Dalton Kincaid- why so underwhelming this season?

[DrDawkinstein]

Just now, LABILLBACKER said:

Yeah, his sophomore year was very disappointing. He had less targets, yardage and a substantially lower catch rate. And only 2 tds like 2023.  Maybe he and Josh need a 3rd season to shore up some chemistry. As @DrDawkinsteinsaid, maybe some of this is on Joe?   But as of right now he's nowhere near the realm of a Kelce type TE.  Still hope we target him tomorrow. 

 

Again, I challenge your post since you base it off the premise that something is wrong.

 

We won 13 (really 14) games. We score over 30 points a game. We're deep in the playoffs. This is Josh's best year.

 

There are only so many balls to go around. Even in this "everyone eats" offense.

 

I guess if you are looking at it strictly from a fantasy football perspective. But I dont think there is anything on anyone.

 

If a team wants to gameplan against us to sell out to stop the run, then we'd see a lot more balls to Kincaid.

 

There doesnt always need to be something wrong, or someone under-performing. Sometimes it's just how the games go, and how the season goes.

[Kelly to Allen]

4 hours ago, NewEra said:

Ok buddy.  You’re saying that Bowers and LaPorta aren’t even close to as good as Kincaid.  And I’m delusional-  

 

I think I’ve been the most outspoken Kincaid fanboy on this forums since we drafted him.  He’s very good.  He might be as good as those guys.  Saying that he’s better and it’s not even close is purely delusional.  I don’t think there’s a person on earth that would agree with that-  not even his mom

 

No need for personal insults. 

 

 

I said from a talent/ skill set standpoint it isn't close. 

 

He's also a hybrid te/wr. The only person in his class of skills, instinct and position flex is Kelce. 

 

If Kincaid didn't get banged up it's one of the best starts in NFL history for a te in his first 2 years.

 

His only slight regression this year has been learning to deal with double teams and teams best CB

 

It will go down as beanes second best pick in the Allen era imo....

 

I also believe he is going to be huge on Sunday 

 

Edited yesterday at 02:32 AM by Kelly to Allen

[Governor]

2 minutes ago, Kelly to Allen said:

 

No need for personal insults. 

 

 

I said from a talent/ skill set standpoint it isn't close. 

 

He's also a hybrid te/wr. The only person in his class of skills, instinct and position flex is Kelce. 

 

If Kincaid didn't get banged up it's one of the best starts in NFL history for a te in his first 2 years.

 

His only slight regression this year has been learning to deal with double teams and teams best CB

 

It will go down as beanes second best pick in the Allen era imo....

 

I also believe he is going to be huge on Sunday 

 

Isn’t Pitts the same exact skill set?

[Kelly to Allen]

3 minutes ago, Governor said:

Isn’t Pitts the same exact skill set?

 

No. Being able to run fast and be big isn't a skill set.

 

Kincaid has a unique feel for zones, route running, setting up defenders, feeling coverage and those instincts/ skills can't be taught. His hands are hands are elite although this year they have been meh. So he's gotta get back to 70+ catch %

 

It's the difference between a person learning chess and actually seeing the openings and moves ahead of everyone else 

 

He's going to be a great player very soon

 

Gonzalez was similar and also had a basketball background like Kincaid and really turned into a great team in year 3/4

 

Edited yesterday at 02:39 AM by Kelly to Allen

[Chaos]

2 minutes ago, Kelly to Allen said:

 

No. Being able to run fast and be big isn't a skill set.

 

Kincaid has a unique feel for zones, route running, setting up defenders, feeling coverage and those instincts/ skills can't be taught. 

 

It's the difference between a person learning chess and actually seeing the openings and moves ahead of everyone else 

 

 

I was big on the pick.  I am disappointed.  I thought the hybrid thing was good.  Like he was going to be a high TE with WR speed, or a high end WR with size and strength.  But he is not high end in either role.   I am less sold on the hybrid than I was.  Spoons and forks are both better than Sporks.  You only use a spork, when the better tools are not availabe. 

