Mike Rodak, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Resetting the Bills' offense after this week's two trades

The Buffalo Bills' flurry of trade activity this week shook up parts of their roster and have shifted some of the team's top needs as they enter free agency and the draft.

The impact is most pronounced on offense, so let's break down that side of the ball, position by position:

Quarterbacks (3): Matt Cassel, EJ Manuel, Jeff Tuel

Draft need: Moderate

Free-agency need: Moderate

Analysis: I had the draft need at this position as "high" in January. With Cassel in the fold, there's some pressure off the Bills to add an arm to this group, but they could still find a suitable third option in the draft. Free agency is also still an option, since cutting Cassel before the start of the regular season would cost the Bills less than $1 million against their salary cap.

Running backs (4): LeSean McCoy, Fred Jackson, Anthony Dixon, Bryce Brown

Draft need: Moderate to low

Free-agency need: Low

Analysis: I had the draft need at this position as "moderate" in January. It's a deep running back class, so there's still a chance the Bills will pluck one off the board in the later rounds. In that case, Brown could be fighting for a roster spot this summer.

Fullbacks (1): Corey Knox

Draft need: Moderate to low

Free-agency need: Moderate

Analysis: Knox is a University at Buffalo product who is a long shot to make the roster. After phasing out Frank Summers last season, the Bills used Marqueis Gray as a fullback/H-back but are in search of a true fullback this offseason. Fullbacks aren't often drafted, so the Bills could find one elsewhere, whether it's undrafted or veteran free agency.

Wide receivers (9): Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Chris Hogan, Marquise Goodwin, Marcus Thigpen, Deonte Thompson, Justin Brown, Caleb Holley, Tobais Palmer

Draft need: Moderate to low

Free-agency need: Moderate to low

Analysis: I pegged the draft need at this position as "low" in January. On second thought, it could be higher. Even though Greg Roman's offense won't use multiple receivers as often as other schemes, the Bills could upgrade from Hogan while Goodwin enters a make-or-break season. I don't think it would be wise to use a second- or third-round pick on a receiver after devoting so many draft resources to this position in recent years, but a late-round pick won't hurt.

Tight ends (4): Scott Chandler, Chris Gragg, Marqueis Gray, Chris Manhertz

Draft need: High

Free-agency need: High

Analysis: This is now the Bills' biggest need across the entire roster. Roman's offense uses a large dose of multiple-tight-end formations, just as Nate Hackett's offense did last season. Expect defenses to stack the box and try to shut down the Bills' running game -- forcing whoever is at quarterback to pass -- so having a better core group of tight ends is key. There are capable options available in free agency (Charles Clay, Jordan Cameron, Jermaine Gresham, etc.) and the draft (Maxx Williams, Clive Walford, etc.). It wouldn't be surprising if the Bills double-dipped.

Offensive tackles (4): Cordy Glenn, Seantrel Henderson, Chris Hairston (restricted free agent), Cyrus Kouandjio

Draft need: Moderate to low

Free-agency need: Moderate

Analysis: In order to make their "ground-and-pound" approach work, the Bills need a better offensive line. Ideally, Glenn would play right tackle and the Bills would upgrade at left tackle, but given their limited draft picks and a lack of top offensive tackles on the free-agent market, that isn't likely to happen. I still wouldn't rule out an upgrade at right tackle, where Henderson started 16 games last season but was still part of a poor overall unit. Adding another draft choice here would be tough, as Henderson and Kouandjio both were selected last season.

Interior offensive line (9): Eric Wood, Chris Williams, Richie Incognito, Kraig Urbik, Cyril Richardson, William Campbell, D.J. Morrell, Darryl Johnson, Alex Kupper

Draft need: Moderate to high

Free-agency need: Moderate to high

Analysis: If the Bills want to part ways with Urbik and clear some cap room, they could be waiting until next week, the start of the new league year, to do it. Releasing Urbik and designating him as a post-June 1 cut would spread his "dead money" over two years, giving the Bills more cap room this year. If they felt strongly about moving on from Williams, they could also designate him as a post-June 1 cut and clear nearly $2 million off their 2015 cap. That would clear the way for Incognito to start at one guard spot and potentially a free agent to start at the other spot. I think it's unlikely the Bills will be able to sign Mike Iupati, but cutting Williams and Urbik would be one way to make it happen.

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