AFC East Analysis: Pats on top, Bills on bottom

In the AFC East for 2014, two things seem certain according to a poll of The Sports Xchange football staff — the New England Patriots will finish on top and the Buffalo Bills on the bottom.

Those picks were unanimous, with Miami second and the New York Jets third.

Here is an in-depth, unit-by-unit look the AFC East as analyzed by reporters from The Sports Xchange who cover each team (using roster information as of September 1):

1st — NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter – Tom Brady. Backup – Jimmy Garoppolo.

On Aug. 3, Tom Brady had his 37th birthday, but he is not yet showing any impact of age. Still, the Patriots surely had that in mind when the spent a second round draft pick on Garoppolo from Eastern Illinois. Garoppolo won the No. 2 spot over Ryan Mallett, who was traded to the Texans one day after final cuts. The athletic rookie had a strong summer, although he still very much looks like a rookie at times. Brady remains the centerpiece of the passing attack, if not the franchise. His numbers were down a year ago as his group of targets went through a major overhaul, but Brady appears poised for another prolific season.

RUNNING BACKS: Starters – RB Stevan Ridley. Backups – FB James Develin, RB Shane Vereen, RB Brandon Bolden, RB James White.

New England utilized a committee approach to the running game in recent years and is quite likely to go that way again in 2014. After losing LeGarrette Blount in free agency, Ridley, who gained 1,263 yards in 2012 is the clear lead back as long he is cured of the fumbling that cursed his first three season. If Ridley can hold onto the ball he should have a solid chance at another 1,000-yard effort as he plays out his rookie contract. If not, it will be up in the air how the ground game plays out.

Bolden might be next in line, but he battled injuries and inconsistency for his first two-plus seasons. Vereen is a good receiving back who who must prove he can stay healthy. White is a fourth-round rookie who is more of a receiver than a runner, where he struggled in the preseason. Develin is a versatile fullback who can also chip in at tight end and has shown impressive hands in limited chances to catch the football this summer.

TIGHT ENDS: Starter – Rob Gronkowski. Backups – Michael Hoomanawanui, Tim Wright.

After an injury-riddled recent history, Gronkowski will try to regain the form that rated him the best tight end in football. But he is coming off a torn ACL suffered last December and did not play in the preseason. He is still hopeful to be on the field on opening day, but his long-term health is by far the main focus given his importance to the overall passing attack. New England scored more than one more touchdown per game in the seven contests Gronkowski played a year ago.

Hoomanawanui is a veteran backup who is used primarily as a blocker and offered little in the passing attack during Gronkowski’s absences. Hoomanawanui is coming off his own minor knee injury suffered in practice this summer. Wright joined the team via trade from the Bucs the final week of August. The second-year player is “move” tight end who many hope can bring the two-tight end sets back to the Patriots playbook. He caught 50-plus passes as a rookie in Tampa Bay last fall and made an impressive New England debut in the preseason finale just two days after joining the offense.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters – Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson. Backups – Brandon LaFell, Kenbrell Thompkins, Matthew Slater, Brian Tyms.

Edelman had a breakout 2013 campaign with 105 catches and 1,056 yards as Brady’s only consistent option all season. He was arguably the best player on the field this summer and appears poised for another big year if he can remain healthy again. Edelman also went deep more often in practice and preseason action, meaning he could add more playmaking to his ball-control short passing contributions. Amendola had a disappointing first season in New England last season as he battled a groin injury all year. He looked healthy and impressive this summer, but until he proves he can stay healthy and build a rapport with Brady he may not be the $30 million target the Patriots were looking for when they signed the former Ram.

