A look at the Bills WR position prior to roster cuts

Pro Football Focus has the Bills receiving corps ranked as the fifth best in the NFL, which is a pretty big jump from where the unit was even just a season ago. The Bills are just days away from breaking down their roster to 53 players. Cut-down day …

Isaiah McKenzie

The third option in 2019 at WR for the Bills who also had career high numbers, McKenzie is looking to continue to contribute to the teams offense in any way he can. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll shared a great description of the 25-year-old, saying: “He’s got quickness, he’s got speed, he’s got run after catch. He’s like the little Energizer Bunny, man. This guy goes all day long. Such a heart, such a hard worker in practice.” It’s possible the team could carry enough receivers for McKenzie to stick, as the rookies might take a year to get acclimated.

Andre Roberts

At 32, the Bills’ All-Pro kick returner has made his way into the highlight reel himself this past week, making some big plays and catches. Special Teams coordinator Heath Farwell praised Roberts, saying “Andre is as smart a football player as I’ve been around.” A Pro Bowler last year after finishing fourth in the league in average kickoff return yardage, a return to special teams is likely but with plays like this, the possibility of time at receiver is very real. Roberts could see a chance spelling in for Cole Beasley in the slot.

Robert Foster

A deep ball target for Allen in 2018, Foster missed some time to concussion protocol during camp recently as he competes on the roster bubble. At 26, the former undrafted free agent from Alabama had a 2019 season that saw him only pull in three catches and two carries, also spending time on special teams a gunner on special teams logging four tackles. In 2018, he actually had a chance to lead the Bills in receiving yards heading into the season finale, however, Zay Jones held him off.

Despite Foster’s special teams abilities, he’s missed so much of training camp, including most, if all off, the media viewing of it. Foster will have a few days behind closed does to make an impression on the coaching staff, but he might just be too far behind due to his time in the protocol.

And now, the roster locks:

Stefon Diggs

One of the leagues elite receivers joins the Bills via trade this offseason. General manager Brandon Beane bundled the team’s 2020 first-round pick with other surplus, exchanging them for the No. 1 receiver he correctly believed wouldn’t be there for the team to select at 22nd overall.

Fantasy football evaluations showed Diggs to be underutilized in Minnesota’s offense last year, nonetheless, he finished with more yards than the previous season through efficiency despite fewer targets, with a career-high 1,130 yards with six touchdowns on 63 catches.

Based on his catch rate by depth compared to the league average, he’s above-average anywhere on the field… It could be a big year for Diggs in his first season with the Bills.

John Brown

Last year’s deep threat in John Brown put up a career year in 2019 to the tune of 72 receptions (53 for first downs) on 115 targets, pulling in six touchdowns. Seven of his completions during last week’s team scrimmage were for a first down as well. During camp, Brown spoke highly of his new teammates at the wideout position and the opportunities they’ll create, which could open up more plays for the speedster this season. Opposing defenses attempts to cover Diggs may result in a big year for “Smoke.”

Cole Beasley

The go-to guy when the Bills have needed big catches and plays, Cole Beasley logged the first 100-target season of his career last season with Buffalo and added a career-high six touchdowns to go with near highs of 778 yards receiving on 67 catches. Beasley spoke recently on how Allen’s confidence boosts he and the team’s confidence as well, if last year was any indication Beasley may be on track for one of the best seasons of his career in 2020.

Gabriel Davis

Gabriel Davis turned some heads more than once this past week pulling in catches for several first downs during the team’s scrimmage as well as hauling in a big deep ball from Allen during practice with none other than Tre White defending.

Throughout the portions of training we’ve been able to get some eyeballs on, the rookie has done nothing but impress with the Bills. It’s a tough ask to bring in a starting rookie wide receiver from college, which is another reason the Bills traded for Diggs. But with how well Davis has preformed in training camp, Beane might have inadvertently done just that with Davis.

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