Quarterback Tyrod Taylor has spent so much time as a backup that Fantasy Football players might not even remember him and his accolades from Virginia Tech.
Could Tyrod Taylor win the starting quarterback job in Buffalo? http://t.co/qpdCV5OZub
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 28, 2015
Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in Round 6 of the 2011 NFL Draft, Taylor was touted as perhaps a poor man’s Michael Vick. His passing ability was erratic at Virginia Tech, finishing his four-year college career with 44 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions, but he was praised for his natural athletic abilities.
The 25-year old quarterback’s athleticism led many to believe that he would either be used as a wide receiver, running back or return man. His 1,940 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns at Tech showed that he may have difficulty finding a job as a quarterback, but he could at least find some type of role.
Taylor never had much of a chance starting behind the durable Joe Flacco, and he did not attempt a pass in 2014. With a fresh start in Buffalo, will this be Taylor’s time to shine? Will he be Fantasy relevant or at least make Sammy Watkins Fantasy relevant if he’s the starter?
Tyrod Taylor and the Buffalo Bills
As it stands now the quarterback situation could be more depressing than the one in Cleveland.
The Bills were properly foolish to hitch their wagons to EJ Manuel in Round 1 of the 2013 NFL Draft, but in fairness to Manuel, he has yet to play more than 10 games in a season and he hasn’t always had the best supporting cast. Journeymen Matt Cassel signed with Buffalo in March and the Bills also just signed Matt Simms.
New head coach Rex Ryan has always been a fan of running the ball down his opponent’s throats, and he now has quite a weapon to utilize in LeSean McCoy. While the Bills will heavily rely on the run, the team still needs to find a serviceable quarterback.
Offensive Weapons
The signing of Cassel, Taylor and Simms doesn’t express much confidence in Manuel, but the starting quarterback for the Bills will at least have a few more weapons than quarterbacks from years’ past.
Despite catching passes from Kyle Orton, Watkins had a quiet yet productive rookie season with 982 receiving yards and six touchdown catches. Percy Harvin, the favorite candidate of what if scenarios, will be joining Buffalo and reconnecting with his former coach Ryan. Tight end Charles Clay will mainly be relied on for his blocking but is a friendly target as a 6-foot-3, 255-tight end.
The Bills will live and day by the run in 2015, but McCoy can’t rush the ball 50 times a game. There has to be someone that can move the ball through the air, and there isn’t any reason that Taylor couldn’t win the competition.
Quarterbacks in Buffalo
We were all blinded by the “magical season” in 2008 when Cassel took over for the injured Tom Brady, but perhaps Bill Belichick spiked all of our drinks and we became enchanted by Cassel through our beer goggles. Yes, the New England Patriots did have a 10-win season without Brady, but the 33-year old quarterback only passed for 21 touchdowns and was picked off 11 times. After only playing in 12 games over the past two seasons there isn’t much of a reason to believe the former starter for Kansas City will find a major role in 2015.
Manuel’s stats in college weren’t exceedingly impressive, but he still could become a serviceable quarterback.
So while there isn’t anything that makes me think that Taylor has a specific edge, there also isn’t any reason to believe that he couldn’t start in Week 1 as things lay right now. Whoever starts, I think the Bills will be quick to find a bench spot for any quarterback who struggles. This could mean that Taylor could earn a bigger role as the primary backup if Manuel or Cassel are announced as the starters.
This is a wait and see scenario, and even though you probably aren’t going to draft a Bill’s quarterback it’s still important for how the rest of the Fantasy relevant players can operate in 2015.
Related Articles
Could Tyrod Taylor win the starting job in Buffalo?
Tyron Taylor sees opportunity in the crowded Bills QB field
According to Rex Ryan, EJ Manuel will stay with the Bills
Jack Delaney is the owner of Your Fantasy Football Coach. Connect with him on Twitter and Facebook, and make sure to check out his new ebook The Zero RB Theory to start preparing for your 2015 Fantasy Football draft.
Categories: 2015 Fantasy Football
Your Fantasy Football Coach 
Leave a Reply