Dobson missed the entire offseason save for the final week after foot surgery. The second-year former second-round pick is the most talented of the young receivers in New England, but he must prove himself durable and consistent to make jump in his standing with the team after his 37 catches and four touchdowns as a rookie. Thompkins had 32 catches and four scores as an undrafted rookie a year ago. He made big plays but also battled injuries and inconsistency as well. He had an up and down summer, and given the depth of the position might be relegated to pure backup duty rather than rotational work if he can’t become more consistent. LaFell joins New England as a free agent after serving as Carolina’s third receiver with a career-high 49 catches last fall. The veteran is a bigger body at the position and has talked openly about trying to be another red zone target for Brady this fall. Slater is a pure special teamer who’s contributions at the receiver position come only out of dire circumstances. Tyms had an impressive summer, but begins the year with a four-game suspension after a failed drug test due to Adderall. After bouncing around in San Francisco, Miami and Cleveland, Tyms hope his abilities as a deep threat might keep him in New England after he serves his suspension, but it might take an injury for him to find himself anywhere other than the practice squad come October.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters – LT Nate Solder, LG Dan Connolly, C Ryan Wendell, RG Sebastian Vollmer, RT Marcus Cannon. Backups – T Cameron Fleming, C Bryan Stork, OL Josh Kline, OL Jordan Devey.

The story of the offensive line was the surprise trade of Pro Bowl left guard Logan Mankins to Tampa Bay at the end of training camp. Mankins was the anchor and physical leader of the line for nearly a decade. Now there will not only be a search to fill the void in the lineup, but also to find a leader in the locker room among a group of quiet, young players. Solder is the left tackle and a favorite of the coaching staff. The former first-round pick needs to take the next step to become a Pro Bowl candidate at this elite line position. The rest of the line could be in flux to open the year. Connolly started at all three interior line spots with New England and could be poised to take over Mankins’ left guard spot. Wendell re-signed as a free agent this spring and could remain, although his spot could be tenuous given competition from the rookie fourth-round pick Stork. Vollmer has been the starting right tackle since arriving in New England, but according to the Boston Globe he has been told he’s moving to guard this season. At 6-8, the former second-team All-Pro tackle will be a unique presence on the inside. Cannon filled in for an injured Vollmer on the right side late last season and proved himself beyond capable at the position. Fleming is a fourth-round pick who may be the top backup on the outside, and Kline and Devey are developmental prospects with versatility to back up multiple positions.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LDE Dominique Easley, NT Vince Wilfork, RDE Chris Jones. Backups – DT Sealver Siliga, DL Joe Vellano, DL Zach Moore, NT Bruce Gaston, DL Kelcy Quarles

New England primarily used the 3-4 this summer, a return to the front Belichick preferred until using the 4-3 the last three seasons. Wilfork is coming off a torn Achilles but didn’t miss any time this summer and appears ready to a return to Pro Bowl form in the middle. The end spots are more uncertain. Easley is the first-round pick out of Florida coming off a torn ACL that cost him the bulk of his final season with the Gators. He is a penetrating, athletic lineman with elite potential. But he did not play in the preseason and may not be ready for full-time starting duty to open the year. Jones was a waiver wire pickup last fall who developed into a solid pass rusher and interior option. He battled an ankle injury this summer, but should be in the starting mix on the line.

Vellano saw significant reps at both end and the nose in the preseason, filling some of the hole left by the release of veteran Tommy Kelly. Siliga is a backup option at the nose spot after making the jump from the practice squad last season. Moore is a rookie from Division II Concordia who has some intriguing athletic potential, but will clearly take time to develop. Gaston (Cardinals) and Quarles (Giants) are undrafted rookies who were claimed off waivers after final cuts and will have to prove themselves to fit into the line mix.

LINEBACKERS: Starters – OLB Rob Ninkovich, ILB Jerod Mayo, ILB Jamie Collins, ROLB Chandler Jones. Backups – LB Dont’a Hightower, LB Darius Fleming, OLB Michael Buchanan.

Ninkovich and Jones were defensive ends in the 4-3 last fall, playing nearly wire to wire as the team’s top pass rushers totaling 19 1/2 sacks. Jones seems ready for a big third season as he looked more athletic and powerful off the edge this summer and spent some time dropping in coverage. Mayo returns from a torn pectoral and missed time to an unknown injury this summer, but he’s the centerpiece and leader of the front. Collins is maybe the most versatile, athletic linebacker in the group heading into his second season. He saw time on the outside as a rookie but has been primarily on the inside this summer and could be the best pass coverage option in the group.

