Tuesday, May 26, 2020

New on SI: 2020 Buffalo Bills Fantasy Team Outlook: Handcuff Zack Moss to Devin Singletary

SI Fantasy's Team Outlook series from high-stakes legend Shawn Childs aims to break down the Buffalo Bills to evaluate the offense, defense, coaches and everyone in between with a fantasy-slanted analysis.

Coaching Staff

Over his first three seasons as the head coach for the

Buffalo Bills, Sean McDermott went 25-23 with two playoff appearances. Before 2017, McDermott work as the defensive coordinator for the Panthers over six seasons, with his best success coming in 2013. Last year the Bills lost 22-19 to the Texans in overtime in the AFC Wild Card Game. With QB Tom Brady no longer in the AFC East, the Bills moved to co-favorites to win their division.

Brian Daboll will run the offensive for the third year. He’s been working in the NFL since 2000, with four seasons of experience as an offensive coordinator (Cleveland, Miami, and Kansas City). Brian worked in the Patriots’ coaching system for 11 seasons. In 2017, Daboll was the offensive coordinator for the Crimson Tide that won the National Championship. He’s been part of five Super Bowl teams and one National College Championship.

Last year Buffalo ranked 23rd in points scored (314) and 24th in offensive yards, which was an improvement from 2018 (30th in points scored [269] and 30th in offensive yards).

Buffalo brought in Leslie Frazier to run their defense in 2017. He’s coached in the NFL since 1999, with six seasons coming as a defensive coordinator and three years as a head coach (21-32-1). In March, Frazier was promoted to assistant head coach.

Over the past two years, the Bills ranked second and third in yards allowed on defense. They improved 16 spots in the standings in 2019 in points allowed (259 – 2nd).

Free Agency

The Bills signed DT Vernon Butler, G Daryl Williams, DT Quinton Jefferson, DE Marion Addison, LB A.J. Klein, and LB Josh Norman in the offseason.

Buffalo hopes to unlock the keys for Butler after failing to live up to expectations in his four seasons with the Panthers. Carolina drafted him in the first round in 2016.

Williams fell out of favor for the Panthers in 2019 after failing to recover from his right knee injury in 2018. Over five years in the NFL, he played well only in 2017 when projected as an asset in pass protection. This year Williams looks to be an option off the bench with a lot to prove in 2020.

Over the last two seasons for Seattle, Jefferson improved his pass rush while showing growth vs. the run. The Bills will use him as a rotational player. He needs to do a better job tackling to make a further step forward.

Last year the Panthers’ defense had risk in all areas, which led to Addison finding a new home on the Bills. Over the previous four years, he delivered 39 sacks with fading value defending the run. Addison turns 33 in early September.

Buffalo lost CB Kevin Johnson to the Browns while not resigning DE Lorenzo Alexander and DT Corey Liuget.

Johnson is a former first-rounder (2015) who failed to meet expectations for over four seasons for the Texans. Last year he didn’t allow a touchdown while working in nickel and dime coverage for Buffalo off the bench.

Both Klein and Norman signed for $6 million this year, but both players played poorly in 2019.

Their most significant move in the offseason was acquiring WR Stefon Diggs from the Vikings for a 2020 first-round draft pick plus multiple other selections in the 2020 and 2021 drafts. Diggs gives Buffalo a deep threat, plus the ability to work in the short areas of the field.

Draft

The Bills' first player added in the 2020 NFL Draft came via the 22nd pick (DE A.J. Epenesa) in the second round. He comes to the NFL with plodding style even with some first-step quickness. Epenesa wins with power while owning a plan and multiple moves to help his push to the quarterback. He needs to get stronger, and his game will go down a notch when facing top offensive linemen. Running backs with speed will beat him outside and in space.

In the third and fourth rounds, Buffalo added help to their offense with RB Zack Moss and WR Gabriel Davis.

Moss gives the Bills a power running back presence to rotate in with RB Devin Singletary. Strength and power are his calling cards while ranking below the top running backs in the NFL in speed (4.65 forty yards dash) and quickness. After the snap, his first instinct is to find the open field while allowing a play to develop. Moss slides to running lanes with the plan to step on the gas at the first sign of daylight. He lacks home-run speed while offering the ability to break tackles. Moss has three-down potential while projecting well in pass protection.

