The Buffalo Bills have one preseason game left. One last opportunity for players to keep their job and survive the impending doom that final roster cuts bring. Last year the Bills were sorely lacking in the offensive weapons department. So this year they added pieces to their wide receiver corps to rectify that problem. As a result, training camp and the preseason have been battlegrounds for Buffalo Bills wide receivers. With the regular season less than two weeks away the wide receiver position has begun to take shape.
Buffalo Bills Wide Receivers for 2019
The Bills front office came out of last season knowing they needed to upgrade the offense. This was especially true when it came to their wide receivers. Buffalo Bills wide receivers put up less than stellar stats and production last year and limited what the offense could do. Therefore GM Brandon Beane and Head Coach Sean McDermott brought in John Brown, Cole Beasley, Andre Roberts, and Duke Williams. Now as training camp and the preseason come to a close, those four offseason additions await their fate alongside the Bills receivers that remain from 2018.
John Brown and Cole Beasley
John Brown is a lock to make the Bills roster and is already penciled in as a starter. His speed alone makes him a constant threat to opposing defenses, but he’s also a good route runner. At the very least, he commands attention which makes things easier for everyone on the offense.
Cole Beasley is another lock, and from the looks of things so far seems to be a favorite of quarterback Josh Allen. Beasley’s ability to separate in the slot and over the middle against various coverages is tremendous. The Bills signed Beasley for that specific reason and he has come as advertised.
Zay Jones and Robert Foster
Zay Jones was the Bills leading receiver last year, which again speaks to the lack of depth last season. Jones’ extremely inconsistent play on the field makes him a polarizing player amongst Bills fans. However, I don’t see him not making the roster. He still has areas of opportunity, but the former second round pick isn’t a liability on the field. Also, having two legitimate starting receivers in Brown and Beasley gives the Bills and Zay added insurance.
Robert Foster had a solid 2018 and hopes are high for him and his potential this year. Unfortunately for him he suffered a toe injury in camp and hasn’t really seen the field at all this preseason. Despite his limited action so far in 2019, what we have seen combined with his play last year should be good enough for a roster spot. He has the makings of a real “diamond in the rough” kind of find for the Bills.
Andre Roberts, Duke Williams, Isaiah McKenzie
This is where things start to get murky for the rest of the Buffalo Bills wide receivers. Realistically a team normally keeps six to seven wide receivers rostered, and with the four above that only leaves three spots. I believe the Bills keep seven wide receivers, and add Andre Roberts, Duke Williams, and Isaiah McKenzie to the final roster.
Let’s start with Roberts. He can function in the actual offense but his real value comes in the form of his special teams play. He’s excellent in the return game and was an All-Pro and Pro Bowler last year. Enough said.
Duke Williams came from the CFL and the type of size he has is nowhere else to be found amongst current Bills receivers. Now having good size, and being able to use that good size are two completely different things. Fortunately, Duke has used that good size this preseason. The way he high points the football and can just flat out “go and get it” while it’s in the air adds dimension to the Bills offense. His ability to catch in traffic and hang on through contact has also served him well.
Isaiah McKenzie makes the roster because he makes plays. He did it last year, and he’s continued to do it this preseason again, and again. Like Duke Williams, McKenzie has a uniqueness in his game that other Bills receivers don’t have, versatility. With the ball in his hands, Mckenzie performs almost like a running back. His low center of gravity, elusiveness, and burst allow him to function in multiple positions on the offense and on special teams. Having a player like Isaiah McKenzie adds quality to the bottom of the depth chart and roster flexibility.
Last Word On Buffalo Bills Wide Receivers
Wide receiver was an area of concern in 2018 for the Bills. As we head into the last game of the preseason, fans have hope that the position is no longer a black hole. Rostering these seven wide receivers would give the Buffalo Bills quality, depth, versatility, and roster flexibility. How they perform in the fourth and final preseason game will go a long way in determining how this position grouping shakes out.
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