Tight end hasn’t exactly been a position of strength over the years for the Bills. In fact, it’s arguably one of the weakest position groups in franchise history. Aside from a few stalwarts (such as Ernie Warlick and Pete Metzelaars), the pickings at tight end have generally been slim.
The Bills do have some reason for hope, however, at tight end heading into 2020. And his name is Dawson Knox.
Knox wasn’t expected to be an immediate staple on offense as a rookie in 2019. A third-round pick out of Ole Miss, Knox was considered a promising but developing prospect at the position. He was both a quarterback and a wide receiver in high school before switching to fullback and then tight end at Ole Miss. He had only 39 career receptions in college before declaring for the draft as a junior.
Knox had impressive moments in his first spring as a Bill while also dealing with drops. He missed nearly all of his first training camp due to a hamstring injury. But the Bills had little choice but to turn to him once the regular season came around due to an injury setback to Tyler Kroft, who was initially projected to be the team’s starter at tight end.
Inconsistency remained an issue for Knox, particularly when it came to catching the ball. But there were enough moments of brilliance to offer plenty of hope for the future, and a reminder of just how high his ceiling might be.
Bu hikaye Bills Digest dergisinin August 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Bills Digest dergisinin August 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
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TRACKING TRAINING CAMP
Bills Digest was there for all the big moments at training camp. Here are some observations …
‘We're constantly trying to evolve'
For more on what’s happening within Buffalo’s offense, here are some highlights from offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s recent press conferences.
‘On the field you must flip that switch'
Here are some highlights from head coach Sean McDermott’s recent press conferences.
ALLEN GETS HISTORIC DEAL
Bills QB now under contract through 2028
Right back in the swing of things
It’s fair to say that this year’s Bills training camp looks wildly different from those of the past.
1st & Ten with STEFON DIGGS
Stefon Diggs had one of the best seasons ever by a Bills receiver in 2020, and he’s looking for an encore. Diggs was clearly amped up and ready to go as the Bills began their preparations for the new season, leading the huddle and supporting his teammates as they kicked off training camp in Orchard Park. Diggs recently touched on his goals for the upcoming season for both himself and the team in an informative discussion with members of the media. Here are the highlights from that discussion.
RUNNING BACKS: TOP AVAILABLE FREE AGENTS
Aaron Jones, Packers 5-9 • 208 pounds • 27 years old A fifth-round steal in the 2017 draft out of UTEP, Jones is equally proficient in the running and passing games. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards the last two years, and caught 49 and 47 passes, respectively. He’s also a touchdown machine with 30 TDs the last two years (25 rushing and 5 receiving). The son of two career Army officers, he’s a tough, driven player and the kind of guy players want on their team.
THE RIGHT STUFF?
Keeping two important starters is a priority as the right side of the O-line hits free agency
QUARTERBACKS: TOP AVAILABLE FREE AGENTS
Dak Prescott, Cowboys 6-2 • 235 pounds • 27 years old A solid starter who has a nice TD-INT ratio over his first five seasons (104-40), Prescott is an accurate thrower and very mobile. However, he’s coming off a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle, so it remains to be seen if this will impact his game moving forward.
TIGHT ENDS: TOP AVAILABLE FREE AGENTS
Hunter Henry, Chargers 6-5 • 250 pounds • 29 years old A very talented player, Henry has had issues staying healthy, unable to complete an NFL season, including missing the entire 2018 season with a torn ACL. But when healthy, he’s a terrific all-around tight end who really connected with Justin Herbert in 2020 with 60 catches. Henry is very good at finding holes in zone coverage.
