Summer Series: Buffalo Bills

By: Josh Frey-Sam

Josh Allen is 30 years old. Where did the time go?

While there’s still presumably plenty of time left in his career, it’s numbers like that that really paint the urgency for the Buffalo Bills to make a run now.

Perhaps this team will only go as far as its defence allows it to, because Allen and the upgraded offence look poised to be strong once again.

I spoke with beat writer Sal Capaccio (@SalSports) to find out more about the Bills and what we can expect out of their weapons for the upcoming fantasy season.

Below are a few key takeaways I had from our conversation, but if you’d like to hear everything Sal said, listen to the audio above.

What kind of impact can new OC Pete Carmichael have on this offence?

Takeaway: The Buffalo Bills will largely continue to run the same offence that they have under Joe Brady the last two seasons, but one area Pete Carmichael will have an influence on is the running backs.

Expect James Cook to be more involved in the passing game.

Carmichael was part of the San Diego Chargers offence during Ladanian Tomlinson’s heyday and the offensive co-ordinator when Alvin Kamara rose to prominence. Both RBs were/are prolific pass-catchers, and there’s a feeling that that area could be unlocked for Cook this season.

I think this is very interesting if true for Cook, who caught 33 passes last year. If he can be a 50+-reception RB to go with his prolific rushing ability, he profiles as one of the safest bets in the first round of drafts this season.

Can DJ Moore get the Stefon Diggs treatment?

Takeaway: Diggs had 154 targets in 2022. DJ Moore is the unquestioned No.1 WR in this offence, but don’t expect him to command a typical alpha target share.

Sal believes Moore could garner anywhere from 110-120 targets this season, which would likely lead the team but be far from the elite WRs in the league.

One thing Sal noted was Moore’s ability to win at all three levels, which could unlock something in the Bills offence that it hasn’t had since the Diggs days. We could see a more vertical offence this season, which could bode well for Moore, but it also makes Allen that much more appealing this season.

Moore is going in the seventh round right now, and while I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad price for him this season, I’m not sure I see myself drafting him over some of the other guys going in his range: Parker Washington, Christian Watson, Brian Thomas Jr. and Marvin Harrison Jr., to name a few.

Are we done with Keon Coleman?

Takeaway: The short answer is no, but Coleman still has some growing up to do.

What’s interesting is Sal said that if the Bills went 11 personnel right now, Coleman would be on the field, meaning he is still the No. 3 WR on this team.

He won’t supplant Moore or Khalil Shakir on the depth chart, but he can certainly beat out Josh Palmer if he can find some consistency on the field.

If Coleman can’t find consistency, then the door could be wide open for rookie Skyler Bell to earn significant playing time. But this could all be a moot point if Brandin Cooks re-signs in August for another season.

Simply put, it’s probably too early to give up on Coleman in your dynasty league.

Where are you at on Dalton Kincaid this season?

Takeaway: The Bills really got a look at what the ceiling could be for Kincaid — and it’s marvellous — the only thing now is him staying on the field.

Kincaid was 10th among all pass-catchers with 47.6 yards per game and led all tight ends in yards per route run last year.

Sal, who is very bullish on Kincaid this season, said he will be featured as long as he is healthy.

If you punt on TE in drafts this season, Kincaid could be a worthwhile target in the ninth round of drafts.

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh