Buffalo Bills quarterbacks: 2016 better or worse than 2015?

As we approach training camp, it’s time to take a look at the Buffalo Bills to see if they actually improved from last year’s 8-8 squad. While we won’t take a look at every position group individually, we’re looking at the quarterback by itself.

Same

• Tyrod Taylor (Incumbent starter)
• EJ Manuel (Incumbent backup)

Additions

• Cardale Jones (NFL Draft, 4th round)

Subtractions

• Matt Cassel (Traded, September 2015)
• Josh Johnson (Free agent, Baltimore Ravens)

Last offseason, the Bills added Cassel and Taylor to form a three-way QB competition most expected the veteran Cassel to win. Instead it was Taylor who won with split reps and Buffalo traded Cassel mid-season.

The biggest difference this offseason is that Taylor is the unquestioned starter. He’ll get nearly every offseason rep with the first-team unit and the added reps and familiarity with the players should help him take the next step as a quarterback, including completing passes over the middle and anticipating wide receivers coming open. Even though he’s been in the league for a long time, this is the most offseason reps Taylor has seen in is career by a wide margin.

The addition of Jones gives them a legitimate developmental prospect for the first time since Manuel was drafted, only this rookie isn’t expected to see the field at all.

Verdict: Better

All those extra reps should help at the top of the depth chart. They definitely didn’t get worse.