Who are the two players on the existing roster that need to up their game to get us to the dance

[BuffaloBillyG]

2 hours ago, ganesh said:

You can't hope to have your 4th and 5th best players in a position become the stars to win the SB.  You want your top players to play like Blue Chip players.  A DJ Moore has to come through making those clutch catches that we missed in the playoffs.  You want Rosseau to be a 15-sack guys to turn the tide on the defense. 

Here's the rub. You talk about a 4th or 5th best player in a room becoming a star. But that's the guy YOU feel is 4th or 5th best. That doesn't make it so. I have this sneaking suspicion Joe Brady feels different. 

 

In reality, we need one of Coleman or Palmer to show that they are more than 4th or 5th. If Keon takes the step I believe he may, he's going to finish the season as the second best WR on the team. 

 

And before you go on and talk about how unlikely it is, I would bet real money that Keon becomes what we need out of our 2nd or 3rd best WR wayyyyyy before Rousseau sniffs being a 12 sack guy let alone 15 sacks. 

[BillsShredder83]

1 hour ago, JP51 said:

I thought I would have gotten more hits on Walker, to me he was really the only rookie that really made a difference outside of Hawes... (Hairston was hurt too much) and Sanders and Jackson were pretty much useless...  I have very little hope for either TBH... but Walker looked to me like he had a lot more ceiling to go but even in his raw form was going to be a significant disturber...  I am just not sure what the change in Defensive scheme means... if they are going to try to make him play hand down true NT, I am not sure thats his natural position he is too tall with back issues...  but maybe they make him a DE... I dont know... either way I like the kid. 

I think youre gettting less hits because people expect it.  I dont see any reason we dont have him balling out this year.  Seems tailor made for odd front.  Hitting that 12 full months w/ NFL S&C Coach is a huge mark.

 

His biggest issues were playing too high and fatigue... and when he was gassed, the pad level came up.  His upper body is massive, but hes got a "small" lower half, hope they strengthen that up and continue strengthening/supporting that lower back.  Another year removed from that back thing his Sr. year at Kentucky

[BillyJoeBills]

3 players needed; Matthew Hairston to be be shutdown corner, Keon to be the red zone WR; TJ Sanders to add youth and power to DL

[JP51]

36 minutes ago, BillsShredder83 said:

His production with the QB's throwing to him have been nothing less than spectacular! 

 

 

Cam Newton — CAR: 2018 (14 GP), 2019 (2 GP), 2021 (8 GP) --washed up version***

Taylor Heinicke — CAR: 2018 (6 GP)

Kyle Allen — CAR: 2018 (2 GP), 2019 (13 GP)

Will Grier — CAR: 2019 (2 GP)

Teddy Bridgewater — CAR: 2020 (15 GP)

P.J. Walker — CAR: 2020 (4 GP), 2021 (5 GP), 2022 (6 GP)

 

Sam Darnold — CAR: 2021 (12 GP), 2022 (6 GP) -- this was not modern day Sam... this Sam was so bad that they let a future franchise QB (desperate for one) walk without attempting to retain... he then went to '9ers for another year as a backup, until good Sam appeared

 

 

Baker Mayfield — CAR: 2022 (7 GP) - everything I wrote for Sam applies here too. Insane that Panthers team had BOTH Sam & Baker same time L-O-L

 

Justin Fields — CHI: 2023 (13 GP)

Tyson Bagent — CHI: 2023 (5 GP), 2024 (4 GP), 2025 (3 GP)

Caleb Williams — CHI: 2024 (17 GP), 2025 (17 GP) -- 2024 was trash, 2025 was between trash to mildly above average***

You definately seem briefed on DJ ! Thanks for the in depth! I appreciate it!

[Don Otreply]

4 hours ago, JP51 said:

Clearly the entire team needs to improve... I just want to know who are the two guys on the team that have the potential to raise their game to drive us to the next level. 

I would put it like this, offense, the O line and our receivers , two rooms 

 

defense, the D line and our CBs  two rooms 

 

two individuals , well I would say that alone won’t be enough, but if you insist, DJ Moore and Hoecht 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

[JP51]

4 minutes ago, Don Otreply said:

I would put it like this, offense, the O line and our receivers , two rooms 

 

defense, the D line and our CBs  two rooms 

 

two individuals , well I would say that alone won’t be enough, but if you insist, DJ Moore and Hoecht 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

I think a no two alone can do it is a very fair answer... but DJ and Hoecht being big time difference maker would be immense since they really were not in the equation last year (hoecht did get some time in but not much) 

[Kirby Jackson]

1 hour ago, JP51 said:

Thanks! I was thinking its a bit slow... lets put out a topic for fun... lol 

This time of year, it’s the best way to go imo. We have the draft threads going and then fun topics that make for interesting discussion. Thanks for doing it!!

[GASabresIUFan]

it depends.  Bernard is a good one because of our current lack of impact at LB.  I'd throw Dorian Williams in there if he is slated for the other ILB role.  Hairston is a good choice as he is now the defacto starter.  I'd add Sanders to the mix as well.  From a depth standpoint, guys like Jackson, Carter and Solomon have a fresh start and if they can make an impact and earn significant PT even in a rotation that will go along way to strengthening the defense.  