Hightower is a versatile backup who could easily start on occasion, especially in 4-3 looks. Fleming made the team as key backup after missing his first two NFL seasons in San Francisco and Miami with torn ACLs. He’s mostly an option on the outside. Buchanan is athletically in the mold of Jones, meaning he’s an edge guy in either front, at his best as a rusher rather than in coverage.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters – SS Patrick Chung, FS Devin McCourty, LCB Darrelle Revis, RCB Alfonzo Dennard. Backups – CB Kyle Arrington, CB Logan Ryan, CB Brandon Browner, CB Malcolm Butler, S Duron Harmon, S Tavon Wilson, S Nate Ebner, S Don Jones.

Revis is the centerpiece of the Patriots’ rebuilt pass defense. He played the left side all summer in practice, but matching up against opponents’ top receivers on either side can’t be ruled out. Dennard returns from injury and could hold down the starting spot at least until Browner comes off his four-game league suspension. Dennard has started the last two seasons and is clearly a competitive No. 2 corner. Butler was the surprise of the summer, winning not only a roster spot but maybe a rotational job as a rookie coming from Division II West Alabama.

Arrington remains a top veteran backup and top slot corner, a man trusted by Belichick for years. Ryan comes off a rookie year in which he tied for the AFC lead with five interceptions. He and Arrington have also seen time at the safety position this summer. McCourty is a Pro Bowl-caliber player at free safety, but the starting job at strong safety is very much up in doubt. Chung returns after a year in Philadelphia and could be the most physical option at the spot even if he is a liability in coverage. Harmon is also an option at strong safety in his second season, but he did little to take the job this summer. Wilson and Ebner are primarily special teams options who will likely only see the field on defense in emergency situations.

SPECIAL TEAMS: PK Stephen Gostkowski, P Ryan Allen.

The obvious first note here is the fact that the Patriots don’t have a dedicated long snapper on the roster after releasing veteran Danny Aiken during final cuts. Gostkowski is coming off his best season and seems poised for another strong year as a Pro Bowl level kicker with a strong leg that’s a weapon on both kickoffs and field goals. Allen was completely average in his rookies season, finishing almost perfectly in the middle of the pack of NFL punters. He certainly could and will need to show improvement in his second season to keep his coaches happy.

2nd — MIAMI DOLPHINS

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter – Ryan Tannehill. Backup – Matt Moore.

Tannehill, 15-17 in two years as a starter, has to show he’s good enough to get this team to the playoffs. He also has to lead touchdown drives, not field-goal drives. That means no absent-minded interceptions, as he has been prone to do this offseason. And it means being efficient, which he has also done this offseason. Tannehill had 24 touchdowns and 17 interceptions last season. That has to improve. Moore is a solid backup.

RUNNING BACKS: Starter – Knowshon Moreno. Backups – Lamar Miller, Damien Williams, Orleans Darkwa.

Moreno, with his downhill running style, should provide a boost to the offense and a running game that was 26th in the NFL last season (90.0 yards per game). The key is whether he can stay healthy. Miller could serve as a good complement. Don’t sleep on Williams. The kid runs with desire.

TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Charles Clay. Backups – Dion Sims, Gator Hoskins.

Clay is the only solid hope here. And he’s good. Well, he was good last season when he had 69 receptions for 759 yards and six touchdowns. We’ll see how he plays this season. Sims and Hoskins, and undrafted rookie, have lots of work to do.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters – Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, Brandon Gibson. Backups – Rishard Matthews, Jarvis Landry.

This is one of the team’s strengths. These guys are good. They’re not all explosive, but they have good hands and can gain yards after the catch. They need to lead the offense because they’re the most talented unit. The Dolphins might not have a Pro Bowl player, but all five should be major contributors in some fashion. Wallace (career-best 73 receptions, 930 yards, five touchdowns) proved he’s more than a deep threat last season. Hartline is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and if Gibson stays healthy he could become Tannehill’s favorite target. Expect this group to fuel the offense.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters – LT Branden Albert, LG Daryn Colledge, C Samson Satele, RG Shelley Smith, RT Ja’Wuan James. Backups – T-C-G Nate Garner, C Mike Pouncey, G Dallas Thomas, G Billy Turner, T Jason Fox.

