In a 32-part series leading up to the start of the 2021 National Football League season, we will take a look at each NFL franchise from a fantasy perspective. The fourth team we will review is the Buffalo Bills.
There is no doubt that the Buffalo Bills are a team on the rise. For most of the 2000s, the Bills were near the bottom of the AFC East as they were dominated by the powerful New England Patriots. Now with Tom Brady gone from the Pats, the AFC East is significantly more even, with the Bills the favourite to win for a second straight year.
The reason why the Bills are the favourites is because of the rising quarterbacking skills of Josh Allen, who at the age of 25 years of age, is entering his prime. In 2020, Allen completed 396 passes in 572 attempts for 4544 yards, with 37 touchdowns compared to only 10 interceptions, as he was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time.
When it comes to ranking NFL quarterbacks in fantasy football, Allen is ranked second behind only Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers. Just how valuable was Allen last season? The Wyoming University product broke the Bills franchise records for most touchdown passes and passing yards in a single season. Then in the offseason, he signed a six-year extension worth a whopping $258 million.
With Allen in his prime, it also increases the fantasy stock for the Bills’ top wide receiver, Stefon Diggs. The 27-year-old was with the Bills last season for the first time after five years in Minnesota, and was simply electric. He led the NFL with 127 catches and 1535 receiving yards, and like Allen, was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time. The only wide receivers ahead of Diggs in fantasy rankings heading into the 2021 NFL season are Davante Adams of the Green Bay Packers and Tyreek Hill of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Meanwhile, do not be afraid to select two other Bills wide receivers in the middle to later rounds in fantasy pools. Cole Beasley had career highs in catches (82) and receiving yards (967) in his second year in western New York after seven seasons in Dallas. Sanders meanwhile had two sensational contests in back-to-back games a year ago in New Orleans (18 catches for 215 yards).
When it comes to the Bills’ running game, Devin Singletary and Zack Moss should have a time share and both be considered tier two backs. It is too early to tell what running back Bills head coach Sean McDermott relies on most. Singletary has been in the NFL for two seasons, while Moss was in his rookie season in 2020. If I had to pick one more than the other, I would give the slight edge at this time to Singletary, as he is used more in the passing game. Singletary had 38 catches for 269 yards last season, while Moss only had 14 catches for 95 yards.
The Bills defense should be among the top third in fantasy football. What might be a little bit of a surprise is that Buffalo had the exact same number of fantasy points on defense last year as New England (156). The Bills’ most significant move was bringing back linebacker Matt Milano to a four-year deal worth $44 million.
