Bills still ranked among elite NFL offenses despite offseason moves

Brandon Beane’s offseason could perhaps be summed up most succinctly (and accurately) in one of these short, mildly funny memes “Yeah, that’s me, and you’re probably wondering how I found myself here.”

His team, just a few months ago, was playing in its fifth straight playoffs and was led by solid starters at several spots. The Buffalo Bills not only employed one of the most experienced secondaries in the league, but also one of its best pass catchers. The team, on paper, was infallible; it was difficult to find a noticeable hole that couldn’t be attributed to injury, circumstance, or pure bad luck.

Fast forward to today, and well…

“…you’re probably wondering how I ended up here.”

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Beane oversaw significant personnel turnover throughout the 2024 offseason, refocusing his team around youth in an effort to reset its financial and on-field clocks for the long term. Buffalo moved on from the aforementioned elite Stefon Diggs and fellow receiver Gabriel Davis in the spring, also losing Jordan Poyer, Tre’Davious White, Mitch Morse, Leonard Floyd and (presumably) Micah Hyde. The Bills now rely on youth at multiple positions, both offensively and defensively, perhaps in no area more important than receiver. Buffalo is hoping the combination of third-year contributor Khalil Shakir, free agent signee Curtis Samuel and rookie Keon Coleman will be able to replicate the combined 1,929 receiving yards liberated by Diggs and Davis.

Changes aside, Buffalo’s offense still has talent throughout; Last year’s strong offensive line is largely back, as is fullback James Cook, who finished sixth in the NFL in yards from scrimmage last year with 1,567. The unit is also led by the great equalizer that is Josh Allen, the only player in NFL history to have 40 or more touchdowns in four consecutive seasons.

The unit, while objectively less talented than it was a few months ago, is still strong; that sentiment is echoed by Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine, who recently ranked the Bills’ offensive unit eighth best in the league in an article ranking every offense in the NFL.

“There is an argument to be made that the Buffalo Bills should be lower,” Balleintine wrote. “After all, they traded Stefon Diggs and struggled throughout last season. “However, these losses could be exaggerated. . . Even with Diggs gone last season, the Bills still finished third in EPA and sixth in scoring. Josh Allen remains an elite quarterback. Their strong running game and offensive line will pave the way for the Bills to overcome early season receiver struggles.

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Ballentine suggests the team could improve by increasing its usage of 12 tight ends (two sets), citing that Buffalo finished fifth in expected points added (EPA) when using those sets last season.

Only the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers – all objectively outstanding offensive units – rank higher than the Bills.

Expecting Buffalo’s offense to replicate its 2023 production (it finished fourth in yards per game and sixth in total points) in the upcoming season may be a little too optimistic given the turnover, but the unit will still be strong; that is, after all, the benefit of having one of the best players in the league leading your offense.