This remains the biggest question mark on the team. Albert, a Pro Bowl selection last season, is solid. Everyone else is an unknown. James, the first-round pick from Tennessee, has been good, but he’s a rookie. He’ll have rough spots. Satele, Colledge and Smith will be tested in the first two games against New England and Buffalo. The depth isn’t that great. Pouncey (hip) figures to return by Game 3 or 4. But there’s no guarantee.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters – LDE Cam Wake, DT Randy Starks, DT Jared Odrick, RDE Olivier Vernon. Backups – DT Earl Mitchell, DE Derrick Shelby, DE Terrence Fede, DT Anthony Johnson.

This is an area of strength, and might be the best unit on the team. It’s crucial that they’re disruptive. With Wake (8 1/2 sacks last season) and Vernon (11 1/2 sacks), they’re set on the ends. Well, that’s if Vernon comes close to what he did a year ago. The three-man tackle rotation of Starks, Odrick and Mitchell is strong. Reserves Fede and Johnson show lots of promise but they’re raw. DE Dion Jordan returns from suspension after four games.

LINEBACKERS: Starters – WLB Dannell Ellerbe, SLB Philip Wheeler, MLB Koa Misi. Backups – MLB Jason Trusnik, WLB Chris McCoy, SLB Jelani Jenkins, SLB Jordie Tripp, WLB Jonathan Freeny.

This is a major question mark. They shuffled the starters in an effort to find improvement, but they looked about the same in preseason. If the linebackers can’t tackle, which was the case last season, the run defense suffers (they were 24th last season at 124.9 yards per game). And if the linebackers struggle in pass coverage it’s also a major problem. Keep an eye on this crew.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Brent Grimes, RCB Cortland Finnegan, SS Louis Delmas, FS Jimmy Wilson. Backups — LCB Will Davis, RCB Jamar Taylor, CB Sammy Seamster, S Brandian Ross, CB-S Walt Aikens, FS Michael Thomas

Grimes should be at or near Pro Bowl level again. No one knows what to expect from the others. They’ll miss FS Reshad Jones (suspension) for the first four games. Wilson takes his place. Finnegan and Delmas are trying to return to the form they had years ago. At nickel, Davis is unproven, having played just five games last season. This unit could be really good or slightly below average.

SPECIAL TEAMS: PK Caleb Sturgis, P Brandon Fields, LS John Denney, KOR/PR Jarvis Landry.

Fields is among the top three in the NFL at his position. Denney went to the Pro Bowl two years ago. Sturgis, who battled a groin injury most of training camp, has to improve from his 24-for-32 field-goal performance from last season. The return spot is unproven because the Dolphins cut Marcus Thigpen, who handled the job the last two years. Landry will probably get first shot. Overall this has been an area of strength the last two seasons.

3rd — NEW YORK JETS

UNIT BY UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Geno Smith. Backup — Michael Vick.

The quarterback competition begins now. Receiving three-quarters of the first-team reps in training camp ensured Smith would win the job over Vick, but Smith goes on the clock with the first snap of the season opener. If he continues to display the assertiveness he displayed this summer and minimizes his mistakes while employing his legs as a weapon as he did over the final month of last season, then Smith will ensure there is no quarterback controversy. But if he falters, Vick is ready to seize the job and save the season — and perhaps head coach Rex Ryan’s job.

RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Chris Johnson. Backups — Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, FB Tommy Bohanon.

On paper, the Jets have the makings of a terrific running back-by-committee. It’s a delicate mix, though. After 1,742 NFL carries, can Johnson still be a difference-making back, and if not, will he start making excuses about his offensive line, as he did the last three years in Tennessee? A case could be made Ivory is actually more explosive than Johnson, but he has yet to remain healthy for a 16-game season. Powell is a perfect No. 3 back, adept at all facets of the game, but he proved last season he’s stretched as a starter. Bohanon is a solid if unspectacular fullback.

TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Jeff Cumberland. Backups — Jace Amaro, Zach Sudfeld.

Cumberland missed the final three preseason games because of an Achilles injury. His seniority earns him the starter designation, but he has been a sneaky big-play threat the last two years. That said, the Jets didn’t draft Amaro in the second round to keep him behind Cumberland all year. After a rough start to training camp, Amaro seemed to begin “getting it” by late August, though continued growing pains as he adjusts from Texas Tech’s gimmicky offense to the NFL should be expected. Sudfeld annually looks good in camp but has yet to translate those skills to regular-season play.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Eric Decker, Jeremy Kerley. Backups — David Nelson, Greg Salas, Saalim Hakim, Jalen Saunders, Walter Powell.

