Fansided

NFL power rankings: Training camp edition

By Brad Weiss

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots raises the Vince Lombardi trophy after the Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime of Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots raises the Vince Lombardi trophy after the Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime of Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 24: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills warms up before the game against the Miami Dolphins on December 24, 2016 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. Miami defeats Buffalo 34-31 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 24: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills warms up before the game against the Miami Dolphins on December 24, 2016 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. Miami defeats Buffalo 34-31 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Bills

, AFC East

The Buffalo Bills and Rex Ryan parted ways prior to the end of the 2016 NFL season, and they never really accomplished what they set out to. The organization ushered in a new era by hiring Sean McDermott to be their next head coach, a position he will be getting his first taste of holding. He is an extremely talented defensive-minded coach, and should bring a lot more discipline to the team than Ryan did.

One of the biggest questions surrounding the Bills this offseason was what they were going to do with Tyrod Taylor, who has been more than adequate at the quarterback position in the last two seasons. Taylor re-worked his deal to stay with the team, and heads into 2017 with added confidence. While the team lost Robert Woods to free agency, they did draft wide receiver Zay Jones in the second round, and he may be one of the better rookies in the NFL at his position this season.

Jones will be joined atop the depth chart at wide receiver by Sammy Watkins, who despite being really talented, cannot seem to keep himself on the field. LeSean McCoy returns to his usual spot as the team’s starting running back, where he will be expected to carry the load once again in 2017. On defense, the loss of Stephon Gilmore is going to hurt in the secondary, but Tre’Davious White, whom the team drafted in the first round back in April, should slide right in at one of the cornerback spots.

Buffalo has a tough schedule in 2017, and will actually play all four teams that competed in the last two Super Bowls. In the AFC East, the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots are going to be tough, and their out-of-division foes come from the AFC West and NFC South. It could be a long season for McDermott in his first with the team, but the building blocks are in place for the Bills to finally make the playoffs for the first time since 1999 within the next few seasons.

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