Surprise Candidates For Starting WR Spots

[John from Riverside]

There has to be. A reason why we were not more aggressive in fa for wr

 

There has to be some young guys they are counting on

 

[Turk71]

Foster ran 4.41 at combine and Dupre ran 4.46 at his pro day, Jones ran 4.45 at the combine, would be nice to get some speed out there at wr. Hoping Jones gets it together this year and some unexpected wrs stand out.

[eball]

18 hours ago, JerseyBills said:

 

Don't sleep on Streater...

 

Is someone actually considering this?

[Ittakestime]

19 hours ago, TigerJ said:

Sean McDermott, when he announce that Jones had knee surgery.  Implied that the surgery took place now to give him a chance to participate later, but would not commit to a timetable for recovery beyond making it clear he would be a non-participant through the spring.

 

Preseason is in summer. 

Edited May 25, 2018 by Ittakestime

[3rdand12]

3 hours ago, LABILLBACKER said:

No Brandon Reilly love??

heck yes, got some right here !

2 hours ago, artmalibu said:

The QB play will determine the WR success.  

I factor in much more than that. like Offensive Coordinator for one.

 

☺️

[artmalibu]

2 hours ago, 3rdand12 said:

heck yes, got some right here !

I factor in much more than that. like Offensive Coordinator for one.

 

☺️

 

No bought its a team game. 

But when there are 2 or 3 plays a game that wide open WR arnt being thrown too  and WRs are hardly ever being thrown open the QB play could go from the 175 yards the TT gave us to 275 yard with the QB alone.  Not to mention that keeps defenses more honest that creates more opportunity.

 

[BuffaninATL]

On 5/24/2018 at 9:32 PM, BuffaloRush said:

 

listen here:

 

The comment about KB comes at the end.  Fairburn said it looks like he’s always fighting an injury.  Joe said he’s like a TE who runs like a WR so that’s why. 

 

 

Its almost June and Zay recently had knee surgery.  Lets say he’s back at full strength in 6-8 weeks.  That leaves him just a few weeks of work before the season starts.  Their point was, when Sammy missed preseason time it seemed to affect his play on the field.  Sammy is much better than Zay.  How is the missed time going to effect a player like Zay who is coming off a disappointing rookie year?

 

Holy non-sequitur, Batman......or is this a story from Dr. Seuss? Either way, you have critical facts missing and the whole Sammy v. Zay thing is apples & oranges, errr......fruits & vegetables.

 

[Sky Diver]

On 5/24/2018 at 10:12 PM, Kirby Jackson said:

He was a 5-star recruit and the top (or 2nd) WR in the country. He really just went to a bad situation. Dupre’s production has never matched his ability. I don’t know if he will ever be good but I’m always taking a chance on talent. The young guys absolutely have a chance to play IMO. I’m with you, no reason to keep a bunch of JAGs; roll the dice with the kids.

 

Foster was a 5-star recruit too.

[BuffaninATL]

23 hours ago, TigerJ said:

Sean McDermott, when he announce that Jones had knee surgery.  Implied that the surgery took place now to give him a chance to participate later, but would not commit to a timetable for recovery beyond making it clear he would be a non-participant through the spring.

 

again, an opinion based on incomplete/missing information.......SMH

[BobbyC81]

On 5/24/2018 at 7:24 PM, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

We need another “out of nowhere” Stevie Johnson find. A guy that just turns into a crazy overachiever and gives us a shot in the arm.

 

7th rounder Prohl.  Stevie and Bob Chandler were 7th round picks. 

[Buffalo Barbarian]

On 5/24/2018 at 9:24 PM, BuffaloRush said:

Listening to The Bills beat podcast and Joe Buscaglia shared some surprising names that might make an impact at WR.  These are names you might expect.

 

First odd Joe and Fairburn really share their concerns about the WR corps.  They feel that Kelvin Benjamin looked like he’s “laboring” on the field and that Zay Jones is a huge question mark.  With Zay missing the preseason with a knee injury, he’s really going to behind the 8 ball after a very disappointing rookie year.  If he falters it’s a miss on Sean McDermott and if Benjamin fails to take a step forward it’s a whiff on Brandon Beane who traded a 3rd for him.

 

But the more interesting part was when Joe shared the names of some WR’s who might contribute this season - and they are names you wouldn’t expect:

 

Malachi Dupree - he had been getting reps with the first team at OTA’s and has been very impressive on the field.  There must have been a reason why the Bills kept him on the practice squad last year - potentially because they saw him as a developmental player.  

 

Quan Bray - another player that might surprise you.  Great burst of speed and a very good route runner.

 

Austin Prohel - Said the Bills and their QB’s really love this kid.  It would be an upset if he gets an active roster spot but he’s done a lot of good things over the past two days.