The addition of Davis adds size (6’2” and 215 lbs.) to the outside for Buffalo while still offering speed (4.54 forty at the NFL combine). His route running and release need work, along with a higher motor. Davis wins with his hands in tight battles and while high pointing contested passes. His lack of quickness does hurt him in press coverage.

Buffalo bought some insurance at quarterback with Jake Fromm in the fifth round. His slow-footed style makes him a pure pocket passer, but his arm doesn’t have the zip required to match the top talent in the NFL. Fromm minimizes the damage in interceptions by showing the ability to get the ball out quickly when a play collapses to avoid sacks. He has been a winner his whole career with a tendency to rise in big games. Fromm grades well in reading defenses and displays a willingness to stand tall when needing a player to break-free downfield. His pre-snap reads allow him to find the best option in coverage.

With their last three selections in the sixth and seventh rounds, the Bills invested in K Tyler Bass, WR Isaiah Hodgins, and CB Dane Jackson.

Bass struggled with field goals in 2019 (71.4 percent) after showing upside in his kicks over his previous two seasons in college (34-for-40 in FGs). He has enough leg to handle kickoffs, but his technique needs improvement for more success from over 50 yards.

Hodgins needs to get stronger to handle top cornerbacks in press coverage. His quickness grades well for his size (6’4” and 210 lbs.) while coming up below par in his speed (4.61 forty). Hodgins bodies up his defender well with the hands to win in tight coverage. His rhythm off the line of scrimmage hurts Hodgins’ ability to create over the short areas of the field. He overplays his shake-and-bake leading to below-par route running.

There are plenty of concerns with Jackson’s game at the next level, even with successful stats in coverage in college. He wants to play a physical style in coverage, but Jackson lacks the wheels to match most wide receivers at the next level. He has more of a safety feel while lacking the size (6’0” and 187 lbs.) and tackling to handle that role. The Bills should use him in off coverage moving forward where his aggressiveness can be an asset.

Offensive Line

After posting the top rushing stats (2,630 yards and 29 TDs) in 2016, Buffalo slipped to sixth in rushing yards (2,017) in 2017, ninth in 2018 (1,984 yards), and eighth in 2019 (2,054). Last year they scored only 13 rushing TDs, despite the legs of Josh Allen (nine rushing TDs). The Bills RBs gained only 4.4 yards per rush, with only one of the 465 runs gaining over 40 yards. Their offensive line allowed 40 sacks and 87 quarterback hits, which translated to the 10th highest sack rate (7.8).

LT Dion Dawkins

Dawkins was a second-round draft pick by the Bills in 2017 after playing left tackle in his college career at Temple. He offers athletic ability and power to the tackle position with his best asset expected to be pass protection. Dawkins started all 32 games over the past two seasons while offering league average value in pass protection. His next step is developing his blocking in the run game.

LG Quinton Spain

In his first season with the Bills, Spain won the starting left guard job for 16 games. His game had plenty of risk in the run game while trending backward slight in pass protection. Only once over five seasons has Spain played at a high level (2016 with the Titans).

C Mitch Morse

Over five seasons in the NFL, Morse played well on pass protection in twice. His value in run blocking isn’t where it needs to be. Last year he struggled with penalties for the first time in his career, which may be a sign of decline.

RG Joe Feliciano

The Bills gave Feliciano a full time starting job for the first time in his five-year career in 2019. The Raiders drafted him in the fourth round in 2015. He finished as a liability in all areas, which invites job loss this year. Last January, Feliciano had surgery in his right shoulder to repair a rotator cuff issue.

RT Cody Ford

After getting drafted in the second round, Ford made 15 starts with losing value across the board in his rookie season. He had right shoulder surgery after the season. His game is built on power while needing to add more strength and experience. Ford is still learning his position, and speed players do create problems for him. His best value should develop in the run game.

Buffalo doesn’t have one offensive lineman that projects to be a plus player. Run blocking isn’t where it needs to be. The Bills hope to improve in the deep passing game this year, which helps keep a defense honest plus adds value to the play-action game. Overall, this offensive line grades below par across the board.

