The Buffalo Bills tight end room is sitting a lot prettier in one short year.
Last offseason, there were tons of question marks there, specifically regarding Dawson Knox. There was also little behind him to instill faith.
Fast forward to today and Knox has had a breakout season and he is now paired with OJ Howard at the position after he signed with Buffalo as a free agent.
There are still questions, but just of a different variety.
With all the changes regarding players and coaches with the Bills this offseason, what impact will tight ends, specifically Howard, have on the offense?
It’s early in his tenure in Buffalo, but Howard is hopeful he’ll have a chance to shine even with Knox as his teammate.
“I think it will involve me playing different roles,” Howard said via WGR-550 radio. “I think my mindset, even coming out of college, was that I’m an all-around tight end. I can get in there and block if I need to, I get open and make a catch.”
While Knox and Howard will impact each other’s roles, the third factor here is Ken Dorsey. Buffalo’s new offensive coordinator might play things a bit differently than his predecessor, Brian Daboll.
Could Dorsey utilize more two tight end sets? It’s possible.
We have yet to get any of that insight from Dorsey, however, general manager Brandon Beane might’ve given some. Earlier this offseason the GM said after Howard signed that he’s open minded about lining up with two tight ends.
“There’s various ways to run an offense, whether you run two tight ends, whether you run five wide, whether you run two backs,” Beane said. “You really just want to find different pieces, and it doesn’t have to fit exactly.”
Under Daboll the past few seasons, the Bills ran many three receiver, one tight end sets. If that continues, Howard’s production could be light, or Knox’s could go down to make room for Howard on occasion.
But there’s a world where both players have better production in one area in particular: The red zone.
Using big-bodied players near the goal line like Knox and Howard? Quarterback Josh Allen won’t mind that when he drops back for a pass inside the opponent’s 20.
[lawrence-related id=99511,99411,99485]