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

[colin]

i've read on here (and written myself) the separator between us and a chip is a lack of elite level play.  There are lots of guys on the team who could make a great impact playing better than they have before, but in terms of who could possibly give us elite play and have not, i think it's a slam dunk

 

1.  On O Kinkaid.  he's looked great at times, but most of the time he's been hurt.  49 targets on a season and limping a bit in the playoffs is simply not elite.  You have to be in the game to win the game.  if he can have an nfl average number of healthy regular season games (what's that, 15 of 17?) and a healthy post season he has an outstanding chance of flirting with the title of the best TE in the game.  He'd need to get like 6-8 targets a game, including the playoffs, and have somewhat similar success per target (where he was the best in the nfl w 49 fricken targets).  he's easily the best player vs man who was on the roster last season (moore gives me hope there too tho).

 

2.  On D, it's Oliver and it's not close.  Harriston needs to be healthy and emerge as our CB 2 for sure.  He showed some real flashes last season.  I hear the Groot call outs, but he was our best or 2nd best player on D last season.  he was a close millisecond/ref call from a strip sack vs denver, that mighta got us to the afc chip game right there.  Oliver was a no show (he played some snaps and was not ready to play for any of them).  Oliver is our highest draft pick on D, and while he has not been consistent (great 23 season, cheeks for 24 until he came on super strong at the end, looked like an all pro for like 3 or 4 total games in 25) he has shown the highest albeit short lived ceiling.  if he can be healthy and leonhard is as good as advertised he could be our most elite guy upfront.  hoyt might get honorable mention but really he just looked dominant for the pre season and not even two games.  if he's 100% he, groot, chubb, and walker can provide disruption out of our new scheme, but oliver getting to top form puts the group over the top.

 

 

IMO these are the two guys who are closest to elite who i think have a good chance of getting there, and who produced way below that level recently.

[Pete]

Hairston and Roos.  

[SoCal Deek]

11 hours ago, nedboy7 said:

Moore and Chubb. 

Very good! So many on here have immediately listed players who were on last year’s roster but I think you nailed it here. If Moore and Chubb make a difference on offense and defense it’ll be far more impactful in 2026. 

[chris heff]

22 hours ago, Fan in Chicago said:

Good thread. As you asked for two, I will pick Rousseau and Coleman.

Rousseau has been good but if the new scheme allows him to get after the QB with more consistency, we will have a very good chance to become the #1 pass defense.

Coleman - for all the reasons stated ad nauseum. If he magically becomes the modern Moulds who broke out in his third year, we will have an excellent combination of Moore-Coleman-Shakir. (this does not preclude us from drafting a WR in few days because hope is not a strategy

 

Runners up:

- Kincaid: I didnt name him because his concerns are more about availability than "stepping up his game". He is excellent when he plays healthy

- Oliver: Even setting aside his past injury-plagued season, he has to consistently dominate. He is one of the best players at his position in the league but I just get the feeling he only does said domination occasionally. Simon can come and beat me over the head for this but I really feel he should perform at 85-90% of Aaron Donald given where he was picked and the ability that he possesses. 

I was just thinking about the Moulds/Coleman comparison, Moulds was considered a bust after first two seasons. Moulds fell in the draft because of “character issues”, the issues were more immaturity than anything else. Sounds familiar doesn’t it.

[JP51]

4 hours ago, SoCal Deek said:

Very good! So many on here have immediately listed players who were on last year’s roster but I think you nailed it here. If Moore and Chubb make a difference on offense and defense it’ll be far more impactful in 2026. 

This is excellent... I never even thought of Chubb... but this would be an epic one if he could come in and play more dominant than Miller or Bosa.... 

3 hours ago, chris heff said:

I was just thinking about the Moulds/Coleman comparison, Moulds was considered a bust after first two seasons. Moulds fell in the draft because of “character issues”, the issues were more immaturity than anything else. Sounds familiar doesn’t it.

Oh let us pray... if Coleman turns out to be anything like Moulds that is a huge win. 

