obvious as to how much it would help this team. I can't help but feel like its a blind spot for the current regime some how.

[billsfan89]

8 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

I think this is wildly optimistic

 

There is zero chance absolutely zero that Knox Kincaid can be credibly called a top5 TE duo at this moment

 

Ditto oline massive improvement

 

 

 

I would say the TE projection is optimistic but not "wildly" optimistic. I think Knox is just outside the top 10 at TE (look at most lists and he is usually ranked at around 11-13 and rarely cracks the top 10) and Kincaid was the best tight end in the draft. Adding them together and it could easily be a top TE duo. There aren't many teams that pack a combo at TE so having a solid player in Knox and a great draft prospect in Kincaid and it is clear that the potential is there for that duo to be among the leagues best. 

[SWATeam]

1 minute ago, billsfan89 said:

 

I would say the TE projection is optimistic but not "wildly" optimistic. I think Knox is just outside the top 10 at TE (look at most lists and he is usually ranked at around 11-13 and rarely cracks the top 10) and Kincaid was the best tight end in the draft. Adding them together and it could easily be a top TE duo. There aren't many teams that pack a combo at TE so having a solid player in Knox and a great draft prospect in Kincaid and it is clear that the potential is there for that duo to be among the leagues best. 

Yeah, I'd say a borderline top 10 TE and a first round pick at the position SHOULD be a top 5 duo.

[billsfan89]

8 minutes ago, FireChans said:

I think I'd rather have 1 star and 1 solid starter than 4 solid starters in today's NFL.

 

Given the volatility of injuries in the NFL I would rather not have 1-star player and very little depth behind them generally speaking. 

[BuffaloBillyG]

31 minutes ago, FireChans said:

oh god dude. I don't have enough eyeroll emojis.

Cool story. Next time add explosions and maybe a nice car chase. Adds to the excitement.

 

[GoBills808]

8 minutes ago, billsfan89 said:

 

I would say the TE projection is optimistic but not "wildly" optimistic. I think Knox is just outside the top 10 at TE (look at most lists and he is usually ranked at around 11-13 and rarely cracks the top 10) and Kincaid was the best tight end in the draft. Adding them together and it could easily be a top TE duo. There aren't many teams that pack a combo at TE so having a solid player in Knox and a great draft prospect in Kincaid and it is clear that the potential is there for that duo to be among the leagues best. 

OK I could accept that argument, but I'm also pretty sure we run 2TE sets at one of the lowest frequencies in the league so the value in a hypothetical strong TE duo is marginal

[SWATeam]

12 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

It’s Beanes weak spot… dude prioritizes RBs over WRs.😅

I know, look at our horrific offense and the giant trade he pulled of for one of the leagues best WR's...

[C.Biscuit97]

2 minutes ago, SWATeam said:

I know, look at our horrific offense and the giant trade he pulled of for one of the leagues best WR's...

I guess the countered would be how many really good offensive players has he drafted. Obviously, the Allen pick supersedes all other picks but we haven’t exactly be loading up on offensive talent in the draft. And when you have a qb making top money, you need to nail the draft. 
 

still have a top 3 roster so huge tip of the cap. But keeping a team where guys are making good money good every year is very difficult. 

[SWATeam]

1 minute ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

I guess the countered would be how many really good offensive players has he drafted. Obviously, the Allen pick supersedes all other picks but we haven’t exactly be loading up on offensive talent in the draft. And when you have a qb making top money, you need to nail the draft. 
 

still have a top 3 roster so huge tip of the cap. But keeping a team where guys are making good money good every year is very difficult. 

