The Vikings have added several players, including Matt Cassel, but there are holes remaining to be filled

The Buffalo Bills had one of their best seasons in recent memory in 2014. They started off the draft with a bang trading up to the number four spot to select wide receiver Sammy Watkins. They managed to weather the losses of safety Jairus Byrd to the New Orleans Saints via free agency, and star linebacker Kiko Alonso for the entire season to injury. Even more impressive is in the absence of Alonso, Buffalo had one of the best defenses in the league – including a dominant defensive line that posted a league-best 54 sacks.

They pulled everything together for a 9-7 record, but in spite of that, one of the most damning statistics in their history continues to build – they still haven’t made the playoffs since the turn of the century. Now, they have a chance to bring an end to that as Rex Ryan will attempt to give Buffalo their first postseason berth in 16 years with one of the strongest rosters in football. But first, is April’s NFL draft, which gives the Bills the chance to plug the few remaining holes that remain.

Offense

Quarterback
The quarterback position is a problem child for many of the NFL’s franchises, including the Bills. They had a nightmare start under center in 2014 as original starting quarterback E.J. Manuel was benched by head coach Doug Marrone after the team lost to the Houston Texans in Week 4. Kyle Orton then came in and led the Bills to seven wins and five losses, but retired shortly after their season came to a close.

It’s a position they have to address, and they can do so through the draft. They’ve already acquired Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor since the free agency period started, but neither are considered to be long-term options for the team. However, their drafting options are limited. They have no first round pick courtesy of the Watkins trade, and it’s unlikely they trade back into the first round to take either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota.

So that leaves the possibility that they take a QB later in the draft, and it could well happen. Bryce Petty, Garrett Grayson and Brett Hundley are considered the next-best from the class of 2015 after Winston and Mariota. They could be available from round two to rounds five or six, so they should be there when the Bills come on the clock. But the problem with all three is that none of them are NFL-ready yet according to scouts, and will be long-term projects as opposed to a quick-fix. With the Bills a QB away from being a serious contender, it is unlikely they’ll find their 2015 signal caller on draft day.

Whether or not they go with a current player, a free agent or decide to draft a rookie QB, it’s highly unlikely that the Bills will see an increase in fantasy production at the position. Because of this, it makes it harder for fantasy players to trust Buffalo’s receivers, but could be a good sign for their running backs.

Current QBs: EJ Manuel, Matt Cassel, Tyrod Taylor, Jeff Tuel

Potential draft targets: Brett Hundley (UCLA), Bryce Petty (Baylor), Garrett Grayson (Colorado State)

Guard
One of the team’s main weaknesses last year was their offensive line, and in particular their guard play. As a matter of fact Pro Football Focus ranked their line as the third-worst in the NFL last season, finished dead last in run blocking. For a team that struggled at quarterback, poor OL play in the running game made things worse.

If Rex Ryan wants to improve his team through the draft, grabbing a good guard early would be one way to do so, especially considering that rookies at the position can be day one starters. Take Zack Martin last season for the Dallas Cowboys, for example. One prospect that could fulfil that need is LSU’s La’el Collins. Collins is projected to go anywhere from the first round to the third, potentially putting him in the Bills’ range. Collins has the potential to be a good guard in the NFL, but needs to improve his technique. He can also play right tackle.

There is also Florida State’s Cameron Erving, who can play anywhere along the line, but excelled when the Seminoles moved him to center in 2014. Erving did well at the combine, and seems to play better inside, though he also has experience at left tackle. Other options for the Bills to ponder include Arie Kouandjio from Alabama, Erving’s teammate Josue Matias, or Duke’s Laken Tomlinson, who is a particularly strong run-blocker.

Current OGs: Cyril Richardson, Alex Kupper, Richie Incognito, Cyrus Kouandjio, DJ Morrell, William Campbell, Darryl Johnson, Kraig Urbik, Chris Williams

Possible draft targets: La’el Collins (LSU), Cameron Erving (Florida State), Josue Matias (Florida State), Laken Tomlinson (Duke), Arie Kouandjio (Alabama)

Tight End
Buffalo didn’t have a great crop of tight ends last season, but they did at least have the mediocre Scott Chandler to add some potency to the position. But now they’ve let him go and have Charles Clay, who just signed a five-year deal with the team, as well as MarQueis Gray, Chris Gragg and Chris Manhertz on the TE depth chart – but the latter three have just 243 career receiving yards and two touchdowns combined. While Clay is a solid blocker and a reasonable receiver, there is a chance that the Bills might look for another TE in the draft.

Two names to watch out for in the draft are Minnesota’s Maxx Williams and the Univeristy of Miami’s Clive Walford. Neither performed as well as was expected at the combine, but did well in field drills and still impressed. Williams is expected to be drafted first and is more rounded, with the athleticism to excel at the position, whilst also having some blocking potential. Walford, on the other hand, is also capable as a blocker, but may be short on the required speed and athleticism to be a real receiving threat in the NFL. However, they may be able to find a year-one role at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Rookie tight ends generally don’t prosper in their first professional season, but as Buffalo are putting a decent roster together, any tight end that the Bills draft could hold fantasy value in the future.

Current TEs: Charles Clay, Chris Gragg, MarQueis Gray, Chris Manhertz

Potential draft targets: Maxx Williams (Minnesota), Clive Walford (Miami)

Defense

Linebacker
The Bills made a big splash before free agency opened, as they brought in LeSean McCoy, trading away star linebacker Kiko Alonso in the process. Yes, Alonso missed the entire 2014 season with injury, but his first year in the league showed just how good he is, and his absence will certainly leave a hole at the position. That leaves Preston Brown and Nigel Bradham as the starters for now, with limited depth in the form of 2014 seventh-round pick Randell Johnson, Ty Powell and Jimmy Gaines.

The draft would be a good chance for the Bills to get some quality depth at the position. One player to watch is inside linebacker Stephone Anthony, who has been given a second-to-third round grade. Plus, he’s from Clemson, which is where Rex Ryan’s son plays. That may not mean much on the surface, but he drafted former Tigers quarterback Tajh Boyd for the New York Jets last season in part due to that reason. Surely Anthony is not out of the question.

They could also look at TCU linebacker Paul Dawson, who put up a stunning stat line in 2014 for the Horned Frogs, or perhaps go for someone with a little more flexibility and can play at both inside and outside linebacker like Penn State’s Mike Hull.

Even without Alonso, the Bills still had the best D/ST in fantasy football last season, and haven’t been significantly weakened on that side of the ball. If they can draft a rookie to come in and help shore them up, there’s a good chance that they’ll be number one next year too. After all, they have a great defensive mind in coach Rex Ryan.

Current LBs: Preston Brown, Nigel Bradham, Jimmy Gaines, Randell Johnson, Ty Powell

Potential draft targets: Stephone Anthony (Clemson), Paul Dawson (TCU), Mike Hull (Penn State)

Tom Woods is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Tom, check out his archive and follow him @RealTomWoods.