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. 3 - CB Stephon Gilmore
Age: 25 (9/19/90)
Height: 6'1”
Weight: 190
Last year’s rank: 2
Why he’s here
- Gilmore took a huge leap from year two to year three, and it showed by him placing in at second on the Top 20 Talents countdown last year. This year, however, Gilmore dropped a spot due to the emergence of a potential NFL star. Through his four seasons with the Bills, the cornerback has been a mainstay in the lineup and has consistently played with the ability the Bills expected of him when they drafted him in the first round. Gilmore is only 25 years old, and still may not even be in his prime as a player just yet. If he starts to develop an ability to be even more impactful, and to help create turnovers, then he could even rise up the rankings even more than he has.
2016 outlook
- Following the conclusion of minicamp, the outlook for Stephon Gilmore this season is looking a little murky. Clearly not happy with only a one-year contract, Gilmore abstained from all 10 session of Organized Team Activities, and only watched practice from the sidelines during the three-day, mandatory minicamp. He even hinted that he might hold out from training camp if the two sides don't have a new deal in place. The short-term isn't looking good for Gilmore. However, if/when he gets back on the field, he's immediately one of the best the Bills have.
Top 20 Talents Countdown
3) CB Stephon Gilmore
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