Ranking the Bills’ top offensive players among their NFL peers

AFC Divisional Playoffs - Kansas City Chiefs v Buffalo Bills — Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

Where do the Bills’ main offensive pieces rank among the NFL best at their respective positions? Here’s my list, plus, catch up with the latest edition of Leading the Charge!

The Buffalo Bills have had a lot of success on the offensive side of the ball, fielding a unit that finished in the top five in total yards during each of the last four years. Despite the obvious production, it’s never been a start-studded group, with star quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs leading the charge — but with some inconsistent pieces being relied on beyond them.

With Diggs losing relevancy during the lead-up to Joe Brady’s ascension as offensive coordinator and now gone for good, the door’s wide open for guys like tight end Dalton Kincaid and wide receiver Khalil Shakir to take over and make a name for themselves as top-notch NFL players. Where do they rank among their NFL peers right now, though? Closing this two-article series, after looking at the defense, it’s time to answer the same questions about the offense.

Quarterback

Top-ranked Bills player: Josh Allen

Some have him as high as the clear QB2 in the NFL, behind the more successful Patrick Mahomes. Others have him as “the most overrated” player in the league and not among the NFL’s best.

The truth is, there’s a better case for Josh Allen being equal, or even better than Mahomes (and I already talked about it in the past) than for not including him among the top three quarterbacks playing today. Allen’s production is undeniable, even more so in the playoffs where his coaches and teammates have let him down on the way of not having, at least, a Super Bowl appearance by now, and not the other way around.

I can totally understand Mahomes being ranked ahead due to his accolades, alongside Andy Reid and his team. Other than that, Joe Burrow is the only other player who could be in the discussion. However, Josh clearly has put up the most impressive playoff performances when you isolate QB play, not being able to rely on his teammates as Burrow has done. Add the recent injury status, and it takes Burrow out of the conversation, for now.

I’m a big Lamar Jackson guy, but c’mon. Despite his explosiveness as an elite-level athlete, he’s nowhere near Josh’s level as a quarterback.

Players I’d surely take over him: None.

Maybe: None.

Josh Allen’s NFL rank: Top 2 (and he’s not 2, but people aren’t ready for this conversation).

Running Back

Top-ranked Bills player: James Cook

James Cook is coming from his first full season as the RB1 for the Bills and it was a very successful one, where he finished inside the top three among running backs in all-purpose yards, behind just Christian McCaffrey and Breece Hall. With that said, I can still think of at least 10 running backs I’d take over him right now.

The former Georgia Bulldog is trending in the right direction and he certainly has the potential to break through the top 10, maybe even the top-five barrier — if he can be efficient as a pass blocker to stay on the field during two-minute drills, and especially clean up his drops, he should be able to get there. Those are two big question marks, though. Time will tell.

Players I’d surely take over him: Derrick Henry (BAL), Christian McCaffrey (SF), Nick Chubb (CLE), Bijan Robinson (ATL), Jonathan Taylor (IND), Breece Hall (NYJ), Saquon Barkley (PHI), Josh Jacobs (GB), Aaron Jones (MIN), Alvin Kamara (NO), Travis Etienne (JAC).

Maybe: Kenneth Walker III (SEA), David Montgomery (DET), Jahmyr Gibbs (DET), Tony Pollard (TEN), Raheem Mostert (MIA), Kyren Williams (LAR), Najee Harris (PIT), James Conner (ARI).

James Cook’s NFL rank: top 20

Tight End

Top-ranked Bills player: Dalton Kincaid

The second-year player out of Utah has emerged as one of the top pass-catching tight ends in the league, coming from a very good first season that just isn’t talked about enough because of another rookie tight end putting up an even more impressive one for Detroit.

Kincaid has been the Bills’ top pass catcher since Brady took over the OC duties, and now without Stefon Diggs in the fold anymore, should be poised for even more looks in 2024. His hands, athleticism, and smarts are elite for the position and with how smooth and precise he is when running his routes, it’s hard not to get excited about what’s ahead for him in a Bills uniform.

Players I’d surely take over him: Travis Kelce (KC), George Kittle (SF).

Maybe: Mark Andrews (BAL), T.J. Hockenson (MIN), Sam LaPorta (DET), Kyle Pitts (ATL), Evan Engram (JAC).