Offensive Schedule

The above data shows the strength of schedule as far as rushing attempts (RATT), rushing yards (YDS), yards per attempt rushing (YA), rushing touchdowns (TDs), completions (COMP), passing attempts (PATT), passing yards (YDS), yards per attempt passing (YA), and passing touchdowns (TDS).

This information is based on 2019, which will work as our starting point for 2020. We’ll look at all the changes on offense on each team in the NFL plus the upgrades and downgrades on each team on the defensive side. We’ll update this table when we finish the research on all 32 teams.

2019 LG Average = the league average of all stats from all 32 teams in 2019.

2019 Results = this is the results for each team in the NFL.

2019 Adjustment is based on the 2019 league average and the 2019 results for each team, this number will show if each team is above or below the league average in each stat category and the basis for the strength of schedule.

Based on last year’s stats, the Bills have two mid-tier matchups against the Dolphins and one vs. the Chiefs for their rushing offense. They may struggle to run the ball against the Jets in two contests, plus three other games (NE X 2 and LV) that look to have some risk. Overall, Buffalo has the 8th most challenging schedule for their run game in 2020.

On the passing side, the Bills will be tested five games (LAC, SF, PIT, and NE X 2), with four contests coming from Week 12 to Week 16. Their only matchup that looks to have a significant edge for their passing game comes against the Cardinals. They do have five matchups that offer a slight edge (LV, TEN, SEA, and MIA X 2). Buffalo has the fourth most demanding schedule for their passing offense.

Offense

Over the last three seasons, the Bills have ranked 4th (487), 6th (468), and 6th (465) in rushing attempts. Last year they ran the ball 47.5 percent of the time, but their RBs struggled to make scoring plays (four TDs on 354 runs for 1,548 yards).

QB Josh Allen led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (9), but his yards per rush dropped from 7.1 to 4.7. He finished with one run over 20 yards after making eight runs over 20 yards in his rookie season over 12 games.

Buffalo finished in 26th in passing yards (3,229) while gaining only 6.8 yards per pass attempt. Their goal in the offseason was to improve in the passing game highlighted by the signing of WR Stefon Diggs.

Here’s a look at the early projections for Buffalo, which will be fluid all summer after taking in all injury updates and training camp news:

Quarterbacks

QB Josh Allen, BUF

Over 28 starts in the NFL, Allen doesn’t have a game with over 300 yards passing while averaging only 6.6 yards per pass attempt. On the positive side, no QB has more rushing TDs (17) than him over this span. Over his final full nine starts, Allen passed for fewer than 210 yards in six contests. His completion rate (58.8) showed an improvement, and the addition of WR Stefon Diggs should iron out some of his issues in the deep passing game. Allen gained only 6.7 yards per pass attempt in 2020, but he finished with 47 completions over 20 yards and seven completions over 40 yards.

Last year Buffalo struggled to move the ball with RBs (61/460/2) and TEs (46/604/3) in the passing game. Allen isn’t ready to be a great passer, and the Bills lack the key players to help him push higher up the QB mountain. They tried to add size at wide receiver in the draft, which make come into play in scoring in the red zone.

With about 37 percent of his fantasy scoring coming with his legs, Allen can’t maintain his 2019 final QB ranking (8th) without more chances and success in the passing game. Last year he posted one impact game (36.40 fantasy points), but he had 11 contests with between 19.00 and 28.10 fantasy points in four-point passing TD leagues.

Based on the above graph, Allen is projected for 3,541 passing yards and over 30 combined TDs with success in the run game (102/512/7).

QB Jake Fromm, BUF

My first thought when doing some research on Fromm was that he had a lot in common with Tom Brady.

Over three seasons at Georgia, Fromm went 36-7, highlighted by his play in his freshman season (13-2 with a loss in the national championship game). He passed for 8,236 yards over 43 games with 78 TDs and 18 Ints with no value as a runner (134/40/3). His passing total rose slightly every year (2,615, 2,761, 2,860) while playing in a run-heavy offense. Fromm had his best completion rate (67.4) and the highest number of touchdowns (30) in 2018.

Heading into this year’s draft, his value will take a hit due to a string of five straight games with weakness in his completion rate (44.8, 46.4, 47.8, 48.3, and 47.6) over his final six starts. On the positive side over this stretch, Fromm delivered five wins with 13 TDs and two Ints.

