Buffalo Bills Playoff Hopes Will Ride on Doug Whaley's 2016 Defensive Draft Picks

[BillsImpossible]

The 2016 NFL Draft is the most important in Doug Whaley's short career as General Manager of the Buffalo Bills.

Whaley was right when he said the Bills would not be making any big free agency moves this offseason, an offseason that has been very boring compared to last year's fireworks display of signings like Charles Clay, Percy Harvin, and LeSean McCoy.

The big free agency moves paid off for the Bills offense as they finished 13th overall last year.

The Bills really don't have many holes to fill on offense except at the 2nd WR position (maybe) and the right tackle position (maybe).

Harvin could renegotiate his contract and play in 2016, and the latest news on Seantrel Henderson is encouraging.

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/seantrel-henderson-player-news

The Bills feel that Henderson, who is working through a battle with Crohn's disease that sidelined him the last four games, will be able to participate in training camp, BuffaloBills.com reports. "We got some positive news about his health," said GM Doug Whaley. "So we believe he may be able to be in that right tackle position at the start of camp."

The Bills offense wasn't healthy nor were they all on the same page mentally until after the Jacksonville debacle in London mid season.

I expect the Bills offense to be even better in 2016.

No matter how good the offense is, their defense will be the deciding factor when it comes to making the playoffs for the fist time in 17 years, or not.

Rex Ryan must replace Mario Williams and Nigel Bradham with two rookies that are going to have to learn a complicated new defense.

The Bills finished 19th in overall defense last year.

To make the jump from 19th to a top 10 overall defense (and a playoff berth) requires Doug Whaley to nail his draft picks in the same way he hit big on Darby, Miller, and Williams in the 2015 draft.

The good news for Bills fans is that the 2016 NFL Draft is "Loaded With Defensive Talent"

http://www.examiner.com/article/2016-nfl-draft-loaded-with-defensive-talent-1

Can Doug Whaley hit the draft trifecta (boxed) again?

Ed Reed, Rex Ryan, and Rob Ryan think he can.

[Mace]

I'm just hoping he can get 2 real starters in a draft that can stay healthy a full season.

[justasportsfan]

We're screwed if we're depending on a bunch of rookies to get to the playoffs. Any Von Miller's out there when we pick?I mean Von Miller from last year's superbowl game

[coastal]

17

[SpikedLemonade]

This team is further away from making the play-offs then it was last year at this time.

The schedule we face this year is much more difficult than last year's.

Finally, I have lost complete faith in Rex and I will patiently await his eventual departure.

[coastal]

This team is further away from making the play-offs then it was last year at this time.

The schedule we face this year is much more difficult than last year's.

Finally, I have lost complete faith in Rex and I will patiently await his eventual departure.time to tank

[BillsImpossible]

This team is further away from making the play-offs then it was last year at this time.

The schedule we face this year is much more difficult than last year's.

Finally, I have lost complete faith in Rex and I will patiently await his eventual departure.

I think the Bills are a lot closer to earning a playoff berth in 2016 compared to last year. The offense has serious top 10 potential.

The schedule isn't an issue either.

http://www.buffalorumblings.com/buffalo-bills-news/2015/12/27/10671832/buffalo-bills-2016-opponents-jaguars-raiders-afc-north-nfc-west

Home games

New England Patriots (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/new-england-patriots) (12-3)
New York Jets (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/new-york-jets) (10-5)
Miami Dolphins (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/miami-dolphins) (5-10)
Pittsburgh Steelers (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/pittsburgh-steelers) (9-6)
Cleveland Browns (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/cleveland-browns) (3-12)
Arizona Cardinals (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/arizona-cardinals) (13-2)
San Francisco 49ers (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-francisco-49ers) (4-11)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/jacksonville-jaguars) (5-10)

Road games

New England Patriots (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/new-england-patriots) (12-3)
New York Jets (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/new-york-jets) (10-5)
Miami Dolphins (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/miami-dolphins) (5-10)
Cincinnati Bengals (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/cincinnati-bengals) (11-3)
Baltimore Ravens (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/baltimore-ravens) (5-10)
St. Louis Rams (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams) (7-8)
Seattle Seahawks (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/seattle-seahawks) (9-6)
Oakland Raiders (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders) (7-8)

Minus the Bills division foes...