Sure, but isn't part of having an elite QB his ability to elevate those around him?  I mean look at what Brady did in NE all those years

[PrimeTime101]

2 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

Article is part of ESPN+ https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/37892244/2023-season-roster-rankings-starting-lineups-all-32-nfl-teams

 

1. Chiefs

2. Eagles

3. Buffalo Bills

 

Strongest unit: Safety. Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer have been nothing short of elite since teaming up in Buffalo in 2017. Both are 32 years old and missed substantial time in 2022, so perhaps a slip in play could be in store. But Buffalo will have a healthy Damar Hamlin and newcomer Taylor Rapp (who played 90% of the Rams' defensive snaps in 2022) as quality depth. -- Clay

 

Weakest unit: Wide receiver depth. Stefon Diggs is elite, but No. 2 WR Gabe Davis was limited to a situational deep-threat role for most of 2022. Davis is back, but Cole Beasley, Isaiah McKenzie and Jamison Crowder are gone and will be "replaced" by journeymen Deonte Harty and Trent Sherfield and Day 3 fliers Khalil Shakir and Justin Shorter. Buffalo will need a big rookie season from versatile tight end Dalton Kincaid. -- Clay

 

X factor for 2023: Safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. Two years ago they fueled the league's best defense, but in 2022 they combined for just 14 games played. Both are up in there in age, but do they have one more strong season left in them? -- Walder

 

Nonstarter to know: WR Deonte Harty. In 2021, Harty was efficient with a 30% target rate and a 2.9 yards per route run that trailed only those of Cooper Kupp, Deebo Samuel and Davante Adams. Injuries limited him in 2022, but those numbers still have me intrigued. -- Walder

 

4. Dolphins

how did the Eagles, have the best roster last year, lose 2-3 pieces this year, gain a piece and have by far the best draft in the league? and they not first? I do not have a sub, but would be interesting how they explained that

Edited June 29, 2023 by PrimeTime101

[GoBills808]

Just now, SWATeam said:

Sure, but isn't part of having an elite QB his ability to elevate those around him?  I mean look at what Brady did in NE all those years

literally every single wideout allen has every played w has career years

 

like do people realize before josh allen stefon diggs never made a pro bowl lol

[Beck Water]

2 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Yea I wonder if Poyer/Hyde can remain healthy… and what a shock, more questions about the WR depth… everywhere but this message board.😅

 

Strangely enough, I have read several threads and posts on other threads about that very WR depth concern, right on this message board.

😅😅

For example this from @Jerry Jabber

 

[SWATeam]

Just now, GoBills808 said:

literally every single wideout allen has every played w has career years

 

like do people realize before josh allen stefon diggs never made a pro bowl lol

Certainly not disputing that, I'm not saying that Allen doesn't elevate those around him.  Just questioning the prevailing talking point that it's necessary to load up on multiple high end targets.  

[GoBills808]

Just now, SWATeam said:

Certainly not disputing that, I'm not saying that Allen doesn't elevate those around him.  Just questioning the prevailing talking point that it's necessary to load up on multiple high end targets.  

if you have a bad oline and a defense that's going to reliably ***** the bed in crunch time what else do you suggest lol

[SWATeam]

Just now, GoBills808 said:

if you have a bad oline and a defense that's going to reliably ***** the bed in crunch time what else do you suggest lol

Fix those problems?

[Beck Water]

2 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

Article is part of ESPN+ https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/37892244/2023-season-roster-rankings-starting-lineups-all-32-nfl-teams

 

1. Chiefs

2. Eagles

3. Buffalo Bills

 

Strongest unit: Safety. Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer have been nothing short of elite since teaming up in Buffalo in 2017. Both are 32 years old and missed substantial time in 2022, so perhaps a slip in play could be in store. But Buffalo will have a healthy Damar Hamlin and newcomer Taylor Rapp (who played 90% of the Rams' defensive snaps in 2022) as quality depth. -- Clay

 

Weakest unit: Wide receiver depth. Stefon Diggs is elite, but No. 2 WR Gabe Davis was limited to a situational deep-threat role for most of 2022. Davis is back, but Cole Beasley, Isaiah McKenzie and Jamison Crowder are gone and will be "replaced" by journeymen Deonte Harty and Trent Sherfield and Day 3 fliers Khalil Shakir and Justin Shorter. Buffalo will need a big rookie season from versatile tight end Dalton Kincaid. -- Clay

 

X factor for 2023: Safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. Two years ago they fueled the league's best defense, but in 2022 they combined for just 14 games played. Both are up in there in age, but do they have one more strong season left in them? -- Walder

 

Nonstarter to know: WR Deonte Harty. In 2021, Harty was efficient with a 30% target rate and a 2.9 yards per route run that trailed only those of Cooper Kupp, Deebo Samuel and Davante Adams. Injuries limited him in 2022, but those numbers still have me intrigued. -- Walder

 

4. Dolphins

 

Seems like a pretty fair assessment, though it seems a bit double-dipping to mention the safety position 2x and Deonte Harty 2x.

