Do the Bills Under Appreciate Gabe Davis?

[Victory Formation]

Nah. He didn’t make the most of the opportunities given to him. He’s shown flashes, but as far as from a sheer production standpoint he’s been very average. Luckily for him he will have another opportunity to prove himself this year.

[HappyDays]

The problem in this discussion is that there are two different conversations going on. Is Davis a decent #2 WR? Yes. Is he a good enough #2 WR on a championship caliber offense? No. Look at how many weapons the other final contenders had. If we want to level up our offense we need much better than Davis as the 2nd most targeted player on offense. How is this even a debate?

[Buffalo_Stampede]

15 minutes ago, folz said:

 

Just saying, it's not a given, even with a top QB.

 

Nine QBs threw for over 4,100 yards this year, and only 3 of their 9 teams had their WR #2 go over 1,000 yards. And those players' stats were:

Tee Higgins: 1,029 yds and 7 TDs [on 109 Targets]

Chris Godwin: 1,023 and 3 TDs [on 142 targets]

Tyler Lockett: 1,033 and 9 TDs [on 117 Targets]

 

Gabe Davis had 836 and 7 TDs [on 93 Targets]

 

Diggs [154 targets] took more opportunities away from Davis than did the other three players' counterparts: Chase [134 targets], Evans [127 targets], Metcalf [141 targets].

 

If you pro-rated Gabe's stats to the number of targets that the other three players got, it would look like this:

with Higgins # of targets: 980 yards and 8 TDs

with Godwin's # of targets: 1,276 yards and 10.65 TDs

with Lockett's # of targets: 1,052 yards and 8.775 TDs

 

And again, 6 of the 9 teams didn't have two 1,000 yard receivers to begin with. It isn't the norm, even with the top passing QBs in the league.

 

As far as TDs go, Six QBs threw at least 29 TDs. Here are their top two TD receivers' totals:

Mahomes: Kelce (TE) 12 and McKinnon (RB) 9  -  [His top 2 WRs only had 5 TDs combined]

Allen: Diggs 11 and Davis 7

Burrow: Chase 9 and Higgins 7

Smith: Lockett 9 and Metcalf 6

Cousins: Jefferson 8 and Thielen 6

Goff: St. Brown 6 and Chark 3

 

So, expecting more than 7 TDs from your number two WR is also a lot to ask, even from a prolific passing team.

 

 

 

You’re doing too much work. Lol, but good work.

 

Gabe Davis’ numbers to me are average WR2 numbers for a high scoring offense. Maybe below average.

 

Thats kind of the point I’m trying to make. I know 1,000+ and 10 TDs are big numbers for WR2 but that’s my expectation in this offense.

 

Otherwise you’re replaceable. Gabe Davis is a replaceable WR2. 

Edited February 20, 2023 by Buffalo_Stampede

[HappyDays]

4 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

The question was is he undervalued. I think some of the responses in this thread prove he is because they have said things that are demonstrably not true like "he is a number 3"

 

In a championship caliber offense he is a #3 target at best. That's what he would have been for any of the final 4 teams. Likely #3 for KC and #4 or worse for the rest. We're the only team that had a talent like that as our #2.

[Einstein]

4 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

The question was is he undervalued. I think some of the responses in this thread prove he is because they have said things that are demonstrably not true like "he is a number 3" 

 

I think there is a case to be made for both a mediocre #2 and a #3.

 

79th in receptions - That would make a #3 WR

33rd in yards - That would make him a #2 WR

2nd in yards/rec  - That would make him a #1 WR

186th in catch % - That would make him a #6 WR

 

But you also have to take into account that he is in one of the most pass-happy offenses in the NFL.

 

I think there is a definite argument to be made that he puts up #3 WR numbers in a normal offense.

 

[GunnerBill]

30 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

In a championship caliber offense he is a #3 target at best. That's what he would have been for any of the final 4 teams. Likely #3 for KC and #4 or worse for the rest. We're the only team that had a talent like that as our #2.

 

I don't disagree with that. But that doesn't mean he isn't a #2. It means the Bills have to get better. We agree there. I said that 12 months ago.

6 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

I think there is a case to be made for both a mediocre #2 and a #3.

 

79th in receptions - That would make a #3 WR

33rd in yards - That would make him a #2 WR

2nd in yards/rec  - That would make him a #1 WR

186th in catch % - That would make him a #6 WR

 

But you also have to take into account that he is in one of the most pass-happy offenses in the NFL.

