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2. Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo: Jackson was on his way to a Pro Bowl season until a fractured fibula ended his year after 10 games. His productivity was a big reason behind the Bills' early optimism (they started 5-2) and his absence was just as relevant when Buffalo lost five of its last six games.
Jackson had six 100-yard rushing games before the injury. He caught 39 passes to give the Bills a versatile weapon out of the backfield. It's obvious that Buffalo needs better defense to be a playoff contender, but you can't discount the importance of having this guy in the mix as well.
Impact: Jackson rushes for 1,200 yards, catches 50 passes and helps the Bills compete for a playoff spot.
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7. Mario Williams, DE, Buffalo: The Bills signed the biggest defensive name on the free-agent market earlier this offseason. Now all they need is for him to play up to a $100 million contract that makes him the highest-paid defender in NFL history.
Williams missed 11 games in Houston last season after tearing a pectoral muscle in a Week 5 loss to Oakland. The only upside from that year is what Williams did when he was playing. He had five sacks in five games after moving from defensive end to outside linebacker in the Texans' 3-4 scheme. Now that he's moving back to end in a 4-3 system -- and his preferred spot on the left side -- he should give the Bills the intimidating edge presence they've coveted since Bruce Smith left.
Impact: Williams became a Pro Bowl-level pass-rusher in Houston without much help around him early in his career (he had a total of 26 sacks between 2007 and 2008). He'll be better on a Bills defensive line that also will feature sturdy tacklers Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus.
Jackson had six 100-yard rushing games before the injury. He caught 39 passes to give the Bills a versatile weapon out of the backfield. It's obvious that Buffalo needs better defense to be a playoff contender, but you can't discount the importance of having this guy in the mix as well.
Impact: Jackson rushes for 1,200 yards, catches 50 passes and helps the Bills compete for a playoff spot.
...
7. Mario Williams, DE, Buffalo: The Bills signed the biggest defensive name on the free-agent market earlier this offseason. Now all they need is for him to play up to a $100 million contract that makes him the highest-paid defender in NFL history.
Williams missed 11 games in Houston last season after tearing a pectoral muscle in a Week 5 loss to Oakland. The only upside from that year is what Williams did when he was playing. He had five sacks in five games after moving from defensive end to outside linebacker in the Texans' 3-4 scheme. Now that he's moving back to end in a 4-3 system -- and his preferred spot on the left side -- he should give the Bills the intimidating edge presence they've coveted since Bruce Smith left.
Impact: Williams became a Pro Bowl-level pass-rusher in Houston without much help around him early in his career (he had a total of 26 sacks between 2007 and 2008). He'll be better on a Bills defensive line that also will feature sturdy tacklers Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus.
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