Running Backs

Here’s a look at the running back data for Buffalo over the last three seasons:

The change to QB Josh Allen has led to much fewer chances for the running back in the passing game since 2017. Even with a weak offensive line, Buffalo did show growth in yards per rush in 2019 compared to the previous two seasons.

RB Devin Singletary, BUF

In a limited role over the first two games in the NFL, Singletary gained 155 combined yards with a TD and five catches on 15 touches. He missed the next three weeks with a hamstring injury. Over his final nine games, including the playoffs, Singletary averaged 18.9 touches leading to 873 combined yards with two TDs and 26 catches with his best play coming at home over three contests (372 combined yards with a TD and ten catches). The Bills have a top rushing QB who steals plenty of TDs. Last year the Bills’ RBs gained 2,008 combined yards with eight TDs and 61 catches. Easy to overprice, despite expecting growth in 2020.

The addition of RB Zack Moss does knock Singletary down a notch for me. Moss has more size, and Buffalo may lean on him more at the goal line and in short-yardage situations.

Singletary has an early ADP of 34 in the high-stakes market as the 20th running back drafted. His initial projection (1,341 combined yards with eight TDs and 44 catches) at Sports Illustrated place him 19th at the running back position.

RB Zack Moss, BUF

Moss flashed upside in 2017 when he gained 1,416 combined yards with ten TDs and 29 catches on 243 touches at Utah. The following season he shined again on early downs (179/1096/11) while losing value in the passing game (8/50/1). His season ended after nine games due to a right knee injury the required surgery. In 2019, Moss regained his previous form while delivering an outstanding season (1,804 combined yards with 17 TDs and 28 catches on 263 touches).

The year Moss should work as the RB2 for the Bills with a chance at 120-plus touches, leading to 550 combined yards with three to five touchdowns and short catches.

A fantasy owner should find Moss between round 10 and 12 in most PPR leagues while having the most value to Singletary owner as a handcuff.

RB T.J. Yeldon, BUF

After receiving 159 combined touches for the Jaguars in 2018, Yeldon barely saw the field in his first year with the Bills. He finished with 187 combined yards with no TDs and 15 catches on 30 touches. This year he’ll work as the RB3 for the Bills while needing an injury to one of Buffalo’s top two RBs to gain more chances.

Other options: Taiwan Jones, Christian Wade, Antonio Williams

Wide Receivers

The wide receiver stats for the Bills improved dramatically since 2017. Last year their wide receivers accounted for 64.2 percent of Buffalo’s completions and 70.0 percent of their passing yards. They still trail the league average in yards per catch (12.56) with growth needed in their catch rate (60.0).

WR Stefon Diggs, BUF

Last year Diggs had a flip from his previous skillset. Over his first five years in the league, he worked more like a possession type receiver (11.6 yards per catch), highlighted by his success in 2018 (102/1021/9). He set career-highs in receiving yards (1,130), yards per catch (17.9), and catches over 20 yards (20) in 2019. Diggs saw his targets (94) fall by 37 percent, which was more of Vikings’ passing issue. The Bills ranked poorly in WR production (192/2411/15) in 2019, despite showing growth. Buffalo wants to run the ball while developing its deep passing game. Diggs will see a sharp decline in his yards per catch in 2020 with only a slight bump in targets.

This year Diggs has an early ADP of 67 in the high-stakes market as the 28th wide receiver drafted. Over the previous three seasons, he finished 19th, 10th, 22nd in WR scoring in PPR leagues.

In his early projections, I struggled with the proper value for his opportunity. The Bills have three viable pass-catchers at wide receiver. For now, Diggs should receive a minimum of one-third of Buffalo’s wide receiver completions leading to 75 catches for 1,089 yards and seven touchdowns. Diggs ranks 17th at wide receiver after my first run at the projections.

If his completions translated to the same value in WR targets, then Diggs would see a bump to 140 targets based on last year’s wide receiver chances (320) for the Bills. His career catch rate (68.4) suggests his catches should be closer to 95 if he did indeed receive 140 targets.

Diggs looks to be a value in drafts, and I would expect his ADP to rise along with his projections over the summer.