 

I think there is a definite argument to be made that he puts up #3 WR numbers in a normal offense.

 

 

But he puts up #2 numbers in this offense. He is a #2. Just a mediocre one. 

[BADOLBILZ]

41 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

In a championship caliber offense he is a #3 target at best. That's what he would have been for any of the final 4 teams. Likely #3 for KC and #4 or worse for the rest. We're the only team that had a talent like that as our #2.

 

 

That's really all that matters.

 

This is a SB contending team and they just don't match up with the best at WR2.    

 

As much as we talk about offensive line........there has been a greater correlation in the quality of receiving targets in teams reaching the championship games and SB's  in recent years than even the quality of the offensive lines.

 

The Bills need to address both areas but anyone who thinks that WR2 isn't the most important individual player they can add isn't paying attention.

[NoSaint]

7 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

Do the Bills? No. Do Bills fans? Yes, some. He is a lower end #2 receiver but there are folks on here saying he is a #3 or a #4 and that is plain wrong. Spotrac's projections are not always my cup of tea but Michael Gallop as a comparator for Gabe makes a ton of sense. Similar level of player. A lower end #2 who makes big plays but has a low catch rate. 

define for me the difference between low two and high 3 or 4?  
 

Sure he’s a boundary guy not a slot - so that may be an effect here/  but I’m not sure anyone can really articulate the gap between WR50 and WR70 in WR rankings. it’s incomplete guys that can contribute heavily. Scheme and role fit being bigger impact than gaps in talent through much of that.
 

If 4 is your first perimeter backup…. That may be where he slots up for most teams as a below average 2 that’s not a slot guy though 

[2020 Our Year For Sure]

8 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

That's really all that matters.

 

This is a SB contending team and they just don't match up with the best at WR2.    

 

As much as we talk about offensive line........there has been a greater correlation in the quality of receiving targets in teams reaching the championship games and SB's  in recent years than even the quality of the offensive lines.

 

The Bills need to address both areas but anyone who thinks that WR2 isn't the most important individual player they can add isn't paying attention.

Think about Josh Allen with Tyreek Hill AND Jaylen Waddle. Devonta Smith AND AJ Brown...Ja'Marr Chase AND Tyler Boyd. The Bills offense would be unstoppable. You can't stop multiple high-level targets with today's rules, both on the perimeter and in the pocket. Why would you not want that kind of devilish situation here on our team? Where has the Bills management been the last several years? It's like they tie one hand behind their back because they want to make sure other teams have a chance.

 

The fact Bengals fans can say Joe Burrow is better than Josh Allen and there's only so much a Bills fan can say in response and it's "agree to disagree" is a travesty. It's a huge failing on the Bills organization around the QB from the management to the coaches.

 

Every person on this planet should be slapped on the nose with the knowledge that Josh Allen is the best quarterback alive. And it's not even like management has tried to build around him and missed. They don't even try.

[Alphadawg7]

8 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

Do the Bills? No. Do Bills fans? Yes, some. He is a lower end #2 receiver but there are folks on here saying he is a #3 or a #4 and that is plain wrong. Spotrac's projections are not always my cup of tea but Michael Gallop as a comparator for Gabe makes a ton of sense. Similar level of player. A lower end #2 who makes big plays but has a low catch rate. 

 

Personally, I think the concerns with Davis today exceed just the low catch rate and his drop rate.  And focusing just on his catch rate is missing the bigger picture with Davis in terms to the concerns heading into this offseason versus the optimism around him heading into last years offseason after the KC game.

• His situational awareness has been problematic at times, including not getting his feet down in bounds where it should have been routine catch.    
• Despite an expanded role in the offense as the full time #2 for the season, he didn't really show any growth and his production wasn't much more than it had been.  I mean 12% of his total yards on the season came on one single play against Pitt.  
• He appears to have a limited route tree and has not shown consistency in getting open.  These things have been both shown by All-22 and mentioned even by an opposing defender.
• And I question his mental toughness when things don't go his way personally.  There have been clear shifts in his body language when he doesn't make a play he should have made and seems to get dejected and affect his confidence in those games.  
• Furthermore - Davis has a "reputation" of making big plays and coming up big in playoffs.  But, is that really accurate?  I think its exaggerated and more built off the lore of the KC playoff game and a few other games because its not happened very much over his 3 year career.   
  • His big plays, and especially big games, are far and in between during the regular season where his production in a pass happy offense opposite an elite WR has been underwhelming.  
  • He only had 1 game with 100 yards this year during the regular season but had 10 games with less than 60 yards.
  • And he has only had 2 big games out of 7 in the playoffs (KC last year, Miami this year).  The other 5 games were minimal games where he wasn't much of a factor.  

