Kickoff Primer: An instant guide to the 2016 Buffalo Bills

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Buffalo Bills

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Rex Ryan
Offensive Coordinator: Greg Roman
Defensive Coordinator: Dennis Thurman

Key Additions

• DE Shaq Lawson (1st round)
• LB Reggie Ragland (2nd round)
• DL Adolphus Washington (3rd round)
• RB Reggie Bush
• LB Brandon Spikes
• LB Zach Brown
• FB Glenn Gronkowski (UDFA)

Key Departures

• DE Mario Williams
• RB Karlos Williams
• WR Chris Hogan
• LB Manny Lawson
• LB Nigel Bradham
• FB Jerome Felton
• DT Stefan Charles
• G Kraig Urbik
• CB Leodis McKelvin
• CB Ron Brooks
• TE Chris Gragg

Preseason Power Rankings - No. 20

The health of Sammy Watkins and Rex Ryan rejuvenating the defense is paramount to the Bills' success. If Watkins misses time or the defense falters again, it could be a long season for Buffalo, even with Tyrod Taylor emerging as a legitimate starter. More...

Projected Starting Lineup

*Marcell Dareus is facing a four-game suspension to begin the season.
*Shaq Lawson would've started at outside linebacker, but will miss the start of the year due to shoulder surgery.
*Reggie Ragland would've started at weakside linebacker, but will miss the season due to a torn ACL.
*Aaron Williams may be held out of the season opener due to a concussion.

Questions to Answer

• Is Tyrod Taylor more than a one-year wonder?
• Will the Bills maintain the league's best rushing offense without Karlos Williams?
• How will the Bills' pass-rush hold up with Marcell Dareus suspended and numerous injuries to the front seven?

Best-case Scenario

Taylor continues to be one of the league's most efficient quarterbacks and engineers another top-12 offense, while LeSean McCoy regains the form that won him the 2013 rushing title. In spite of myriad injuries and suspensions to begin the year, the Bills lead the NFL in sacks with Jerry Hughes and Kyle Williams spearheading a resolute attack. In the second year of the Rex Ryan era, continuity pays off and the Bills go 11-5, finally snapping the NFL's longest playoff drought.

Worst-case Scenario

Frankly, it's already begun. The Bills are unable to overcome the Dareus suspension and stumble to 0-4 in his absence. During his second year as the starter, Taylor completely unravels and doesn't come anywhere close to his nearly 4:1 touchdown to interception ratio. Richie Incognito fails to repeat as an All-Pro caliber guard and the running game regresses back to the mean, and the Bills stumble to a 4-12 mark, last in the AFC East.