Alphas Version 1 Positional Battle Breakdown: Slot WR - Surprise cut looming?

[Rico]

12 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Beane was NEVER bringing Beas back. From the moment he said in his end of season presser "Beas can still play in this league" and had to be pressed three times before he said "we expect him to be here."

 

I said on that day "he is gone." And he was. They were never keeping him. 

 

Crowder was bought to compete but his deal is 1 year, $2m. Which if the Bills used the out is exactly the same as Isaiah's. But so far through the spring and into week 1 of camp Crowder has either been hurt or behind McKenzie. At the moment Isaiah is in possession of the job and while I think Crowder can still get himself into a competition if he gets healthy I just don't believe there is any reason to assume he wins it. AND Isaiah has had a great week. Whatever their plan was for Crowder he has lost ground this week by not being available and the guy in possession has taken full advantage.

Yep. If Josh feels more comfortable with Crowder, he will start. Not impossible for JC, but the odds as of right now are stacked against him.

[Orlando Buffalo]

Shakur is an extremely athletic dude who is costing a pittance, I would be shocked if he is not on team. Crowder and McKenzie both have played at a high level in the NFL when given a chance so I think the rest of them are toast. If one was gonna be cut I think it will be due to performance during the next month. 

[machine gun kelly]

McKenzie

Shakir

Crowder is likely all make it.

 

Most likely Kumerow for ST and backup on the outside.

 

McKenzie from what K hear is no longer just a gadget guy.

 

Looks to be a good crew and we’ll see how it goes.

[ColoradoBills]

Diggs doesn't need to be in the following:

 

Davis, Crowder, McKenzie and Shakir are all making the team and they have a COMBINED total cap hit of $5.7M.

That's Five Point Seven Million.

None of these guys are getting cut to save on cap.  They don't need to.

 

It would be much better to watch the battle between the "others" to see who makes the team.

At least that's what I am doing.  I'm going to predict the PR/KR guy comes from the WR room and the Bills probably keep 7.

Ergo, who are the other 2 and is there a chance that one is not even on the team yet?

[Alphadawg7]

13 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Beane was NEVER bringing Beas back. From the moment he said in his end of season presser "Beas can still play in this league" and had to be pressed three times before he said "we expect him to be here."

 

I said on that day "he is gone." And he was. They were never keeping him. 

 

Crowder was bought to compete but his deal is 1 year, $2m. Which if the Bills used the out is exactly the same as Isaiah's. But so far through the spring and into week 1 of camp Crowder has either been hurt or behind McKenzie. At the moment Isaiah is in possession of the job and while I think Crowder can still get himself into a competition if he gets healthy I just don't believe there is any reason to assume he wins it. AND Isaiah has had a great week. Whatever their plan was for Crowder he has lost ground this week by not being available and the guy in possession has taken full advantage.

 

Crowders deal can be worth up to $4M if I understand it correctly based on incentives, which is why I said it could potentially be more than McKenzie.  

 

I am sure you agree that if Crowder was out there this week he would have gotten his share or reps with the ones too.  Is he behind a little now, sure...but McKenzie being the default guy running with the ones a few days in shorts to open camp doesn't translate to some kind of strangle hold on the position either.  I am sure we will see both Crowder and Shakir start getting reps with the ones this next week of practice.  

 

Im glad he had a great week I do like him...but so did Shakir and Tavon.  Its all in shorts, doesn't mean a whole lot yet.  Ive seen McKenzie have these great weeks the last 3 years in camp and preseason just to watch the coaches not translate that to usage on the field in any kind of consistent role.  So I just cant put too much stock into these reports in shorts, I want to see the coaches make an effort to involve him consistently in the offense before I believe he is destined for a significant role this season.  I will be rooting for him though, I do personally like him.  

[TBBills]

I think McKenzie starts the season and Shakir finishes.

Crowder a surprise cut.

Edited July 28, 2022 by TBBills

[RyanC883]

3 hours ago, H2o said:

3 make the team, those three being McKenzie, Crowder, and Shakir. I think Shakir also has some positional flexibility and can be moved around to multiple WR spots. McKenzie week 1 starter, 

 

Agree with this.  Unless Crowder is healthy and gets reps in with JA, McKenzie week 1 starter.  Otherwise, I can see Crowder being the week 1 starter.  Overall, I like all 3 of these guys.  Good problem to have here.  

7 minutes ago, TBBills said:

I think McKenzie starts the season and Shakir finishes.

Crowder a surprise cut.

 

given his injury history he may cut himself tying his shoes, but I don't think he gets cut.  Way too good when healthy.  

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Watch this route vs Taron Johnson. The speed element McKenzie has is something no  one else can do. 
 

 

[HappyDays]

McKenzie is definitely a lock. I looked up his age earlier and was surprised to find out he just turned 27. It feels like he's been a Bill forever despite not being drafted by us so I assumed he was at least 30. He might just now be entering the prime of his career. The Pats game last year really opened my eyes to what he's become - he's progressed from pure gadget player to legitimate WR. He's learned route running from some of the best in the business in Diggs and Beasley. I'm excited to see what he does this year. I think he will end up having a much bigger role than anyone anticipates.

[SectionC3]

7 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I think all 3 make it. I don't have Crowder as a lock yet. He needs to get healthy and get on the field. But Isaiah has not only been getting the 1st team reps he has had a great week per Sal C and Joe B. Both have commented on improved route running and safe hands. And I think Josh trusts him. And Brandon Beane isn't trading away Josh's guys. 

