The Buffalo Bills finished their season 7-9 last year, missing the playoffs and falling short of expectations for the 17th straight season. Now Buffalo has a new head coach, but fans are still hoping that the playoff drought will end. According to Pro Football Focus, the Bills have the 27th best roster in the league. That doesn't bode well for a team looking to make it to the playoffs. But with a few lucky breaks and with Sean McDermott at the helm, Buffalo could potentially break through. If they do, it could be because these four players got significantly better.
According to Pro Football Focus, these four Bills were the worst starters on the roster last year.
1. Shaq Lawson: 45
First round pick Shaq Lawson was underwhelming in his limited time last season, but part of that had to do with the fact that he was injured from the start. Lawson himself admitted that Rex Ryan's scheme was complicated and difficult to understand, and that he did not always know where he should have been on every possession. With Sean McDermott, Lawson will be solely focused on rushing the passer. Because of that, Lawson expects a breakout season next year. The Bills are certainly hoping for one.
2. Preston Brown: 49.8
Bills fans know all too well that Preston Brown struggles in pass coverage.
He can't stay with speedier wide receivers, and taller receivers dominate him. That makes him more of a liability than an asset and he could be relegated to the bench this season with Reggie Ragland entering the picture. It's hard to imagine that Ragland could be worse than Brown, but Preston definitely has some experience at this point in the league.
3. Jerry Hughes: 66.5
Hughes went from a star defensive player for the Bills to a liability in just one season. How did it happen? Hughes stopped simply rushing the passer and was instead forced to drop back into pass coverage, where he struggled to guard opposing wide receivers. On occasion, Hughes would run twenty yards downfield trying to cover a player!
Rex Ryan's system didn't fit Hughes' style of play, and as a result, his production suffered. That's why Hughes comes in at number 3 on this list.
4. Kevon Seymour: 66
When Seymour was asked to step up as a corner, he didn't deliver results. Wide receivers frequently ran by him and beat him for big gains. If it's any consolation, Ronald Darby was rated just 70.6 by Pro Football Focus. The Bills lost Stephon Gilmore in free agency and are trying to replace him with first round pick Tre'Davious White. It won't matter much if Seymour and Darby both continue to play poorly.