 

Most of us weren’t really expecting these players to make the roster.  If they do, you’ll see significant turnover with veterans like Andre Davis or Jeremy Kerley potentially gone.  And who knows what happens with Zay?

 

So time will tell if there is legitimacy to these thoughts or if these WR’s will end up as another Dez Lewis.

 

Proehl the next Welker.

 

 

[Chandler#81]

Dupree is not impressive at all, in these clips from LSU. Lazy route runner, bobbles way too many passes and can’t break a tackle. I see no way he suddenly becomes NFL worthy. If he makes the 53, we really do suck at WR, IMO.

[The Jokeman]

On ‎5‎/‎24‎/‎2018 at 10:19 PM, Doc Brown said:

At what point do they hold public tryouts? 

June 1st

[ChanticleerBillsFan]

2 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

Dupree is not impressive at all, in these clips from LSU. Lazy route runner, bobbles way too many passes and can’t break a tackle. I see no way he suddenly becomes NFL worthy. If he makes the 53, we really do suck at WR, IMO.

 

Boo!

 

Always gotta have some sleepers to root for. 

[NewEra]

3 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

Dupree is not impressive at all, in these clips from LSU. Lazy route runner, bobbles way too many passes and can’t break a tackle. I see no way he suddenly becomes NFL worthy. If he makes the 53, we really do suck at WR, IMO.

Unless he’s improved?  It does happen.

[ChanticleerBillsFan]

15 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Unless he’s improved?  It does happen.

 

His highlights looked pretty good, did he get injured his last season at LSU?

[TigerJ]

4 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

Dupree is not impressive at all, in these clips from LSU. Lazy route runner, bobbles way too many passes and can’t break a tackle. I see no way he suddenly becomes NFL worthy. If he makes the 53, we really do suck at WR, IMO.

Well, there was a reason he wasn't drafted.  The other thing is that LSU typically does not have a strong passing offense.  They have churned out some great NFL receivers. OBJ and Jarvis Landry are a couple of recent examples.  Thus they do get some talented athletes.  It may be that some, like Dupre were not motivated that highly in college beccause the offense was not that productive through the air. When you sign undrafted free agents, you're going to either get a guy who is either not as physically talented, who found a way to be productive, a guy who was talented but had injury issues in college (Robert Foster?), a guy who is new to the sport of football (Gerhard de Beer), or a guy like Dupre, who seems to have some natural talent but appears to have somewhat unmotivated in college.  With any undrafted free agent, there is a high degree of chance that he does nothing and washes out of the league unnoticed, but when you sign him you do it because you think there is also a chance he will take to your coaching and start to do the things that will enable him to become a productive player.  

 

I think it is pretty clear Sean McDermott has created a strong locker room culture, and that may help a player like Dupre.

[BuffaloRush]

4 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

Dupree is not impressive at all, in these clips from LSU. Lazy route runner, bobbles way too many passes and can’t break a tackle. I see no way he suddenly becomes NFL worthy. If he makes the 53, we really do suck at WR, IMO.

 

You might be right and it’s probably why he was a 7th round draft pick.  I’m just reporting what Joe B said.  He said Durpe looked really good in OTA’s and compared him to Stevie Johnson back in the day.  Like I said, it’s easily for WR’s to shine without pads or contact.  We’ll see what happens when it matters

[PrimeTime101]

On ‎5‎/‎24‎/‎2018 at 9:24 PM, BuffaloRush said:

Listening to The Bills beat podcast and Joe Buscaglia shared some surprising names that might make an impact at WR.  These are names you might expect.

 

First odd Joe and Fairburn really share their concerns about the WR corps.  They feel that Kelvin Benjamin looked like he’s “laboring” on the field and that Zay Jones is a huge question mark.  With Zay missing the preseason with a knee injury, he’s really going to behind the 8 ball after a very disappointing rookie year.  If he falters it’s a miss on Sean McDermott and if Benjamin fails to take a step forward it’s a whiff on Brandon Beane who traded a 3rd for him.

 

But the more interesting part was when Joe shared the names of some WR’s who might contribute this season - and they are names you wouldn’t expect:

 

Malachi Dupree - he had been getting reps with the first team at OTA’s and has been very impressive on the field.  There must have been a reason why the Bills kept him on the practice squad last year - potentially because they saw him as a developmental player.  

 

Quan Bray - another player that might surprise you.  Great burst of speed and a very good route runner.

 

Austin Prohel - Said the Bills and their QB’s really love this kid.  It would be an upset if he gets an active roster spot but he’s done a lot of good things over the past two days.

 

Most of us weren’t really expecting these players to make the roster.  If they do, you’ll see significant turnover with veterans like Andre Davis or Jeremy Kerley potentially gone.  And who knows what happens with Zay?

 

So time will tell if there is legitimacy to these thoughts or if these WR’s will end up as another Dez Lewis.