 

I would think the Bengals feel 'dissed' to not be mentioned as a top-3 team, wonder what the logic is there?  One can make a pretty sound argument for them having one of the best OL and one of the best WR corps in football.

[34-78-83]

The O-line was an even more impactful issue last season (and going into this one) than production from #2 WR. The adds at both starting interior OL and depth overall at OL this year should make a nice positive impact, even though WR#2 still may remain a concern.

[FireChans]

11 minutes ago, SWATeam said:

Certainly not disputing that, I'm not saying that Allen doesn't elevate those around him.  Just questioning the prevailing talking point that it's necessary to load up on multiple high end targets.  

Most of the teams that have been in the Superbowl recently have had better targets than the Bills.

[SWATeam]

Just now, FireChans said:

Most of the teams that have been in the Superbowl recently have had better targets than the Bills.

It's been beaten to death but KC last year is questionable

[GoBills808]

Just now, SWATeam said:

It's been beaten to death but KC last year is questionable

How so?

 

Kelce>Diggs

JuJu>Davis

[Beck Water]

36 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

OK I could accept that argument, but I'm also pretty sure we run 2TE sets at one of the lowest frequencies in the league so the value in a hypothetical strong TE duo is marginal

 

The question, of course, is whether we plan to continue to run 2TE sets at one of the lowest frequencies in the league?

 

If so, then obviously investing a 1st round pick on Kincaid was foolish.

 

But I don't think that's the plan.

 

I believe that at the "U" in Miami, Dorsey made heavy use of his TE as receiving weapons. 

In Carolina, it was Mike Shula's offense of course, but once they acquired Ed Dickson in FA, he was on the field almost half the time while Greg Olson was taking >95% of the snaps.  Most of those years, Olson was also leading the team in receiving yards.

 

So at least in theory, Dorsey knows how to utilize 2 TE sets in the passing game. 

[FireChans]

Just now, SWATeam said:

It's been beaten to death but KC last year is questionable

Okay.  The Eagles are not questionable. The Rams, not questionable. The Bengals, not questionable. The Bucs in 2020, not questionable.  The Chiefs in 2020, not questionable.

 

5/6 are indisputable.

1 minute ago, GoBills808 said:

How so?

 

Kelce>Diggs

JuJu>Davis

Also this, but I was gonna give you that one.

[loyal2dagame]

2 hours ago, GoBills808 said:

when it's put that way i feel way less confident in this upcoming season lol

Hyde and Poyer at 80% are still head and shoulders above any other safety pair in the league. We've know what Davis is since mid season last year.  The Bills are going to be fine. 

Edited June 29, 2023 by loyal2dagame

[Punching Bag]

1 hour ago, GoBills808 said:

Just can't shake the feeling that we are relying on 3 players in Hyde/Poyer/Miller...all coming off significant injuries whose combined age is 98 years old

 

throw in White who I don't expect to every really regain his form and there's an argument that the defense is in big trouble

 

Sure if you want to argue the negatives.  I was on debate team and sometimes we were given unsupported positions we were to represent.  We would concentrate on minor things discarding any facts which did not support it.

 

I was offered a full scholarship to Gannon University but I had no interest in going there being a pre-Vet major.

 

1 hour ago, GoBills808 said:

 

 

i love bashing tre white as much as the next guy but he was a liability last year and getting better just means he'd be on the lower end of what you'd like your best CB to be

Corrected.

[Ya Digg?]

Damn, if the Bills had only kept Hodgins, then they would have….still no #2 and just another 4/5 on the depth chart