Opinion: Comparing 2024 Buffalo Bills offensive position space to 2023

The last time I wrote this article, Bills Mafia was worried about the potential addition of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Once again, this offseason has been dominated by discussions surrounding the Buffalo Bills wide receiver position. The departures of former All-Pro Stefon Diggs and veteran Gabe Davis left room for the narrative to focus on newcomers Keon Coleman and Curtis Samuel, as well as the potential rise of promising tight end Dalton Kincaid.

But has the offensive squad, on paper, really improved? As we do every year, we’ll take a deeper dive into the changes to the team from year to year.

We will take each offensive position room and assign it an increased or decreased talent label on paper compared to the depth chart as it existed as of 06/01/2023.

No development hypothesis for 2024 will be formulated. These labels will be “significant upgrade”, “more of an upgrade”, “more of a downgrade”, “significant downgrade” and “push”.

Quarterback in 2024

• Josh Allen
• Mitchell Trubisky
• Shane Buechele

Quarterback in 2023

• Josh Allen
• Kyle Allen
• Matt Barkley

Verdict: Kind of an upgrade.

Mitchell Trubisky has more starting experience in the league than Kyle Allen and while I wouldn’t call the Bills’ backup quarterback situation “stellar,” general manager Brandon Beane continues to float the position with veterans reasonable. Having Trubisky under contract for two seasons instead of one means the team may not have to rotate his replacement again next offseason.

Return in 2024

• James Cook
• Ray Davis
• Ty Johnson
• Darrynton Evans
• Frank Gore, Jr.

Return in 2023

• James Cook
• Damien Harris
• Latavius ​​Murray
• Nyheim Hines
• Jordan Mims
• Isaiah Bowser

Verdict: push

Injuries to Hines and Harris last year might obscure the fact that they were talented players in the room. I’m a fan of rookie Ray Davis and veteran Ty Johnson who played his role well last year, but the lack of reliable veteran players may show up in pass protection from the room.

Wide receiver in 2024

• Curtis Samuel
• Khalil Shakir
• Keon Coleman
• Mack Hollins
• Márquez Valdés-Scantling
• Justin shorter
• KJ Hamler
• Andy Isabelle
• Tyrell Razors
• Bryan Thompson
• Laurent Keys
• Xavier Johnson

Wide receiver in 2023

• Steve Diggs
• Gabe Davis
• Deonte Harty
• Trent Sherfield
• Khalil Shakir
• Justin shorter
• Isaiah Coulter
• Dezmon Patmon
• KeeSean Johnson
• Tyrell Razors
• Marcell Ateman
• Bryan Thompson
• Jalen Wayne

Verdict: a slight downgrade

The Bills lost a top player at wide receiver and didn’t add a top player at wide receiver. They’ll look to replace that production as a whole using a combination of Samuel and Coleman, with potentially increased roles for Shakir and aforementioned tight end Dalton Kincaid. Valdes-Scantling and Hollins provide veteran depth on the outside. The space might actually be deeper than it was in 2023, with veterans having proven their ability to contribute at the fifth spot on the depth chart. If the Bills keep six, there could be a special teams battle for that one available spot.

Tight end in 2024

• Dalton Kincaid
• Dawson Knox
• Quintin Morris
• Tre McKitty
• Zach Davidson

Tight end in 2023

• Dalton Kincaid
• Dawson Knox
• Quintin Morris
• Zach Davidson
• Joel Wilson

Verdict: push

Remember that “hoped-for development” is not part of this exercise. The room is almost identical to last year at this time, so it’s getting a ‘boost’.

Offensive line in 2024

• Dion Dawkins
• David Edwards
• Connor McGovern
• O’Cyrus Torrence
• Spencer Brown
• Ryan Van Demark
• Alex Anderson
• Sedrick Van-Pran Granger
• Kevin Jarvis
• Tylan Grable
• Keaton Invoices
• Go applaud
• Gunner Britton
• Tommy Doyle
• Richard Gouraige
• Mike Edwards
• Travis Clayton

Offensive line in 2023

• Dion Dawkins
• Connor McGovern
• Mitch Morse
• Ryan Bates
• Spencer Brown
• Tommy Doyle
• David Edwards
• Greg Mancz
• O’Cyrus Torrence
• David Quessenberry
• Ryan Van Demark
• Nick Broeker
• Ike Böttger
• Brandon Shell
• Richard Gouraige
• Kevin Jarvis
• Alex Anderson

Verdict: a slight downgrade

Mitch Morse, who played at a high level in 2023, and versatile backup Ryan Bates left the room. Will Clapp and V-PG are the two notable pieces moving forward, with Grable and Clayton not expected to contribute significantly in 2024. Like many aspects of the roster, the Bills are banking on development. In this case, eyes will be on Alec Anderson and Ryan Van Demark to continue their trajectory to becoming trusted pieces down the line.

Overall verdict on offensive position rooms: a slight downgrade

I’m not sure you can, in good faith, say that the Bills team has more talent on the offensive side of the ball than this time last year. Too many sure things have disappeared and left in their place question marks, whether upper or lower case.

Many comments have been made by experts that this will be a “reset” year for the Bills, and this is reflected in their focus on development in key areas. If this development happens more often than not, the Bills could find themselves in a position where this discussion next offseason will be very different.

Exciting young players like Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir and Connor McGovern have the opportunity to move into bigger roles within the team and if they all prove up to the challenge, this team will be well positioned to continue to participate in the playoffs with the hope of competing for the championship.

…and that’s how the cookie crumbles. I’m Bruce Nolan with Buffalo Rumblings. You can find me on Twitter and Instagram @BruceExclusive!