Dalton Kincaid’s NFL rank: Top eight

Wide Receiver

Top-ranked Bills player: Curtis Samuel / Khalil Shakir

It’s a bit difficult to define the clear-cut Bills WR1 right now — Khalil Shakir has been emerging as the guy since last season and is my best bet, but it’s fair to have Curtis Samuel in the conversation since he’s produced longer. Then, rookie Keon Coleman seems ready for the spotlight and it wouldn’t surprise many people if he quickly becomes Josh Allen’s favorite target and finishes the year as the number-one guy in the room.

With that said, these rankings focus on “right now” and solely on this. I’m not considering potential or contract values, it’s all about if you have to win a game right now, who would you pick? I don’t think the Bills’ group of wide receivers would be high on many people’s lists, at least, not “right now.” There are plenty of big names and proven, highly productive players ahead of them in the league.

Players I’d surely take over them: Justin Jefferson (MIN), Davante Adams (LV), Tyreek Hill (MIA), CeDee Lamb (DAL), Ja’marr Chase (CIN), A.J. Brown (PHI), Mike Evans (TB), Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET), Cooper Kupp (LAR), Deebo Samuel (SF), D.K. Metcalf (SEA), DeAndre Hopkins (TEN), Puka Nacua (LAR), Terry McLaurin (WAS), Brandon Ayuk (SF), Tee Higgins (CIN), D.J. Moore (CHI), Nico Collins (HOU), Garrett Wilson (NYJ), Marvin Harrison Jr. (ARI), Malik Nabers (NYG), Jaylen Waddle (MIA), Keenan Allen (CHI), Drake London (ATL), Rome Odunze (CHI), Amari Cooper (CLE), Stefon Diggs (HOU), DeVonta Smith (PHI), Jordan Addison (MIN), Chris Olave (NO), George Pickens (PIT).

Maybe: Michael Pittman Jr. (IND), Rashee Rice (KC), Hollywood Brown (KC), Jameson Williams (DET), Brandin Cooks (DAL), Zay Flowers (BAL), Tank Dell (HOU), Chris Godwin (TB), Calvin Ridley (TEN), Courtland Sutton (DEN), Tyler Lockett (SEA), Jaxson Smith-Njigba (SEA), Mike Williams (NYJ), Romeu Doubs (GB), Christian Watson (GB), Jayden Reed (GB).

Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir’s NFL rank: Top 50

Offensive Lineman

Top-ranked Bills player: Dion Dawkins

The “Shnowman” certainly is the most-talented, experienced, and reliable Bills offensive lineman on the team’s roster, especially now that long-time center Mitch Morse isn’t there anymore. Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, and Spencer Brown are younger and have been trending in the right direction, but it’s obvious that Dawkins must lead this group going forward.

The former second-round pick from Temple is coming off his best season as a pro — one in which he finally seemed to be able to put together great conditioning, excellent skills, and the right mindset in favor of the team. This version of Dion Dawkins is one of the best offensive linemen in the entire league, one that the team desperately needs to continue to hold himself at a high standard.

Players I’d surely take over him: Trent Williams (SF), Tristan Wirfs (TB), Penei Sewell (DET), Lane Johnson (PHI), Christian Darrisaw (MIN), Rashaw Slater (LAC), Leremy Tunsil (HOU), Jordan Mailata (PHI), Tyron Smith (NYJ), Terron Armstead (MIA), Andrew Thomas (NYG), Ronnie Stanley (BAL).

Maybe: Garret Bolles (DEN), Kolton Miller (LV), Orlando Brown Jr. (CIN), Zach Tom (GB).

Dion Dawkins’ NFL rank: Top-15 OT, top-25 OL.

Final thoughts

Just like on the defensive side of the ball, the Buffalo Bills’ offense clearly isn’t loaded with blue-chip talent all across the board — it’s a solid, dependable group of players, ready to be elevated by its unicorn quarterback and good coaching. There’s potential to be developed into new NFL stars but they have to prove themselves with all the spotlights going their way now. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s schemes also should play a major role in their development.

Overall, Buffalo has a great, top-notch QB1, some intriguing good young players, some solid, dependable veterans, and, overall, good coaching. Josh Allen can make them contenders almost by himself, but when this team faces the cream of the crop, coaching has to evolve from good to great, and some of those good players have to step up and elevate their games when it matters the most. It’s a team sport, no matter how good a quarterback is. He can’t do it all by himself. Nobody has done it, despite what some people like to believe.

Catch up with all this and more within my latest edition of Leading the Charge!