[muppy]

1 hour ago, Pete said:

What don’t you understand? 
 

Will Kincaid make any big plays against KC?

 

I like Dalton, and I am rooting for him.  But Im perplexed why he is so underwhelming

you have spent the majority of this thread bemoaning what a Huge disappointment the guy is blah blah blah blah blah.  You like him now?

 

LOL Please.

[Kelly to Allen]

1 hour ago, Chaos said:

I was big on the pick.  I am disappointed.  I thought the hybrid thing was good.  Like he was going to be a high TE with WR speed, or a high end WR with size and strength.  But he is not high end in either role.   I am less sold on the hybrid than I was.  Spoons and forks are both better than Sporks.  You only use a spork, when the better tools are not availabe. 

 

If in his second year he was on pace for 60-70 and 700-800 yds I'm not sure what your expectations are in a ball control offense....

 

His hands have regressed a bit this year. Teams are focused on him so he needs to improve on the nuances but 58-60% catch % is still pretty decent. Again he needs to improve there. 

 

I get what you're saying.

 

I do want to see him play big in this game and next year have like 80 for 900 and 10 tds

Edited yesterday at 04:30 AM by Kelly to Allen

[PBF81]

5 hours ago, Pete said:

huh?  This whole discussion is why Dalton is not above average, for the Bills, right now, and going forward.  No one in this whole thread is talking about college stats.  Im asking- KC is worst at covering TEs.  Does Dalton produce?  Does he drop passes?  I could give two ***** about college stats

 

Again, context within the thread.  Not every post addresses the OP.  

 

If you're going to comment on his pro career while responding to my statement about his status in the Draft, that's on you.  

 

 

[LABILLBACKER]

 

3 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

So you think it's all on him and nothing to do with scheme or how defenses are playing us?

 

If Kelce was on the Bills he'd have big numbers? And if Kincaid was on the Chiefs, he'd have the same low numbers?

Ahhh No.  I even agreed with you that Joe should take some responsibility??  It's a combination of several things.  

[Kelly to Allen]

If he kept pace while he was injured he would have one of the better 2 year starts in NFL history for a te....

 

I know he's going to be big in this game. 

[NickelCity]

He has to learn to block better if he doesn't want to end up like Gesicki. I wonder how much bulk his frame can tolerate. 

[SydneyBillsFan]

5 hours ago, muppy said:

what is enough for you to be on board? Let me guess. Clutch performance under pressure

 

I sense skepticism in your view of him. I think he will prove you wrong. I'm frankly surprised at the Diss towards Kincaid tbh

 

it's insulting to him and I'm not buying it. I Hope I'm right.

 

 

He has loads of natural ability. And he showed that in his first season. That's what makes it so perplexing. There has clearly been a drop off this year. Some of it is on Brady I think, but Dalton has to cop his share of the criticism.

 

I wouldn't be shocked if he had a big one tomorrow. But it's not likely based on this year's form.

[Kelly to Allen]

2 minutes ago, SydneyBillsFan said:

 

He has loads of natural ability. And he showed that in his first season. That's what makes it so perplexing. There has clearly been a drop off this year. Some of it is on Brady I think, but Dalton has to cop his share of the criticism.

 

I wouldn't be shocked if he had a big one tomorrow. But it's not likely based on this year's form.

 

Teams are paying attention to him big time. That part has been an adjustment and has contributed to some regression 

Edited yesterday at 05:32 AM by Kelly to Allen

[GunnerBill]

Kincaid just hasn't played very well this year. I don't think it is coaching. I don't think is it scheme. It is him. 

 

When you watch the all22 you consistently see a guy struggling against man coverage and overrunning the passing windows in zone. 

 

He has, without question, been the 2nd most effective tight end on the Bills in 2025 and personally I'd be basically sitting him at this point and going almost full time with Knox.

 

[Pete]

6 hours ago, muppy said:

you have spent the majority of this thread bemoaning what a Huge disappointment the guy is blah blah blah blah blah.  You like him now?

