Coming into 2015 season, the Bills did not know who their starting quarterback would be. E.J. Manuel was the Bills first round selection in 2013, and many thought if he was ever going to have a chance in the league, he had to take the job for good in his third season. Matt Cassel was brought in to be the veteran, to lead the young quarterbacks and play when needed. Then, Tyrod Taylor left the Baltimore Ravens to sign a 2-year $7 million dollar contract with the Bills. Rex Ryan had tried to get him to join the Jets in previous seasons, so clearly he saw something in him.

Early in training camp, he showed flashes of his talent, and ended up winning the job outright over Manuel, who served as the backup and Cassel, who was traded before the season began. Over the course of 2015, Taylor gave the Bills something they haven’t had in years; competent quarterback play. Now with a year of starting under his belt, this is why Tyrod Taylor will have an even bigger season in 2016.

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2016 Fantasy Football Draft Target

Taylor was able to sit behind Super Bowl champion Joe Flacco for four years in Baltimore. He took that time learning and growing with a team that knows how to win. Still in his prime at 26 years old, Taylor still has room to improve in this offense. Taylor was willing and able to complete passes down the sidelines, but his biggest knock last season was his ability to throw over the middle of the field. This however, may stem from play-calling and not a lack of ability. Taylor attempted 365 passes last season,239 of them were outside the numbers, leaving only 126 passes up the middle. Of those 239 passes outside, he completed 61% of them for 2,031 yards and 14 TDs. Of the 126 up-the-middle passes, Taylor was able to complete 76% of them for 1,004 yards and six TDs. It makes sense Taylor was able to rack up more yards and scores airing the ball out down the sidelines, but his 76% completion percentage over the middle shows his ‘problem’ wasn’t exactly a problem. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman is committed to using the middle of the field more this season. He said “Well I think we are just opening up, expanding our offense a little bit. I definitely think that this is something we did not focus on as a staff last year. As for a critical look at ourselves, I think we decided to open things up a little bit more in the middle of the field.” With Roman on board and Taylor looking good in OTA’s, we could see another dimension of his game evolve like we haven’t yet seen.

Taylor proved last season that even when passing lanes break down, he can tuck and run with the best of them. Last season in 14 games he was able to rush for 568 yards, ranking second in the league behind NFL MVP Cam Newton. Taylor was tied for first in rushing yards per attempt with Russell Wilson at 5.5 yards. He was fourth in rushing touchdowns by a quarterback at four. For fantasy purposes, a quarterback that can run is more impressive because rushing yards are worth more than passing yards in most fantasy formats. Taking his total rushing yards divided by 14 games gives us about 41 yards per game, which means four extra points per week for Taylor. For those of us who have lost a game because of a fourth quarter sack don’t have to worry about that with Taylor. Add two more games worth of stats onto these totals and they become even more impressive. The Bills offensive line for the most part stayed intact this offseason, which means they have the potential to be even better as a unit this season. A more confident mobile quarterback plus a solid offensive line will lead to scary things for opposing defenses next season.

When Taylor isn’t running, the Bills have a bevy of receiving threats that Taylor can utilize in this underrated offense. First and foremost is former first round pick Sammy Watkins. Watkins had offseason foot surgery, but is expected to be back in time for the regular season. The Taylor-Watkins connection oozes potential, in the Bills final six games, Watkins averaged 9.5 targets, 5.8 catches, 113 yards, and a TD per game. If Watkins can stay healthy for most of this season, Taylor/Watkins could prove to be one of the best QB/WR duos in 2016. Not only does he have Watkins, he has LeSean McCoy in the backfield. In 12 games last season, McCoy caught 32 passes for 292 yards and two scores. In his career, McCoy has averaged 47 receptions per season, and figures again this season to play a big role in a potent offense. Tight End Charles Clay is looking to get more involved in the offense this season as well in his second season with the team. Clay has great things to say about Taylor’s role in the offense also. “You can tell some of the areas where some people were saying he needs to improve in this area. He worked on it a whole lot. His timing with throwing the ball has been tremendous. His ball placement, footwork, everything. He's real disciplined with his eyes. Even the defense will tell you that he's throwing the ball where a player can't get to it. The only person that can make a play on the ball is an offensive player. He's always put the work in, but you can get the sense that he's a lot more comfortable." Taylor last season held a 7:3 TD to INT ratio, which ranked seventh in the league. With receiving options like this, he may not replicate that ratio but he will certainly improve on his 20 touchdown passes from last season.

Tyrod Taylor is currently being drafted as the #16 quarterback in the league according to fantasypros, and number 153 overall. Taylor’s ability to run and pass to all areas of the field will lead to him outperforming this ranking by a long shot. If he stays healthy, there is more than a good chance he finishes as a top-10 quarterback this season. Draft him late as a second quarterback, and there is a good chance he will be the only quarterback you need by midseason.

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