Bills' Dalton Kincaid is on pace to have the 5th most receptions by a rookie TE
The Buffalo Bills had high hopes for rookie TE Dalton Kincaid. The first-round pick helped revitalize Ken Dorsey's offense and is allowing the team to be in 12-personnel sets at a much higher rate than previous seasons, combined. However, when watching the games, it doesn't appear that Kincaid is a focal part of the offense. […]
The Buffalo Bills had high hopes for rookie TE Dalton Kincaid. The first-round pick helped revitalize Ken Dorsey's offense and is allowing the team to be in 12-personnel sets at a much higher rate than previous seasons, combined.
However, when watching the games, it doesn't appear that Kincaid is a focal part of the offense. It takes time for rookies to contribute at a high level and we aren't knocking Kincaid for his usage, it just furthers our point that he has a real shot of making NFL history.
Through 3 games, Buffalo hasn't looked Kincaid's way a groundbreaking amount. Their big problem on offense, if you can call it that, is Kincaid's targets. They just don't appear to be getting Kincaid as involved as many of us would've thought through 3 games.
Let me preface that by saying I absolutely think the team is going to look his way more throughout the season as he gets his legs under him, barring any injury (knocks on all pieces of wood in the area). As I have said before, expectations are premeditated resentments so those thinking Kincaid was going to erupt for 1500 yards and 10 touchdowns might need to rethink their expectations as this is his first season in the NFL.
Kincaid, in his short NFL career, has 11 catches on 12 targets for 72 yards. He's holding his own in protecting Josh Allen or moving defenses away from James Cook on design run plays. Historically, Kincaid has a chance to be one of the most successful rookie TEs ever, if his current usage continues throughout the season.
Sneaky Joe, on X, pointed out that Kincaid is on pace for 62 receptions which would place him 5th most by a rookie TE in NFL history. As Joe pointed out, this is an excellent problem as he doesn't feel as though he's been a huge part of the offense. Having a rookie TE come in and shake things up is beyond abnormal.
The big problem, simply, is that they're not targeting him at nearly a high enough clip. Fantasy Pros has Kincaid as tied for 23rd among TEs when discussing targets, falling one target behind him is Dawson Knox.
Brandon Beane and the front office put all their chips into the middle of the table in the draft to get their guy with Kincaid. Unfortunately, with Knox being opposite him, along with stars like Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, the Bills' problem is just that there aren't enough footballs to go around.
Kincaid is special, and in camp Allen really made a connection with the rookie TE. Even though he hasn't been a focal part of the offense, Kincaid is inching toward history. The Buffalo Bills have an excellent problem on their hands with Kincaid.
Bills and Dolphins cannot be flexed to a primetime game
The upcoming contest between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins has all the makings for a classic. The NFL made a huge mistake well before the season started.
Featured image via Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