 

LOL Please.

The first post, I state I’m a fan of Dalton, and I root for him, why isn’t he better?  Does he produce in KC? That setup intelligent discourse from most.

 

 Was trading up in the first round for Dalton worth it?  We have had two years to evaluate, and most Mafia are in agreement with me that it was not.  
 

I watch tape, and I don’t see Dalton separating.  He doesn’t block.  A TE who can’t block, doesn’t play special teams, and can’t get open is about as useful to Bills as a bike to a fish.

 

Ive said repeatedly in this thread that I like Dalton, I root for him, and he is disappointing.  Those 3 are not mutually exclusive.

 

Do you have an intelligent opinion (it’s Brady, an injury, scheme, Dalton, Josh, etc) or are you going to detract from Bills discussion with brilliance such as blah, blah, blah?

 

Now if you excuse us, we will return to discussing our beloved Bills

Edited 21 hours ago by Pete

[Pete]

7 hours ago, Kelly to Allen said:

 

 

It will go down as beanes second best pick in the Allen era imo....

 

 

Benford was a 6th round pick, and has been a kick ass starter from game 1.

 

Spencer Brown was a third round pick, and one of best tackles in NFL.

Shakir was a 5th round pick, and the best WR on the Bills.

 

these are 3 Bills players that kick ass currently,

 

Dalton does not contribute a fraction of what these 3 studs provide to Buffalo 

 

[Pete]

Elam has been discussed for years.  Expectations were higher for Elam, because he was first round pick, like Dalton.  The few times Elam has seen the field, we have seen some big plays by Elam.  We need to see more big plays from Dalton.

[Kelly to Allen]

22 minutes ago, Pete said:

Benford was a 6th round pick, and has been a kick ass starter from game 1.

 

Spencer Brown was a third round pick, and one of best tackles in NFL.

Shakir was a 5th round pick, and the best WR on the Bills.

 

these are 3 Bills players that kick ass currently,

 

Dalton does not contribute a fraction of what these 3 studs provide to Buffalo 

 

 

I disagree 

 

I think Kincaid is the next Kelce 

[GunnerBill]

8 minutes ago, Pete said:

Elam has been discussed for years.  Expectations were higher for Elam, because he was first round pick, like Dalton.  The few times Elam has seen the field, we have seen some big plays by Elam.  We need to see more big plays from Dalton.

 

We have also seen more mistakes by Elam. The problem with Elam has never been making splash plays. It has been making routine plays. 

 

I think with Dalton (and I quite liked him coming out and think he had a good rookie year) it is a lack of special. He is a really fluid mover for a tight end, but defenses have worked him out a bit and he seems to lack some natural feel for where to be a target for his QB vs zone. And he just isn't explosive or physical enough to consistently win v man.

[Chandler#81]

On 1/20/2025 at 9:06 AM, Pete said:

Where are the mismatches?  Where are the big plays?  Why are you not clicking with Josh?  Is Brady to blame?  Opposing TEs continually find soft spots in our coverage, and catch large chunk plays, game after game.  Why can't Kincaid?

 

9 different Bills have had most receiving yards in a game.  Kincaid has 0.

 

We know Kincaid has mitts, and he looks smooth sometimes.  Hes got size, and some speed.  Knox is a much more complete TE, yet Kincaid still struggles

 

Will Kincaid make any big plays against KC?

 

I like Dalton, and I am rooting for him.  But Im perplexed why he is so underwhelming.

 

Thoughts?

 

GO BILLS!

Pete, I’ve wondered aloud this same thing. Took a lot of heat for criticizing him in the offseason but I stand by it. He needed to get bigger and stronger. He didn’t. He needed to work on breaking easy tackles. Obviously he didn’t. He needed to get tougher to cover and fight for the football. He didn’t. What he does is enjoy himself playing halfazz football. He’s just OK but nowhere near the level of exceptional talent he was touted as when he was Drafted.