The wide receiver corps looked a lot deeper in June than it does in September. Decker isn’t a true No. 1 receiver, but the Jets’ upgraded quarterback play gives him a legitimate chance to become the first Jets wideout with 1,000 yards since Jerricho Cotchery in 2007. Kerley is a perfectly solid slot receiver. Nelson, signed off the street last fall, is a terrific red-zone target and team leader. Alas, Decker, Kerley and Nelson better stay healthy because there’s not much behind them. Salas emerged from the back of the pack to win a job with an impressive training camp, but he has 35 catches in three NFL seasons spent between three different teams. Hakim, who doesn’t have a regular-season catch, will likely serve only as a kick returner while Saunders, who was hospitalized after a bizarre “medical incident” while driving to the Jets’ complex in August, is probably ticketed for punt return duties. The Jets picked up Powell on waivers on Labor Day.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — C Nick Mangold, LG Willie Colon, RG Brian Winters, LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson, RT Breno Giacomini. Backups — C Dalton Freeman, G Oday Aboushi, G Dakota Dozier, T Ben Ijalana.

Mangold and Ferguson were as durable as ever last season, but the 2006 draftees have begun to show some signs of age. Still, they should have at least one more stout year in them. New right tackle Giacomini replaces a solid player in Austin Howard, but he fit in seamlessly this summer. Colon was a solid, albeit penalty-prone, solution last season as well as a valuable locker-room presence. The Jets need him to stay healthy — no sure thing for a player coming back from triceps and knee injuries — and for Winters to display improvement from an inconsistent rookie season because the next regular-season snap Aboushi and Dozier take will be their first. Ijalana hasn’t played in a regular-season game since October 2011 due to injuries. Freeman is solid, but if Mangold is as durable as usual, he’ll rarely be seen.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DE Muhammad Wilkerson, DE Sheldon Richardson, NT Damon Harrison. Backups — DE Leger Douzable, DT T.J. Barnes, DT Kenrick Ellis.

In Wilkerson, Richardson and Harrison — i.e. the “Sons of Anarchy” — the Jets have one of the fiercest defensive lines in football. Wilkerson has inexplicably yet to make a Pro Bowl, but he may already be the best all-around end in the game. Richardson earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors last year and looks ready to anchor the Jets’ defense into the next decade. Harrison, an undrafted find out of an NAIA school, emerged as the trusty sidekick to Wilkerson and Richardson last season. Ellis’ injury-prone ways opened the door for Harrison. Barnes shed more than 20 pounds and made the Jets after signing a futures contract. Douzable is a perfectly solid backup.

LINEBACKERS: Starters — OLB Quinton Coples, OLB Calvin Pace, ILB David Harris, ILB Demario Davis. Backups — OLB Jason Babin, OLB IK Enemkpali, OLB Trevor Reilly, ILB Nick Bellore, ILB A.J. Edds, OLB Antwan Barnes (injured).

Ryan can coach up the linebackers. Now can he ignite the spark in Coples that allows the former first-rounder to reach his potential? Coples transitioned impressively to linebacker last year, but questions about his motor remain and it certainly seemed as if the Jets were sending him a message by signing the hyperkinetic 34-year-old Babin as training camp began. Between Coples, Babin and Pace — the latter of whom is coming off a career season — the Jets should have the type of pass rush Ryan will be proud to call his own. They may get some help after Week 6, when Barnes is eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list. Harris, who may be entering his final season with the Jets, remains efficient. Davis, athletic enough to chase down wide receivers in the open field, may be ready to emerge into stardom. Bellore is perhaps the Jets’ best special teamer. Enemkpali had an impressive camp until suffering a foot injury. He and Reilly may be headed for the Idzik redshirt treatment. Edds was among the Jets’ final cuts but was re-signed two days later.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — CB Dee Milliner, CB Antonio Allen, SS Calvin Pryor, FS Dawan Landry. Backups — CB Phillip Adams, CB Leon McFadden, CB Darrin Walls, CB Kyle Wilson, S Jaiquawn Jarrett, S Josh Bush.