First Bolded Area, They don't think Zay will miss preseason.. where do you get your info

 

Second Bolded Area. LoL  Listen. OTA is not about who is on first team or second, its about learning scheme and playbook so don't read anything into who is starting and who isn't in OTA lol

 

Third Bolded Area. They say they love this kid cause of how he acts on the field. Always smiling and great personality, nothing to do with his play

 

[BuffaloRush]

1 hour ago, PrimeTime101 said:

First Bolded Area, They don't think Zay will miss preseason.. where do you get your info

 

Second Bolded Area. LoL  Listen. OTA is not about who is on first team or second, its about learning scheme and playbook so don't read anything into who is starting and who isn't in OTA lol

 

Third Bolded Area. They say they love this kid cause of how he acts on the field. Always smiling and great personality, nothing to do with his play

 

 

Zay is going to miss time in the preseason.  At least some of it.  Joe’s point was that missing part of the preseason was hard on Sammy and there’s a good chance it could affect Jones. 

 

You might be right about OTA’s.  Doesn’t take away from the fact that Dupre looked good out there

[PrimeTime101]

36 minutes ago, BuffaloRush said:

 

Zay is going to miss time in the preseason.  At least some of it.  Joe’s point was that missing part of the preseason was hard on Sammy and there’s a good chance it could affect Jones. 

 

You might be right about OTA’s.  Doesn’t take away from the fact that Dupre looked good out there

Who said this. Link me to where someone says he will miss preseason or some of it? I bet you cant find it.

 

and everyone looks good in OTA cause its OTA

[MarlinTheMagician]

I am most hopeful for Reilly.  And I find the draft picks of Ray Ray and Proehl pretty interesting.  

 

However, if you Google Bray's story he is really someone to root for.  And he had made the Colts and was carving out a name for himself as a returner and wideout when injured.  Still young -- I am not saying he is good, but he has shown enough in the league that he is not necessarily bad.  No Holmes or Streator though please.  

[John from Riverside]

9 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

Dupree is not impressive at all, in these clips from LSU. Lazy route runner, bobbles way too many passes and can’t break a tackle. I see no way he suddenly becomes NFL worthy. If he makes the 53, we really do suck at WR, IMO.

With all due respect Chandler....I am not sure what you are watching

 

Constantly adjusting to underthrown or poorly thrown balls

Making contested catches in traffic

Showing some pretty good body control while the ball is in the air to give him an opportunity to catch a ball all the while shielding off a defender

[Chandler#81]

^

Interesting. We both may be right.. Getting into good position to fight for the ball, yet bobbles it. Shielding himself from the cover guy means he’s not going anywhere if he controls the catch. Lazy route runner means he’ll always be covered.

[MarlinTheMagician]

Dupree has been a top prospect since high school.  Seen as an underachiever, which may be unfair given his college QBs.

 

I think Reilly has more upside.

 

K. Clay, Bray and McCloud - all elite return guys likely competing for one spot.  I think Bray and McCloud likely offer more as a receiver, Clay drops passes.

[BuffaloRush]

2 hours ago, PrimeTime101 said:

Who said this. Link me to where someone says he will miss preseason or some of it? I bet you cant find it.

 

and everyone looks good in OTA cause its OTA

 

Listen to the Bills Beat podcast which is embedded above

[John from Riverside]

16 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said:

^

Interesting. We both may be right.. Getting into good position to fight for the ball, yet bobbles it. Shielding himself from the cover guy means he’s not going anywhere if he controls the catch. Lazy route runner means he’ll always be covered.

I honestly am wondering if it is a case of poorly thrown balls cause him to slow down and make a play for his qb.   I looked at the number of underthrows in that video and it was pretty bad.

 

I did see him bobble at least one ball.....but fight to control it till he secured it.

 

We will have to see I guess.

[3rdand12]

19 hours ago, artmalibu said:

 

No bought its a team game. 

But when there are 2 or 3 plays a game that wide open WR arnt being thrown too  and WRs are hardly ever being thrown open the QB play could go from the 175 yards the TT gave us to 275 yard with the QB alone.  Not to mention that keeps defenses more honest that creates more opportunity.

 

no argument about that !

[NoSaint]

1 hour ago, John from Riverside said:

I honestly am wondering if it is a case of poorly thrown balls cause him to slow down and make a play for his qb.   I looked at the number of underthrows in that video and it was pretty bad.

 

I did see him bobble at least one ball.....but fight to control it till he secured it.

 

We will have to see I guess.

 

Ive got to ask John.... why do you think that he was a 7th rounder, didn’t make his 1st team, and sat on our practice squad? Just his qb? 