 

I'd also add whomever wins the LG role needs to step up and play well.  I'm not worried about the skill players.  We have so much spaghetti to throw at the wall at WR, TE, and RB that someone will stick and make a difference besides Josh and Cookie.  

Edited Monday at 07:21 PM by GASabresIUFan

[ToGoGo]

Rousseau and Coleman.

 

Kincaid gets honorable mention.

[mjt328]

A lot of people said Dalton Kincaid.  But I feel like he's been pretty good when on the field.  Just needs to stay healthy.

Take his current numbers and spread them over 17 full games, he's been a Top 5 tight end each year in the NFL since entering the league.

 

The most obvious answer on the offensive side is Keon Coleman. 

If he could develop into a good WR across from DJ Moore, we would be pretty much unstoppable.

 

Defensively, you can pretty much just throw out everybody on the D-Line.

Ed Oliver lacks consistency.  Groot is below average as a pass rusher.  TJ Sanders and Landon Jackson did nothing as rookies.

 

[JP51]

1 minute ago, mjt328 said:

A lot of people said Dalton Kincaid.  But I feel like he's been pretty good when on the field.  Just needs to stay healthy.

Take his current numbers and spread them over 17 full games, he's been a Top 5 tight end each year in the NFL since entering the league.

 

The most obvious answer on the offensive side is Keon Coleman. 

If he could develop into a good WR across from DJ Moore, we would be pretty much unstoppable.

 

Defensively, you can pretty much just throw out everybody on the D-Line.

Ed Oliver lacks consistency.  Groot is below average as a pass rusher.  TJ Sanders and Landon Jackson did nothing as rookies.

 

I feel like Kincaid has a higher ceiling then where he is performing.. he has another gear to take it too... will he... we will find out.

[noacls]

Rousseau and Kincaid

[Sojourner]

Groot and one of the WRs outside of Moore. 

[JohnNord]

7 hours ago, JP51 said:

Slow time before the draft.... Got to wondering... who are the two guys that currently sit on our roster that need to up their game and have the ability to up their game to propel us to the Superbowl...  a correct answer could be they dont exist, fine with that... but gimmie one OFFENSIVE and one DEFENSIVE player you think can elevate their game and get this team to the next level.  

 

For me on offense I feel like Dalton Kincaid has the talent to bring it to another level if he can stay healthy, to me he has the highest ceiling room of any offensive player to improve. Although not Kelce he has the ability to force defenses to game plan him I think he single handedly has the potential relieve pressure on other receivers as well as Josh if he can become a Top TE in this league so gimmie 1000 yards 60 receptions and 8 TDs and improve blocking and that would be huge for the offense. 

 

On Defense I am torn between Hairston, Oliver, Walker and Rousseau... I am going Rousseau, a 10 sack season if they turn him loose in the new defense with consistent play against the run would be monster for us, again opening up and relieving pressure on other players.  I see him as the one existing player on the defense that although not a game wrecker could definitely throw a very damp rag on an offense if he were to break out.... 

 

Who are yours?  

Josh Allen… that’s the only answer.  It’s something no Bills fans wants to acknowledge.  Some will make excuse after excuse to avoid accountability.  But Josh has a consistency problem in the playoffs.

 

The stats which show his dominance in the postseason are greatly inflated by very good performances in the opening round of the playoffs.  
 

Go back and watch the game in Jacksonville.  Josh was cerebral against a very good defense.  He played smart and was under control.  Now contrast that performance with the QB we saw in Denver.  
 

I’ll also preface by saying Josh had incredible turnover luck in the last two meetings against KC.  He fumbled 4 times and lost zero.  He also threw a number of turnover worthy picks that were dropped.  
 

Josh needs to show that he can string together 3 to 4 good performances in the playoffs.  And when the game is on the line, he needs to win it 

24 minutes ago, Sojourner said:

Groot and one of the WRs outside of Moore. 

Groot is what he is.  He’s a solid DE but he’s not going to take over games as a pass rusher - especially when his opposition is a higher end OT

[EssexBill]

I’m gonna get 50 downvotes for this but here goes…

 

We need Josh Allen to up his game in the playoffs. That’s not to say he’s bad, indeed as we all know he’s usually awesome (with the exception of the Denver game).

 

No, the reason I say he needs to up his game to get us to the big game is because I have no confidence in the defence suddenly becoming a monster QB hunting pack like the Seahawks this year, the eagles the year before, the buccs when they beat the chiefs etc… Yes there’s a new DC, but the talent just isn’t there imo.

 

So we need to win 38-35, 42-38… whatever it is Josh will just need to outscore the opposition which he hasn’t managed to do in the last 3 years (not his fault, he shouldn’t have to). Basically we need superman to become superman * 2 because I don’t see enough difference makers anywhere else (in particular in defence) sadly 

[JohnNord]

21 minutes ago, EssexBill said:

I’m gonna get 50 downvotes for this but here goes…

 

We need Josh Allen to up his game in the playoffs. That’s not to say he’s bad, indeed as we all know he’s usually awesome (with the exception of the Denver game).