Can you play cornerback? If so, call the Jets. With Milliner unlikely to be cleared in time for the season opener and Allen both transitioning to the position and recovering from a concussion, the Jets are going to have to mix-and-match against Oakland, and perhaps beyond. Ryan acts like his confidence is unshaken, but he’ll need every bit of his defensive wizardry — and/or voodoo — to get this cornerback corps to perform at a respectable level. Walls is a solid backup, but neither he, nor the underachieving nor post-cutdown additions McFadden and Adams are legitimate answers. The Jets are far better positioned at safety, a longtime Ryan weakness that was addressed with the drafting of the hard-hitting Pryor. Landry is a solid veteran stopgap while Jarrett and Bush offer versatility.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Nick Folk, P Ryan Quigley, KOR Saalim Hakim, PR Jalen Saunders, LS Tanner Purdum.

Freed of the perpetually negative assistant coach Mike Westhoff, Folk had the best season of his career in 2013 and earned a four-year contract extension. The Jets hope they won’t have to settle for field goals as often, but Folk should remain nearly automatic. Quigley almost lost his roster spot during an inconsistent exhibition season and will likely be auditioning for his job on a weekly basis. Hakim and the rookie Saunders are unproven but offer the type of big-play capabilities the Jets haven’t had since Joe McKnight and Leon Washington were returning kickoffs and punts, respectively. Purdum continues to do an anonymous job well, which is all any team wants out of a long snapper.

4th — BUFFALO BILLS

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter — EJ Manuel. Backup — Kyle Orton.

Until the addition of Orton on Saturday, the Bills had perhaps the worst quarterback depth chart in the league. Now, once Orton is up to speed with the offense, he instantly brings credibility to the room. He’s 35-35 as an NFL starter with 83 TDs and 59 interceptions, and it would not shock anyone that if EJ Manuel falters early in the year, the Bills would turn to Orton. Manuel has struggled to take hold of this team, mainly because of his inaccurate passing and slow decision making. Orton can serve as a mentor, and offer the Bills insurance. Jeff Tuel was released in the final cut, and then was brought back to the practice squad, so he will run the scout team in practice, which makes sense. Earlier, Thad Lewis and Jordan Palmer were cut. Right now, the Bills have only Manuel and Orton on the 53-man roster, and that will probably be the case moving forward.

RUNNING BACKS: Starter — C.J. Spiller, FB Frank Summers. Backups — Fred Jackson, Bryce Brown, Anthony Dixon.

The Bills led the NFL in rushing attempts in 2013, and with this group, it’s easy to think they could do it again. Spiller is the primary back, but Jackson, even at age 33, is still a productive player and dangerous on third down because he can pass protect, but also slip out and catch passes. Brown has blazing speed and some think he’s the future starter, assuming Spiller leaves after 2014 via free agency. Dixon is a tough between the tackles runner who will also play special teams. Few teams have a fourth-string back as talented as Dixon. The only problem here is that there’s only one ball to share.

TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Scott Chandler. Backups — Lee Smith, Chris Gragg.

Chandler re-signed as a free agent in the offseason after leading the Bills in receptions and receiving yards last year (mainly due to Stevie Johnson missing four games). Chandler provides a big target for Manuel over the middle, but he’s not going to produce much run-after-the-catch yardage. Smith is primarily a blocker and Gragg shows promise as a downfield threat. He just needs a chance to prove it, and given Chandler’s injury history, he might get it. Tony Moeaki was considered a lock to make the team, but he couldn’t stay healthy and wound up on injured reserve. He was released Monday.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Sammy Watkins, Mike Williams. Backups – Robert Woods, Chris Hogan, Marquise Goodwin, Marcus Easley.

Watkins is supremely talented, a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball, but he never had a chance in preseason. He was barely targeted in the first two games, and everything was short, and then he got hurt against Pittsburgh and played only a few snaps in the last two games. It looks as if Williams will start on the other side, with Woods coming in for three-receiver sets, but if Watkins is held out of the opener, Woods and Williams will start. Hogan worked mostly out of the slot and that will be his role, while Goodwin is a deep threat who simply can’t stay healthy, so not much is expected. Easley is a special teams player and will be on offense only in an emergency. Disappointing 2012 third-round pick T.J. Graham was among the final cuts, and he went on to sign with Tennessee.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Cordy Glenn, LG Chris Williams, C Eric Wood, RG Erik Pears, RT Seantrel Henderson. Backups — G-C Kraig Urbik, G-T Chris Hairston, G Cyril Richardson, T Cyrus Kouandjio.

