My WR ranking through Week 1 of Camp.

[Alphadawg7]

5 hours ago, MAJBobby said:

Tier 1 - clearly locked at this point. 

 

Brown - Best WR at camp. Making plays every day. Knew he had speed am pleasantly surprised with how good he is all over the field. 

 

Beasley - Chemistry starting to build with the Injury pre camp. However is turning into Josh’s go to guy when needs an easy completion or third down. 

 

Zay Jones - So far clearly stepped his game up this year. And right now slides into the top 3. Looks a lot different on the field right now. 

 

Tier 2. - likely locked on roster. 

 

Robert Foster - was called out in practice. Clearly trying to push those buttons to get him to adapt and improve. However does flash just wish he did it consistently and grow from end of last season. To this point I think he has taken a small step back but a lot of time to get back there. 

 

Andre Roberts - we knew he was making the team as a All Pro returner. However he is looking like he did when he first came into the league. And I think his WR skills impressing people enough to see he isn’t just a returner at this point and unlike our other ST WRs in past looks to contribute on Offense as well. 

 

Tier 3 - batting for final Spot at this point. (Only going to keep one with either 6 or 7 in my build because similar skill sets) 

 

Ray Ray McCloud - clearly stepped up to this point in camp and bears McKenzie at this point. Read about how much extra work he is putting in and it is clearly moving over to the field. Clearly at this point night and day from where he was last year. (Beats out McKenzie at this point for 6th IMO at this point). 

 

Isaiah McKenzie - he has struggled to this point at camp. And in my rankings has fallen behind McCloud. Needs to step up. Right now on outside looking in. 

 

Tier 4 - outside looking in (everyone else). 

 

Duke Williams - top of this tier because he has flashed a couple times. Offers good blocking outside (similar to Robert Woods) also has size and play style to help this team. (Makes the team at this point if they keep 7). 

 

Cam Phillips - looks very explosive. And has flashed a couple times a practice. Clearly on the rise. Still has to be more consistent and keep working because right now he is still on outside (but likely lands on PS if eligible). 

 

David Sills - UDFA struggling at this point. (To he expected). My worry about him though is if he gets released he never makes it to the PS because of his UDFA market he had post draft.  But is struggling. 

 

Bolden and Easily - right now not even worth mentioning not close to making the team. 

 

 

 

Good list and analysis.  I agree pretty much with what you said here.  

 

I would personally add Duke into Tier 3 with Ray Ray and McKenzie, but thats just nit picking.  The main reason is that up to this point, he hasn't been able to play at his strength of his game, and thats the physical part.  I think with pads on and preseason coming he will now have more chances to show his game more.  Shorts and no real contact always helps the speedy guys look better, so while I have liked the positive reports on guys like Ray Ray, I remain reserved on the optimism until I can see them having success in full contact where they can be pressed or chipped at the line.  And guys like Duke aren't going to look as good in drills where speed is the biggest factor because we aren't going full steam on contact.  

 

But like I said, thats just a minor nit pick there, overall good post and wouldn't really change much else.  

[DCOrange]

Are we all assuming 6 WRs are ultimately kept? We'll see how it translates to the preseason games, but it sounds like Ray Ray is making a decently strong push to be the backup slot man behind Beasley (unless Daboll views Zay as the backup slot). If we only kept 5 for whatever reason, I'd guess it would be Brown, Beasley, Roberts, Ray-Ray, and one of Zay/Foster.

[John from Riverside]

20 minutes ago, CommonCents said:

I’d trade Knox for a half eaten cheese doodle. 

Thank god your not the GM....

 

42 minutes ago, AllensBigBalls said:

It's a bit sad to see Foster taking a step back. 

Its early.....I think Foster is going to be fine

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

2 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Astro said in his Day 4 notes - well, here:
Kick Return practice was all The Andre Roberts Show. Like it or not, he’s on the team as the WR#6/KR#1. Some key special teamers out there were Pat DiMarco, Stanford, Sweeney, Isaiah McKenzie, and my man Nick Easley. Players reaching Roberts first were Easley, RayRay, and McKenzie.

So evidently they are being used and reaching the KR in gunner practice, but to be determined what their comfort level may be with that role.

 

Its hard to be active on gameday as a depth receiver if you don't play teams.  

