The Buffalo Bills will open their 2021 preseason schedule Friday night in Detroit against the Lions at Ford Field.
Here’s one player from the offense, defense, and special teams I’ll be watching closely, and why:
OFFENSE:
Jake FrommJamie Germano - Rochester Democrat and Chronicle via USA TODAY Sports
Jake Fromm - Quarterback
Although Fromm is in his second year as a pro, he goes into this game just like all of this year‘s rookies. He has yet to see the field for a game in a Bills uniform, including preseason, since it was canceled last year.
He’s even behind the other Bills rookies from this year‘s class who were on the roster last year, because he was the "emergency COVID-19 quarterback" and did not practice with the team at all once the regular season started. Fromm stayed isolated and threw to a select, small group of players in separate sessions.
The Bills signed Mitchell Trubisky to be their backup to Josh Allen this year. That left Fromm and Davis Webb as the other two signal-callers on the roster, both battling for the No. 3 spot.
Webb is very highly-regarded within the organization. He’s seen almost as an extra coach in meeting rooms and on the field. It’s doubtful he makes the final 53-man roster, but it’s hard not to see him ultimately back on the practice squad.
That’s three quarterbacks.
Head coach Sean McDermott has already said they are leaning towards not keeping an "emergency COVID-19 quarterback" this year. So Fromm will really have to give the front office and coaching staff a reason to keep him in some capacity.
The only way to do that will be by having very good performances in the preseason.
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DEFENSE:
Dane JacksonJamie Germano - Rochester Democrat and Chronicle via USA TODAY Sports
Dane Jackson - Cornerback
Jackson really flashed when he got into game action last year.
From an interception in his pro debut against the New York Jets, to making big plays against DeAndre Hopkins against the Arizona Cardinals, to a huge tackle on the goal line at home against the Miami Dolphins, he showed he can play in the NFL and that he was going to be in the mix to be a starter this season.
However, he’s been up-and-down at training camp and hasn’t done enough to take the job away from the incumbent Levi Wallace as the No. 2 cornerback opposite Tre’Davious White. But it’s still training camp and there are three preseason games.
Jackson could very well be the kind of player who really turns it on when the bright lights are shining, just as he did in games last year. He’s going to have to start doing that against the Lions if he wants to take over that role.
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SPECIAL TEAMS:
Isaiah McKenzieRich Barnes - USA TODAY Sports
Isaiah McKenzie - Kick/punt returner
When the Bills lost All-Pro return man Andre Roberts to the Houston Texans, McKenzie became the clear choice to take over that role.
However, as dynamic as he can be with the ball in his hands, evidenced by his 84-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Dolphins in Week 17 last year, he's only had two total punt returns and five total kick returns over the past two seasons.
It's not a spot he's had regular, consistent work.
The Bills drafted Marquez “Speedy“ Stevenson in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. They signed Brandon Powell, as well. Both are competing with McKenzie for the return man position.
But this is McKenzie‘s job to lose. He doesn’t have to make the dynamic play in order to keep/win the job. However, he does need to show good ball security and decision-making through the preseason.
If not, it will open the door and give a reason for the team to consider other options.
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