I think a "lower end" description of him as a #2 is a bit generous description...I think he is more of a solid #3 WR forced to act as a #2 due to lack of options.  

 

What I do know, is Davis right now being the #2 focal point of the passing attack was not enough for Josh and this offense this year.  I think that was pretty clear and we now face two paths this offseason:

1. We are either have to find an upgrade to Davis via draft, FA, or trade allowing Davis to be more of a quality #3 guy in the pass game rather than a low end #2...
2. Or we need to upgrade the other weapons around Diggs and Davis so our passing attack isn't so overly dependent on Davis.  That would mean someone emerging at the slot like Shakir or bringing in someone who can be a legit threat from the slot, and also getting Knox and RB's more involved in the passing game. 
   1. First and foremost, they need to upgrade the OL so we can have the freedom to use Knox and the RB's more in the passing game and less as extra blockers.  

But pertaining specifically to Davis, this offseason needs to either upgrade from Davis or it needs bigger threats outside of him so we can minimize the dependence on Davis opposite Diggs.  

 

 

1 hour ago, Einstein said:

 

I think there is a case to be made for both a mediocre #2 and a #3.

 

79th in receptions - That would make a #3 WR

33rd in yards - That would make him a #2 WR

2nd in yards/rec  - That would make him a #1 WR

186th in catch % - That would make him a #6 WR

 

But you also have to take into account that he is in one of the most pass-happy offenses in the NFL.

 

I think there is a definite argument to be made that he puts up #3 WR numbers in a normal offense.

 

 

33rd in yards, but 12% of his total yards came on one 98 yard play against Pitt.  So the 33rd in yards lacks the context to show in his inconsistency.  I mean he had 10 games under 60 yards as a #2 WR on a pass happy offense while getting to play opposite a top 5 WR in Diggs and on a team who didn't have a lot of other weapons to throw to.  

 

Davis right now feels a lot more like a solid #3 WR forced to play #2 because we don't have anyone better.  

Edited February 20, 2023 by Alphadawg7

[GunnerBill]

4 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

Personally, I think the concerns with Davis today exceed just the low catch rate and his drop rate.  And focusing just on his catch rate is missing the bigger picture with Davis in terms to the concerns heading into this offseason versus the optimism around him heading into last years offseason after the KC game.

• His situational awareness has been problematic at times, including not getting his feet down in bounds where it should have been routine catch.    
• Despite an expanded role in the offense as the full time #2 for the season, he didn't really show any growth and his production wasn't much more than it had been.  I mean 12% of his total yards on the season came on one single play against Pitt.  
• He appears to have a limited route tree and has not shown consistency in getting open.  These things have been both shown by All-22 and mentioned even by an opposing defender.
• And I question his mental toughness when things don't go his way personally.  There have been clear shifts in his body language when he doesn't make a play he should have made and seems to get dejected and affect his confidence in those games.  
• Furthermore - Davis has a "reputation" of making big plays and coming up big in playoffs.  But, is that really accurate?  I think its exaggerated and more built off the lore of the KC playoff game and a few other games because its not happened very much over his 3 year career.   
  • His big plays, and especially big games, are far and in between during the regular season where his production in a pass happy offense opposite an elite WR has been underwhelming.  
  • He only had 1 game with 100 yards this year during the regular season but had 10 games with less than 60 yards.
  • And he has only had 2 big games out of 7 in the playoffs (KC last year, Miami this year).  The other 5 games were minimal games where he wasn't much of a factor.  

I do think a "lower end" description of him as a #2 is adequate description though...and that would also make him a quality #3 if we say drafted, signed, or traded for someone that took over the #2 role.  