 

No, the reason I say he needs to up his game to get us to the big game is because I have no confidence in the defence suddenly becoming a monster QB hunting pack like the Seahawks this year, the eagles the year before, the buccs when they beat the chiefs etc… Yes there’s a new DC, but the talent just isn’t there imo.

 

So we need to win 38-35, 42-38… whatever it is Josh will just need to outscore the opposition which he hasn’t managed to do in the last 3 years (not his fault, he shouldn’t have to). Basically we need superman to become superman * 2 because I don’t see enough difference makers anywhere else (in particular in defence) sadly 

No argument from me!   There’s a real lack of difference makers on defense.  Beane has drafted many good…not great players.  That’s why it drove me crazy to hear Terry sign his praises.  
 

Along with the lack of high end talent on defense, there’s been some bad injury luck.  Key players on an average defense injured in the postseason.  I can think of 1 player over the last 4 postseasons on offense who missed time (Gabe in 2023)

 

All this to say, when the dust settled… despite the lack of talent and the untimely injuries on defense, the (mostly) healthy offense was in a scenario every QB/OC/WR dreams of.

 

They had the ball last with a chance to end the game with a TD… in Denver it was a FG.  The offense hasn’t gotten it done since since 2021.  
 

Say what you will but you need your elite, generational QB and offensive “masterminds OC to score the TD and win that game. 

[familykwi]

Josh.  Sorry, but until he carries them where he wants to go, what he’s done is not enough.

 

Groot.  Absolutely invisible late in every season he’s played.

[JP51]

3 hours ago, JohnNord said:

Josh Allen… that’s the only answer.  It’s something no Bills fans wants to acknowledge.  Some will make excuse after excuse to avoid accountability.  But Josh has a consistency problem in the playoffs.

 

The stats which show his dominance in the postseason are greatly inflated by very good performances in the opening round of the playoffs.  
 

Go back and watch the game in Jacksonville.  Josh was cerebral against a very good defense.  He played smart and was under control.  Now contrast that performance with the QB we saw in Denver.  
 

I’ll also preface by saying Josh had incredible turnover luck in the last two meetings against KC.  He fumbled 4 times and lost zero.  He also threw a number of turnover worthy picks that were dropped.  
 

Josh needs to show that he can string together 3 to 4 good performances in the playoffs.  And when the game is on the line, he needs to win it 

Groot is what he is.  He’s a solid DE but he’s not going to take over games as a pass rusher - especially when his opposition is a 

 I think from the playoffs perspective you are coming from if he elevated in the playoffs that would be epic for sure

3 hours ago, EssexBill said:

I’m gonna get 50 downvotes for this but here goes…

 

We need Josh Allen to up his game in the playoffs. That’s not to say he’s bad, indeed as we all know he’s usually awesome (with the exception of the Denver game).

 

No, the reason I say he needs to up his game to get us to the big game is because I have no confidence in the defence suddenly becoming a monster QB hunting pack like the Seahawks this year, the eagles the year before, the buccs when they beat the chiefs etc… Yes there’s a new DC, but the talent just isn’t there imo.

 

So we need to win 38-35, 42-38… whatever it is Josh will just need to outscore the opposition which he hasn’t managed to do in the last 3 years (not his fault, he shouldn’t have to). Basically we need superman to become superman * 2 because I don’t see enough difference makers anywhere else (in particular in defence) sadly 

Not from me you aren't 

Edited Tuesday at 01:21 AM by JP51

[nedboy7]

Moore and Chubb. 

[EssexBill]

8 hours ago, JohnNord said:

No argument from me!   There’s a real lack of difference makers on defense.  Beane has drafted many good…not great players.  That’s why it drove me crazy to hear Terry sign his praises.  
 

Along with the lack of high end talent on defense, there’s been some bad injury luck.  Key players on an average defense injured in the postseason.  I can think of 1 player over the last 4 postseasons on offense who missed time (Gabe in 2023)

 

All this to say, when the dust settled… despite the lack of talent and the untimely injuries on defense, the (mostly) healthy offense was in a scenario every QB/OC/WR dreams of.

 

They had the ball last with a chance to end the game with a TD… in Denver it was a FG.  The offense hasn’t gotten it done since since 2021.  
 

Say what you will but you need your elite, generational QB and offensive “masterminds OC to score the TD and win that game. 

I give Josh a pass for the Denver game, yes he committed the turnovers but at the end he threw an absolute dime to Cooks which should have won us the game (was it or wasn’t it a catch is a discussion that’s been done to death, but the throw was into Cooks hands so can’t blame Josh for it).

 

The two KC games the years before are the ones where if it had been the other way round then Mahomes would have got it done but Josh didn’t. Blame the Defence for giving up too much if you like, but we had the ball to win the game both times. Mahomes or Brady get it done in those situations (Mahomes didn’t have many weapons either), as of yet Josh hasn’t. 

Edited Tuesday at 06:22 AM by EssexBill