Will Gabe Davis ever challenge the #1 WR spot?

[RiotAct]

8 hours ago, Freddie's Dead said:

Davis was hobbled during the AFCCG, and couldn't get separation.  Beasley had a broken leg and Diggs was dinged up too.  Gabe's time will come, and he will produce.

heck, he’s already producing 

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

8 hours ago, machine gun kelly said:

Does it really matter what number he’s assigned and you don’t hear McD say #2, 3, or 4.  I’m not attempting to be disagreeable, just it kind of doesn’t matter.  Sports writers have a tendency to assign numbers to WR’s.

 

Davis is a heck of a good young WR.  Beane made an excellent choice in the 4th round.  I watched him at UCF as it’s on down here all the time.  He knows how to anticipate D Backs and counter on his routes.

 

By #1 I mean the one w/ the most rec yards. Typically the guy opposing defenses scheme the most against and put their best CB on. Allen's preferred target. 

 

 

[Warcodered]

3 hours ago, Forward Progress said:

He would be the #1 receiver on the 2018 Buffalo Bills.  😄

I mean you could say that all the way down to WR6 on this team.

[Mr. WEO]

1 hour ago, Thurman#1 said:

 

 

I don't even agree with this. He's got areas where he's stronger than Smoke, such as health so far, and high-pointing the ball, but a healthy Smoke to a second-year Davis isn't an upgrade, IMO.

 

 

 

Well, we'll see. Obviously there's no way to prove you're wrong, short of watching the season play out, but I sure think you'll be shown wrong there.

 

 

 

 

Smoke myth, like Duke myth, like C Wade myth, like JPL myth...even EJ myth, dies hard here...I know.  

 

Smoke is a mediocre WR who put together 2 1000 yard seasons ever.  He's a #1 WR when all you got otherwise is Michael Crabtree and Willy Snead or Cole Beasley and Dawson Knox.  He was once fast. but even before his latest injury, he was getting chased down by LBs and even Josh stopped looking his way.

 

Brown is a 2 AM, closing time, beer goggles 8/10 "#1 WR" who would not have made the week 1 roster on this team even if "healthy"

[HappyDays]

To take on #1 CBs in this league you need to be either an elite route runner (Stefon Diggs) or an elite physical specimen (DK Metcalf). I don't know that Davis has the profile to ever become that guy. But he has definitely improved this offseason. The play he made from out of our endzone is one he doesn't make last year. He sold a vertical route to create separation, put the brakes on after catching the ball and exploded upfield, then physically bullied the DB to gain additional YAC. Granted it was against a 2nd string secondary but it certainly made me question my assumption that Sanders would be our #2 WR this year. Allen and Davis already have chemistry built.

[appoo]

So here the thing, traditionally your X was considered your #1 WR. Why? Because that’s the player who tended to run your deep routes and was your physical specimen. So he’d get the big yards, big TDS and a high yards per catch, and get the big attention.

 

Your Z WR worked off the LOS, your best route runner, the dude you goto to pick up a first down, made life a nightmare for backers, free safeties and anyone between perimeter. 

 

Going into the regular season I believe Davis is firmly established has trending towards very good X, while Diggs has established himself as the best Z in the league.

 

I wouldn’t call Davis a #1 because I’m not sure it’s a relevant phrase. But you currently have a WR who do everything you want an NFL X to do 

[MrSarcasm]

2 hours ago, RobbRiddick said:

He'll be our Alvin Harper - a very good number 2 who ends up getting paid a huge contract to be a team's number 1 and subsequently disappoints

Peerless Price

[Niagara Dude]

11 hours ago, Warcodered said:

He was injured going into the AFC Championship game. He's definitely developing well but that's hard to say very few actually reach that level.

Looks like the second coming of Andre Reed,  just like Reed he has good size to make tough inside catches and enough speed to beat you deep if you don't respect him enough in coverage.

[Chandler#81]

5 hours ago, Ya Digg? said:

Throwing it in reverse??  Everyone knows if you want to be a professional field stretcher you put the clamp on the back and go forward!!!

 

Amateur....

Hey! I’m a do-it-yourself kinda guy!

[djp14150]

What is a true #1 WR?

 

Andre Reed and Jerry Rice were not

 

the ideal #1

 

1 has size

2 has strength

3 can jump

4 has speed

5 has quickness

6 has the ability to create separation and beat a jam.

 

 

 

[Protocal69]

I'll never forget when he drafted one of the 1st things he said was he was trying to take somebody spot. On one side I thought he was being cocky but my overall feeling was this guy wanted to be great, then I saw the documentary that he filmed with Chad Johnson and I saw his mentality 1st hand and you can tell that Chad respected his game. Last was right after he was drafted he went right to the practice field to get some work in. At that point I was like lets go! 

