In the fourth of a 32-part series, we are featuring all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their top fantasy stars. Here are the Buffalo Bills.
Key Off Season Acquisition
The biggest story in Buffalo in the offseason was the change at wide receiver. After signing Curtis Samuel of Brooklyn, New York to a three-year deal worth $24 million on March 14, the Bills traded Stefon Diggs of Gaithersburg, Maryland to the Houston Texans on April 3. The deal was rather surprising because Diggs had significant chemistry over the last four seasons with quarterback Josh Allen in Buffalo.
Samuel is joining his third NFL franchise after four seasons with the Carolina Panthers from 2017 to 2020, and the last three seasons with Washington. In 2023, Samuel had 62 catches for 613 receiving yards and four touchdown catches, along with seven rushes for 39 rushing yards and another major score.
Fantasy Stars
Even with the loss of Diggs, the expectations for Allen remains high, and is the number one rated quarterback in fantasy football in 2024. The native of Firebaugh, California completed 385 passes in 579 attempts with 4306 passing yards for 29 touchdown passes, and 18 interceptions last season. He also had 111 rushes for 524 rushing yards, and a career-high 15 rushing touchdowns. Allen’s 15 rushing touchdowns were the most among quarterbacks, and the second most among all NFL players. Only Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert of New Smyrna Beach, Florida had more rushing touchdowns in 2023 with 18.
Meanwhile, Dalton Kincaid of Las Vegas, Nevada, is seventh among tight ends. Last season, he had 73 catches for 673 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The Bills also have the eighth best defense in the NFL. Last season they gave up 311 points, the fourth fewest points allowed in the NFL.
Projected Finish
The Bills have won the AFC East the last four seasons. Will that run come to an end this year? One would expect this team to be significantly weaker without Diggs, right? Maybe not. The Bills still have the best quarterback and defense in the AFC East. The Dolphins and Jets will give the Bills all they can handle, but the Bills are still a mighty bunch and can still win the division.