[JP51]

21 hours 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.

 

So some people say Josh especially in the playoffs... I wasnt thinking that they needed to play badly I was looking at people with the capability to elevate... so, I feel like DK has had some injury issues and still produced respectively, imagine if he became a top 5 TE in this league and teams needed to game plan for him, I think that would absolutely elevate our offense, so I dont disagree he hasnt played poorly but imagine if he took the next step or two... Your Coleman answer I also feel is a great one imagine if he turned himself from a net liability to a solid asset, that would be huge.... or even back to the first statement, Josh elevates his playoff play... how big that would be... so there to me is no right or wrong... just different perspective...  it was a slow time lol... was looking for good discussion... 

Edited Tuesday at 05:22 PM by JP51

[Success]

Rousseau has the talent to be a household name around the league. He can be dominant - we saw it in that Browns game.  He needs to be more consistent.

 

I'll go w/ Kincaid as my 2nd player.  He has also shown flashes of being elite, but he needs to be an every game guy.  He could be our Kelce.

 

[JerseyBills]

On 4/6/2026 at 10:19 AM, LEBills said:

Kincaid and Hairston imo

Both were injured and a valuable piece when on the field 

 

If this question includes injuries,  I agree

[Clyde Smith]

Groot and Palmer 

[BillsShredder83]

23 hours ago, GASabresIUFan said:

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.  

Soloman is a good pick. We've already had him in NFL strength program, and had time to adjust to the speed.

 

He'll finally have good DL coaching (better at minimum), and the kid is BUILT FOR 3-4. I know hes a 5th rd'er and im not depending on him, but I think very well he could be one of our surprise positives this year.

 

Dude had a knack for finishing in college (despite being in SunBelt). I think he should be the happiest on defense about the change from anyone

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Great thread. Some very good posts.

 

Nedboy7 picked my top 2 already!

 

Moore - He's best WR talent Bills have had second to Diggs during the Allen era.  If he can put up 1200 yards the offense should be elite.

 

Chubb - He's the only guy on the DL currently on the roster that will actually be playing his natural position.  Bills need him to get double digits in sacks.  I chose him over Groot because just as I lost faith in Knox rising to elite level so have I with Groot.  He disappears for long stretches of seasons.  I'm not counting on him making much of an impact at OLB.

 

Honorable mentions:

Oliver - when healthy he can be very disruptive.  Maybe playing at DE more often he will face fewer double teams and stay healthy.  I'm not counting on it and I have been critical of taking him in the draft, his extension, and his play during most of his career here.  But he makes plays more than other guys on the DL and maybe the subtle position change makes a big difference. 

 

Kincaid - again, when healthy he transforms the offense.  Chronic knee issues make it unlikely he will reach his potential. I just don't think they can count on him to be there all year, and I hope they draft WR in round 1 and use Cook in the pass game more.  

 

Hairston - Benford is a nice corner but he's not elite. Hairston has elite speed and my hope is by mid-season he has improved to the point he is a true shut down corner that can mirror a team's #1 WR.  

 

 

[BillsShredder83]

5 hours ago, chris heff said:

I was just thinking about the Moulds/Coleman comparison, Moulds was considered a bust after first two seasons. Moulds fell in the draft because of “character issues”, the issues were more immaturity than anything else. Sounds familiar doesn’t it.

I dont think Keon is a guy pouring over with physical talent either.

 

Either way let's hope that him and Mcd not butting heads is part of the reason he elevates his game.

 

I have no hope for Keon, I dont think Beane does either, but I believe Joe Brady has been sincere in his hopes for him. I dunno what he sees, we're not there at practice. If BRADY'S taps even reasonable WR#3 play out of him, it'll be stunning.

 

Im not buying into it till I see it in games, but let's hope Brady is right.

[JP51]

18 hours ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Great thread. Some very good posts.

 

Nedboy7 picked my top 2 already!

 

Moore - He's best WR talent Bills have had second to Diggs during the Allen era.  If he can put up 1200 yards the offense should be elite.

