Analyst Bill Barnwell ranks Buffalo’s skill positions 29th, citing a lack of reliable targets for Josh Allen and questioning if this revamped roster can produce explosive plays.
The Buffalo Bills offense is one of the worst in the league. At least, that's according to ESPN's Bill Barnwell.
The long-time NFL analyst recently released his yearly rankings of team skill position groups. It didn't take long for his rankings to reach Buffalo, an offensive group that Barnwell claims is a group that's "difficult to get excited about."
The Bills are ranked 29th heading into 2026, only ahead of the Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, and Cleveland Browns. Their even behind teams like the Tennessee Titans and New York Jets.
Before going into his reasonings, Barnwell said that these weren't his rankings of the offenses. Instead, it just focuses on running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends.
So, what did he have to say about the Bills group? It wasn't good.
First, he praised running back James Cook for his vision, tackle-breaking skills, and his tendency to create explosive plays. But he did mention Cook's history with fumbles, something that can, and has, hurt the Bills in crucial moments.
Aside from Cook, Barnwell doesn't see anything impressive for the rest of Buffalo's playmakers. Starting with DJ Moore, he questions whether the 29-year-old can return to his 1,000-yard ways.
"After all, 2025 was comfortably Moore's worst season as a pro, as he fell down the priority list at receiver for the Bears as the year went along," Barnwell said. "Moore hasn't missed a game in five years, which is a positive, but he profiles as one of the least imposing top wideouts in the league."
He then said, while talking about Khalil Shakir, Josh Palmer, and Keon Coleman, that " this would be one of the worst receiving corps on paper without Josh Allen on the other side of the passes. "
With Dalton Kincaid at tight end, his injuries and lack of being the big target receiver for the team were the reason for skepticism.
Finally, he wrapped up his portion on the Bills with one big question.
"For all the Bills are spending at receiver, the same question still lingers: If Allen needs to throw for a first down to win a game, who should he trust to get open? Every team ranked above the Bills has at least one receiver that fans would bring up as an obvious answer for their quarterback. The Bills still, somehow, do not," he said.
Of course, this is all one person's opinion and should be treated as such. Still, it's always interesting to see what national media think of the Bills as they continue to try and get to their first Super Bowl with Josh Allen.
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