1. Brian Daboll recognized as one of the top offensive playcallers
In Brian Daboll's third season as offensive coordinator, the Bills offense set new franchise records for most points scored, most touchdowns, most first downs and total yards gained in a single season. He was also named the AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year for 2020. Pro Football Focus ranked the best offensive play callers ahead of this upcoming season and had Daboll and number two.
#2. BRIAN DABOLL, BUFFALO BILLS
Josh Allen's emergence was one of the most fun storylines of the 2020 season, with the Bills generating the second-most points in football despite playing their home games in cold weather, and in a division with good defenses in Miami and New England. Stefon Diggs went from a really good wide receiver to a player who led the league in receiving yards, while mid-round UCF prospect Gabriel Davis added seven touchdowns from his WR4 spot. Daboll should be on the shortlist for head coaching positions next offseason if the Bills continue ascending in a crowded AFC.
2. Bleacher Report thinks the Bills player that could be a breakout fantasy star in 2021 is ...
Gabriel Davis stood out in the Bills offense as a rookie last season. He had seven receiving touchdowns which was tied with Justin Jefferson for the second most touchdowns by a rookie wide receiver. Bleacher Report thinks Davis will continue to develop in his second year and has the biggest potential to be the team's breakout fantasy star.
Buffalo Bills: WR Gabriel Davis
The Buffalo Bills swapped veteran wide receivers this offseason when Emmanuel Sanders took John Brown's roster spot. Sanders can be a significant part of the Bills offense, but he may have to move aside and allow second-year target Gabriel Davis more room to operate.
As a rookie, Davis finished third on the team with 35 receptions for 599 yards. The sophomore target should be more than a vertical threat this fall, though he excels as a downfield target. According to Pro Football Focus, Davis led all rookies last season with five touchdowns of 20 or more yards downfield. More importantly, he didn't register a single drop on those targets.
Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley will get theirs within the offense. Sanders is a valuable veteran as well. Davis should force his way into more opportunities as his development continues.
3. Which second-year Bills player could be a breakout star this upcoming season?
Earlier this month, Leslie Frazier told the media that he was proud of the work that AJ Epenesa has put in this offseason with Bills strength coach Eric Ciano. He added that the second-year defensive end looks stronger and more explosive than he did last season at this point. CBS Sports NFL writer Tyler Sullivan put out his list of under the radar players that could be stars in this upcoming season. For the Bills, Sullivan believes that Epenesa could be that star in 2021.
_Bills: A.J. Epenesa, DE _
A.J. Epenesa was arguably a first-round talent coming out of Iowa in 2020, but Buffalo was able to scoop him up in the second round. He appeared in 14 contests for the Bills during his rookie season, but played sparingly (27% of the defensive snaps). When given more of an opportunity in the later part of the season, however, Epenesa didn't disappoint. His lone start of the season came in Week 17, when he totaled a season-high three tackles for a loss along with a quarterback hit. The rookie also was a noticeable presence during the AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs. As he heads into his second season, coach Sean McDermott will likely give Epenesa even more opportunity to grow within this defense. As Buffalo looks to contend in the AFC in 2021, Epenesa could prove to be a key piece along that unit to compliment Josh Allen on the other side of the ball.
