Former Cincinnati Bengal AJ McCarron signed a two-year, $10 million
contract with the Bills over the offseason with the hope of becoming
the long-term solution at quarterback for Buffalo. That plan quickly
dissipated for the former fifth-round section in the 2014 NFL
draft when general manager Brandon Beane used the seventh pick
in the 2018 draft to select Josh Allen from the University of
Wyoming.
With McCarron presumably a placeholder until Allen is deemed
ready to assume the starting role, there is no reason to draft
McCarron in any format outside of deep two-quarterback leagues.
In the event that Allen struggles and McCarron is the starter
for the majority of the season, his value is still well outside
the top-24 based on the fact that the Bills boast one of the least
attractive wide receiving corps in the league, and three of the
five starting offensive linemen from last year are no longer on
the team.
McCoy enters his age-30 season with numerous red flags both on
and off the field. The nine-year veteran posted a career-low 4.0
yards per carry average in 2017, with just six rushing touchdowns
on 287 carries. Although he managed to end the season as a top-10
RB, his 12.9 fantasy points per game were somewhat underwhelming
when you consider the fact that he garnered 346 touches.
In addition to a decline in efficiency on the field, McCoy was
accused of domestic violence via social media by the friend of
a former girlfriend. McCoy vehemently declined the accusations,
but the NFL has stated they are investigating the incident and
a suspension could be forthcoming.
The departure of Tyrod Taylor and three of the five starting
offensive linemen from last season will likely pose an adverse
effect on McCoy in 2018, as the rushing ability at the quarterback
position by Taylor helped open rushing lanes for McCoy and former
guard Richie Incognito is one of the better run-blocking guards
in the NFL.
With multiple negative factors surrounding McCoy in 2018, he
is a risky selection as a late second or early third round pick.
However, the sheer volume McCoy could receive out the backfield
could make him a steal for a risk-tolerant owner willing to roll
the dice.
Ivory signed a two-year $5.5 million deal with the Bills over
the offseason after two uneventful seasons with the Jaguars. The
former Jet and Saint averaged a paltry 3.6 yards per carry in
limited action with Jacksonville and became expendable when the
Jags drafted Leonard Fournette last season.
At age 30, Ivory is clearly past his prime and was brought in
by Buffalo to be the backup running back behind LeSean McCoy.
An aging backup for another aging running back on a bad team is
not an attractive target in any fantasy draft format. However,
should McCoy miss time or get released for his pending domestic
violence accusations and Ivory receives 200-plus touches, he would
enter the discussion as a low-end No.2 or flex in 12-team leagues.
The former first-round pick in the 2014 NFL draft out of Florida
State delivered an uninspired first season with Buffalo after
getting traded from Carolina. Benjamin caught 48 balls for 692
yards and three touchdowns in 14 games with Buffalo as the No.1
receiving option for then quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
Benjamin projects to be the No.1 receiver once again for Buffalo
in 2018, however, Taylor has been replaced by either AJ McCarron
or rookie Josh Allen, and the Bills lost three of five starting
offensive linemen from the previous year.
At 6-5, 245 pounds, Benjamin has the build of a tight end and
not a wide receiver, and the former Seminole's lack of speed is
a detriment for a wide receiver going against the No.1 cornerback
on opposing defenses. Although his large frame hurts him in creating
separation off the line and on downfield routes, his 6-5 frame
and above average leaping ability makes him an excellent red zone
target for whoever starts at quarterback for the Bills.
With a sub-par career catch rate of 57%, Benjamin will need a
premium number of targets to garner consideration as a viable
No.3 WR. Although the Bills project to be a lousy team on the
defensive side of the ball and will likely be chasing points with
second-half deficits, Benjamin will probably be relegated to low-end
No.3 WR or flex play consideration.
The only thing more disappointing than Zay Jones’ 27 catch,
316-yard rookie season was his offseason behavior that culminated
in a bizarre domestic violence & alleged attempted suicide
episode. The former second-round pick out of East Carolina was
arrested in downtown Los Angeles after a naked struggle involving
his brother - a bizarre incident that was plastered on TMZ and
social media.
Jones also underwent knee surgery and will miss spring and summer
training sessions with the team. At this point in his career,
Jones needs to address any mental and personal issues before focusing
on football, and fantasy football players should look elsewhere
until the promising young athlete delivers on his talent on the
field.
TE Charles
Clay (2017 TE Rank - No.19, 3.8 FPts/G)
Although Clay managed to play in only 13 games last season and
delivered his worst point per game average in three seasons with
the Bills, the veteran tight end may lead all Buffalo receivers
in receptions in 2018 and could be the only Bill worth owning
besides Kelvin Benjamin.
The loss of three starting tight ends and the uncertainty at
the quarterback position with AJ McCarron and Josh Allen vying
for the starting role hurts the value of all skill position players
in Buffalo. However, young quarterbacks looking to gain confidence
and acclimate to the speed of the NFL often lean on sure-handed
veteran tight ends. For this reason, Clay might be a sneaky No.2
tight end with the ability to finish as a No.1 TE by the end of
the year.
