Actions

Bills Top 20 Talents in 2016: No. 2 - DL Marcell Dareus

Jared Wickerham

<p>FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 29: Marcell Dareus #99 of the Buffalo Bills reacts after committing a penalty in the second half against the New England Patriots during the game at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)</p>

By: Joe Buscaglia

Posted at 4:34 PM, Jun 17, 2016

and last updated 2016-06-17 16:34:28-04

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. 2 - DL Marcell Dareus

Age: 26 (11/18/89)

Height: 6'3”

Weight: 331

Last year’s rank: 1

Why he’s here

- Dareus' reign at No. 1 is over -- at least for now. After two straight years of being atop the Bills Top 20 Talents list, he falls short only due to the potential gamebreaking ability of the No. 1 player. Don't get confused by any means, Dareus is still a high impact player and usually one of the best players on the team for the Bills. It's crazy to think about, but this will be his sixth season in the league, and has a good four years on the No. 1 player. For a 330-pound man, the way he effortlessly moves to not only stuff the run, but to get up the field and disrupt things in the backfield is astounding. He can also rip blockers away with ease, and commands a double-team almost every time. Still with many years to go in his prime, Dareus is one of the best in the league at his position.

2016 outlook

- For Dareus, it's a bit of a scheme switch for him in the upcoming season. However, with how the Bills have shown through minicamp that they're going to make their defensive linemen essentially interchangeable, Dareus won't be stuck at either nose tackle or at five-technique defensive end. Instead, they can find the weakness on an opponent's offensive line, stick Dareus there and exploit it all game if they so choose. With a healthier and talented front-seven around him, expect a few more flash plays from Dareus in the upcoming season.

Top 20 Talents Countdown

2) DL Marcell Dareus

3) CB Stephon Gilmore

8) LG Richie Incognito