Buffalo Bills 2015 Fantasy Outlook

Fantasy Relevant Losses:

• RB C.J. Spiller
• TE Scott Chandler

Fantasy Relevant Additions:

• RB LeSean McCoy
• WR Percy Harvin
• QB Matt Cassel
• TE Charles Clay

Overview

The Buffalo Bills for the past couple of seasons have, on paper, looked like the kind of team that is on the cusp of unseating the New England Patriots’ grip on the AFC East.  They’ve built a stout defense that can go toe to toe with any offense in the league and over the past couple of seasons have added to pretty good skill position players on offense as well.  However that has not translated into consistent wins and more importantly for this article it hasn’t translated into consistent fantasy points.

Quarterback

This off-season the Bills opted to sign Matt Cassel instead rolling with former first round pick and obvious bust EJ Manuel which is honestly a smart move for the Bills.  As far as fantasy impact Cassel doesn’t scream sexy but he’s got weapons around him that can inflate his numbers.  LeSean “Shady” McCoy can take a dump off screen and turn it into an 80 yard touchdown dash, and wide receiver Sammy Watkins is a hell of a deep threat and is quite good at getting YAC.  Cassel isn’t a reliable starter by any means for your fantasy roster, but isn’t a bad bye-week pick-up when your starter isn’t playing.  If Cassel goes down well then there is Manuel or Tyrod Taylor, neither is a good option.  Position Grade C-

Running Back

With the duo of Fred Jackson and LeSean McCoy the backfield the Buffalo Bills have constructed is solid.  You’ve got Shady who can make anyone miss and come out of the backfield and aid in the passing game where he terrorized the NFC East for the last few seasons, and now he brings that terror to the AFC East.  Then you have Jackson running straight through the tackles and crashing into the defense.  Shady was brought in to help in the redzone so he’s the obvious fantasy pick-up from the Bills. Position Grade B+

Wide Receiver

I’m only going to cover two receivers in this section because with McCoy coming out of the backfield these two receivers are going to be the only ones that really matter to fantasy owners.  Sammy Watkins and Percy Harvin.  Watkins put up solid numbers for the Bills last season but was inconsistent fantasy wise.  One week he could blow up for double digit fantasy points and then go dormant the next two weeks (though a lot of this has to do with Kyle Orton being the quarterback), and then you have Percy Harvin, a guy who turn a short dump off into a massive YAC rack up and/or a touchdown.  The guy has such speed that once he’s in the open field he’s gone.  Both guys would be a good addition to any fantasy team, especially if you have a solid number one receiver already.  Position Grade B

Tight End

The Bills picked up Charles Clay from their rival the Miami Dolphins this off-season and you know what, I’m not going to lie to you here, I’m a bit biased on Clay.  I picked him up last season late with the hope of him having a break out season.  That was a mistake, he was either hurt, or listed as doubtful, or just giving me the middle finger, it doesn’t matter, the guy has a lot of potential but hasn’t really shown it.  If you’re in a league that allows multiple tight ends he might be worth a look late, or a mid season addition if he proves himself, but on draft day, stay away.  Position Grade D

Defense

The Bills defense is just mean, like beat the shit out of you, take your money, and your girl friend mean, and now they have Rex Ryan at the helm.  Holy shit is life going to suck for the quarterbacks of the AFC East, the one game I’m sure Brady doesn’t mind for his suspension is week three at Buffalo.  This was the most consistent defense last season and with some of the points they put up last year probably won a few games for you (I have them to thank for winning me my championship).  Position Grade A

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