WR John Brown, BUF

Brown took full advantage of his chances in his first year for Buffalo to deliver his best season. He set career highs in catches (72), receiving yards (1,060), and targets (115). His best play came in Week 1 (7/123/1) and Week 11 (9/137/2) while doing most of his damage over his first ten games (56/817/4 on 85 targets). The Bills gave him double-digit targets in five contests. Brown played much better on the road (44/662/4) than at home (28/398/2). With WR Stefon Diggs added to the roster, Brown slides to WR2 in Buffalo’s offense.

A fantasy owner can expect about 55 catches for 750 yards and five TDs as late WR4 (ADP – 122) in PPR leagues.

WR Cole Beasley, BUF

Beasley held value in his first year with the Bills after raising his bar in two of his final three seasons with Dallas. He set a career-high in TDs (6), targets (106), and yards per catch (11.6). Beasley scored all of his TDs over his final ten starts while producing three strong games (6/76/1, 6/110/1, and 7/108). A possession type wide receiver that works as a WR5 with occasional value to cover an injury or a bye week. A fantasy owner has to decide between a steady player (60/700/3) or upside when Beasley comes off the board (ADP – 191).

WR Gabriel Davis, BUF

In his junior season at the University of Central Florida, Davis put himself on the NFL map after catches 72 of his 133 targets for 1,241 yards and 12 TDs. He improved in each season in college. Davis projects as a jump-ball winner, with his hands being his best assets. Early in his career, he’ll work on the outside in the deep passing game for the Bills. Possible upside once he develops his release and route running.

Other options: Isaiah McKenzie, Duke Williams, Andre Roberts, Robert Foster, Isaiah Hodgins

Tight Ends

Last year the Bills’ TEs caught 15.4 percent of their completions while showing growth in big plays (13.13 yards per catch). Even so, their TEs picked up only 46 catches with minimal value in TDs (3).

Dawson Knox, BUF

His stats at Ole Miss (39 catches for 605 yards and no TDs over 17 games) and his first season in the NFL (28/388/2) won’t get fantasy owners excited. He did play with two of the top five WRs in the 2019 draft class. His next step is improving his route running and adding more strength to help in the blocking game. Last year he made 11 starts while falling short in his catch rate (56.0 – thanks to seven drops). Knox has a low ceiling based on the limited chance for the tight in the Bills’ offense.

Tyler Kroft, BUF

In 2017, Kroft played well as a fill-in for Tyler Eifert when he caught 42 of 62 targets for 404 yards and seven TDs. Kroft failed to make an impact (4/36) in 2018 with Cinci while seeing his season end after playing in only five games with a foot injury. The Bills paid him over $18 million for three seasons before 2019, showing his potential upside. Last year, Kroft broke his right foot in July and later suffered a left ankle injury, leading to a lost season (6/71/1) in fantasy value.

Other options: Lee Smith, Tommy Sweeney, Jason Croom

Kickers

K Stephen Hauschka, BUF

From 2012 to 2017, Hauschka made 89.5 percent of his field goals with exceptional value from long range (20-for-27). Over the last two seasons, he posted his lowest success rate (78.6) for a full season and a drop in his field goal chances (28) in both years. Over the last three seasons, the Bills scored only 101 touchdowns. Last year Hauschka made only one of his five kicks from 50 yards or more.

His job is at risk, which is why Buffalo drafted K Tyler Bass in the sixth round in this year’s draft.

K Tyler Bass, BUF

Over three seasons at Georgia Southern, Bass made 114 of his 116 extra points while being inconsistent in his field-goal tries (2017 – 78.9 percent, 2018 – 90.5, and 2019 – 71.4). Overall, he made 54 of his 68 field goals (79.4).

Buffalo should score more this year, and they haven’t had success scoring touchdowns in close with the run game. At best, the winning Bills’ kicker in 2020 will only have matchup value out of the gate.

Defensive Schedule

Buffalo faces eight teams (LAR, KC, LAC, PIT, NYJ X 2, and MIA X 2) that finished well below the league average in rushing yards per game. Their most success stopping the run should come vs. the Jets and the Dolphins. Their run defense will be tested in three games (TEN, SEA, and SF). The Bills have the fourth-best schedule against teams running the ball this year.

