BUFFALO BILLS (7-9)
COACH: Sean McDermott (first season)
BIGGEST NEWCOMERS: McDermott, their biggest offseason acquisition, has begun remaking the roster left behind by former coach Rex Ryan. The Bills’ most intriguing pickup this offseason was second-round pick Zay Jones, a speedy wide receiver out of East Carolina. They brought over
Micah Hyde from the Packers at safety and drafted cornerback Tre’Davious White in the first round to remake the secondary.
BIGGEST LOSSES: Top cornerback Stephon Gilmore is now in New England. They also let
Zach Brown, their most athletic linebacker, walk in free agency. Buffalo surprisingly allowed running back Mike Gillislee to go to the Patriots as a restricted free agent.
CAMP OUTLOOK: McDermott was brought in to clean up the mess left by Ryan, whose two years in Buffalo were a total mess and ended with a 7-9 season last year. The Bills decided to bring back quarterback Tyrod
Taylor after speculation they would move on. The offense hinges on whether he can make a jump from decent to very good. LeSean McCoy is going to carry the running game with Gillislee gone. The biggest question in Buffalo in recent years has been: Can Sammy Watkins stay healthy? The wide receiver has yet to live up to his potential because of injuries.
Leslie Frazier takes over as defensive coordinator and is converting the Bills back to a 4-3 defense after the Ryan brothers’ 3-4 was a failure. Buffalo’s playoff drought is now at 17 years and counting, the longest in pro sports. There is no reason to expect that to end this year, but the no-nonsense McDermott will change the culture in his first year in Buffalo. HOW THEY FARED VS. JETS LAST SEASON: Jets swept season series, 2-0.