[billsredneck1]

6 minutes ago, DCOrange said:

Are we all assuming 6 WRs are ultimately kept? We'll see how it translates to the preseason games, but it sounds like Ray Ray is making a decently strong push to be the backup slot man behind Beasley (unless Daboll views Zay as the backup slot). If we only kept 5 for whatever reason, I'd guess it would be Brown, Beasley, Roberts, Ray-Ray, and one of Zay/Foster.

i'm going with brown and foster on the outside together. i think it would be a waste of either to not have the other opposite. that being said....

brown/beasley/ jones/foster/roberts and the duke....sills makes it 7. that would be a very solid group.

[Alphadawg7]

Im confused...this was a WR list and theres all this talk about running backs and TE's in the responses to it.  Lol, TSW and its ADHD cant handle a thread staying on one topic haha 

Edited July 29, 2019 by Alphadawg7

[Codyny13]

Easely has been better than Stills. Still don’t think either makes the roster, hoping both make the PS

[CommonCents]

2 hours ago, John from Riverside said:

Thank god your not the GM....

 

Its early.....I think Foster is going to be fine

Kolby Listenbee lite your candle for two off-seasons without ever playing a game. Don’t be so critical. 

[John from Riverside]

1 minute ago, CommonCents said:

Kolby Listenbee lite your candle for two off-seasons without ever playing a game. Don’t be so critical. 

Tell me how a just drafted 3rd round player yet to play a down in the NFL is even in the same realm as a late round WR who was on the IR for two years then released

 

Go ahead....I will wait

[CommonCents]

36 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

Tell me how a just drafted 3rd round player yet to play a down in the NFL is even in the same realm as a late round WR who was on the IR for two years then released

 

Go ahead....I will wait

Clearly that comment was directed at your GM comment. Sweeney will win that job. 

[MAJBobby]

3 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

Good list and analysis.  I agree pretty much with what you said here.  

 

I would personally add Duke into Tier 3 with Ray Ray and McKenzie, but thats just nit picking.  The main reason is that up to this point, he hasn't been able to play at his strength of his game, and thats the physical part.  I think with pads on and preseason coming he will now have more chances to show his game more.  Shorts and no real contact always helps the speedy guys look better, so while I have liked the positive reports on guys like Ray Ray, I remain reserved on the optimism until I can see them having success in full contact where they can be pressed or chipped at the line.  And guys like Duke aren't going to look as good in drills where speed is the biggest factor because we aren't going full steam on contact.  

 

But like I said, thats just a minor nit pick there, overall good post and wouldn't really change much else.  

 

I completely understand and TBH he was much lower on the list until the pads came on and then has started to climb. I think he will continue to climb as well the more reps in Pads we have. 

 

I do do anticipate lots of movement from Tier 2 down. Not really anticipating anyone dropping out of the Tier 1 but someone may get added into it. I am looking at strictly WR aspect and not the others like gunner or return man. But do have to factor that into roster opportunities. I do hear you though on Duke and others 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

3 hours ago, AllensBigBalls said:

It's a bit sad to see Foster taking a step back. 

 

I don't know if it's so much he's taking a step back, as the bar is higher for him now.  They want him to develop into a complete WR, one who knows where to line up on different plays and not just a "go" route guy, is my impression. 

[Alphadawg7]

20 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I don't know if it's so much he's taking a step back, as the bar is higher for him now.  They want him to develop into a complete WR, one who knows where to line up on different plays and not just a "go" route guy, is my impression. 

 

Great answer, perfectly stated.

[TigerJ]

Good spot for Ray Ray.  He's been having a good camp.  Lots of times it's about opportunity.  Ray Ray has been getting lots of opportunity being a draft choice from 2018.  He's making the most of it.  I don't know that Nick Easley has been terrible, or even bad.  I just don't think he's had much opportunity  because the guys ahead of him have not crapped their pants (to use a Bruce Arians euphemism) and the Bills want to give them the reps they need to get better.

Edited July 29, 2019 by TigerJ

[Locomark]

One would think we keep 7 if we intend to play spread and DiMarco could be replaced by an H Back. I’m guessing Lee Smith could be it. He certainly could be used as an I form FB if that won’t be a primary set.