 

Sal said last night he thinks Isaiah is a lock and I agree totally. 

Crowder’s absence is giving oxygen to guys like Shakir and Austin.  Shakir was probably going to be here, anyway.  But Austin has a much better shot now than I would have thought going into camp.  

[billybrew1]

Shakir has bigger fish to fry…. He has to win the third outside WR job to be able to rest Diggs and Davis.

 

He’s super-polished for a rookie, I think he can do it and will….

[Chandler#81]

Nice write-up, A-dawg. Really nothing more to add at this point. My 3 choices were agreed with by 80+% of voters.

[machine gun kelly]

12 hours ago, jkeerie said:

Last year we kept 7 WR's:  Diggs, Beasley, Sanders, Davis, McKenzie, Kumerow and Stevenson.  Bear in mind that our returners came from this group as well.

 

I think this year we still carry 7 WR's:  Diggs, Davis, Mckenzie, Crowder, Shakir, Kumerow and Austin.  Unless Stevenson lights it up in camp, I think he gets relegated to the PS if he clears waivers, as well as Hodgins.

 

Solid assessment.  Of the people you mentioned, my questions would be will Tavon maintain the positive impact from mini camp for a full camp.  He may be the default returner if McD determines he is the most reliable person to not muff it, and gain some positive yards.

 

Second, will Crowder be healthy?  He’s been out for 3 days for soarness so it could be nothing, or he had an injury history so will he be able to manager for an entire season?  My guess is they keep both, but I have no reservations Diggs, Davis, McKenzie, and Kumerow (depth on the outside and ST player).

 

McKenzie will make the team.  He may actually increase his role this year as he made progress in the Pats game, and probably was forgiven for the screw up on the one return.

 

I seriously doubt barring an injury we bring in anyone else.  The better players are already in camp.

[MAJBobby]

At this stage in the offseason. I think the Bills once again go into the season with 7 WRs

 

Here is my current 7 that make the team after this first week and OTAs and such. 
 

1. Diggs 

2. Davis 

3. McKenzie

4. Shakir 

5. Kumerow

6. Austin - so much unsolicited raving about him from Coaches
7.  Hodgins

 

Crowder odd man looking out. Best ability is availability and he just hasn’t been practicing.  And with a higher cap hit on a team that the projected final 53 will be over the cap that will be taken into account as well. 
 

Hodgins makes the team over Stevenson right now because of the different skill set and being an outside WR

 

 

 

 

Edited July 29, 2022 by MAJBobby

[GunnerBill]

3 minutes ago, MAJBobby said:

 

Hodgins makes the team over Stevenson right now because of the different skill set and being an outside WR

 

Stevenson has been practising outside too with the 2s per reports.

[MAJBobby]

1 minute ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Stevenson has been practising outside too with the 2s per reports.

I have read those as well. And his speed really wants me to keep him on the team. These rankings are very early with no pads yet. But I think right now I cannot project another smallish WR and rely on really only Gabe and Kumerow as the size. 
 

ideally Hodgins beats out Kumerow and Stevenson makes it as well. But they LOVE Jake in the coaching staff. 
 

bottom end of this position group likely flips for me week by week. 

[GunnerBill]

Just on numbers, I did a very rough back of an envelope calculation this morning on the tube (London metro). I had 2 QBs, 1 FB, 4 RBs, 2 TEs, 6 WR, 9 OL, 9 DL, 5 LB, 6 CB, 4 S, 3 ST with the guys I am pretty confident on. That gets you to 51. Then I think there is a spot for a returner (I didn't have a designated returner among my 51) and a final spot that I think likely goes to another LB (Smith would be in that spot but is suspended from the start of the year). People will look at 2 TEs and think that is light but unless someone really steps forward they don't have a 3rd guy worth a spot and they can use Gilliam and Doyle as blocking options. Plus if one goes down they have 3 free elevations per player this year so keep Wydermyer and Morris on the PS and then use them in the interim. 

[Magox]

13 hours ago, Ethan in Portland said:

Honest question. Why is Shakir destined to be a slot WR? He is 6'0" and I just watched his Boise St highlights. He lined up outside in most of them. Seems to me with Crowder, McKenzie, and Austin ( my top 3) he has little chance to play slot. Yet he might get some reps backing up Davis (just like Davis did last year with Sanders). 

He’ll line up both boundary and slot.  His versatility will be a plus for the team.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

14 hours ago, Ethan in Portland said:

Honest question. Why is Shakir destined to be a slot WR? He is 6'0" and I just watched his Boise St highlights. He lined up outside in most of them. Seems to me with Crowder, McKenzie, and Austin ( my top 3) he has little chance to play slot. Yet he might get some reps backing up Davis (just like Davis did last year with Sanders). 

It’s 100% measurement based. Short arms.

 

His arms 29”. That is very short but John Brown’s arms are also short and he had success outside in this offense. I don’t think it matters too much but CBs will have an easier time getting hands on him so he will have to have great releases.

 

But just because you’re outside doesn’t mean you’re on the line. Traditionally the X is on the line and the Z is off the line. 
 

Let’s see what he can do before writing him off outside.

 

That said Beane the other day did say Shakir is more of a slot guy and they’re continuing to look for outside depth.

[hemma]

If Crowder’s ‘soreness’ is related to his previous calf injury, he may be out for awhile.  

Calf injuries seem to have their own timeline.  

 

If he is put on PUP during camp, can he come back in week 2 or 3 (example) of regular season and not count against the 53?