Home games - Steelers and Cardinals pose the biggest threat.

Away games - Seattle looks tough, maybe Oakland. The Bengals beat the Bills at home two years in a row. I'm glad the Bills play the Bengals in Cincinnati.

How can you lose 'complete faith' in a coach after his first year?

Rex Ryan deserves the benefit of the doubt. Mario Williams selfishly quit on him, and the team.

Rex Ryan doesn't get any credit for bringing Tyrod Taylor to Buffalo.

Don't lose faith now! We've come far too long to bail out and give up.

I don't think it is unreasonable to think that Doug Whaley will draft a starting rookie defensive lineman, and a starting rookie linebacker in Sweet 16'.

[Mace]

I think the Bills are a lot closer to earning a playoff berth in 2016 compared to last year. The offense has serious top 10 potential.

The schedule isn't an issue either.

http://www.buffalorumblings.com/buffalo-bills-news/2015/12/27/10671832/buffalo-bills-2016-opponents-jaguars-raiders-afc-north-nfc-west

Home games



New England Patriots (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/new-england-patriots) (12-3)
New York Jets (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/new-york-jets) (10-5)
Miami Dolphins (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/miami-dolphins) (5-10)
Pittsburgh Steelers (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/pittsburgh-steelers) (9-6)
Cleveland Browns (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/cleveland-browns) (3-12)
Arizona Cardinals (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/arizona-cardinals) (13-2)
San Francisco 49ers (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-francisco-49ers) (4-11)
Jacksonville Jaguars (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/jacksonville-jaguars) (5-10)

Road games



New England Patriots (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/new-england-patriots) (12-3)
New York Jets (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/new-york-jets) (10-5)
Miami Dolphins (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/miami-dolphins) (5-10)
Cincinnati Bengals (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/cincinnati-bengals) (11-3)
Baltimore Ravens (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/baltimore-ravens) (5-10)
St. Louis Rams (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams) (7-8)
Seattle Seahawks (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/seattle-seahawks) (9-6)
Oakland Raiders (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders) (7-8)

Minus the Bills division foes...

Home games - Steelers and Cardinals pose the biggest threat.

Away games - Seattle looks tough, maybe Oakland. The Bengals beat the Bills at home two years in a row. I'm glad the Bills play the Bengals in Cincinnati.

How can you lose 'complete faith' in a coach after his first year?

Rex Ryan deserves the benefit of the doubt. Mario Williams selfishly quit on him, and the team.

Rex Ryan doesn't get any credit for bringing Tyrod Taylor to Buffalo.

Don't lose faith now! We've come far too long to bail out and give up.

I don't think it is unreasonable to think that Doug Whaley will draft a starting rookie defensive lineman, and a starting rookie linebacker in Sweet 16'.

Looks like 7-9 to me, they'll lose a game I figured they'd win too, so 6-10.

[BillsImpossible]

Henderson on track, Bills unlikely to add top RT competitor
http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2016/3/21/11275198/henderson-on-track-bills-unlikely-to-add-top-rt-competitor

The Bills are not likely to be drafting a right tackle any time soon after receiving good news about Seantrel Henderson.

Jordan Mills looks like the backup.

Continuity among the Bills offensive line remains in tact, leaving plenty of room for Doug Whaley to go heavy on defense come Thursday, April 28th.

[Ginger Vitis]

Continuity among the Bills offensive line remains in tact,

Henderson blows why cant you see it

[Mace]

Henderson blows why cant you see it

Might be the same reason the Bills don't, hopeful optimism.

[coastal]

Looks like 7-9 to me, they'll lose a game I figured they'd win too, so 6-10.
Groundhog Day