[Phil The Thrill]

9 hours ago, MAJBobby said:

Tier 1 - clearly locked at this point. 

 

Brown - Best WR at camp. Making plays every day. Knew he had speed am pleasantly surprised with how good he is all over the field. 

 

Beasley - Chemistry starting to build with the Injury pre camp. However is turning into Josh’s go to guy when needs an easy completion or third down. 

 

Zay Jones - So far clearly stepped his game up this year. And right now slides into the top 3. Looks a lot different on the field right now. 

 

Tier 2. - likely locked on roster. 

 

Robert Foster - was called out in practice. Clearly trying to push those buttons to get him to adapt and improve. However does flash just wish he did it consistently and grow from end of last season. To this point I think he has taken a small step back but a lot of time to get back there. 

 

Andre Roberts - we knew he was making the team as a All Pro returner. However he is looking like he did when he first came into the league. And I think his WR skills impressing people enough to see he isn’t just a returner at this point and unlike our other ST WRs in past looks to contribute on Offense as well. 

 

Tier 3 - batting for final Spot at this point. (Only going to keep one with either 6 or 7 in my build because similar skill sets) 

 

Ray Ray McCloud - clearly stepped up to this point in camp and bears McKenzie at this point. Read about how much extra work he is putting in and it is clearly moving over to the field. Clearly at this point night and day from where he was last year. (Beats out McKenzie at this point for 6th IMO at this point). 

 

Isaiah McKenzie - he has struggled to this point at camp. And in my rankings has fallen behind McCloud. Needs to step up. Right now on outside looking in. 

 

Tier 4 - outside looking in (everyone else). 

 

Duke Williams - top of this tier because he has flashed a couple times. Offers good blocking outside (similar to Robert Woods) also has size and play style to help this team. (Makes the team at this point if they keep 7). 

 

Cam Phillips - looks very explosive. And has flashed a couple times a practice. Clearly on the rise. Still has to be more consistent and keep working because right now he is still on outside (but likely lands on PS if eligible). 

 

David Sills - UDFA struggling at this point. (To he expected). My worry about him though is if he gets released he never makes it to the PS because of his UDFA market he had post draft.  But is struggling. 

 

Bolden and Easily - right now not even worth mentioning not close to making the team. 

 

 

 

You must listen to Sal Capaccio because his order was identical.  I don’t think that they keep 7 WR’s.  I am thinking 6, and spot #6 is going to be a dog fight.

 

One thing to keep in mind on Stills?  They featured him on their web series and showed how the team gave him a full-court press and the maximum UFA contract to sign.  As long as he doesn’t have a terrible preseason, I think there’s a good chance he gets the nod over McKenzie or Williams.  

[GunnerBill]

4 minutes ago, Phil The Thrill said:

 

You must listen to Sal Capaccio because his order was identical.  I don’t think that they keep 7 WR’s.  I am thinking 6, and spot #6 is going to be a dog fight.

 

One thing to keep in mind on Stills?  They featured him on their web series and showed how the team gave him a full-court press and the maximum UFA contract to sign.  As long as he doesn’t have a terrible preseason, I think there’s a good chance he gets the nod over McKenzie or Williams.  

 

But so far by all accounts Sills has looked totally lost in camp. The Cover 1 guys were pretty brutal the other day. They had him ranked last of the receivers. 

[C.Biscuit97]

I do not get the Ray Ray love.  He wasn’t even that good in college; is small and kinda slow; and thinks he is way better than he actually is.  This dude could be found on waivers at any point during the year.  

[Warcodered]

Just now, C.Biscuit97 said:

I do not get the Ray Ray love.  He wasn’t even that good in college; is small and kinda slow; and thinks he is way better than he actually is.  This dude could be found on waivers at any point during the year.  

but have you seen his hair.

[C.Biscuit97]

Just now, Warcodered said:

but have you seen his hair.

His biggest strength. 

[MAJBobby]

6 minutes ago, Phil The Thrill said:

 

You must listen to Sal Capaccio because his order was identical.  I don’t think that they keep 7 WR’s.  I am thinking 6, and spot #6 is going to be a dog fight.

 

One thing to keep in mind on Stills?  They featured him on their web series and showed how the team gave him a full-court press and the maximum UFA contract to sign.  As long as he doesn’t have a terrible preseason, I think there’s a good chance he gets the nod over McKenzie or Williams.  