Their toughest matchups for their pass defense based on 2019 should come against the Rams, the Chiefs, and the Chargers (LA will have regression throwing the ball in 2020 with a change at QB). Buffalo holds an edge defending the pass in four contests (DEN, PIT, and NYJ X 2), but the Steelers (QB Ben Roethlisberger is back) and Denver (improved WR core in draft) will be much better passing the ball this year. Overall, their pass defense looks neutral.

Defense

The Bills ranked 23rd in the NFL defending the run in 2019 (1,649 yards) with teams scoring 12 rushing TDs. Ball carriers gained 4.3 yards per rush, with 12 runs over 20 yards. Buffalo had the fourth-best defense in the league vs. the pass (195.2 yards per game). They allowed 6.2 yards per pass attempt with 15 passing TDs and 14 Ints while picking up 44 sacks.

The Bills finished 14th in fantasy defense scoring (109.0 fantasy points) in the Fantasy Football World Championships.

CB Tre’Davious White, BUF

White didn’t allow a touchdown in 2020 while picking up a career-high six interceptions with 17 defended passes. Missed tackles have been an issue over the past two years. He remains a top cover cornerback with a first-round pedigree.

The second starting cornerback slot looks to have risk. CB Josh Norman signed a one-year deal for $6 million, but his play hasn’t been elite since 2016. At age 32, Norman doesn’t appear to be a front line player anymore in coverage.

CB Levi Wallace, BUF

After signing as an undrafted free agent in 2018 out of Alabama, Wallace made 16 starts for Buffalo last season. Despite picking up 76 tackles, he did have risk in run support due to poor tackling skills. Overall, his lack of speed hurts his ability to cover top wide receivers. The Bills need to improve on this spot in their starting lineup if they want to contend in the AFC East.

S Micah Hyde, BUF

Hyde continues to be one of the top safeties in the NFL, especially in coverage. He’ll allow a high completion rate, but most plays go for short yardage. Over the past four years, Hyde has been a neutral defense in run support.

S Jordan Poyer, BUF

Poyer set a career-high in tackles (107) in 2019, but he did allow the most touchdowns of his career with receivers making bigger plays. Poyer played much better over the first four games last year, suggesting some fade in his game.

LB Tremaine Edmunds, BUF

Edmunds showed growth last year defending the pass while delivering his second straight season with over 100 tackles (115). He offers minimal value sacking the quarterback (3.5 sacks in 31 games). Buffalo drafted him in the first round in 2018. With two years of experience at the age of 21, Edmunds should only get better going forward.

LB Matt Milano, BUF

Milano played well in coverage, but QBs still looks his way three or four times a game. He still misses too many tackles with some growth pressuring the quarterback. Overall, his game lacks star power, despite setting a career-high in tackles (101).

LB A.J. Klein, BUF

Klein has been in the NFL for seven seasons, but he tends to struggle in all areas. His playing time increased over the last three years for the Saints. Klein has risk in coverage while allowing the most touchdowns of his career and no value defending the run.

DE Jerry Hughes, BUF

Over his last eight seasons, Hughes hasn’t missed a game. His upside rushing the quarterback is fading, and last year he played through two injuries (groin and wrist) that required surgery after the season. A former first-round player (2010), but his career peaked in 2013 and 2014. When healthy, he should be an asset vs. the run.

DE A.J. Epenesa, BUF

The Bills need another pass rusher from the outside, and they hope Epenesa can at least work in a rotational role. His game is built on power with enough moves to create to plays.

DT Ed Oliver, BUF

Oliver will look to create havoc rushing the QB from the interior line after getting drafted in the first round in 2019. His high motor should work well, but his aggressiveness and lack of size may be used against him on run plays. Last year he finished with five sacks and league average value defending the run.

DT Vernon Butler, BUF

The Bills signed Butler to a two-year contract in the offseason for $16 million. He set career-high in sacks (6) last year but showed regression defending the run.

Even with success on defense over the last two seasons, Buffalo doesn’t have the overall talent to hold that ranking going forward. They have two top tier players (White and Edmunds) with upside in two other spots (Hyde and Oliver) in the starting lineup.

Their secondary has plenty of questions, and I don’t see an elite pass rush. If your drafting on last year’s stats, give them a ride. I’ll fade with the hopes of finding a defense with more talent to the bar higher.

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