Where have the upgrades come this offseason?
The last time I wrote this article, Bills Mafia was in a tizzy about the potential addition of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Once again, this offseason has been dominated by discussion around the wide receiver position for the Buffalo Bills. The departures of former All-Pro Stefon Diggs and veteran Gabe Davis have given room for the narrative to center around newcomers Keon Coleman and Curtis Samuel alongside the potential rise of promising tight end Dalton Kincaid.
But has the offensive roster, on paper, actually improved? As we do every year, we’ll dive into the year-over-year changes to the team.
We’ll take each offensive position room and assign it a label of increased or decreased talent on paper versus the depth chart as it existed on 6/1/2023.
No assumptions of 2024 development will be made. These labels will be “meaningful upgrade,” “somewhat of an upgrade,” “somewhat of a downgrade,” “meaningful downgrade,” and “push.”
Quarterback in 2024
- Josh Allen
- Mitchell Trubisky
- Shane Buechele
Quarterback in 2023
- Josh Allen
- Kyle Allen
- Matt Barkley
Verdict: somewhat of an upgrade.
Mitchell Trubisky has more starting experience in the league than Kyle Allen and although I wouldn’t classify the Bills’ backup quarterback situation as being “stellar,” general manager Brandon Beane continues to float at the position with reasonable veterans. Having Trubisky under contract for two seasons instead of one means the team may not have to rotate its backup again next offseason.
Running back in 2024
- James Cook
- Ray Davis
- Ty Johnson
- Darrynton Evans
- Frank Gore, Jr.
Running back in 2023
- James Cook
- Damien Harris
- Latavius Murray
- Nyheim Hines
- Jordan Mims
- Isaiah Bowser
Verdict: push
Injuries to Hines and Harris last year may cloud the fact that they were talented players within the room. I’m a fan of rookie Ray Davis and veteran Ty Johnson played well in his role last year, but the absence of reliable vet players may show up in pass protection from the room.
Wide receiver in 2024
- Curtis Samuel
- Khalil Shakir
- Keon Coleman
- Mack Hollins
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Chase Claypool
- Justin Shorter
- KJ Hamler
- Andy Isabella
- Tyrell Shavers
- Bryan Thompson
- Lawrence Keys
- Xavier Johnson
Wide receiver in 2023
- Stefon Diggs
- Gabe Davis
- Deonte Harty
- Trent Sherfield
- Khalil Shakir
- Justin Shorter
- Isaiah Coulter
- Dezmon Patmon
- KeeSean Johnson
- Tyrell Shavers
- Marcell Ateman
- Bryan Thompson
- Jalen Wayne
Verdict: somewhat of a downgrade
The Bills lost a top player at the wide receiver position and didn’t add a top player at the wide receiver position. They’ll seek to replace that production in the aggregate using a combination of Samuel and Coleman, with potentially increased roles for Shakir and the aforementioned tight end Dalton Kincaid. Valdes-Scantling and Hollins provide veteran depth on the outside. The room may actually be deeper than it was in 2023, with veterans with proven ability to contribute extending out to the number-five spot on the depth chart. If the Bills keep six, there could be a special teams battle for that only available spot.
Tight end in 2024
- Dalton Kincaid
- Dawson Knox
- Quintin Morris
- Tre McKitty
- Zach Davidson
Tight end in 2023
- Dalton Kincaid
- Dawson Knox
- Quintin Morris
- Zach Davidson
- Joel Wilson
Verdict: push
A reminder that “development hoped for” is not part of this exercise. The room is almost identical to this time last year, so it gets a “push.”
Offensive line in 2024
- Dion Dawkins
- David Edwards
- Connor McGovern
- O’Cyrus Torrence
- Spencer Brown
- Ryan Van Demark
- Alec Anderson
- Sedrick Van-Pran Granger
- Kevin Jarvis
- La’el Collins
- Tylan Grable
- Keaton Bills
- Will Clapp
- Gunner Britton
- Tommy Doyle
- Richard Gouraige
- Mike Edwards
- Travis Clayton
Offensive line in 2023
- Dion Dawkins
- Connor McGovern
- Mitch Morse
- Ryan Bates
- Spencer Brown
- Tommy Doyle
- David Edwards
- Greg Mancz
- O’Cyrus Torrence
- David Quessenberry
- Ryan Van Demark
- Nick Broeker
- Ike Boettger
- Brandon Shell
- Richard Gouraige
- Kevin Jarvis
- Alec Anderson
Verdict: somewhat of a downgrade
Mitch Morse, who played at a high level in 2023, and versatile backup Ryan Bates are gone from the room. Will Clapp and V-PG are the two notable pieces to come in, with Grable and Clayton not expected to contribute meaningfully in 2024. Like many aspects of the roster, the Bills are banking on development. In this case, eyes will be on Alec Anderson and Ryan Van Demark to continue their trajectory to becoming trusted pieces along the line.
Overall offensive position rooms verdict: somewhat of a downgrade
I’m not sure you can, in good faith, say the Bills’ roster has a greater sum of talent on the offensive side of the ball than it did at this time last year. Too many sure things have departed and left in their place question marks, whether upper or lower case.
Many comments have been made from pundits about this being a “reset” year for the Bills, and that’s reflected in their banking on development in keys areas. If that development hits more often than not, the Bills could be set up in a position where this discussion next offseason is very different.
Exciting young players like Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir, and Connor McGovern are getting their opportunities to step into more prominent roles on the team and if they all prove up to the challenge, this team will be well-positioned to continue making playoff runs with the hopes of competing for the championship.
...and that’s the way the cookie crumbles. I’m Bruce Nolan with Buffalo Rumblings. You can find me on Twitter and Instagram @BruceExclusive!