 

What I do know, is Davis right now being the #2 focal point of the passing attack was not enough for Josh and this offense this year.  I think that was pretty clear and we now face two paths this offseason:

1. We are either have to find an upgrade to Davis via draft, FA, or trade allowing Davis to be more of a quality #3 guy in the pass game rather than a low end #2...
2. Or we need to upgrade the other weapons around Diggs and Davis so our passing attack isn't so overly dependent on Davis.  That would mean someone emerging at the slot like Shakir or bringing in someone who can be a legit threat from the slot, and also getting Knox and RB's more involved in the passing game. 
   1. First and foremost, they need to upgrade the OL so we can have the freedom to use Knox and the RB's more in the passing game and less as extra blockers.  

But pertaining specifically to Davis, this offseason needs to either upgrade from Davis or it needs bigger threats outside of him so we can minimize the dependence on Davis opposite Diggs.  

 

 

 

33rd in yards, but 12% of his total yards came on one 98 yard play against Pitt.  So the 33rd in yards lacks the context to show in his inconsistency.  I mean he had 10 games under 60 yards as a #2 WR on a pass happy offense while getting to play opposite a top 5 WR in Diggs and on a team who didn't have a lot of other weapons to throw to.  

 

Davis right now feels a lot more like a solid #3 WR forced to play #2 because we don't have anyone better.  

 

Nah he is a #2. He isn't good enough for what the Bills need. But he is a #2. You can absolutely make the playoffs with Gabe Davis as your #2 receiver. It is just making the playoffs isn't the standard in Buffalo any more. 

40 minutes ago, NoSaint said:

define for me the difference between low two and high 3 or 4?  
 

Sure he’s a boundary guy not a slot - so that may be an effect here/  but I’m not sure anyone can really articulate the gap between WR50 and WR70 in WR rankings. it’s incomplete guys that can contribute heavily. Scheme and role fit being bigger impact than gaps in talent through much of that.
 

If 4 is your first perimeter backup…. That may be where he slots up for most teams as a below average 2 that’s not a slot guy though 

 

He is a starting outside receiver in the NFL. Just a lower end one. 

[Einstein]

9 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

Personally, I think the concerns with Davis today exceed just the low catch rate and his drop rate.  And focusing just on his catch rate is missing the bigger picture with Davis in terms to the concerns heading into this offseason versus the optimism around him heading into last years offseason after the KC game.

• His situational awareness has been problematic at times, including not getting his feet down in bounds where it should have been routine catch.    
• Despite an expanded role in the offense as the full time #2 for the season, he didn't really show any growth and his production wasn't much more than it had been.  I mean 12% of his total yards on the season came on one single play against Pitt.  
• He appears to have a limited route tree and has not shown consistency in getting open.  These things have been both shown by All-22 and mentioned even by an opposing defender.
• And I question his mental toughness when things don't go his way personally.  There have been clear shifts in his body language when he doesn't make a play he should have made and seems to get dejected and affect his confidence in those games.  
• Furthermore - Davis has a "reputation" of making big plays and coming up big in playoffs.  But, is that really accurate?  I think its exaggerated and more built off the lore of the KC playoff game and a few other games because its not happened very much over his 3 year career.   
  • His big plays, and especially big games, are far and in between during the regular season where his production in a pass happy offense opposite an elite WR has been underwhelming.  
  • He only had 1 game with 100 yards this year during the regular season but had 10 games with less than 60 yards.
  • And he has only had 2 big games out of 7 in the playoffs (KC last year, Miami this year).  The other 5 games were minimal games where he wasn't much of a factor.  

I think a "lower end" description of him as a #2 is a bit generous description...I think he is more of a solid #3 WR forced to act as a #2 due to lack of options.  

 

What I do know, is Davis right now being the #2 focal point of the passing attack was not enough for Josh and this offense this year.  I think that was pretty clear and we now face two paths this offseason:

1. We are either have to find an upgrade to Davis via draft, FA, or trade allowing Davis to be more of a quality #3 guy in the pass game rather than a low end #2...
2. Or we need to upgrade the other weapons around Diggs and Davis so our passing attack isn't so overly dependent on Davis.  That would mean someone emerging at the slot like Shakir or bringing in someone who can be a legit threat from the slot, and also getting Knox and RB's more involved in the passing game. 
   1. First and foremost, they need to upgrade the OL so we can have the freedom to use Knox and the RB's more in the passing game and less as extra blockers.  

