Beyond Buffalo's star duo, unheralded cornerstones like Christian Benford and Greg Rousseau fight for national recognition as the league’s peers vote for the elite Top 100.
There's little debate about the Buffalo Bills' two certain representatives on this year's NFL Top 100.
Josh Allen is coming off another MVP-caliber season and remains one of the league's premier quarterbacks. James Cook, meanwhile, led the NFL in rushing and has established himself as one of the biggest playmakers in Buffalo's offense. If both names appear on the list, it won't surprise anyone.
The more interesting question is whether they'll have company.
The Bills have built one of the NFL's most consistent rosters, even if they don't always receive the same national attention as some of the league's other contenders. That depth may not translate into five or six Top 100 players, but there are several Bills who have legitimate cases to be included.
If I had to pick the next player announced, it would be Christian Benford.
Benford has quietly become one of the NFL's better cornerbacks over the past few seasons. He doesn't generate the headlines that some of the league's bigger names at the position do. Still, week after week, he's tasked with matching up against opposing No. 1 receivers and consistently delivers. Buffalo rewarded him with a contract extension last year for a reason. He's become one of the cornerstones of the defense, and his play deserves far more national recognition than it receives.
After Benford, Greg Rousseau probably has the strongest argument.
Rousseau has developed into one of the AFC's more complete edge rushers. He's productive as a pass rusher, reliable against the run and rarely has to leave the field because of his versatility. Those qualities don't always show up in highlight reels, but they're exactly what coaches and players around the league appreciate when voting on awards like the NFL Top 100.
Dion Dawkins also deserves to be part of the conversation.
Left tackles often don't receive much attention unless something goes wrong, and Dawkins has quietly remained one of the NFL's most dependable players at the position. He's been a Pro Bowler, a leader in Buffalo's locker room, and one of the biggest reasons Josh Allen has consistently had quality protection on the left side. He was 42nd on the list last year, and could possibly find himself around the same spot again.
Connor McGovern rounds out my list of candidates.
Centers rarely receive the recognition they deserve, but McGovern has become one of the steadier players on Buffalo's offensive line. If the Bills once again field one of the NFL's top offenses, his contributions will play a significant role, even if they don't always appear in the box score.
Whether all of those players make the final Top 100 remains to be seen. The list is filled with stars from around the league, and earning a spot is never easy. Still, if the Bills truly have one of the NFL's best rosters, it shouldn't stop with Allen and Cook.
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