 

No haven’t listened to WGR 

 

I do agree with you on Sills and Williams (if it is close) I think Sills makes the team and Duke is cut (hoping to slide him to PS). 

 

Based on Embedded there was a Market for Sills. Unless he pukes all over himself I don’t think he makes it to the PS. 

 

I dont agree with McKenzie this as they are different Skill sets. That’s why I said It will come down to McCloud or McKenzie in my opinion. 

 

Depending On the injury situation come cut time and based on looking at the Offense when I was there I could very well see them take 7 WRs into the season. Just that 7th WR has to offer ST capability as well. Because Andre Roberts IMO is going to contribute in the WR rotation at this point. Because he Looks like he did early in his career at AZ.  Has run good crisp routes. 

 

Really the unknown becomes as camp progresses if a desperate team comes knocking for Zay. Though he has improved from last year I think the offense doesn’t get hurt if he is Moved for say a nice pick or even maybe a TE?  

 

Same with what I saw on the OL we are going to have players I think we can move for picks or player for player before actually having to cut them. 

 

From what I saw Position groups that have the ability to grab picks from or player help from later in camp are OL, WR (feels weird typing those two Position groups in this context) and DBs. 

 

Granted all that that said it has been one week with two padded practices to date. 

2 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

I do not get the Ray Ray love.  He wasn’t even that good in college; is small and kinda slow; and thinks he is way better than he actually is.  This dude could be found on waivers at any point during the year.  

 

What I saw is he looked a lot better getting off the line and gaining separation at the top of the routes. Though McKenzie drops showing up have helped McCloud as much as McCloud has helped himself. 

 

More I think about it I probably should have put Duke Williams up a Tier because as of right now if the Bills had to make all the cuts I think (and probably still will) with that last WR spot do they want Size or the shifty slot guy. 

 

Size - Duke gets in (much higher than Sills at this point IMO)

 

Shifty guy and I am going with McCloud at this point. 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

27 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

But so far by all accounts Sills has looked totally lost in camp. The Cover 1 guys were pretty brutal the other day. They had him ranked last of the receivers. 

 

Gunner, could you point me at this?  Linky? 

I thought I listened to an entire piece where they were discussing receivers but I missed this.  Maybe I left before the end

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Gunner, could you point me at this?  Linky? 

I thought I listened to an entire piece where they were discussing receivers but I missed this.  Maybe I left before the end

 

Think it was Saturday... but all the days roll into one. I'll try and dig the link out. 

[ColdFront_USAF]

13 hours ago, MAJBobby said:

 

I would like to keep 7 as well, and drop a FB or RB.  I think can go with McCoy, Gore and The Rook and that is it in the backfield.  and go with 7 WRs

 

I was intrigued by the Yeldon signing, but I agree, I would rather cut him than the 7th receiver. Shady, Gore, and Singletary should be more than adequate in the backfield and I'd like to keep one of Perry or DiMarco for special teams play. 

[transplantbillsfan]

Are you basing this on attending all the Training Camp practices and watching yourself or reading tweets and Training Camp reports?

[GunnerBill]

4 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said:

Are you basing this on attending all the Training Camp practices and watching yourself or reading tweets and Training Camp reports?

 

He has answered this twice.... he has been himself to one day and had friends at all the other days so it is a combination of his eyes and the eyes of those he trusts. 

[nickrage]

Kind of what was expected 

was really hoping they found something in duke Williams 

[Wayne Cubed]

11 hours ago, Phil The Thrill said:

One thing to keep in mind on Stills?  They featured him on their web series and showed how the team gave him a full-court press and the maximum UFA contract to sign.  As long as he doesn’t have a terrible preseason, I think there’s a good chance he gets the nod over McKenzie or Williams.  

 

Just because it makes for entertaining TV/web serires doesn't mean that's what the coaches or GM are thinking, at all. A show producer is looking for interesting stories that can generate views not who the Bills prefer at WR.  Lots of guys were probably a priority but they wanted to show you the viewer how the UDFA process works which then makes you think he's a bigger part of their plans than he really is. There have been plenty of those same kind of stories shown on Hard Knocks and those guys have ended up out of the league.

