Just In:Buffalo Bills’ Youthful Talent Earns Middling Placement in ESPN’s ‘Young Core’ Rankings.
In the ever-competitive landscape of the NFL, teams are constantly striving to build a strong foundation of young talent to propel them towards success. The Buffalo Bills, under the guidance of general manager Brandon Beane, have been working diligently to achieve this goal. However, according to ESPN’s recent “young core” rankings, the Bills’ efforts have resulted in a middling placement, leaving fans and analysts alike with mixed opinions.
The Bills’ current roster boasts an impressive array of homegrown talent, including quarterback Josh Allen, linebacker Matt Milano, defensive tackle Ed Oliver, and cornerback Taron Johnson. While this core has been instrumental in the team’s recent success, including six postseason appearances in the last seven seasons and four consecutive AFC East titles, they are not getting any younger. With their prime years already underway, the Bills are looking to inject fresh talent into the mix to extend their championship window.
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz, founder of Football Outsiders, ranked the Bills 16th in his assessment of NFL teams based on talent under the age of 25. Schatz identified tight end Dalton Kincaid, guard O’Cyrus Torrence, and defensive end Greg Rousseau as the team’s top young players. However, he expressed concerns that the Bills’ ranking may plummet in future evaluations as their current young talent ages.
“The Bills are Super Bowl contenders with a lot of young talent on their roster, but they won’t be anywhere near this high when we do this ranking again next year,” Schatz wrote. “All three of the Bills’ blue-chip players are 24 and will come off this list, as will running back James Cook and wide receiver Khalil Shakir.”
The ranking, while not entirely flattering, is not entirely unfair either. The Bills have been selecting towards the end of recent first rounds, limiting their opportunities to draft “can’t-miss” prospects. Moreover, the team’s offseason strategy has been centered around getting younger, with a concerted effort to move on from older players and inject fresh talent into the roster. This approach led to the Bills making 10 selections in the 2024 NFL Draft, a philosophy that may not be a one-off, as the team looks to continue adding young talent in future offseasons.
Schatz’s analysis of the Bills’ next potential crop of blue-chip players is also a bit underwhelming, with rookie second-round wide receiver Keon Coleman and starting cornerback Christian Benford being highlighted as key contributors. While Benford has impressed with his play, exceeding expectations for a player drafted in the sixth round, the wide receiver position remains a concern for the Bills.
Despite these concerns, the Bills’ placement in ESPN’s “young core” rankings is a fair reflection of their current state. The team’s commitment to building through the draft is a tried and true formula for sustained success, and Beane’s efforts have already borne fruit. The Bills will look to continue adding to their young core in future drafts, with the aim of maintaining their status as a perennial contender in the AFC.
The Houston Texans, led by young franchise quarterback C.J. Stroud and stud edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., top the rankings, followed closely by the Detroit Lions, who boast an impressive array of young talent, including Sam LaPorta, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jahmyr Gibbs. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Miami Dolphins find themselves at the bottom of the list, with no “blue-chip” players under the age of 25.
In conclusion, while the Bills’ placement in ESPN’s “young core” rankings may not be ideal, it is a fair reflection of their current state. The team’s commitment to building through the draft and getting younger will likely pay dividends in the long run, and fans can remain optimistic about the Bills’ chances of sustained success in the highly competitive AFC.
