Buffalo Bills OTA Standouts Worth Keeping an Eye on This Season

Like the other 31 teams in the National Football League, the Buffalo Bills began organized team activities (OTAs) this past month.

Along with rookie and veteran minicamps, OTAs are one of the first steps in a team's preparation for the coming regular season. They provide a chance for teams to get a look at new personnel, start installing new schemes and ideas and to get back into the general daily grind.

For the players on the field and in the meeting rooms, OTAs provide an opportunity to start gaining the attention of the coaches and team decision-makers.

There is still a long way for these player to go before making the final 53-man roster or before earning a starting job. However, for rookies, incoming free agents and veterans looking to rebound from injury or disappointment, OTAs are often the first act in a journey into the spotlight.

Over the next few pages, we will take a look at some of the early standouts from Buffalo's OTAs that could be worth following as the offseason, preseason and regular season unfold. 

OL Darryl Johnson

The Bills made plenty of headlines this offseason by adding the likes of LeSean McCoy, Matt Cassel, Charles Clay and Percy Harvin to the offensive side of the football.

One name that hasn't garnered much attention is that of second-year free-agent guard Darryl Johnson.

The New Mexico product has stood out at OTAs because of where he has been appearing on the practice field. According to Sal Capaccio of WGR 550, Johnson has been seeing time with the first-team offense at right tackle.

This is significant because Johnson is splitting time with former second-round pick Cyrus Kouandjio and last year's starter, Seantrel Henderson.

According to Pro Football Focus, Henderson ranked just 82nd overall among offensive tackles last season. If Johnson can find a way to step in and improve the position as a starter or backup, not only will he make the team, but he will also make the Buffalo offensive line better. 

G John Miller

Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Improving Buffalo's run-blocking unit, which was ranked dead-last by Pro Football Focus last season, has to be a priority this offseason.

This is why it is encouraging to see rookie third-round pick John Miller fitting in at guard. 

Head coach Rex Ryan had the following to say of Miller's time with the starters in minicamp, per Matthew Fairburn of Syracuse.com:

"

That doesn't mean that he stays there, but that's where he's already fitting in. You put him out there with the ones, mentally that's pretty impressive. It wasn't like we had to slow things down because he was in there.

"

According to Sal Capaccio of WGR 550, Miller has been working with the first-team offense in OTAs and could enter training camp as a starter.

If the 6'2" and 303-pound former Louisville standout can lock down the starting job at right guard, it would be a major boon to the offense. Last year's starter, Erik Pears, was rated just 76th overall among guards, according to Pro Football Focus.

RB Karlos Williams

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

With LeSean McCoy, Fred Jackson, Bryce Brown and Anthony Dixon on the roster, the Bills are fairly loaded at the running back position.

However, fifth-round draft pick Karlos Williams appears to be well on his way to earning himself some game time this coming season.

The 6'1", 230-pound Florida State product has the size and the skill set to excel in offensive coordinator Greg Roman's power-run system. So far, Williams "has been aces" on the field, according to Roman, via ESPN's Mike  Rodak.

"

Bills OC Greg Roman said John Miller "has not blinked" and Karlos Williams "has been aces."

— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) May 19, 2015"

Sal Capaccio of WGR 550 seems to agree that Williams has looked strong in OTAs.

"I really noticed rookie running back Karlos Williams' ability to one-cut and change directions while going downhill through a hole a few times." Capaccio recently wrote of the rookie runner.

Under Roman, the San Francisco 49ers ran the ball just over 29 times a game in 2014, so we can likely expect there being plenty of running back work to go around. If Williams continues to shine, he may be able to step up and claim the No. 2 role behind McCoy.

QB Matt Cassel

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

Journeyman quarterback Matt Cassel only started three games for the Minnesota Vikings last season before winding up on injured reserve with a broken foot.

His pre-injury performance in 2014 wasn't exactly something worth getting excited about (65.8 passer rating), but he may be the best option the Bills have at the quarterback position heading into the 2015 season.

Joe Buscaglia of WKBW.com wrote the following of Cassel following one open OTA session:

"

Cassel gave his receivers a bit more of a chance than both [EJ] Manuel and [Tyrod] Taylor. Manuel was up and down, and head coach Rex Ryan said as much after the practice. Taylor was putting a bit too much loft on to his throws, and that put his receivers at a disadvantage.

"

Last year's starting quarterback, Kyle Orton, retired this offseason which leaves the position as one of the team's biggest question marks.

If Cassel can return to the form he flashed in 2013 (a respectable passer rating of 81.6), he may lock down the starting job and serve the game-manager role that Orton held a season ago.

SS Corey Graham

Gary Wiepert/Associated Press

Bills defensive back Corey Graham has been standing out in OTAs mainly because he has been practicing at the strong safety position instead of his normal spot at cornerback.

Graham was ranked eighth overall among cornerbacks last season by Pro Football Focus and could prove to be an equally productive asset at the safety position. The Bills have a need there after Da'Norris Searcy left for the Tennessee Titans in free agency.

According to the Bills' official website, Graham will be working primarily at safety through OTAs as he could wind up the starter there if it appears he can help the team best at the position. Rex Ryan had the following to say, per Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com:

"

He’s going to need a lot of reps at safety. That’s where he’s going to be getting the majority of his work. I’m not saying he won’t go to corner, I’m sure he’ll play some there. We really want him to focus on safety right now.

"

It will be interesting to see where exactly the eight-year veteran lands at the start of the 2015 season and just how he performs there.