[costrovs]

56 minutes ago, appoo said:

So here the thing, traditionally your X was considered your #1 WR. Why? Because that’s the player who tended to run your deep routes and was your physical specimen. So he’d get the big yards, big TDS and a high yards per catch, and get the big attention.

 

Your Z WR worked off the LOS, your best route runner, the dude you goto to pick up a first down, made life a nightmare for backers, free safeties and anyone between perimeter. 

 

Going into the regular season I believe Davis is firmly established has trending towards very good X, while Diggs has established himself as the best Z in the league.

 

I wouldn’t call Davis a #1 because I’m not sure it’s a relevant phrase. But you currently have a WR who do everything you want an NFL X to do 

 

I'm gonna have to agree with this 100%.

 

These are the terms that teams go by, X, Y, Z, TE. Or is Y the TE? I guess it depends on who's who, the scheme, and who the coach is.

What about 3 WR or 4 WR sets? Wouldn't Davis be the #4 because he's 4th on the depth chart? But if he's putting up the 2nd/3rd best stats on the team, wouldn't he be #2 or #3 on the depth chart?

But if Diggs is the best Z and Davis is the best X, why isn't Davis #1 and Diggs #2? But if Diggs is putting up the best numbers he's the clear X receiver right?  lol

 

If X = #1  then Davis is #1

If Z = #2 then Diggs is #2

But Beasley and Sanders fit the Z mild pretty well too, so Beasly and Sanders are #2 also right? So, #1, #2, #2, #2 right?

So, our depth chart should read #1 Davis, #2 Diggs, #3 Beasley, #4 Sanders. Right?

Or is it #1, #2, #3, #4, based on stats?

 

For the love of god.... Please no one answer any of these questions, they're all rhetorical.

 

It's funny how a #1, 2, 3, 4 can mean something different to different people.

 

I just think it's funny how Davis seems to fit the X receiver mold *cough* #1 *cough*, but yet some people might call him a #4 because he's 4th on the depth chart. lol

[Protocal69]

17 minutes ago, djp14150 said:

What is a true #1 WR?

 

Andre Reed and Jerry Rice were not

 

the ideal #1

 

1 has size

2 has strength

3 can jump

4 has speed

5 has quickness

6 has the ability to create separation and beat a jam.

 

 

 

Mine is:

1) Ability to get open

2) Ability to catch the ball with his hands

3) Has some speed that the CB has to respect

4) Strength so he cant be pressed.

5) Body control to make sideline catches

6) Intelligence to able to run option routes and play all 3 spots  

[John from Riverside]

Its a great problem to have.

 

 

I am sure everyone remembers when we didnt have ONE legit number 1 WR on this team

[LeGOATski]

12 minutes ago, costrovs said:

 

I'm gonna have to agree with this 100%.

 

These are the terms that teams go by, X, Y, Z, TE. Or is Y the TE? I guess it depends on who's who, the scheme, and who the coach is.

What about 3 WR or 4 WR sets? Wouldn't Davis be the #4 because he's 4th on the depth chart? But if he's putting up the 2nd/3rd best stats on the team, wouldn't he be #2 or #3 on the depth chart?

But if Diggs is the best Z and Davis is the best X, why isn't Davis #1 and Diggs #2? But if Diggs is putting up the best numbers he's the clear X receiver right?  lol

 

If X = #1  then Davis is #1

If Z = #2 then Diggs is #2

But Beasley and Sanders fit the Z mild pretty well too, so Beasly and Sanders are #2 also right? So, #1, #2, #2, #2 right?

So, our depth chart should read #1 Davis, #2 Diggs, #3 Beasley, #4 Sanders. Right?

Or is it #1, #2, #3, #4, based on stats?

 

For the love of god.... Please no one answer any of these questions, they're all rhetorical.

 

It's funny how a #1, 2, 3, 4 can mean something different to different people.

 

I just think it's funny how Davis seems to fit the X receiver mold *cough* #1 *cough*, but yet some people might call him a #4 because he's 4th on the depth chart. lol

And then you have your "possession" guy, your "slot" guy, your "speed" guy...when any well-rounded WR could be serving any of those rolls on any given play.

 

I don't think Davis has a long way to go. He's a well-rounded receiver and models his game after Larry Fitzgerald. He's going to continue to improve and be one of Josh's most reliable guys for years, IMO.

[chris heff]

What a great conversation. Could our fourth receiver be a number one receiver? It seems like just a few years ago we had no receivers…oh wait, never mind.

[Mat68]

Wr 1.   Not with Diggs here.  By mid season I think he takes over Wr 2.  Sanders is a good transition to him.  I think Davis will show alot more down field playmaking ability.  

[3rdand12]

6 hours ago, Ya Digg? said:

Throwing it in reverse??  Everyone knows if you want to be a professional field stretcher you put the clamp on the back and go forward!!!

 

Amateur....

