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CAPACCIO: Ranking the Bills current positional needs
Still plenty of work to be done on roster
We’re just over one week into NFL free agency. The Bills have signed 13 new players, yet still have over 30 roster spots to fill before going to camp with a full complement of 90 players.
Here’s a breakdown of how I still see their current needs, ranked by positional group:
1. Cornerback
The team’s top corner, Stephon Gilmore, signed with the Patriots. They cut nickel man Nickell Robey-Coleman. Corey White is a free agent and yet to sign anywhere. Right now, the Bills currently have five players at the position: Ronald Darby, Kevon Seymour, Leonard Johnson, Charles Gaines, and Marcus Roberson. Darby struggled last year after a tremendous rookie season. Seymour got some valuable playing time but was up and down, as should be expected with any rookie. Johnson is the most experienced player of the group, playing 62 games in his career, but has primarily been a backup through five NFL seasons. The other three players have started a combined 13 games in the NFL. This spot has a serious depth issue right now and there’s certainly an argument that the top two could be upgraded, as well.
2. Wide receiver
Andre Holmes was signed and is, as of right now, the number-two wideout behind Sammy Watkins. He has terrific size and is considered an excellent route runner. But only 28 receptions over the past two seasons is not the most inspiring second option on paper. After that it’s a host of players who will be fighting for spots with one another, and some even just to make the roster. Jeremy Butler, Corey “Philly” Brown, and Corey Washington are newcomers added with Dezmin Lewis and Walter Powell from last year. Kolby Listenbee will finally suit up after missing a year with an injury. I’m sure the team is banking on one or two of these players to really step up now that they’ll be given an opportunity they may not have had elsewhere, but any one of them would be seen as a number-three WR at best on most rosters until they prove that. Last year, the Bills brought 13 WRs to training camp (including Listenbee and Marcus Easley who never dressed). Right now they have eight on the roster. Another solid option is needed at the top and certainly more depth and competition.
3. Offensive tackle
Specifically the right side is the bigger need, but there are depth issues all around here. Cordy Glenn is the entrenched starter on the left side, but he was rarely fully healthy last year and missed five games. Behind him and on the other side there are a whole lot of question marks. Cyrus Kouandjio, Glenn’s backup who started the five games he missed, fell at home in January and had hip surgery. Seantrel Henderson, a swing tackle who played primarily on the right, is suspended the first five games of next year. The right side starter all season last year, Jordan Mills, is back. But he was wildly inconsistent and the $4 million, two-year deal he signed suggests the team isn’t totally sold on him being the main man there once again. Both recently signed Vlad Ducasse and Ryan Groy can play that spot if needed, but it’s neither of their more natural position. Both are mainly interior players.......
Still plenty of work to be done on roster
We’re just over one week into NFL free agency. The Bills have signed 13 new players, yet still have over 30 roster spots to fill before going to camp with a full complement of 90 players.
Here’s a breakdown of how I still see their current needs, ranked by positional group:
1. Cornerback
The team’s top corner, Stephon Gilmore, signed with the Patriots. They cut nickel man Nickell Robey-Coleman. Corey White is a free agent and yet to sign anywhere. Right now, the Bills currently have five players at the position: Ronald Darby, Kevon Seymour, Leonard Johnson, Charles Gaines, and Marcus Roberson. Darby struggled last year after a tremendous rookie season. Seymour got some valuable playing time but was up and down, as should be expected with any rookie. Johnson is the most experienced player of the group, playing 62 games in his career, but has primarily been a backup through five NFL seasons. The other three players have started a combined 13 games in the NFL. This spot has a serious depth issue right now and there’s certainly an argument that the top two could be upgraded, as well.
2. Wide receiver
Andre Holmes was signed and is, as of right now, the number-two wideout behind Sammy Watkins. He has terrific size and is considered an excellent route runner. But only 28 receptions over the past two seasons is not the most inspiring second option on paper. After that it’s a host of players who will be fighting for spots with one another, and some even just to make the roster. Jeremy Butler, Corey “Philly” Brown, and Corey Washington are newcomers added with Dezmin Lewis and Walter Powell from last year. Kolby Listenbee will finally suit up after missing a year with an injury. I’m sure the team is banking on one or two of these players to really step up now that they’ll be given an opportunity they may not have had elsewhere, but any one of them would be seen as a number-three WR at best on most rosters until they prove that. Last year, the Bills brought 13 WRs to training camp (including Listenbee and Marcus Easley who never dressed). Right now they have eight on the roster. Another solid option is needed at the top and certainly more depth and competition.
3. Offensive tackle
Specifically the right side is the bigger need, but there are depth issues all around here. Cordy Glenn is the entrenched starter on the left side, but he was rarely fully healthy last year and missed five games. Behind him and on the other side there are a whole lot of question marks. Cyrus Kouandjio, Glenn’s backup who started the five games he missed, fell at home in January and had hip surgery. Seantrel Henderson, a swing tackle who played primarily on the right, is suspended the first five games of next year. The right side starter all season last year, Jordan Mills, is back. But he was wildly inconsistent and the $4 million, two-year deal he signed suggests the team isn’t totally sold on him being the main man there once again. Both recently signed Vlad Ducasse and Ryan Groy can play that spot if needed, but it’s neither of their more natural position. Both are mainly interior players.......
"Expect rejection, but expect more to overcome it."
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