Three Questions Before Bills Training Camp

Buffalo Bills training camp kicks off in just seven days! Even though I said the same thing last year, the Bills have very few holes remaining on their roster. But there are still questions at a few positions heading into 2023.

Who starts at MLB Week 1?

The Buffalo Bills have a few players that can start Week 1: Tyrel Dodson, Terrel Bernard, and Dorian Williams. But unfortunately, none look to be as good as Tremaine Edmunds was for the last five years.

Dorian does a lot of stuff well, and fits the league’s new archetype for the position. But is he ready to to command an entire defense in his first year? Dorian just started learning the MLB position after being drafted, so Bills fans may not see meaningful snaps out of him as early as they want.

Dodson could be a quality starter, but it was interesting to see him brought back after tweeting out his goodbyes to the team. With that in mind, the Bills may not view him as highly as the other options here. Bernard hasn’t played much on defense in his career, so we don’t know what we have in the second-year pro. While the options at MLB offer good long-term potential, there is still uncertainty over who should start at the position in the short-term.

Personally, I think Dorian Williams gets the nod for Week 1.

Which RBs will get touches?

The Bills really keyed in on the run game this year, between their additions at OL (O’Cyrus Torrence, Conner McGovern, David Edwards, and Nick Broeker) and RB (Damien Harris and Latavius Murray). So how do the Bills divvy up carries?

James Cook is the presumptive focal point of the run game, with Damien Harris coming in on goal line/short yardage situations. Latavius Murray would likely serve as a reserve back if he makes the final roster, coming in as a fresh body to pick up a few yards late in the game. At the ripe age of 33, Murray can still produce at a meaningful level. He rushed for 760 yards and six TDs with the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos last year.

Fans would hope to see more Nyheim Hines on offense this year, after only tallying six carries and five receptions with Buffalo in 2022. While his status as Buffalo’s top return man is all but set in stone, his offensive role is up for debate. But, given what the team gave up for him, you’d like see an attempt to use him this year.

My order:

• James Cook RB1a
• Damien Harris RB1b
• Nyheim Hines
• Latavius Murray

How will the defense fair with new DC Sean McDermott?

Sean McDermott is taking over the defense for the first time since coming to Buffalo. McDermott’s defenses in Carolina were some of the best in the league. He coached them super aggressive and they got to the QB and ball week after week. Will that transfer to the Bills in 2023-24?

The Buffalo Bills added Leonard Floyd, Shane Ray, Poona Ford, Cam Dantzler, and Taylor Rapp this off-season. They could look to play more versatile, position-less defense as well, with players like Rapp and Dorian Williams able to play multiple positions.

With Sean McDermott calling the shots, we should see flashes of what this Bills defense used to look like during the Mike Pettine/Jim Schwartz days, and be a legitimate top-five defense again.

Featured Image: AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes