Two reasons why Bills’ Dawson Knox thinks Year 2 will be better

Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox looks ahead to his second season in the NFL.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver John Brown recently gave some high-praise for one of his teammates in tight end Dawson Knox.

Brown predicts that Knox is going to be his teammate that has a big year en route.

Saying and doing are two different things, but Knox discussed with NFL Media why he thinks there’s reason he will have a better 2020 season after an up-and-down rookie season which had some highlights, but also some drops.

First, simply not being a rookie will help. Knox said he does not envy his current rookie teammates because of the virtual offseason the NFL is undertaking during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. He had a hard enough time last year when that wasn’t the case.

“Well I definitely appreciate the shoutout,” Knox said on Brown’s comment. “I definitely want to do the best I possibly can, whatever I do, so I think, going from having my head spinning the whole year, I kind of really am looking forward to this year. Having that foundation, being comfortable with the playbook for the most part, and kind of being able to play… I’m going to try to play without thinking as much, being a little more free to just go out there and compete.”

Thi is not just is the case for Knox, but most players from Year 1 to Year 2. Look no further than quarterback Josh Allen. He took steps forward last year for the Bills.

But Knox gave another interesting reason for his potential improvements going forward. While many hope Allen will play better having Stefon Diggs now in the fold, what about the rest of the offense? Knox sees a trickle-down effect coming to Orchard Park.

“I think everybody is excited,” Knox said. “Stefon is going to be a huge piece for our offense… hopefully it’ll open up the middle of the field for me a little bit.”

“It’s going to be really fun.. he’s such a weapon, I’ve seen highlights of him everywhere. I know the Minnesota Miracle, just all the… I’ve seen probably a hundred different clips with him in different spots, it’s just going to be fun to have him on our side,” Knox added.

As a rookie, Knox had 28 catches for 388 yards with two touchdowns in 15 games played. As mentioned, what held Knox back in his first season were those hands at times. But if Knox already says he feels like he’s thinking less, that’s only a positive sign.

And Knox is onto something here, too. With the addition of Diggs, the Bills now have a new No. 1 receiver. Along with Knox possibly having a strong season with Diggs around, how about Brown? Last year, Brown garnered the attention of a No. 1 wideout from opposing defenses. Now he’s likely going to grab No. 2 attention. If Brown had a 72 catch, 1,060 yard season as the top dog, what will happen now?

 

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Bills roster comparison: 2017 vs. 2020 offense

2017 to 2020 Buffalo Bills roster comparisons on offense.

After a couple of seasons, a lot can change in the NFL.

But in the case of the Buffalo Bills, maybe “a lot” just doesn’t cover it.

Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane both joined the team’s front office prior to the 2017 season. That year the Bills cracked the postseason in very unlikely fashion with a much-inherited team.

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The duo did make big roster moves before that season, like moving Sammy Watkins and Ronald Darby. But now entering the fourth training camp under this regime, the names and down-right talent on their roster is a night and day comparison, so let’s do just that.

Here’s a full comparison of the Buffalo Bills’ 2017 roster on offense compared to their current one:

Quarterback

Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

 

2017 2020
Tyrod Taylor Josh Allen
Nathan Peterman Jake Fromm
TJ Yates Matt Barkley
Cardale Jones Davis Webb

Advantage: 2020
At this rate, this is a pretty simple pick, even from top-to-bottom. Josh Allen has shown more potential than Tyrod Taylor, and now he’s been an even better gamer for some time now. Jake Fromm is going to push Matt Barkley for the No. 2 spot next season, and both are better than 2017’s No. 2 in Nathan Peterman. And we confess, the Bills did trade Cardale Jones just before 2017’s training camp, but when you have a chance to add 12-gauge into a story, you do it.

Bills 53-man roster projection, post-2020 NFL Draft

A 53-man roster projection for the Buffalo Bills following the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Buffalo Bills 2020 NFL Draft is well over with now. We’re still waiting for the team to announce their class of undrafted rookie free agent signees and well…we just got tired of waiting.

It’s time for a way, way, way-too-early 53-man roster projection for the Bills ahead of the 2020 season… and way before the team does any sort of actual… workouts, practices, preseason games, and all that stuff.

Let’s just have some fun then, shall we?

Way-too-early roster projections here:

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Quarterback (2)

Josh Allen, Jake Fromm

Cuts: Matt Barkley, Davis Webb

The Bills could certainly keep both Matt Barkley and Jake Fromm on their final roster behind Josh Allen. But one thing Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott loves to do is keep two quarterbacks on the roster and another packed away on the practice squad. Could that third be Davis Webb or even somebody else?

On Barkley, two thoughts: he’s been viewed as the “veteran” to Allen. While yes, he is older, Allen is far the elder in terms of game experience, having started 27 NFL games to Barkley’s seven and Barkley could save the Bills near $1.5 million against the salary cap.

 

Former Cardinals WR John Brown follows example of Larry Fitzgerald, Carson Palmer

He reached out to Bills draft picks the way Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald did for him.

