9. Buffalo Bills
Current cap space: $80,186,963
Primary free agents: DL Jordan Phillips, RB Frank Gore, CB Kevin Johnson, DE Shaq Lawson
Given the Patriots’ possible offseason instability, the Bills are in a good position to potentially take over the AFC East. They have an outstanding defense, led by cornerback Tre’Davious White, who is the league’s best zone defender. They have a dynamic running game with the tag team of Devin Singletary and Frank Gore, though the veteran Gore may play elsewhere in 2020. The Bills also have John Brown, who might be the NFL’s most underrated receiver. And the coaching staff, led by Sean McDermott, clearly has what it takes to ascend.
The primary question is whether quarterback Josh Allen can become enough of a pure passer to take that offense to the proverbial next level. A great runner and occasionally a real threat as a deep passer, Allen still struggles with accuracy and consistency, and this really came through in Buffalo’s 22-19 wild-card loss to the Texans. Allen had the ball as the primary instigator on 56 plays — 46 passing attempts, nine runs and one reception — and the only touchdown the Bills scored on the day was Allen’s 16-yard reception from Brown. If Allen isn’t able to take his game to a trusted place, the Bills will be stuck in second gear — and second place.