NFL Buffalo Bills

5 Young Players Set to Break Out For the Buffalo Bills in 2015

5 Young Players Set to Break Out For the Buffalo Bills in 2015

Stephon Gilmore, Buffalo Bills
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills have a lot of questions heading into 2015 due to Doug Marrone jumping ship, Kyle Orton retiring, and Jerry Hughes saying he's not willing to take a hometown discount. With questions across the roster, these five players will need to break out in order for Buffalo to continue moving forward.

5. Bryce Brown

Bryce Brown, Buffalo Bills
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

5. Bryce Brown

Bryce Brown, Buffalo Bills
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Brown was brought in last offseason after a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. While the compensation wasn’t that great (2015 fourth-round pick), if Brown doesn’t work in Buffalo, then all isn’t lost. Whether or not CJ Spiller is retained will determine how big of a role Brown has in 2015.

4. Kiko Alonso

Kiko Alonso, Buffalo Bills
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

4. Kiko Alonso

Kiko Alonso, Buffalo Bills
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Alonso probably deserved to win Defensive Rookie of the Year award last season after recording over 100 tackles and four interceptions. Coming into his sophmore year, he was slated to be one of the best linebackers in the NFL, but unfortunately a torn ACL put a halt to that. Expect him to come back even better in 2015 and lead an already elite Bills defense.

3. EJ Manuel

EJ Manuel, Buffalo Bills
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

3. EJ Manuel

EJ Manuel, Buffalo Bills
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Former head coach Doug Marrone wasn’t happy when general manager made the decision to select Manuel in the first round last season. After a sub-par rookie season and getting benched early this past season, Manuel has one more shot to make it work in Buffalo. The new head coach will be responsible for making that happen.

2. Robert Woods

Robert Woods, Buffalo Bills
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

2. Robert Woods

Robert Woods, Buffalo Bills
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Woods showed improvement from his rookie season to his sophmore season, improving in all three categories (catches, receiving yards, touchdowns). Sammy Watkins will require a lot of attention moving forward, and the play of the quarterback position will also result in the success of Woods.

1. Stephon Gilmore

Stephon Gilmore, Buffalo Bills
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

1. Stephon Gilmore

Stephon Gilmore, Buffalo Bills
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Gilmore will be entering his fourth year in the league in 2015 out of South Carolina and is the top candidate to make his case to break out on the Buffalo defense. He recorded three interceptions this season (six career interceptions), with his most impressive outing being against the Denver Broncos while holding Demaryius Thomas to only two receptions and 11 yards. He and Leodis McKelvin have the potential to be one of the best duos in the NFL.

Tyler Olson is an NFL and Miami Dolphins writer for www.RantSports.com.  Follow him on Twitter @to2471, like him on Facebook, and connect with him on Google.

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