But pertaining specifically to Davis, this offseason needs to either upgrade from Davis or it needs bigger threats outside of him so we can minimize the dependence on Davis opposite Diggs.  

 

 

 

33rd in yards, but 12% of his total yards came on one 98 yard play against Pitt.  So the 33rd in yards lacks the context to show in his inconsistency.  I mean he had 10 games under 60 yards as a #2 WR on a pass happy offense while getting to play opposite a top 5 WR in Diggs and on a team who didn't have a lot of other weapons to throw to.  

 

Davis right now feels a lot more like a solid #3 WR forced to play #2 because we don't have anyone better.  

 

Great post. As I said, great argument to be made that he is a #3.

 

12% of his total yardage coming on 1 reception is insane.

[Alphadawg7]

12 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Nah he is a #2. He isn't good enough for what the Bills need. But he is a #2. You can absolutely make the playoffs with Gabe Davis as your #2 receiver. It is just making the playoffs isn't the standard in Buffalo any more. 

 

That is not in any way a logical argument.  We made the playoffs with Kelvin Benjamin as our #1 WR and not only was he not a #1 WR anymore, he wasn't even a #3 or #4 WR and was cut after 3 games in KC the next season and never made another roster again.  Tim Tebow made the playoffs as a starting QB, didn't mean he was a starting caliber QB in the NFL.  

 

So saying he is a #2 because a team can make the playoffs with him as a #2 WR is not evidence he is a #2 WR.  

 

If Davis got hurt on the first play of the game week 1 for the season...Bills were still making the playoffs.  

Edited February 20, 2023 by Alphadawg7

[SoCal Deek]

I find these discussions interesting. By most people’s accounts on here the Bills are a ‘pass happy’ offense. And yet again according to many, they get little to no production out of:

 

WR2

TE 

Slot WR

RB screens

 

Kinda makes ya wonder where are all the yards and points coming from then? 😉

[Einstein]

5 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

I find these discussions interesting. By most people’s accounts on here the Bills are a ‘pass happy’ offense. And yet again according to many, they get little to no production out of:

 

WR2

TE 

Slot WR

RB screens

 

Kinda makes ya wonder where are all the yards and points coming from then? 😉

 

[GunnerBill]

25 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

That is not in any way a logical argument.  We made the playoffs with Kelvin Benjamin as our #1 WR and not only was he not a #1 WR anymore, he wasn't even a #3 or #4 WR and was cut after 3 games in KC the next season and never made another roster again.  Tim Tebow made the playoffs as a starting QB, didn't mean he was a starting caliber QB in the NFL.  

 

So saying he is a #2 because a team can make the playoffs with him as a #2 WR is not evidence he is a #2 WR.  

 

If Davis got hurt on the first play of the game week 1 for the season...Bills were still making the playoffs.  

 

Fair but they didn't have the production indicators to match. Gabe's production indicators put him as a mediocre #2. I said that when Bills fans were tipping him for 1,000 yard seasons. I also say it now. He is a #2 receiver. He is capable of being that and has demonstrated that fact. 

 

Doesn't mean I don't think the Bille should be trying to upgrade. I do. I was arguing they hadn't done enough at receiver all last summer as well you know.

 

[Maine-iac]

1 hour ago, Einstein said:

 

I think there is a case to be made for both a mediocre #2 and a #3.

 

79th in receptions - That would make a #3 WR

33rd in yards - That would make him a #2 WR

2nd in yards/rec  - That would make him a #1 WR

186th in catch % - That would make him a #6 WR

 

But you also have to take into account that he is in one of the most pass-happy offenses in the NFL.

 

I think there is a definite argument to be made that he puts up #3 WR numbers in a normal offense.

 

How about TD's?  I think the fact that he is constantly compared to 1st and 2nd round picks by many shows what a value he is.  Maybe he is not a high percentage chain moving threat like Diggs but he is a threat.  With his average depth of target, yards per reception, and TD's the defenses have to account for him.  We don't take enough advantage in our mid and short game and that's not his fault.  A good number of Gabe's targets probably should have been a swing pass or some Kelce like TE route but we don't use those.  My guess is that if Diggs went down Davis would get more slants and hooks and his catch percentage would be much improved but he still wouldn't be who you'd want starting at the 1 spot.  He's a good 4th round pick playing well enough to be a #2.  He's not a 1st or 2nd round pick or a free agent you paid a bunch of money so as far as resources used vs production he's a pretty good value.  In my opinion he's good enough I don't want to spend a 1st or 2nd round pick on WR when we have so many needs on the OL or possibly secondary.  Especially when a rookie WR isn't necessarily going to get you anything more on the scoreboard.  If we actually ran the ball the fact that he is a great run blocker might mean something also.

