2014 NFL Preview: Everything you need to know about the Buffalo Bills

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Buffalo Bills

Schedule | Roster

Injuries to rookie quarterback EJ Manuel derailed the Bills' 2013 campaign. The No. 16 overall pick battled an ailing knee throughout training camp, causing him to go under the knife for a minor procedure in mid-August. He then sprained his LCL in October and missed four games, before missing the final two games of the season with another knee injury. 

In 10 starts, Manuel completed 180 of 306 passes (58.8 percent) for 1,972 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions - not exactly world-beating stats. He'll need to take a major step forward in 2014 if the Bills are to contend for a playoff spot. And, by all accounts, the Bills believe he will. The team spent its offseason surrounding Manuel with weapons. 

Off the field, uncertainty surrounds the team. Following the death of owner Ralph Wilson, the franchise will be sold to the highest bidder. Though an ironclad lease agreement looks certain to keep the Bills in Western New York until at least 2020, there are some who believe relocation is likely in the next decade. 

The prospect of new ownership appears to have thrust the Bills into a "win now" mode. The current coaching staff knows it must impress a new owner or it could result in wholesale changes to the organization. 

Preseason Power Ranking - #26

The Sammy Watkins trade made it clear the Bills believe they are one piece away from the playoffs. If they're right, it means Manuel is about to surprise a lot of people. More...

Key Additions/Departures

Key Additions: LB Brandon Spikes, OG Chris Williams, RB Bryce Brown, WR Mike Williams, CB Corey Graham

Key Departures: S Jairus Byrd, WR Stevie Johnson, QB Jeff Tuel, P Brian Moorman

The Bills made a push to keep Byrd, but he departed for New Orleans on a six-year, $54-million deal - the second-richest awarded in free agency. He'll be replaced from within, with Aaron Williams and Da'Norris Searcy tabbed as the Bills' new starting safety duo.

Chris Williams is slated to start at left guard. With some uncertainly regarding left tackle Cordy Glenn's future (he's battling a mysterious health issue), the Bills will need him to be rock-solid.

Brandon Spikes will step into a major role following a season-ending knee injury to 2013 leading tackler Kiko Alonso, suffered at offseason workouts. Spikes is expected to line up at middle linebacker, with Nigel Bradham on the weak side and Keith Rivers on the strong side. The positional group could be a weak spot for this team. 

On offense, both running back Bryce Brown and wide receiver Mike Williams were acquired via trade. Brown has a better chance of making a significant contribution. Both C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson are eligible for free agency in 2015, and it's possible the Bills view Brown as a key part of their future rushing attack. 

2014 Draft Class 

The Bills made the biggest splash of the draft, trading their 2013 and 2014 first-round picks, plus a 2014 fourth-rounder, to move up from No. 9 to No. 4 for Sammy Watkins. It's an all-in, career-altering move for general manager Doug Whaley and head coach Doug Marrone. 

Initial indications are that the move will pay off. The 21-year-old Watkins was renowned for his work ethic and commitment to preparation at Clemson, and he's reportedly carried his maturity with him to the pros.

He's also a heck of an athlete, and he's wowing onlookers with nearly impossible snags at training camp. Watkins has the chance to be a rare rookie wideout who steps on the field as a bona fide No. 1 from Day 1. 

Early returns from presumed starting right tackle Cyrus Kouandjio aren't so positive, and there are even reports that he's been outplayed by seventh-round pick Seantrel Henderson. It's an annual tradition for the Bills to have questions marks along their offensive line, and this year is no different. 

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Doug Marrone
Offensive Coordinator: Nathaniel Hackett
Defensive Coordinator: Jim Schwartz

Marrone and Hackett return for a second year in Buffalo, but they will be without 2013 defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, who departed for the Cleveland Browns' head coaching job. Taking his place is former Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz.

Schwartz served as defensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans from 2001-08, and he oversaw a frequently fearsome pass rush. 

The Bills' defensive personnel looks like a good fit for Schwartz's scheme, which is predicated on the front four generating pressure without many blitzes. Expect big sack numbers from Mario Williams and Jerry Hughes. 

On the back end, expect to see a conservative but opportunistic secondary built around capitalizing on the pressure created by the front four and creating turnovers.

2014 Schedule

The Bills will play only two 2013 playoff teams in the first half of the season, allowing them the opportunity to build some momentum for a more challenging second-half slate of games.

As usual, the team got the short end of the NFL's stick from a prime time games perspective, appearing just once in the evening (and on an NFL Network game rather than NBC, CBS or ESPN).

Bold Predictions

The Bills will win the AFC East. It’s been a long time since the Bills truly contended in the AFC East and they haven’t even made the playoffs since 1999. That all changes in 2014 though, as the Bills dethrone the New England Patriots to capture the division title. Buffalo’s defense was sneakily good last season and could be even better this year. The offense should definitely be improved after adding Watkins, Williams and Brown to the fold, allowing Manuel to take a step forward in his second season with far more weapons at his disposal.  -Mike Dickson

Bryce Brown will lead the Bills in carries. Fred Jackson is 33 and surely running out of whatever magic kept his career going this long. C.J. Spiller is dynamic but not built for a full workload and, more importantly, eligible for free agency in 2015. The Bills traded for Brown during the draft, suggesting the team’s coaching staff sees far more potential in him than the Philadelphia Eagles did. He’s one significant Spiller injury away from a lot of carries. -David Woods

Robert Woods will lead the Bills in receiving. Woods had a solid rookie campaign for the Bills in 2013, catching 40 passes for 587 yards and three touchdowns. The 22-year-old faces stiffer competition this season with the additions of Watkins and Williams, and the emergence of Chris Hogan, but if he continues to build on his chemistry with Manuel, he could be the biggest component to the Bills’ passing game. -Caitlyn Holroyd

Manuel gets benched. Manuel looked lost at times last season and is coming off knee surgery. He didn’t run the most intricate of offenses at Florida State, so picking up the Bills attack and reading pro defenses after just 11 games last year will still be a challenge. With new ownership on its way, this is a make or break year for Marrone and his coaching staff. They won’t hesitate to send a message with nothing to lose. -Michael Amato