Wide receiver John Brown has not been a member of the Arizona Cardinals for quite some time. He played for the Cardinals from 2014-2017 but that time with the team made its mark on him because of his teammates.

Now in his seventh year in the NFL and 30 years old, he did for the Buffalo Bills’ draft picks what was done for him by Cardinals teammates Larry Fitzgerald and Carson Palmer.

“I had like, a little flashback,” Brown told KSN-TV while discussing the recent 2020 NFL Draft, via Bills Wire. “Once the players were getting drafted, I was able to reach out to some of those guys.

“I sat back and thought about it, once I got drafted, Larry Fitzgerald and Carson Palmer were the first people to text me before any other coaches did or anything. That’s something that really stuck out to me, so I hit the guys with the same thing he hit me with.”

Brown’s greeting to the draft picks certainly was meaningful. He was the team’s leading receiver last year and has been in the league a while.

Palmer has since retired from football and Fitzgerald surely won’t play for much longer, but their impact will be felt for years because of the way they treated their teammates.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 266

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Ep.265

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John Brown predicts big season for Bills TE Dawson Knox

The Buffalo Bills acquired a new teammate for John Brown this offseason in fellow receiver Stefon Diggs. 

The Buffalo Bills acquired a new teammate for John Brown this offseason in fellow receiver Stefon Diggs.

His skill set around the NFL is known. But Brown recently predicted a big season for another, lesser known teammate across the league in tight end Dawson Knox.

“I’m really excited. One thing that people don’t know… the tight end, Dawson Knox. I think it’ll be a big year for him,” Brown told KSC-TV. “So a lot of guys will have to watch out for him. I think he’s going to be an outbreak player this year. I’m really excited.”

Brown also added that overall he thinks the Bills offense is now in a position to help out the team’s already stout defense as well.

“As an offense, we have to help the defense out. Just pay attention to details. Taking it to that extra level,” Brown said.

As a rookie, Knox had 28 catches for 388 yards with two touchdowns in 15 games played. One thing that held Knox back was his hands at times, which left something to be desired with a few drops. That’s certainly something Knox will be working on this offseason.

But Brown might be onto something, and he might have the right idea in mind for Knox… and himself.

With the addition of Diggs, the Bills now have a new No. 1 receiver. Last season, Brown garnered the attention of a No. 1 wideout from opposing defenses. Now he’s likely going to grab No. 2 attention. If Brown had a 72 catch, 1,060 yard season as the top dog, what will happen now? That same sentiment can be applied to Knox. Of course, plenty of that depends on quarterback Josh Allen, but things are pointing in the direction of both Brown and Knox having solid 2020 seasons.

 

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John Brown reached out to Bills rookies like Larry Fitzgerald did for him

Buffalo Bills WR John Brown on Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald.

Early in his career with the Cardinals, now-Bills wide receiver John Brown got to play with one of the best in the business in Larry Fitzgerald.

Now Brown is trying to pay it forward.

Brown himself was a third-round pick out of Division II Pittsburgh State. The now 30-year-old, seven-year vet recalls that he was the 17th receiver to be drafted in 2014. Sounds like he has plenty of motivation right there alone. But he also got some Fitzgerald and his old quarterback Carson Palmer he revealed, and evidently, Brown passed that along to some of his new teammates recently.

“I had like, a little flashback,” Brown told KSN-TV while discussing the recent 2020 NFL Draft. “Once the players were getting drafted, I was able to reach out to some of those guys.

“I sat back and thought about it, once I got drafted, Larry Fitzgerald and Carson Palmer was the first people to text me before any other coaches did or anything. That’s something that really stuck out to me, so I hit the guys with the same thing he hit me with.”

Brown also mentioned how grateful he was for Fitzgerald in regard to things he showed him on the field as well.

“He always taught me to practice like it was my last and also give everything that you have,” Brown said.

At the 2020 draft, the Bills took plenty of new teammates Brown will get to know well. First there’s Gabriel Davis and Isaiah Hodgins, the two big wideouts Buffalo selected. Then there’s running back Zack Brown and quarterback Jake Fromm. At some point on draft night, it sounds like a few of these guys got some words of wisdom from Brown, which maybe one day they themselves will pass along to rookie teammates. The full Fitzgerald-effect coming full circle in Buffalo.

 

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VOTE: What was the Bills’ best play on offense in 2019?

Poll: What was the Buffalo Bills offense’s best play during the 2019 NFL season?

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”dJTzJb6dKN-701798-7498″]

The Buffalo Bills are hoping their offense takes another step forward in 2020 after adding wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Hopefully there’s plenty of highlight reel plays en route next season, but don’t forget the year that was.

Last season the Bills had an improved year on offense which had tons of big-time plays. Which brings one question to mind, what was the best of the bunch?

We plucked a few plays from the 2019 Bills highlight reel above and placed them in a poll. Check out the video and be sure to vote below:

[polldaddy poll=10534756]

 

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4 Bills players land in PFF’s 150 best fantasy football options

Bills’ Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, John Brown, Devin Singletary land in Pro Football Focus’ top-150 fantasy football players.