Sorry my friend Digg

 But it is reverse.

 The lower gearing allows the most amount of torque to be applied.

Stump pulling is also done in reverse. Diesel motors preferred 

[Patrick Duffy]

 I don't know about a #1WR. It's possible I guess later in his career. I do think he can be a strong #2 though. In any event, I think Beane got one hell of a WR. I'm sure many didn't expect him to play so well as fast as he did. I mean as a rookie, the kid literally came out the gate making plays last season.

 

He may have trouble with separation at times, but he's got good, reliable hands and also he's always aware where he is on the field which is also important for a WR. That's also impressive as a rookie he already had that type of field awareness and it shows making those mouth dropping tip toe catches on side line in bounds like that.

 

Those type of things kinda makes up for what separation issues he has at times (which I think that will also improve going forward). So with all that said, I guess it would depend if he's still with the Bills after Diggs time is up. If so, by that time it's possible he could compete for the #1WR depending on what WR's are on roster by then.

 

 

[Billzgobowlin]

7 hours ago, Rk_Bills86 said:

Davis reminds me of Moulds a little bit. Never going to wow you with pure speed, but has everything else and somehow manages to get leverage or behind DBs

He actually makes me think of Lofton more than Moulds.  I'm not worried about a #1 as we will have Davis and Diggs for a long time.

[ganesh]

13 hours ago, NickelCity said:

I'll be very happy if he's our long term #2. It'd be such a boon if he took another step this year. 

if he is a #1, he will never want to be our #2.  He will get a #1 contract after his four years

[Hapless Bills Fan]

1 hour ago, LeGOATski said:

And then you have your "possession" guy, your "slot" guy, your "speed" guy...when any well-rounded WR could be serving any of those rolls on any given play.

 

I think you're on to something here. 

 

One of the hallmarks of Daboll's offense is he likes positional flexibility in his WR.  (Sometimes he likes it so much that he sees it in players who have it not).  But I think we're going to see more mixing-and-matching of receiver roles than the traditional X, Y, Z receiver nomenclature implies.

 

1 hour ago, LeGOATski said:

I don't think Davis has a long way to go. He's a well-rounded receiver and models his game after Larry Fitzgerald. He's going to continue to improve and be one of Josh's most reliable guys for years, IMO.

 

After last season, we needed him to take a step.  He looked very good yesterday, if that translates to the regular season you could be correct.

[Ya Digg?]

1 hour ago, 3rdand12 said:

Sorry my friend Digg

 But it is reverse.

 The lower gearing allows the most amount of torque to be applied.

Stump pulling is also done in reverse. Diesel motors preferred 

Well sure if you want cornerback machinery, but for wide receiver machinery….yeah, I have no idea what I’m talking about 

[Patrick Duffy]

18 minutes ago, ganesh said:

if he is a #1, he will never want to be our #2.  He will get a #1 contract after his four years

Well one things for sure, as long as Diggs is on this roster Davis won't be the #1 WR, or even competing for #1WR. I think we can all agree on that... so that means it would depend on how some things go between now and then. Whenever the time comes that Diggs leaves (hopefully a good 4 years at least) if Davis is still there and has continued to improve throughout that time to be a #1, or compete for it.

 

imo he's just got to improve the separation part of his game the most, but has to be a pretty clear improvement. Everything else he does is good and can still get even better at that. He is definitely a very good, young, up and coming WR for sure. But if he can get to the point he can separate with the best of em, it is very possible he could be a #1 WR in the future.

Edited August 29, 2021 by Sheneneh Jenkins

[Augie]

7 hours ago, Forward Progress said:

He would be the #1 receiver on the 2018 Buffalo Bills.  😄

 

All hail Brandon Beane!

 

Our WR room was basically devoid of NFL quality talent not too long ago. Today? All fixed, and we are LOADED! 

 

Then our DLine was old and expensive. Looks like he worked his magic again! 

 

Not too shabby! Not too shabby at all…..

 

For what it’s worth, Gabe Davis was my surprise of the year last season. Even more so than Josh’s leap forward. We had seen flashes from Josh. I had no idea who that rookie was or how quickly he would have a major impact on our Bills. 

[NickelCity]

35 minutes ago, ganesh said:

if he is a #1, he will never want to be our #2.  He will get a #1 contract after his four years

 

My comment was meant to imply that I don't think Gabe will be a true "#1" as commonly understood. And that's not a bad thing.

[Patrick Duffy]

37 minutes ago, NickelCity said:

 

My comment was meant to imply that I don't think Gabe will be a true "#1" as commonly understood. And that's not a bad thing.

I'm kinda leaning that way but at same time realize it is possible he could in the future. You stated as a "true #1 as commonly understood". Curious as to what you would commonly understand as a true #1. For instance to me a true #1 WR comes to mind, I think of a player that has reliable hands, good route runner that has awareness of not only where he is on the field and makes the tough catches, but also smart enough to take advantage of different defenses. Also has speed, although does not have to be the  fastest, and can separate well.

