Power Rankings: Top Post-Draft Offenses (16-20)

Sep 15, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) runs the ball against the Carolina Panthers at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bills 6-10
Last Season’s Rankings: #19 Overall Offense (338.1 total yards per game) #28 Passing Offense (193.9 passing yards per game) #2 Rushing Offense (144.2 rushing yards per game)
Last Season
Last year for the Bills was basically a 50/50 season in some respects. On one hand their running game was one of the best in the game (second best actually, averaging 144.2 yards per game), while their passing game was one of the worst in the game (fifth worst actually, averaging 193.9 yards per game). Thank goodness Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller were so effective because without them the Bills would have lost so many more games in 2013. Some major problems the Bills had in 2013 could be traced back to their offensive line and lack of a solid QB. In 2013, the Bills ranked 29th in completion percentage (57.3%), second worst in fumbles (12), fourth worst in sacks (48 allowed) and 22nd in points (21.2). In 2013, the Bills saw the likes of Jeff Tuel, Thad Lewis and rookie QB EJ Manuel. All three QBs were good in their own right, however together they proved unable to lead this ball club. With Manuel coming back healthy, the Bills should leave 2013 in their past. Also they have this receiver named Sammy Watkins, he’s alright, I guess.

Run Offense
The NFL saw the absolute explosion of the Bills’ running backs. The unique combination of power back Fred Jackson and speedy-quick C.J. Spiller rushed for a combined 1,823 yards, 11 touchdowns and a 4.45 yards per carry average. Although many (like ESPN) may compare C.J. Spiller to the likes of Trent Richardson, I see the comparison as way off base. For starters, Spiller has a way better yards per carry average than Richardson (career 5.1 yards per carry average, 6.0 yards per carry in 2012) and can catch passes out of the backfield better than Richardson. Many may ask why the Bills don’t go with one back or the other and I honestly think that the way they have it is completely fine. I don’t think Fred Jackson is better than Spiller and vise versa because they work together so well. Nobody just wants a peanut butter sandwich and nobody just wants a jelly sandwich, they want that combination. Jackson is better in terms of goal-line carries and getting hard-earned yards catching the football, while Spiller is more of a single back formation type of guy, excelling most on HB stretches and outside runs than anything else. In the off-season, the Bills stacked their offensive line, adding Baylor OG Cyril Richardson and OTs Cyrus Kouandjio from Alabama and Seantrel Henderson out of the University of Miami. These additions should most definitely help out the running game of the Bills by giving them big, experienced bodies up front. Out of the University of Alabama, Kouandjio is one of the biggest and best offensive lineman in the country and perhaps one of the better picks for this Buffalo squad. Out of Hyattsville, Maryland, Kouandjio was one of the country’s highest toted offensive linemen.  Fortunately for Kouandjio, Nick Saban and Alabama gave him the starting job his Sophomore season and helped the Tide to win their 2nd straight National Championship. This past season for the Crimson Tide, the 6’5″, 310 Kouandjio impressed NFL scouts once again as he started every single game for the Tide this season. Where Kouandjio is so talented is not only with his brute strength and size, but also his ability to fire off the line and help the running game with some pull-around blocks. Kouandjio is especially skilled with his quick feet and has the aptitude to remain poised, consistent and powerful with his run blocking duties. He has great arm length and strength and can out-muscle anybody who ever gets in his way. He will be starting most likely this season, ravaging defensive lines and protecting Manuel with all of his 6’5″, 310-pound body.

Pass Offense
Just like in many team’s situations last season, injuries to starting QBs ended up dooming the Bills’ 2013 season. After starting first five games of 2013, Manuel unfortunately got injured, leaving the Bills in the hands of inexperienced Jeff Tuel and Thad Lewis. Now Lewis wasn’t actually that bad of a QB, averaging 218.4 yards, 59.2% completion and a 81.0 passer rating. Tuel didn’t fair too well in the first game he started, throwing for 229 yards, but throwing two picks and completing an anemic 46.2% of his passes. 2014 I expect to be much better for the Bills. In Manuel’s 10 games, he averaged 197.2 yards per game, a 58.8% completion and a 77.7 passer rating. Where Manuel should improve his game would have to be in completing more of his passes. Four times in 2013 Manuel completed under 55% of his passes. I think with this off-season to work with his coaches and receivers, Manuel should see progress.

Speaking of receivers though, the Bills have one of the youngest receiving crops, however they have a lot of talent. Although they lost long-time Bill Stevie Johnson to free agency, the Bills were able to add WR Mike Williams from Tampa Bay (averaged 910 yards, 7.6 touchdowns and 63.3 receptions per season from 2010-2012). Joining Williams and returning rookie Robert Woods from USC will be fourth overall pick Sammy Watkins. Where Watkins is strongest is his route-running and ability to get open in the passing game. While he may not be a physical receiver like Mike Evans of Texas A&M, he has terrific footwork ad can use his quick acceleration to get space from defensive backs. Another key characteristic for Watkins is his versatility. As demonstrated by his Freshman season, Watkins has shown to be dangerous not only on the receiving side of the ball, but also the running and return side of the ball as well. His stats in college are impressive, continuing great tradition over all three of his years. His freshman year saw Watkins catch 82 passes for 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns to go along with his 231 rushing yards on 32 carries and 826 return yards and one touchdown on 33 kick-off returns (average of 25 yards per return). While Watkins Sophomore season wasn’t as grand (708 yards and three touchdowns on 57 receptions), he had a stupendous comeback season his junior year, catching 101 passes for 1,464 yards (ranked 5th in the nation) and 12 touchdowns (tied for 10th-most in the nation) in 2013.

As for the other receivers on this roster, Robert Woods had a decent rookie season, catching 40 passes for 587 yards and three touchdowns. As for other rookie WR Marquise Goodwin, he caught 17 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns. Surprisingly enough, TE Scott Chandler was actually the Bills’ leading receiver in 2013 with 53 receptions, 655 yards and two touchdown receptions. I think 2014 sees bigger involvement out of Woods and Chandler as Watkins develops his game. I think that Goodwin could potentially be Buffalo’s secret weapon, hooking up with Manuel for some deep bombs as the season goes on. I think that this passing offense goes where EJ Manuel’s play allows it to go. If he completes passes (which I expect him to do), then the season should go smoothly. If he doesn’t and starts to throw interceptions, look for 2014 to be yet another long season in Buffalo.

In The End
In conclusion, I think that last year the Bills were forced to rely on their running game to win ball games and because of their QB situation, were not allowed to truly develop their passing game as much as they would have liked. I believe that Manuel can be the QB of the future for the Bills if he cooperates with his receivers and completes better than 60% of his passes. I think that the loss of Stevie Johnson should be a motivator for these younger receivers to perform at an elite level. I’m not yet convinced of Sammy Watkins abilities, however I’m sure as the season progresses, he will start to flash that first round talent that everyone knows he has.