Associated Press

Did the Bills upgrade or downgrade this offseason?

By Ryan Talbot | Contributing writer

The Buffalo Bills' roster looks a lot different just months after making the playoffs for the first time since the 1999 season. Gone are players such as Tyrod Taylor, Richie Incognito, Eric Wood and Preston Brown. Although plenty of players have left, the Bills have also added talented players in Vontae Davis, Tremaine Edmunds, Star Lotulelei and others. At this point of the offseason, have the Bills upgraded or downgraded their roster? Here's a position-by-position look at the team's current roster and coaching staff.

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Matthew Fairburn

Quarterback

KEY PLAYERS IN 2017: Tyrod Taylor

KEY LOSSES: Taylor (traded)

KEY ADDITIONS: AJ McCarron (free agency), Josh Allen (draft)

DID BILLS UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE AT QB?

Downgrade.

Many Bills fans were ready to move on from Taylor and they got their wish this offseason. Buffalo received good value in dealing the quarterback, but it's hard to envision McCarron, Allen or Nathan Peterman being better in 2018. Taylor had his faults, but also kept many drives and plays alive with his athleticism. It's possible that one of the Bills' three quarterbacks steps up this season, but for now the position is viewed as a downgrade due to the inexperience of the trio.

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Running back/fullback

KEY PLAYERS IN 2017: LeSean McCoy, Mike Tolbert, Travaris Cadet, Patrick DiMarco

KEY LOSSES: Tolbert

KEY ADDITIONS: Chris Ivory (free agency)

DID BILLS UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE AT RB/FB?

Upgrade.

LeSean McCoy was the Bills' workhorse back and he'll return for another season in 2018. Behind McCoy, the Bills added Ivory. The veteran back is an upgrade over Tolbert, but is coming off of a season in which he averaged 3.4 yards per carry. That said, Ivory is more of a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. At fullback, Patrick DiMarco returns for his second season. He may be more involved in the offense with Brian Daboll at offensive coordinator.

The team also re-signed Cadet and Taiwan Jones this offseason and have Marcus Murphy and Keith Ford competing for roster spots.

It's not a significant upgrade, but the position is in better shape heading into 2018.

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Wide receiver

KEY PLAYERS IN 2017: Kelvin Benjamin, Zay Jones, Jordan Matthews, Deonte Thompson

KEY LOSSES: Matthews (free agency), Thompson (free agency)

KEY ADDITIONS: Jeremy Kerley (free agency), Rod Streater (free agency)

DID BILLS UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE AT WR?

Remained the same.

On paper, the wide receiver position remains one of the worst in the league. A healthy Kelvin Benjamin could go a long way in helping the unit, but there are still plenty of concerns at the position. Zay Jones struggled as a rookie and the team failed to re-sign Deonte Thompson in the offseason. Thompson was arguably the team's best receiver last season which says a lot about the position. In addition to losing Thompson, Buffalo also moved on from Jordan Matthews. The wide receiver, now healthy, signed with the Patriots.

Jeremy Kerley should be a solid No. 3 wide receiver and Streater will try to earn a roster spot after suffering an injury last year in the preseason. Buffalo also added Ray-Ray McCloud and Austin Proehl late in the draft.

Don't be surprised if the team adds another veteran or two before the start of the regular season.

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Tight end

KEY PLAYERS IN 2017: Charles Clay, Nick O'Leary

KEY LOSSES: None

KEY ADDITIONS: None

DID BILLS UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE AT TE?

Remained the same.

Buffalo's top two tight ends will return in 2018. Jason Croom, Khari Lee, Logan Thomas and Keith Towbridge will compete for the No. 3 spot.

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Offensive tackle

KEY PLAYERS IN 2017: Dion Dawkins, Jordan Mills

KEY LOSSES: Cordy Glenn (traded)

KEY ADDITIONS: Marshall Newhouse (free agency)

DID BILLS UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE AT OT?

Downgrade.

Buffalo's starting tackles, Dawkins and Mills, will return in 2018, but the team's depth is a concern. Buffalo traded Cordy Glenn to the Bengals this offseason to move up in the first round of the draft. Keeping Glenn didn't make sense at his salary, but the team lost a very talented player.

Marshall Newhouse was the team's biggest addition in free agency and is the current favorite to be the team's No. 3 offensive tackle. Conor McDermott, Ike Boettger, Gerhard de Beer, Josh James, Mo Porter and De'Ondre Wesley will compete for 1-2 roster spots.

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Interior offensive line

KEY PLAYERS IN 2017: Richie Incognito, Eric Wood, Vlad Ducasse

KEY LOSSES: Incognito (released), Wood (retirement)

KEY ADDITIONS: John Miller (returning from injury), Russell Bodine (free agency), Wyatt Teller (draft)

DID BILLS UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE AT IOL?

Downgrade.

Incognito and Wood are significant losses for the Bills' offensive line. Incognito was named to the Pro Bowl in the last three seasons and Wood was a solid center.

The team will look to replace the duo with the likes of John Miller, Russell Bodine and Ryan Groy. Rookie Wyatt Teller could also compete for playing time at some point in 2018.