[SoCal Deek]

47 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

He’s throwing the ball to somebody? No? 

[Einstein]

1 hour ago, SoCal Deek said:

He’s throwing the ball to somebody? No? 

 

Do you remember the quality of receivers Brady was winning SB’s with?

[Donuts and Doritos]

11 hours ago, RocCityRoller said:

Davis was targeted 93 times last year.

he had 48 receptions and 8 drops (analytical sites show 7 or 8 )

That is 56 targets.

What were the other 37 'targets'? (40%)

 Read the article. It's not 1 year it's all 3 years. 

2020 = 56.5%

2021 = 55.6%

2022 = 51.6%

 

He has one of the lowest catch % in the NFL over all 3 years & it's been declining each year. This is who he is, a low catch % WR. 

[SoCal Deek]

49 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

Do you remember the quality of receivers Brady was winning SB’s with?

Yes I do….and Brady rose above their deficiencies. As I tried to explain, I’m not pro or anti Davis specifically, but if you read through enough of these threads you’d come away with the impression that the Bills are actually the Texans in disguise. Upgrading the offensive line, get another year under the OCs belt, are priorities 1 and 2 in 2023. 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

11 hours ago, Bermuda Triangle said:

Davis was one of 42 receivers with more than 93 regular season targets last season.

 

Among those 42 receivers, he was:

- last in receptions (48)

- last in catch percentage (51.6%)

- 30th in receiving yards (836)

- 36th in catches that resulted in first downs (35)

- tied for 12th in TD receptions (7)

 

He had 3 or fewer catches in 10/15 of his regular season games.

 

Courtesy of The Buffalo News 

Damn. 
 

Let’s hope a new WR coach can help since he has the tools. I feel it’s a confidence and mental thing right now.

17 minutes ago, Donuts and Doritos said:

 Read the article. It's not 1 year it's all 3 years. 

2020 = 56.5%

2021 = 55.6%

2022 = 51.6%

 

He has one of the lowest catch % in the NFL over all 3 years & it's been declining each year. This is who he is, a low catch % WR. 

You definitely don’t want every ball being a 50/50 ball. 

[Don Otreply]

6 hours ago, Patrick Duffy said:

 

But basically we all did, or most I'd say.....

 

I mean after last 2 seasons along with how he performed in playoffs, especially in the 13 seconds game.....pretty everyone was saying how he's earned his shot to be starting WR2. I don't recall any post saying he didn't deserve his shot, if so I missed it.

 

So I mean nobody can blame them (not saying you are) for over estimating him since we all did

That right there is pretty much spot on, hind sight is generally miss used, there is likely more to his seasons performance than meets the eye, imo, play design/ scheming had a fair bit to do with it, but that could just be me, 

 

GO BILLS!!!

[BuffaloBillsGospel2014]

13 hours ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

In this offense the #2 WR should be 1,000+ yards and 10 TD player consistently.

 

This is the stuff that gets me, if people just look up information. You know how many #2 WR fit this criteria in the NFL?...None. No #2 WR had 1,000 yards and 10 TD combo in all of football. Some came very close and the ones that were close had a QB on a rookie contract or the QB was Geno Smith 🙂. So you want Gabe Davis to be a WR that doesn't exist yet, he's also in his 2nd year as the full time starter. Stefon Diggs had 1,400 yards and 11 TD. I agree with most that he has to improve the drops for sure but we also have Dawson Knox who will be competing with catches.

Edited February 21, 2023 by BuffaloBillsGospel2014

[Billz4ever]

16 hours ago, Patrick Duffy said:

Can you blame them? He earned that opportunity and we all had high hopes, unfortunately it turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. It happens.

 

Bit of a disappointment? He was arguably the biggest disappointment on the entire team this year performance-wise unless you give those honors to Saffold.  