The Bills did more shuffling than a Las Vegas dealer in the preseason, using innumerable combinations in the quest to find the right starting unit. Glenn and Wood are solid, but everything else is in flux. Pears, a tackle throughout his NFL career, is switching to the inside and could start at right guard against Chicago, and the seventh-round rookie, Henderson, will start at right tackle. He’s a massive athlete, but he’s still raw and there’s going to be a learning curve. Williams was signed as a free agent to shore up the left-guard spot, but he wasn’t that impressive before he hurt an ankle that has sidelined him the last two weeks. If he can’t start, the Bills may turn to another rookie, fifth-rounder Richardson. Urbik was a full-time starter last year, and Hairston made the team after sitting out all of 2013 with a medical condition. Kouandjio, the second-round pick, has been a disappointment and will probably be inactive on game days early in the year.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — RE Mario Williams, LE Jerry Hughes, DT Kyle Williams, DT Marcell Dareus. Backups — DT Stefan Charles, DT Corbin Bryant, DE Manny Lawson, DE Jarius Wynn, DE Jacquies Smith.

This is the strongest unit on the team and was the key to Buffalo setting a franchise record with 57 sacks last year. Mario Williams and Kyle Williams, and Dareus, were all Pro Bowlers, and Hughes had a career-high 10.5 sacks. Depth is also solid as Bryant and Charles have been useful in the rotation, and Lawson and Wynn are both seasoned veterans. The Bills can rush the passer, and they also were stout against the run in the summer. The defense will revolve around the play of the line.

LINEBACKERS: Starters — WLB Nigel Bradham, MLB Brandon Spikes, SLB Keith Rivers. Backups — Preston Brown, Randell Johnson, Ty Powell.

Spikes is a hammer in the middle of the defense, but teams can take advantage of him if they get him in certain pass coverage responsibilities. Still, he will play a key role as Buffalo tries to improve its run defense which has been porous for several years. Bradham is suspended for the opener in Chicago and will be replaced by a rookie, Brown, who was an inside linebacker in college at Louisville. Rivers was a veteran free-agent signee who has not been noticeable in the preseason, but at least brings experience. It’s clear the Bills are going to miss WLB Kiko Alonso who is sidelined by a knee injury and possibly out for the season.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — RCB Stephon Gilmore, LCB Leodis McKelvin, SS Da’Norris Searcy, FS Aaron Williams. Backups — CB Nickell Robey, CB Corey Graham, CB Ross Cockrell, CB Ron Brooks, FS Jonathan Meeks, SS Duke Williams.

Losing FS Jairus Byrd was a blow because he was the secondary’s top playmaker. Aaron Williams was the strong safety last year but slides into the free-safety slot while Searcy won out in a close competition with Duke Williams to start at strong safety. However, Searcy’s job is tenuous. McKelvin and Gilmore are both coming back from offseason hip surgery and they missed time in practice. The coaching staff can only hope both are fully healthy in time for the opener. They need them to hold up in one-on-one coverage so the pass rush can do its thing. Robey, Graham, Cockrell and Brooks provide worthy depth.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Dan Carpenter, P Colton Schmidt, KO Jordan Gay, LS Garrison Sanborn, KOR Marquise Goodwin, PR Leodis McKelvin.

Carpenter is coming off one of the best kicking seasons in Bills history when he made 33 field goals. His kickoffs are not strong, and that’s why the Bills will open the season with Gay handling those duties. If he can’t consistently get touchbacks, Carpenter will probably assume the duties to open a roster spot. Schmidt replaces longtime punter Brian Moorman, who was cut after 14 years in Buffalo. Sanborn is a solid long snapper, and Moorman was the holder so it’s assumed Orton would handle that job for now. Goodwin and McKelvin are the likely candidates to return kicks, but both players have been bothered by injuries and the Bills have other options. Robey handled punts in the preseason.