 

With that said, Davis has shown he has alot of that already. I understand he needs work on separation, but I think he will improve that also. If he can keep all that up going forward, I mean he could certainly have a good  shot at being a #1 WR sometime in the future. Idk, just my 2 cents

[Chandler#81]

Many differing opinions of ‘#1 Receiver’. It’s easy to construct a mountain from this mole hill, but me thinks y’all are looking at the wrong team for the answer. For simplicity, I go with who your opponents’ best DB lines up against. If Deon Sanders lines up against Andre Reed, throw to Lofton all day.

 

🤷‍♂️

[machine gun kelly]

Chand and that’s why you never hear coaches refer to #1, 2, etc.  They scheme for each game.  Sure it’s easy by the # of receptions Diggs is the top target.  Allen is going to throw to whoever is open.

[Ramza86]

I would be pretty upset if Sanders takes snaps from Davis.

 

I get that we need depth at the position seeing as how Bease was playing with a broken leg and Gabe was out against the Chiefs

 

But there is no world where I can see Sanders being a better fit than Gabe in this offense.

[TampaBillsJunkie]

On 8/29/2021 at 7:49 AM, Rk_Bills86 said:

Davis reminds me of Moulds a little bit. Never going to wow you with pure speed, but has everything else and somehow manages to get leverage or behind DBs

Great comp. He does have the Moulds like ability. Can you imagine Moulds as our #2. I get excited about the Diggs/Davis/Beasley/Sanders group. 

I think in 2024/25 Gabe may be our #1.  As long as Diggs is here, and I hope its a long time, Davis is our #2. 

 

But what I love the most is the McDermott never numbers these guys. It's all about the team as a whole. LOVE IT!!!

[Patrick Duffy]

3 minutes ago, TampaBillsJunkie said:

Great comp. He does have the Moulds like ability. Can you imagine Moulds as our #2. I get excited about the Diggs/Davis/Beasley/Sanders group. 

I think in 2024/25 Gabe may be our #1.  As long as Diggs is here, and I hope its a long time, Davis is our #2. 

 

But what I love the most is the McDermott never numbers these guys. It's all about the team as a whole. LOVE IT!!!

Moulds was a great WR. I don't know about comparing Davis to Moulds though. What exactly about Davis do you compare to Moulds? The height? Not trying to be a smart ass and hope you don't take it that way. Seriously wondering because I honestly don't see it myself. 

[Solomon Grundy]

Not until #14 isn't wearing a Buffalo Bills jersey

[machine gun kelly]

On 8/29/2021 at 5:45 AM, Chandler#81 said:

Well, ya gotta wet the field real good, then place heavy machinery along the sidelines with huge clamps attached. Then, on 3! everybody throw it in reverse and smash the accelerator.

Chand, don’t forget the giant rolling pin.  Put you’re shoulders into it!

[Coastie]

On 8/29/2021 at 11:10 AM, Sammy Watkins' Rib said:

 

 

On 8/29/2021 at 11:10 AM, Sammy Watkins' Rib said:

He’s looked fantastic this pre-season and that’s

 

I would caution anyone looking to draft Diggs early in fantasy to maybe not do so this year. Diggs will likely lead us in receiving again but I don’t expect him to come close to 1500 yards and 120 receptions.  I could see Davis, Beasley and Sanders all going over 60 receptions which will cut into Diggs share. I also see the TE and RB groups combined each combining for a greater number of receptions this year.

I was going to pick him up in our draft last night, he went two rounds earlier than I expected. Folks outside our circle see things in him was well. And Hollister got drafted but that is my fault for planting the seed he might see more involvement in one of the best offenses in the game.

Edited August 30, 2021 by Coastie

[FilthyBeast]

I predict Davis assumes the clear cut #2 role by the end of the season especially since Sanders is pretty much on a one and done type of contract anyway.

 

But if he truly develops into a #1 type WR he's not going to be here past his rookie contract.

[ndirish1978]

By the end of this year I wouldn't be surprised if he was our #2.

[Charles Romes]

After years of trying everything to get a cost effective 3, 4, or 5 on the roster, I nearly wept when I saw what Gabe could do in early 2020. 

[corta765]

Probably not. When you have a great WR corp the way the Bills do it allows younger players to elevate. I can certainly see him moving to a WR2 spot, but Diggs allows that so he can get targets. Similar to when we had Moulds and Reed emerged because he demanded that type of attention. 

[Mat68]

It comes down to what a player is willing to put into it.  Talent gets you drafted.  From the start Davis was pre draft working with Brandon Marshall.         Look no further than Allen.  His personal effort to improve his created the player he has become.  Davis is positioned to have a very good year.