1. Two Bills who could make a big impact in 2020
Out of all the free agent signings and trades, Bleacher Report made a list of just nine NFL players who will have a significant impact on their new teams in 2020. B/R has two new Bills on the list.
WR Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills
Somehow, Diggs hasn't achieved Pro Bowl honors, though he's topped 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons and put together a strong 2019 campaign, logging 1,130 receiving yards and six touchdowns while averaging 17.9 yards per catch.
Diggs should elevate the Buffalo Bills' 26th-ranked passing offense. Furthermore, as the team's new lead wideout, he could help Allen put up more impressive numbers, which would encourage the front office to pick up the quarterback's fifth-year option next offseason.
DE Mario Addison, Buffalo Bills
As a late bloomer, Mario Addison has been overlooked among pass-rushers. Since his breakout 2016 term for the Carolina Panthers, he ranks 11th in sacks (39).
Addison raised his level of productivity in McDermott's final year in Carolina before he accepted the Bills' head-coaching job. He will reunite with his former defensive coordinator as Buffalo looks to bolster its front seven, specifically on the edge.
2. Open competition at kicker
Special teams coordinator Heath Farwell met with the media via zoom on Friday to discuss the kicking competition and virtual offseason. The Bills drafted kicker Tyler Bass in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, while kicker Stephen Hauschka remains on the roster. Farwell said the kicking job is currently Hauschka's, but there will be an open competition.
"It's an open competition," Farwell said. "It's not his job by any means, it's Steve's right now. He's had a lot of big kicks over his career, a history of good kicks in big games in the playoffs. He was four for four last year. He is still the guy and it's up to Tyler to beat them out."
Farwell is looking forward to seeing the two compete because of their different strengths.
"It's going to be a great competition because they both bring different things," Farwell said. "It's Steve's accuracy, we love where he's at inside 49 yards. His leadership, his big kicks in playoff games, that's a big thing that he brings. Then you have a young player like Tyler who is loaded with talent. He has a lot of ton of upside, but he's got to prove it in the preseason and training camp."
3. Tre'Davious White makes NFL's 2019 All-Analytics Team
Before the page turns to the approaching season, NFL Networks Cynthia Frelund released her NFL All-Analytics Team for 2019. The roster was based on contribution metric. Bills corner Tre'Davious White was the lone Buffalo player to make the all-analytics team.
CB Tre'Davious White, Buffalo Bills
PFF tracked 83 targets thrown to a receiver in his coverage without him allowing a touchdown, which was the most in the NFL. He also recorded a 43.0 passer rating allowed in coverage, which was second-lowest in the NFL (among those with a minimum of 50 targets). The gap between Gilmore and White was the closest for any first- and second-ranked player at a position.
