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Bills Top 20 Talents in 2016: No. 9 - QB Tyrod Taylor

Bills Top 20 Talents in 2016: No. 9 - QB Tyrod Taylor
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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. 9 - QB Tyrod Taylor

Age: 26 (8/3/89)

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 215

Last year’s rank: NR

Why he’s here

- After winning the starting job ahead of the 2015 season, Tyrod Taylor went on to have an impressive year and helped get the Bills into playoff consideration when he was healthy. He displayed solid accuracy outside the numbers, an ability to keep plays alive with his legs, and in the second half of the season he helped Sammy Watkins realize the immense potential many knew he was capable of. Taylor was a bit of a revelation in 2015, going from Baltimore backup to unquestioned starter in Buffalo. He'll be 27 this season, but the arrow is pointing up if he makes the strides the Bills are hoping to see from him.

2016 outlook

- Taylor will be the starting quarterback for the Bills, and if he makes the progress they're expecting him to, could be the difference between a season that ends in a playoff berth or one that ends with another year on the outside looking in. Expect a lot of the same from Taylor this season as the Bills will work with him to continue his efficient, low-turnover style of play (seven in 14 games), but they'll also try to get him in the habit of being more comfortable in the pocket, seeing the whole field, and taking advantage of the middle areas more than he did in 2015. If he can do that, the contract situation (playing on the final year of his contract) is one that the Bills will gladly rectify for 2017 and beyond.

Top 20 Talents Countdown

9) QB Tyrod Taylor

10) DL Kyle Williams

11) EDGE Shaq Lawson

12) TE Charles Clay

13) LB Reggie Ragland

14) C Eric Wood

15) WR Robert Woods

16) S Aaron Williams

17) HB Karlos Williams

18) P Colton Schmidt

19) LB Preston Brown

20) S Corey Graham

Twitter: @JoeBuscaglia