Let’s meet the 2019 Buffalo Bills Quarterbacks.
Player-by-player:
Josh Allen
Despite GM Brandon Beane and HC Sean McDermott claiming no one has a locked position, Allen is, without hesitation, the Bills quarterback. He had a stellar rookie season but was overshadowed by Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield. Last season, he led the Bills in both rushing and passing yards. He’s just the fourth player to do that since 2000.
While accuracy isn’t his biggest strength, people overcriticize the issue. Sure, Allen has been able to rely on his arm strength his entire life, but his 52% completion rate is far from exclusively his fault. For the better part of the season, he had no clear-cut go-to receiver, and even when Robert Foster emerged he was useless everywhere other than on deep go routes.
With an overhauled line, Allen will be able to actually develop as a true pocket passer. If he can separate himself from the scramble-happy tendencies he developed last season, Allen could easily finish top-12 in passing yards this season.
Matt Barkley
Despite going into just his fifth NFL season, Barkley will be used for veteran leadership in the quarterback room. The other two QBs are 21 and 23, so having a career clipboard quarterback to help refine their game will prove useful.
Barkley stepped up when the Bills called his number last season. He started and put up 232-yard, two-TD game while Allen was injured.
Tyree Jackson
Jackson is a longshot to make the 53-man roster after going undrafted this past draft. He attended the University of Buffalo, who play their games less than half an hour north of Orchard Park’s New Era Field. There, he was named the 2018 MVP of the Mid-American Conference.
His accuracy and decision-making are questionable, but he has the arm strength and mobility give reasons for the Bills to try to hone his skills. He compared himself to Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes prior to the draft, which is a hefty thing to say for any player, let alone one that went undrafted. But, if you watch the tape, there are some similarities in their games.
Projected Depth Chart
Josh Allen
Matt Barkley
Recap:
Buffalo has their quarterback of the future in Josh Allen. The only question now is: who will back him up? Barkley is the landslide favorite, but if Jackson has a strong preseason he can swipe away that role in an instant. The Bills could keep both, but the three quarterback strategy hasn’t exactly been in vogue. If I’m Brandon Beane, I’m flirting with the idea of asking Barkley to retire and stick around as a staff member to work exclusively with Jackson and Allen. With that said, no chance at all that actually happens.
GRADE: B+
How do you grade the Bills quarterback group? Do you have full faith in Jackson or Barkley? Have you discussed the RBs and WRs? Let me know, either on Twitter (@zekepersources) or Instagram (@zekepersources)