Here is Bills Wire’s position-by-position breakdown of the team’s roster, continuing with the tight ends, including the season that was and projecting forward:
The Buffalo Bills made a minor splash during last year’s free agency period by signing former Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Kroft. The team bolstered the position by drafting Dawson Knox and Tommy Sweeney in the draft after that move.
Things did not go swimmingly for Kroft, as he missed substantial time with a foot injury. Thus, Knox and Sweeney were thrust into duty earlier than anticipated. Both showed solid physical ability, especially as a part of the aerial attack. Knox ended the season with 28 receptions, good for fourth on the roster. Sweeney added eight catches in limited duty.
Kroft only reeled in six catches on the season, one of which was a touchdown. He was signed to give quarterback Josh Allen another reliable option in the intermediate passing game. Unfortunately, injuries and the emergence of Knox limited Kroft’s impact on the field.
Lee Smith acted as the sixth offensive lineman at times. He provided the Bills with another big option to help with blocking. Smith, however, took eight penalties on the season, a large number for a player who saw limited snaps and whose main role was to block.
Cap situation
All four of the prior players are under contract for next season. Knox and Sweeney are under their rookie contracts, so their cost is quite team-friendly. Their combined cap hit for next season is about $1.5 million.
Smith is signed through 2021. His cap hit is $3.25 million next season. It seems to be a high figure for a blocking tight end, as he made more than starting guard Quinton Spain’s salary. Nevertheless, head coach Sean McDermott and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll see the value in having a player such as Smith on the field to help with the run game.
Which leads to Kroft. He has the potential to be a very good tight end in all facets of the game. However, injuries have limited his time on the field. In addition, he could not supplant Knox at the top of the depth chart when the veteran returned from injury. Kroft’s salary cap hit is $6.4 million. Still, the Bills could release him at a smaller dead cap hit of $1.6 million with so many bodies already in the unit.
Buffalo also has Jason Croom as an option, as he is an exclusive-rights free agent (ERFA). The Bills could bring him back into the fold to complete for a depth spot.
The future
Knox looks to be a bigger part of the offense next year on paper. His athleticism is something the Bills have been looking for at the tight end spot. After he rumbled over multiple Cincinnati Bengals defenders in Week 3, it was apparent that the rookie could hold his own at the next leve, even if he’s a bit raw at the position. Knox also displayed solid skill as a blocker at times, making him an ideal prospect moving forward at the position. He’s the center piece here and like Josh Allen in Year 2, Knox will also have to take a step forward.
Kroft is a possible cut candidate, as the team would save about $4.8 million this year on the cap. Buffalo probably won’t be in any salary cap danger, but the price is a bit much for a player who might not earn the snaps necessary to justify the price tag.
The Bills love Smith’s physicality, even if it comes at a cost. Sweeney provides a competent depth player. He also surprised folks with his hands.
Croom could be an odd-man-out, or he could be a Kroft replacement. His status is up-in-the-air after missing last season due to injury.
The Bills could stand to find a tight end in the draft. With several teams in the league finding mismatches with their tight ends against opposing secondaries, Buffalo may look to follow suit if the opportunity presents itself. It’s simply tough to predict if the Bills will do something at the position because of their heavy depth at the group, although with them lacking a bit in talent, it’s possible. Certainly not the highest of needs because of Knox’s potential, though.
Note: All cap figures are reported from Spotrac’s web site.
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