Highlighting Changes to Bills Offense Following David Nelson's ACL Tear

The Buffalo Bills offense won't look the same with Fred Jackson sidelined for a month, but losing David Nelson for the season will likely yield more offensive alterations. 

You see, the Bills entered the 2012 season relatively thin at wide receiver, and Nelson, the team's second-leading wideout last year, was expected to find himself in an expanded role. 

Buffalo looks to rebound from a Week 1 trouncing as they face Kansas City Chiefs at home on Sunday, so let's highlight some potential changes we'll see from Chan Gailey's offense.

General Scheme

The Bills love spreading out the opposition, often lining up in four- and five-receiver sets with the 6'5'' Nelson positioned in the slot to work against weaker and more diminutive cornerbacks. 

Without him, the Bills are down to four traditional wideouts on the 53-man roster: Stevie Johnson, Donald Jones, Ruvell Martin (mainly a special teams player) and rookie T.J. Graham. Brad Smith can play wide receiver but is a QB/WR hybrid.

While I don't expect Gailey to completely scrap his go-to spread sets, there's a good chance he'll utilize more conventional pro-style formations with two and three receivers split off the line. 

Now, it's important to remember that tight end Scott Chandler has experience running routes from the slot position, as does running back C.J. Spiller.

By default, due to Nelson's absence, Chandler will get more targets. More specifically, Chandler will run many of the same stick routes and zone sits Nelson ran in the past.

For as much as I truly believe a run-heavy offensive attack would be extremely beneficial to the Bills by playing to their strengths (and alleviating pressure on Ryan Fitzpatrick), I have a hunch that Gailey is too enamored with throwing the football and the system he's installed in Buffalo to give Spiller and Tashard Choice a combined 30 carries or more.

Then again, the Bills defense—or lack thereof—often compels the Bills to throw it frequently. 

Personnel Groupings

T.J. Graham was inactive against the Jets after what appeared to be a rather impressive preseason. He'll be active Sunday and, if healthy, for the remainder of the 2012 season. 

He was drafted to bring a speed element to the offense, something Buffalo desperately needs, as it seems NFL defenses have caught onto its quick-passing game.

Because Graham is 5'11'' and weighs around 190 pounds, the initial thought is that he'll line up as the primary slot receiver, filling the void left by Nelson.

I don't envision that happening. Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com agrees:

"

@homeslice5484 Donald might be better in slot than out wide, brings valuable blocking element in there as well #Bills

— Chris Brown (@ChrisBrownBills) September 11, 2012"

Donald Jones is an agile wideout who has experience in the slot. I would be stunned if the Bills don't take a few shots down the sideline when they sense Graham is facing man-to-man coverage. 

Brown does make an astute point regarding Jones as a blocker. He has a more solid build than Graham and has demonstrated a willingness to handle cornerbacks on outside runs, something we'll likely see more of with Spiller as the starter. 

I also anticipate Gailey to use Graham in a role similar to that of Roscoe Parrish. A variety of quick screens with blockers in front should be called in order to allow the former N.C. State track star to make use of his burst and immense speed. 

For a better idea as to how Graham will be utilized, think Pittsburgh Steelers' Mike Wallace—a smaller outside receiver often sent on fly routes while occasionally catching the quick bubble or tunnel screen.

Overall 

Nelson will be missed, without a doubt. He was a big target for Fitzpatrick, had soft hands and consistently got open by running crisp routes. 

The Bills' offensive game plan won't be drastically reconfigured, but there should be a bigger emphasis on the run, something that's precipitated by Jackson's injury, as well. 

The injury to Nelson may actually take Buffalo away from a short passing game that's become rather predictable and ineffective. It quite possibly may necessitate a more vertical aerial attack that, for many obvious reasons, will take a back seat to Spiller and Choice running the football. 

Follow @ChrisTrapasso