1 - GMFB picks this Bill to breakout in 2019
The "Good Morning Football" crew discussed and chose Josh Allen as a breakout player in 2019. For GMFB's Kay Adams the choice was simple after watching Josh Allen's Week 17 performance.
"He destroyed the Dolphins, that's the taste left in my mouth of Josh Allen," Adams said.
Allen dominated the Dolphins with 224 yards passing, 95 yards rushing and 5 total touchdowns. Allen was responsible for 35 of the Bills' 42 points in their season finale drubbing of Miami.
"They got him tons of help, all of the additions and there were some blockbuster moves around the league and they did a lot up In Buffalo," Adams said. "They added the trusty chain mover in Cole Beasley and a nice threat for him in John Brown. Who's to say the Bills don't wreck the draft and add a guy like Metcalf. I think they see an opportunity here, they trust Josh Allen. I think he's the breakout stud at the quarterback spot in 2019."
Allen's weapons have improved and so has his offensive line. The revamped offense and another year under offensive coordinator Brian Daboll should certainly help the second-year quarterback improve for next season while the defense should remain consistent with the only key loss being Kyle Williams.
New center Mitch Morse was able to help Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes become a star in the NFL and the hope is he'll help Allen achieve the same.
2 - Bills receive A- grade in free agency
The dust has finally settled on the NFL free agency opening period. Most big free agent names have been signed and teams aren't rushing to overpay a player at the risk of him signing somewhere else. Buffalo has already made 11 signings this offseason with cap space to spare. The Bills might not be done yet, but for now the free agent class is looking pretty good.
TheScore’s NFL editors handed out their initial grades for teams in free agency giving Buffalo an A-.
The Bills went with a quantity-over-quality approach in free agency, but that's certainly not a bad thing in this case. Buffalo needed an infusion of talent across the board, and spending big at just a few positions wouldn't have moved the needle enough in 2019 to justify the investment. This measured strategy to address a lack of offensive talent is all about boosting quarterback Josh Allen's chances of making a significant second-year leap.
John Brown and Cole Beasley headlined the Bills' free-agent haul and Brown is a exciting addition due to his elite speed and Allen's love of throwing deep, TheScore says. The deals didn't break the bank and the Bills got one of the most consistently solid pass-protecting running backs in the league with Frank Gore. Gore is also a player who rarely misses time.
The Bills' offensive line additions are arguably their most impactful moves. Morse, a savvy veteran who was PFF's No. 6 pass-protecting center, should lessen Allen's responsibilities at the line, while Nsekhe has looked similarly proficient in pass protection in limited action. Buffalo didn't make any flashy moves, but the team smartly focused on improving its roster without overspending and hurting its long-term outlook.
3 - Jon Feliciano excited to work with Bobby Johnson again
The Bills signed offensive guard Jon Feliciano shortly after the start of free agency. Feliciano spent the first four years of his professional career with Oakland. Feliciano started just eight times stuck behind pro bowlers Rodney Hudson and Kelechi Osemele as well as the never injured Gabe Jackson.
"Unfortunately, or fortunately, I was behind Pro Bowlers with the Raiders," Feliciano said. "One of the good things of being in that situation, I got to learn a lot from them. Rodney Hudson helped me tremendously learning the game of football and just how to be a pro."
The Bills have a good idea of the type of player they're getting. Offensive line coach Bobby Johnson spent three seasons as the tight ends coach from 2015-17.
"I know he helped me, and I really want to come here and help as much as I can," Feliciano said. "Bobby's going to be a big part of that. Drawing back to being in Oakland with him, he was in the run-game meetings with us all the time. He helped me before he was an O-line coach, being a tight end coach. I think he'll be able to help us see the game in a different light. I have full confidence in Bobby. I can't stress enough how excited I am to be here. I think it's going to be a great fit."
Feliciano is expected to compete for one of the two starting guard jobs available.
