At a glance: The NFL off-season is a time for teams to get better, and no one did it better than Buffalo this year. The team addressed its biggest hole - pass rush - heavily in the draft and upgraded the wide receiver position in free agency. The team doesn't seem to have a true number one receiver, but general manager Brandon Beane says that's not necessary with the talent he has acquired. (We'll ignore the fact that he tried trading for clear-number-one wide receiver Antonio Brown in February.)
After subjecting quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor and Josh Allen to a couple of the worst supporting casts in the league in recent years, the Bills finally upgraded their wide receiver corps in free agency. John Brown - one of the most productive wide receivers to start last season - gives the Bills a deep threat option that could be devastating when used with some play action. Cole Beasley should be a reliable slot guy and at least pick up some coverage from opposing defenses.
But the question will loom over whether the Bills wide receiver can beat guys one-on-one. Undrafted wideout David Sills went on record saying general manager Brandon Beane told him Buffalo would not be drafting a receiver because they were already talented enough. It puts a heavy focus on second-year quarterback Josh Allen to step up behind an improved offensive line in 2019.
While the team ranked second-best in total defense in 2018, a dreadful pass rush meant the team ranked 26th in sacks. Drafting defensive tackle Ed Oliver ninth overall along with a couple of outside line backers late means the team's defensive picks were all heavily focused on improving that stat this year.
And the addition of running back Frank Gore for depth highlights the Bills' transition to building a full roster rather than just plugging holes. No team was more active than Buffalo in the opening days of free agency, yet some of those signings - like offensive lineman Ty Nskehe and tight end Tyler Kroft - could be relegated to backup roles in place of second round pick Cody Ford and third rounder Dawson Knox respectively . It feels like the Bills haven't had guys battling for jobs like that in a while.
DRAFT PICKS (per ESPN)
1.09 Ed Oliver DT
2.06 Cody Ford OT
3.10 Devin Singletary RB
3.32 Dawson Knox TE
5.09 Vosean Joseph OLB
6.08 Jaquan Johnson S
7.11 Darryl Johnson Jr. OLB
7.14 Tommy Sweeney TE
ORIGINAL COVER PHOTO: The Buffalo News
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