 

Chubb - He's the only guy on the DL currently on the roster that will actually be playing his natural position.  Bills need him to get double digits in sacks.  I chose him over Groot because just as I lost faith in Knox rising to elite level so have I with Groot.  He disappears for long stretches of seasons.  I'm not counting on him making much of an impact at OLB.

 

Honorable mentions:

Oliver - when healthy he can be very disruptive.  Maybe playing at DE more often he will face fewer double teams and stay healthy.  I'm not counting on it and I have been critical of taking him in the draft, his extension, and his play during most of his career here.  But he makes plays more than other guys on the DL and maybe the subtle position change makes a big difference. 

 

Kincaid - again, when healthy he transforms the offense.  Chronic knee issues make it unlikely he will reach his potential. I just don't think they can count on him to be there all year, and I hope they draft WR in round 1 and use Cook in the pass game more.  

 

Hairston - Benford is a nice corner but he's not elite. Hairston has elite speed and my hope is by mid-season he has improved to the point he is a true shut down corner that can mirror a team's #1 WR.  

 

 

Lots a Chubb responses coming in lately... he totally skipped my mind... but a dominant BC would be huge for this D.... 

[JP51]

19 hours ago, BillsShredder83 said:

I dont think Keon is a guy pouring over with physical talent either.

 

Either way let's hope that him and Mcd not butting heads is part of the reason he elevates his game.

 

I have no hope for Keon, I dont think Beane does either, but I believe Joe Brady has been sincere in his hopes for him. I dunno what he sees, we're not there at practice. If BRADY'S taps even reasonable WR#3 play out of him, it'll be stunning.

 

Im not buying into it till I see it in games, but let's hope Brady is right.

I just dont have a lot of hope for Keon... but I have been wrong... so I am at I hope I can hope LOL 

[papazoid]

Josh & DJ Moore

[Special K]

People saying Kincaid, but he doesn't need to step up his play.....he just needs to make sure that step doesn't turn into a limp. If he can stay fully healthy for the whole year, he's a Top 5 TE for sure.

[dgrochester55]

Dalton Kincaid and Ed Oliver.

 

There are many to pick from, but Allen cant do it all on his own and we need others to step up to star level like James Cook has started to do.  Kincaid and Oliver are closer to that then most in my opinion, as have shown flashes that they could play at that level, but need to be more healthy and/or consistent to get there.

Edited Wednesday at 07:36 PM by dgrochester55

[JP51]

21 hours ago, Special K said:

People saying Kincaid, but he doesn't need to step up his play.....he just needs to make sure that step doesn't turn into a limp. If he can stay fully healthy for the whole year, he's a Top 5 TE for sure.

I think the concept of Kincaid is one that says injuries have limited, production has been over all ok but not earth shattering, but this is a guy who has the capacity to up his game to a point that he can make a significant effect on the outcome of the offensive performance... So, I am not looking to Tre White to step it to another level, or Dawson Knox, both of which played well... Basically, Kincaid has not hit his ceiling yet and if he does it can be a tremendous benefit. 

[JP51]

On 4/7/2026 at 9:27 AM, chris heff said:

I was just thinking about the Moulds/Coleman comparison, Moulds was considered a bust after first two seasons. Moulds fell in the draft because of “character issues”, the issues were more immaturity than anything else. Sounds familiar doesn’t it.

I am hoping this is a great comparison, I am not sure that Coleman has the same strength and speed as Moulds...  but we can hope. 

[corta765]

I am assuming we are talking about even our new additions so it is quite simple:

 

DJ Moore
Groot Or Chubb Or Both

 

Moore was the type of WR you needed vs DEN or teams like HOU who open the field and don't allow the defense to sit on you all game. Against DEN they win that game simply because he makes the catches.

 

Groot/Chubb would be elevating to true game wrecker fashion which alters the defense in a way we have not had at edge at any point minus the first 8 games with Von. IF either or both can up their game to that your in the big dance. This has been a forever issue.