The Bills are hoping their 2020 offseason will make a big difference in regard to their offensive output next season.

Buffalo took a big step forward in that department by trading for wide receiver Stefon Diggs already. A move like that has an impact all over the team’s offense, but it also does on fantasy football.

With Diggs’ acquisition, Buffalo’s offense improves, and puts the team up to four players listed in Pro Football Focus‘ fantasy football player rankings recently released following free agency. Here’s that breakdown:

42. Devin Singletary, BUF

46. Stefon Diggs, BUF

76. Josh Allen, BUF

78. John Brown, BUF

Overall, Singletary lands as the 19th ranked running back, a position that’s of the upmost importance in fantasy football. While Allen ranks much further away from Singeltary on the list, quarterbacks are not of the upmost importance in fantasy football. So despite being No. 76 overall, Allen actually ranks as the seventh-most valuable QB per PFF’s rankings. Several of the QBs listed ahead of Allen, such as Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson, are of the dual-threat type of quarterback, like Buffalo’s signal caller.

Naturally as the Bills’ presumed No. 1 target, Diggs out-ranks Brown. But both wideouts could have their fantasy football impacts. Both players are coming off 1,000-plus yard seasons, and Brown did so without Diggs drawing much of the attention in Buffalo’s offense. Now that Brown is the No. 2 guy for the Bills, he could end up being a sneaky-good fantasy football sleeper in 2020.

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Bills WR Isaiah McKenzie: ‘I would have came back regardless’

Isaiah McKenzie’s future with the Buffalo Bills was in jeopardy, or so it seemed. 

Isaiah McKenzie’s future with the Buffalo Bills was in jeopardy, or so it seemed.

On March 16, the Bills declined the restricted free agent tender on his contract, making the 24-year-old a free agent. Later that same day, the Bills traded for Stefon Diggs, who shoots right to the top of their depth chart.

Signs pointed to McKenzie not returning to the Bills, but that was never the case for him. While doing the rounds with Western New York media via video call, McKenzie said returning was always his priority and he officially did so on March 24, inking a one-year deal with the team.

“I told my agents and everybody I want to come back… like no matter what, I want to come back and they gave me an opportunity, they wanted me back and I wanted to be back. It wasn’t anything they had to do to get me there because I would have came back regardless,” McKenzie said.

The reason for his desire to return was what he described as a door opening for the Bills. Tom Brady leaving the AFC helps, but McKenzie said regardless of that he sees an opportunity to achieve something with the Bills, despite having offers from offers from other teams as a free agent.

“Each and every year is a possibility. Last year, what we did last year, we’ve just got to build off that. We’ve got a couple of great guys who came in through free agency and stuff like that… we’ll have some rookies come in to help out… I feel like we’ve got a chance to win the whole thing, if you ask me,” McKenzie said.

And of course the first name that comes to name in McKenzie’s mentioning of free agency is Diggs, who the Bills traded for when the market opened. McKenzie described Diggs as a welcomed addition, not any sort of threat to his potential job security.

“It’s just another piece of the puzzle that we need. It’s going to be a great season,” he said.

McKenzie, like Diggs, John Brown and Cole Beasley, the presumed top-three wideouts on the Bills roster, is not the big-bodied target many projected for Buffalo this offseason. Still, the Bills haven’t been shy in the past about their feelings on the receiver position. Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott have both referenced just wanting the best talent at the position, size or shape doesn’t matter.

What does provide might even more valuable. It’s McKenzie’s versatility, something he’s put on display in his Bills career.

After struggling with fumbles early in his career as a returner, he’s proven to be a valuable asset as a a gadget player. McKenzie had 27 catches for 254 yards and a touchdown, and added 49 yards rushing on eight carries in 15 games last season.

With the NFL Draft to still unfold, McKenzie could be in a battle for a roster spot in training camp.

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The 15 most expensive Bills against 2020 cap after free agency

15 largest salary cap hits for Buffalo Bills following 2020 free agency.

The Buffalo Bills came out swinging when free agency opened earlier this month.

There were naturally new additions via free agency additions. But Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane didn’t stop there. Buffalo traded for Stefon Diggs and re-signed a few of their own players.

After all those moves, the Bills have the 12th most space still remaining in the NFL in terms of their salary cap. But several of these new acquisitions now sit amongst the highest-cap hits for the Bills moving forward.

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Here’s a quick look at how the Bills’ top-15 salary cap hits currently sits:

Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

1. OL Mitch Morse (age: 27) – $11.625M salary cap hit

 

Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs/ Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

2. WR Stefon Diggs (age: 26) – $11.5M salary cap hit

 

Panthers linebacker Mario Addison. Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

3. DE Mario Addison (age: 32) – $9.969M salary cap hit

 

Bills defensive end Trent Murphy. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

4. DE Trent Murphy (age: 29) – $9.775M salary cap hit

 

Bills wide receiver John Brown. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

5. WR John Brown (age 29) – $9.719M salary cap hit