 

Also, you don't know what kind of "full-court press" they put into getting any of the other WRs that are on the bubble, you are just going on what you've been allowed to see.

Edited July 30, 2019 by Wayne Cubed

[badassgixxer05]

Ray-Ray McCloud III - Little dude came to camp ripped and looks laser focused out there. But his best work no one is talking about. Hands down best hair on the team. 

[Don Otreply]

I’m thinking Ray Ray, Duke, and Sills are the ones competing for the last two spots, one of them will end up on the PS, jmo. Yeah, i’m Thinking 7 in that room, (not like I haven’t been wrong before though) we shall see.

 

Go Bills!!!

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, Don Otreply said:

I’m thinking Ray Ray, Duke, and Sills are the ones competing for the last two spots, one of them will end up on the PS, jmo. Yeah, i’m Thinking 7 in that room, (not like I haven’t been wrong before though) we shall see.

 

Go Bills!!!

 

I think Sills has a long, long way to go, Duke too. I think it is Ray-Ray, then McKenzie, then Cam Phllips based on reported snaps with the 1s. 

[Don Otreply]

28 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I think Sills has a long, long way to go, Duke too. I think it is Ray-Ray, then McKenzie, then Cam Phllips based on reported snaps with the 1s. 

 

28 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I think Sills has a long, long way to go, Duke too. I think it is Ray-Ray, then McKenzie, then Cam Phllips based on reported snaps with the 1s. 

You are probably right, still a lot of TC to go yet.

 

Go Bills!!!

[transplantbillsfan]

6 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

He has answered this twice.... he has been himself to one day and had friends at all the other days so it is a combination of his eyes and the eyes of those he trusts. 

 

Thank you.

 

Probably a good idea to put it in the OP so he doesn't need to answer it again.

[BeginnersMind]

On 7/29/2019 at 12:05 PM, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

It's been consistently reported that the order of snaps in RB practice is McCoy, Gore, Singletary.  He's done well, but he's a long way from beating out McCoy.

 

I'm a little surprised we haven't heard much from Yeldon. He caught 55 passes last year. The Bills are stacked at RB, although two of them are pretty old. 

[Sherlock Holmes]

Sills V getting any special team work???

[Phil The Thrill]

9 hours ago, Wayne Cubed said:

 

Just because it makes for entertaining TV/web serires doesn't mean that's what the coaches or GM are thinking, at all. A show producer is looking for interesting stories that can generate views not who the Bills prefer at WR.  Lots of guys were probably a priority but they wanted to show you the viewer how the UDFA process works which then makes you think he's a bigger part of their plans than he really is. There have been plenty of those same kind of stories shown on Hard Knocks and those guys have ended up out of the league.

 

Also, you don't know what kind of "full-court press" they put into getting any of the other WRs that are on the bubble, you are just going on what you've been allowed to see.

 

The difference is that The Bills organization ...not HBO is putting out Embedded.  PSE approves everything that we see and hear and might even work with the team to focus on certain ideas.  

 

That’s why there were cameras in the war room, and we didn’t see times when a players they wanted to draft was removed from the board.  The Embedded edit made it look like the Bills got every player they wanted - it probably didn’t happen that way.  

 

Do you really think that Terry Pegula calls every undrafted free agent (on camera) ?  Do you think Brandon Beane offers the highest salary to a rookie RFA’s agent (on camera)?  Do you think that starting QB’s recruit every UFA?  Probably not, but not only did this happen with Stills but it made the final cut.  

 

Also if this was more random, why would the Bills elect to share this footage?  It would eliminate any chance of sneaking him on the practice squad.  There’s a reason why they elected to go with this story. 

[freddyjj]

On 7/29/2019 at 8:58 AM, CommonCents said:

Still can’t accept Hakeem Butler not being on this roster.  The Bills won’t be the only team regretting that one. 

 

Your list looks accurate though. 

And per NFL network today, Butler and Isabella are losing reps to a 6th rd pick

 

6) KeeSean Johnson, wide receiver, Arizona Cardinals: There have been some whispers in Arizona as to whether rookies Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler are truly ready to make an early impact. That's why the positive buzz around this sixth-round pick is notable. Johnson, not Isabella or Butler, is the only rookie already seeing some first-team reps for a squad that wants to play four wideouts consistently.