[baskingridgebillsfan]

On 5/24/2018 at 8:43 PM, Kirby Jackson said:

I was really happy when they added Malachi. He was one of the top WR recruits in the country. At LSU he played with ? QBs. The talent was always there. He’s worth developing.

i think he was a 5th round pick pf the packers and got caught up in a numbers game .   If we drafted him in the 5th round last year and like him it wouldn't be a surprise that he was pushing for serious playing time .  My fingers are crossed that he can be part of the solution .   

[HOUSE]

Walter Powell & Naaman Roosevelt

[swnybillsfan]

On 5/24/2018 at 10:00 PM, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

I know very little about Proehl, but it seems as if he might be better then adversitised. I have a guy feeling he ends up playing a lot in the slot and ends up being a Beasley type of guy. No actual reason, just gut.

i seem to remember hearing that he was a very good route runner. and i think he is fast enough. if he is at all quick, shifty, and fast into and out of his breaks, he could very well find a place on this team. 

[LabattBlue]

Bottom line the Bills have probably the worst group of WR's in the NFL(or at the very least in the bottom 3).  There is no quick fix, and the chances of one of these "no names" solving the problem is somewhere between slim and none.

 

Their best hope is a vet gets cut at some point over the summer, and can at least try and fill the hole.  Much better than pinning our hope on Mariachi and Co.

[John from Riverside]

1 hour ago, NoSaint said:

 

Ive got to ask John.... why do you think that he was a 7th rounder, didn’t make his 1st team, and sat on our practice squad? Just his qb? 

I cant answer that.....there are too many variables

 

but its not like viable WR's are not found in the later rounds or even undrafted free agents.....they are found.

 

Why is Brandon Reilly (who I really like) not playing a huge amount of snaps for us last year?  

 

Its Benjamin.....then a bunch of question marks on this team.....a guy like this is gonna get a chance.

[Scorp83]

On 5/24/2018 at 9:26 PM, Ittakestime said:

Who said zay is missing preseason?

Nobody...but man what a tough start for his career. You just can't put too much faith in him right now... he's almost "just a guy" until anything else

[NoSaint]

1 hour ago, John from Riverside said:

I cant answer that.....there are too many variables

 

but its not like viable WR's are not found in the later rounds or even undrafted free agents.....they are found.

 

Why is Brandon Reilly (who I really like) not playing a huge amount of snaps for us last year?  

 

Its Benjamin.....then a bunch of question marks on this team.....a guy like this is gonna get a chance.

 

Is too many variables code for “I only watched a highlight video and only argue the positives for most players”?

 

All the things chandler are pointing out are consistent knocks. He’s not a great route runner or technician which limits him. He double clutches or body catches a lot of balls. He could develop- no one is saying he can’t- but it’s a big task he’s likely not a big contributor in the short term even if he’s suddenly become passionate about his craft 

 

Edited May 26, 2018 by NoSaint

[Ittakestime]

10 minutes ago, Scorp83 said:

Nobody...but man what a tough start for his career. You just can't put too much faith in him right now... he's almost "just a guy" until anything else

 

Better start than the first round picks for WR that year

[BADOLBILZ]

1 hour ago, THE SLAMMER said:

Walter Powell & Naaman Roosevelt

 

 

Yep. 

 

WR needy CFL teams are certainly keeping a real close eye on the Bills WR situation.

 

The hardest part of recruiting for the CFL is getting guys to let go of NFL pipe-dreams.

 

Not being able to make the Buffalo Bills.......the NFL's worst WR corps.........should absolutely remove all doubt about your prospects of becoming an NFL WR.

[Ittakestime]

1 minute ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

Yep. 

 

WR needy CFL teams are certainly keeping a real close eye on the Bills WR situation.

 

The hardest part of recruiting for the CFL is getting guys to let go of NFL pipe-dreams.

 

Not being able to make the Buffalo Bills.......the NFL's worst WR corps.........should absolutely remove all doubt about your prospects of becoming an NFL WR.

 

I beg to differ. Our fifth WR is not the worst in the league. A lot of teams are top heavy (a couple good and then a huge drop off).  A guy like Andre Holmes or Rod Streater would be our fifth. They both had success in this league. 

[BADOLBILZ]

8 hours ago, BuffaloRush said:

 

You might be right and it’s probably why he was a 7th round draft pick.  I’m just reporting what Joe B said.  He said Durpe looked really good in OTA’s and compared him to Stevie Johnson back in the day.  Like I said, it’s easily for WR’s to shine without pads or contact.  We’ll see what happens when it matters

 

No.

 

No he did not.

 

They just mentioned that Stevie looked good in OTA's back in the day and then made it.   They spent a lot more time talking about false reads like Dez Lewis and Felton Huggins who looked very good in OTA's and didn't pan out.     And how perhaps no other position is as different once the pads are on as the WR position.

 

I remember last year's OTA's when Andre Holmes was impressing everyone.     When they put the pads he reverted back to the old Andre Holmes.

Edited May 26, 2018 by BADOLBILZ