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BUFFALO, N.Y. — Six years ago, coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane were paired to rebuild the Buffalo Bills, a team that was largely stuck in the bottom half of the division with only two winning seasons since 2000.
The Bills had the sixth-worst winning percentage from 2000 to 2016 (41.2%), but in McDermott and Beane’s first season the team went 9-7 and surprisingly made the postseason. Three more winning seasons in the next four followed, including two straight division titles. The foundation was set, however, during that 2017 season with new additions, including the likes of signing free agent safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde and drafting rookie cornerback Tre’Davious White in the first round.
This year, it’s hard to find a ranking or list that doesn’t have the team as the Super Bowl favorite — but that’s on paper. And while the core is in place stemming from the 2017 and 2018 seasons, the Bills will need several players to step up to reach their goals. Here are a few players to keep an eye on.
Davis drew national attention last season after his four-touchdown performance in the playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He has the opportunity to lock down the No. 2 receiver role behind Stefon Diggs and should be a popular fantasy option. The Bills didn’t have Davis on the field enough early last season. How will he handle increased playing time, pressure and a vital role opposite Diggs? Can he have his first season with 600-plus receiving yards and/or more than seven touchdowns? Beane is a big believer.
“The thing about Gabe is every time his number’s called, and I’m talking about back to his rookie year, every time his number was called, he answers the bell,” Beane said. “He’s been working hard. He’s been here, I think every day. … Nothing seems too big…
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Source : espn
