Editor’s note: This is the second of a five-part roundtable series previewing Buffalo Bills training camp. Among the non-rookie newcomers, who will have the biggest impact this season?
Katherine Fitzgerald: It will take a bit for the grand unveiling, but I’ll go with edge rusher Michael Hoecht.
Hoecht does, of course, start the year with a six-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, but once he’s back, I predict his versatility will give the Bills a much-needed boost on defense.
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Bills defensive end Michael Hoecht will have to wait until Week 7 to make his debut because of a performance-enhancing drug suspension. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
The Los Angeles Rams, Hoecht’s former team, were able to use him creatively, and I trust Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich to do the same.
Hoecht’s absence early in the season means a few things, including a chance for other players to get some reps, but also a bigger surprise factor for Hoecht’s usage once he is back. Maybe that’s an overly optimistic take, but I still see Hoecht making an impact.
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Hoecht’s agility and athleticism will benefit the Bills’ pass rush. The way the Bills rotate their defensive line, Hoecht won’t be overloaded. Even if he’s a situational pass rusher, he can still have a positive effect on the team. His sack numbers haven’t been crazy as far as production, but he can free up opportunities for others, as well as being used in multiple roles.
Jay Skurski: The main focus of the offseason for general manager Brandon Beane was to re-sign his own players, which he accomplished with extensions for Greg Rousseau, Khalil Shakir, Terrel Bernard, Josh Allen and Christian Benford. From the remaining moves, I’ll go with the biggest name − defensive end Joey Bosa.
Yes, Bosa has missed 23 games over the past three seasons and been limited in others because of injuries, but the Bills believe in their sports science, athletic training and strength and conditioning departments to keep players as healthy as possible.
Bosa is being brought here for games in January and (hopefully) February. Don’t freak out if his usage and numbers in September and October are light. He’ll have the opportunity in the biggest moments to shine. While it feels like he’s been around forever, Bosa only turns 30 this month. It’s reasonable to think that he’s got good snaps left. Playing on a one-year contract, he’s going to be highly motivated to show he does so that he can land another contract.
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Joshua Palmer was the Bills’ first big free-agent addition during the offseason, signing a three-year contract to leave the Los Angeles Chargers. Derek Gee, Buffalo News
Lance Lysowski: Receiver Joshua Palmer is going to be the man-coverage-beating outside receiver the Bills were lacking last season.
Palmer is a smooth, efficient route runner who takes pride in blocking − picture Mack Hollins with more receiving ability − and provides big-play ability. Palmer averaged at least 15 yards per catch in each of his last two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. He was targeted more than 100 times just once in his four years with Justin Herbert.
Palmer won’t put up All-Pro numbers in Buffalo with the way Allen distributes the ball, but the native of Brantford, Ont., should fill an important role in this offense. Veteran receiver Elijah Moore will be an important safety blanket for Allen, but Palmer is the one who will help the Bills stretch the field and prevent defenses from focusing on the short-to-intermediate area.
Beane didn’t give Palmer a $36 million contract to be a rotational player. He’s going to be an important cog in one of the NFL’s best offenses.
Ryan O’Halloran: In the spirit of picking a player not initially mentioned, let’s go with Moore, who was signed May 1, which suggests he was being selective (positive version) or didn’t have a market (negative version) after averaging a career-low 8.8 yards per catch last year.
Moore caught 120 passes the last two years with Cleveland, so he’s capable of getting open. The key for him breaking out will be Allen. A list of the quarterbacks Moore has played with: Zach Wilson, Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco and Jameis Winston.
If Allen trusts Moore, the quarterback will make sure the receiver is a big part of the offense.
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