If Miller reverts back to how he was playing after his second season, it could go a long way in helping the offensive line. He dealt with a lingering ankle injury last season.

Bodine has plenty of experience at center from his time in Cincinnati, but he didn't play particularly well. Buffalo can only hope that Bodine will continue to improve. If he doesn't, Groy could replace him quickly in the lineup.

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Matthew Fairburn

Defensive end

KEY PLAYERS IN 2017: Shaq Lawson, Jerry Hughes, Ryan Davis, Eddie Yarbrough

KEY LOSSES: Davis (released)

KEY ADDITIONS: Trent Murphy (free agency)

DID BILLS UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE AT DE?

Upgrade.

Buffalo parted ways with Ryan Davis (3 sacks) in the offseason, but replaced him with Trent Murphy in free agency. Murphy missed the 2017 season with a torn ACL, but showed what he could do as a pass rusher in 2016 with Washington. According to Pro Football Focus, Murphy had 55 quarterback pressures that season.

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Defensive tackle

KEY PLAYERS IN 2017: Kyle Williams, Adolphus Washington, Cedric Thornton

KEY LOSSES: Thornton (remains free agent)

KEY ADDITIONS: Star Lotulelei (free agency), Harrison Phillips (draft)

DID BILLS UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE AT DT?

Upgrade.

The Bills made two big upgrades at defensive tackle this offseason. They signed one of the top free agents in Lotulelei and added Phillips in the third round of the draft. Lotulelei already knows Sean McDermott's defense and should play a significant role in improving Buffalo's run defense. Phillips will also contribute as a rookie behind Lotulelei and veteran Kyle Williams. If Williams calls it a career after the 2018 season, Phillips should be able to slide into a starting role.

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Linebacker

KEY PLAYERS IN 2017: Preston Brown, Matt Milano, Lorenzo Alexander, Ramon Humber

KEY LOSSES: Brown (free agency)

KEY ADDITIONS: Tremaine Edmunds (draft)

DID BILLS UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE AT LB?

Upgrade.

It sounds odd to say that Buffalo upgraded at linebacker after letting Brown, the 2017 league leader in tackles, walk in free agency, but the unit should be better in 2018. Tremaine Edmunds, considered to be a top-10 talent in the draft, was added at pick 16 by Buffalo and has been taking first team reps with the Bills in OTAs. His athleticism and freakish size/speed combination should help him make impact plays behind Lotulelei.

In addition to adding Edmunds, Matt Milano will get a chance to improve off of his impressive rookie season. The duo of Milano and Edmunds could prove to be one of the best young combinations in the league. Veterans Lorenzo Alexander and Ramon Humber will also help this unit on and off the field.

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Cornerback

KEY PLAYERS IN 2017: Tre'Davious White, E.J. Gaines, Leonard Johnson

KEY LOSSES: E.J. Gaines (free agency), Leonard Johnson (remains a free agent)

KEY ADDITIONS: Vontae Davis (free agency), Phillip Gaines (free agency), Taron Johnson (draft)

DID BILLS UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE AT CB?

Remained the same.

At one time, Vontae Davis was considered one of the league's top cornerbacks. In 2017, Davis struggled due to a groin injury and only appeared five games. Buffalo desperately needs Davis to stay healthy in 2018. He'll be replacing E.J. Gaines. Gaines was an outstanding No. 2 cornerback for Buffalo in 2017, but had trouble staying on the field (11 games played).

Buffalo also let Leonard Johnson leave in free agency. The Bills replaced their top nickel cornerback with Phillip Gaines and Taron Johnson this offseason. Phillip Gaines has been one of the league's worst cornerbacks according to Pro Football Focus, but it's possible that he'll be a better fit in McDermott's defense. If he's not, Johnson could get on the field early in his career.

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Safety

KEY PLAYERS IN 2017: Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer

KEY LOSSES: None

KEY ADDITIONS: Siran Neal (draft), Rafael Bush (free agency)

DID BILLS UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE AT S?

Upgrade.

Hyde and Poyer were arguably the best safety duo in the NFL last season. They'll both return in 2018 and the depth behind them has improved with the additions of Neal and Bush.

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Special teams

KEY PLAYERS IN 2017: Stephen Hauschka, Colton Schmidt, Reid Ferguson

KEY LOSSES: None

KEY ADDITIONS: None

DID BILLS UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE ON ST?

Remained the same.

Stephen Hauschka was one of the league's best kickers in 2017. His ability to hit long field goals helped Buffalo win many games last season.

Colton Schmidt was inconsistent at times, but should beat out Cory Carter in training camp.

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Coaching staff

KEY COACHES IN 2017: Sean McDermott, Rick Dennison, Leslie Frazier

KEY LOSSES: Dennison (fired)

KEY ADDITIONS: Brian Daboll

DID BILLS UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE?

Upgrade.

Buffalo added Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator this offseason. Although previous stints with the Browns, Dolphins and Chiefs have not gone well, he's coming off of back-to-back championships with the Patriots in 2016 (tight ends coach) and Alabama in 2017 (offensive coordinator).

Daboll will be replacing Rick Dennison. Buffalo's offense struggled under Dennison and his predictable play-calling didn't do the team any favors in 2017.

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