Show notes
On the latest episode of the Billieve Podcast, hosts John Boccacino and Jamie D’Amico continue their offseason State of the Bills series of podcasts by breaking down and reviewing the contributions the Bills got from their tight ends in 2020.
This is arguably Buffalo's worst positional group on the roster. Featuring Dawson Knox, Tyler Kroft, Lee Smith and Reggie Gilliam, Buffalo's tight ends ranked 31st in the NFL in both receiving yards (458) and receptions (42), a fact made slightly easier to swallow considering the strength of Buffalo's wide receivers on a potent offense that finished third in the league in passing yards (4,786) and passing first downs (240); tied for third in passing TDs (40); and fourth in pass plays of at least 20 yards (66).
Still, general manager Brandon Beane made a point to call out the lack of productivity from the tight ends in 2020 as something the team wants to address moving forward. So what do the Bills have at tight end? Knox, who missed the first four games due to a foot injury and a COVID-19 diagnosis, is raw and athletic, someone who still has issues with the drops while being a slightly above average blocker. As Buffalo's No. 1 tight end, Knox had 24 receptions for 288 yards and three touchdowns. He is clearly Buffalo's best tight end, and for what it's worth, he came on at the end of the season, including catching a season-high six passes for 42 yards and a TD in the AFC title game vs. Kansas City.
Behind Knox on the depth chart sits Kroft, who caught 12 passes for 119 yards and three TDs. He has been injury-prone during his time in Buffalo. He's a pending free agent, and outside of catching two TDs (including the game-winner vs. the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3), Kroft did virtually nothing with his opportunity. Smith is primarily a blocking tight end and locker room leader who is reportedly mulling retirement, while Gilliam made his mark on special teams.
We debate whether Knox can be the answer at tight end, discuss why the Bills would be better off letting Kroft and Smith go, whether Beane would consider signing a free agent like Jonnu Smith, Kyle Rudolph or Dan Arnold to bolster the tight ends, and more.
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