2019 NFL Power Rankings: Who heads into summer at No. 1?
By Ian Cummings
No. 17 – Buffalo Bills
So the Bills are ahead of the Steelers. This isn’t just boldness for the sake of being bold.
Okay, it kind of is, but people are seriously sleeping on the Buffalo Bills, and the potential that the team holds in 2019. Let’s clarify right now: Josh Allen isn’t going to simply become an accurate passer overnight. But even with his limitations, from a polish standpoint, his athleticism and arm strength provides the team with a dynamic talent, and if Brian Daboll can continue to mold a beneficial system around him, Allen could be dangerous.
The Bills and Brandon Beane did well to form a solid supporting cast around Allen in the offseason of 2019, adding potential starters on the offensive line in Mitch Morse, Ty Nsekhe, Quinton Spain, and Spencer Long. They also managed to steal Oklahoma offensive tackle Cody Ford in the second round of the NFL Draft, and last year’s mid-round pick Wyatt Teller is expected to factor into the starting equation as well.
Pressure was an issue for Allen last season, as pressure bred the most inconsistent play from him. Now, the Bills’ line has more starting talent and more depth, and it’ll allow Allen to better use his new cast of weapons around him; a cast which now includes John Brown, Cole Beasley, Robert Foster, Zay Jones, and Dawson Knox. Buffalo’s offense isn’t without warts, but the unique skill sets present allow Daboll to be creative, and thus far, he’s been exactly that. It bodes well for the team’s upside.
All this, and we haven’t mentioned the defense yet. The Bills added Ed Oliver in Round 1 of the 2019 NFL Draft, making the only conceivable weakness of their defense suddenly a strength. Now, the Bills have Oliver and Jordan Phillips as athletic talents on the interior, as well as Jerry Hughes and Trent Murphy crashing the edge, along with the ageless Lorenzo Alexander.
On the second level, Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds are rising stars, and Vosean Joseph has the upside to play well next to them. The best part of the Bills’ defense, however, is the secondary. Tre’Davious White is a top five cornerback in the NFL, and Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer have a case to be named one of the best safety duos in the league as well.
In short, the Bills’ defense is borderline elite, with a stout defensive mind in Sean McDermott making the calls, and the Bills’ offense has enticing potential. Allen will need to reign in his reckless style for them to reach their potential, but the team is on the right track around him.