NFL 'Roster Core' Rankings: Bills in Top 5?
Do the Buffalo Bills have the "core" players to win a Super Bowl in 2023? That is the million-dollar question this offseason, as Bills Mafia hopes their team has done enough to get over the hump.
ESPN recently ranked all 32 NFL teams by their "roster core," which is essentially the five players each franchise wants to build around.
Here's how the top five of the rankings panned out:
1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Cincinnati Bengals
3. Philadelphia Eagles
4. Miami Dolphins
5. Buffalo Bills
Quarterback Josh Allen, receiver Stefon Diggs, linebacker Von Miller, cornerback Tre'Davious White, and linebacker Matt Milano were listed as the Bills' core players.
"Allen is carrying the load in making the Bills a serious Super Bowl contender, because this core could be better," ESPN writes. "White and Miller suffered ACL injuries in 2021 and 2022, respectively. And while Milano is coming off a fantastic 2022 season, he's still an inside linebacker, which is a devalued position. But this ranking just goes to show how far an elite QB and receiver can take you."
Aside from the first three teams, Buffalo may have an argument to be above the Dolphins.
ESPN lists Tua Tagovalioa, Tyreek Hill, Jalen Ramsey, Jaylen Waddle, and Terron Armstead as Miami's core. Yet, according to the article, the trade to acquire Ramsey has pushed the Dolphins above the Bills.
The Bills don't have the offensive firepower compared to the teams above them, which seems to be holding them back. Adding another play-maker was a goal this offseason for Buffalo, and while the Bills didn't end up with a first-round wide receiver, they did land tight end Dalton Kincaid in the first round of the draft.
Getting consistent production out of their second and third option in the passing game will be key for any Bills' deep playoff run.
Do the Bills have the players to provide that extra offensive production? Time will certainly tell.
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