The Buffalo Bills offseason is forecasting aspects of their upcoming 2023 campaign, particularly in relation to certain positions.
The front office chose to keep some longer-tenure players that the team had designed and developed free, including Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds And Running back Devin Singletary.
In part, these players may not have factored financially into the long-term plan, but GM Brandon Beane also seeks talent wherever he and his staff deem it necessary.
While some spots on the depth chart are filled internally or through free agencies, the upcoming NFL draft will also provide more opportunities to do so.
With that, here are three bills addressing expanded roles in 2023:
WR Khalil Shakir
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The Bills drafted Shakir 148th overall from Boise State in the 5th round of the NFL draft last year, which was considered a steal at the time. He shone in limited action in his rookie season and could become one Breakout candidate in 2023.
Dissatisfaction with the Bills’ passing game and frustration with the overall performance of their receiver corps has led media and draft analysts to speculate that another top receiver is needed alongside WR1 Stefon Diggs. It’s also got them wondering if the Bills have a viable WR2.
There’s a bit to unpack as receiver Gabe Davis still hauled for 836 yards on seven touchdowns, which would have been more were it not for a string of dropped passes. And that was during a Bills season of ups and downs on and off the field for the team, including injuries that drained their receiver depth.
WR Isaiah McKenzie was ultimately unable to fill the void left by the departure of slot receiver Cole Beasley, and his replacement Jamison Crowder barely saw the field last season after missing out with a broken ankle. This offseason, Beane added receivers Deonte Harty and Trent Sherfield to replace them and add talent and depth to the receiver position.
And that can be depth behind Shakir.
Regardless, he’ll have an expanded role and could emerge as the future at that position for Buffalo this season, adding versatility to the passing game in a way that could see him gradually bringing this stable and consistent threat back to the Bills- bring offensive.
RB James Cook
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Like Shakir, Cook was a bright spot on the Bills offense in limited action during his rookie campaign.
It was a feat by last year’s second-round pick to fulfill putative RB1 duties for the 2023 season as the team allowed starter Devin Singletary to leave on a free hand.
Cook will have an expanded role and a chance to make a bigger impact with more playtime. Beane is insured on the depth chart with Nyheim Hines and newly added Damien Harris on the running back position, who will likely fill second and third back roles.
OLB by Miller
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Seemingly the moment Von Miller became a Buffalo Bill, he became the leader the team had been missing on defense. He also began coaching the team’s pass rushers and mentoring their younger players.
While inside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds set up defensive quarterback duties and passed calls, his progress was slow and steady with holes in his game attacking opposing running backs. He finally had a strong season in 2022. But he never had a fire or a strong presence as a vocal leader.
Beane appears to be gearing up to draft Edmund’s replacement, he even took Miller, an aspiring future GM, to the NFL combine where he would have been able to offer his insight into some of the best talent in the upcoming draft at the linebacker position .
Staying true to his draft board, Beane picks the best player available based on how he and the Bills front office and coaching staff graded them. He’s also not afraid to act to get a player he wants or add batting talent in positions where he’s needed. So the new LB could be coming to Buffalo soon.
Either way, Miller has established himself as a true and new leader on defense and is poised to take on an expanded role this year as he returns to the field from injury.
Source : sports.yahoo.com