In under two months, the Buffalo Bills will get to work at St. John Fisher College for training camp and the 2016 season. And this year, with how the team ended things in 2015, is extremely important to not waste the talent that exists on the roster.
So, as offseason workouts continue at One Bills Drive, WKBW will preview the roster — and more specifically, the top talent that exists on the roster that can help the Bills to putting an end to the playoff drought. You’ll be introduced to the Bills’ ‘Top 20 Talents.’
It's a bit of a different 'most talented' list, because it also takes other factors into consideration. The countdown criteria:
- Overall skill level
- On-the-field performance
- Projection based on film study over the past several years
- Age, and improving/declining ability
With that written, on to the countdown:
No. 13 - LB Reggie Ragland
Age: 22 (9/24/93)
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 247
Last year’s rank: NR
Why he’s here
- As the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft started, the Buffalo Bills tried desperately to trade up to draft Reggie Ragland. Eventually, they found a willing trade partner and made the move up to secure the right to draft the linebacker, and immediately place him in the starting lineup. Ragland will play the weakside inside linebacker role for Rex Ryan's defense, and of the two starters on the inside, he'll be depended on to play coverage the most. He hasn't even played a down, but it's hard to ignore the potential for growth. Given that he's only a 22-year old rookie, it would be fair to expect a few growing pains, but to expect tremendous gains over time. If he plays well, he'll be on the way up of this list in 2017
2016 outlook
- Ragland will have an every down role in Rex Ryan's defense immediately as a rookie, and has quite a bit of experience in the scheme from his time at Alabama. With Shaq Lawson sidelined, Ragland will likely be the highest impact rookie the Bills have on their roster. And, if Preston Brown begins to struggle again in 2016, don't rule out the idea that Ragland could get switched over to his more natural middle linebacker spot, where he can show off his instincts, and his ability to stack-and-shed would-be blockers.
Top 20 Talents Countdown
13) LB Reggie Ragland
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