[Drew21PA]

Idk I saw a lot of targets despite a down year and some bad timely drops

 

 willing to believe he is a force still - but if he flops again next year one has to wonder 

[BuffaloCajun]

Lets take a step back in time, how many of you remember Peerless Price, he left us as supposedly a 1B wide receiver and got paid big money, never had the success he had with the BIlls.  I see Gabe Davis as the same type of risk for another team. Bean has some tough decisions to make, who will be the easiest to replace cheaply?

[Straight Hucklebuck]

Well our current #2 has a gut and zero muscle definition, going against NFL corners. 

 

I think most fans accept that the Bills trusted Gabe to step up and he failed. 

 

He plays out Year 4 and then leaves. 

 

In the meantime, Bills have this season and will need to use next season finding replacements for Gabe and hedging against the inevitable Diggs decline due to age. 

[BananaB]

Bills staff put a lot of faith in him to fill a role and he underperformed. He ain’t under appreciated, he’s just taking heat because he never lived up to expectations. Bills didn’t expect to b that guy from the chiefs game, they expected him to be a consistent and reliable target and he wasn’t. I don’t think the expectations were too high either, kid just had a lot of bad games. 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

34 minutes ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

Well our current #2 has a gut and zero muscle definition, going against NFL corners. 

 

I think most fans accept that the Bills trusted Gabe to step up and he failed. 

 

He plays out Year 4 and then leaves. 

 

In the meantime, Bills have this season and will need to use next season finding replacements for Gabe and hedging against the inevitable Diggs decline due to age. 

 

I think the goal is to bring in a vet who can compete with him for snaps.  Be it Agholor, Jones, Slayton etc.  Also options for trade like Cooks.  I'd also like to see someone drafted in the mid-round area like a Tillman or Mingo.  Get some serious size and athleticism on the outside, and can bring them along slowly.  

 

Diggs - Vet - Davis - Rook

Slot - Shakir, Mckenzie (im ok with moving on from him but he's under contract, cheap, knows the offense)

[Thurman#1]

On 2/20/2023 at 11:46 PM, GunnerBill said:

Do the Bills? No. Do Bills fans? Yes, some. He is a lower end #2 receiver but there are folks on here saying he is a #3 or a #4 and that is plain wrong. Spotrac's projections are not always my cup of tea but Michael Gallop as a comparator for Gabe makes a ton of sense. Similar level of player. A lower end #2 who makes big plays but has a low catch rate. 

 

 

 

Yes, this.

 

And in fairness, receivers who mostly are targeted for long passes are going to have a lower catch rate. Nature of the beast.

 

But still, Gabe could work on his hands a bit more.

[OldTimer1960]

If Gabe Dais can improve his consistency on catchable passes, he can be a decent to good #2 WR.  It is possible - look no further than Dawson Knox who improved his catch rate and it took a few years, but Zay Jones has become a reliable receiver.  

In general, I think that we as fans are a bit quick to write off young players.  Now, I'm not saying that Davis WILL improve, nor am I saying that they should not invest in competition for him. 

[bigK14094]

This morning, I read a 2020 redraft for the first round by the Athletic.  Gabe Davis was in that article as a late #1 pick.  If that is how the league values him now, the Bills fans need to come to grips with that situation.  He may yet be great next season.  time will tell.  what will the Bills do?  with the millstone of the V Miller contract around their necks, lots of disappointment ahead for Bills fans.  V Miller, as it is turning out, is a big miss for $75 mil or so over three years since Miller missed half of 22 and will be mostly late arrival in 23. (see Tre White)  And, at 35, will V Miller be anything llike his old self in 24?  Perhaps not.

[Doc]

He'll play out the year and be gone either way. 

[C.Biscuit97]

We went from him being a solid draft pick to being a star to now being a bum. 
 

honestly, he’s probably exactly what he should be where he was drafted. Inconsistency is what separates nfl players from stars and David clearly isn’t a star and that’s ok. But still like the guy as 3rd or 4th option. Also watch without the pressure, he had his best season just in time for free agency (and they definitely aren’t paying him).

[Straight Hucklebuck]

3 hours ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

I think the goal is to bring in a vet who can compete with him for snaps.  Be it Agholor, Jones, Slayton etc.  Also options for trade like Cooks.  I'd also like to see someone drafted in the mid-round area like a Tillman or Mingo.  Get some serious size and athleticism on the outside, and can bring them along slowly.  

 

Diggs - Vet - Davis - Rook

Slot - Shakir, Mckenzie (im ok with moving on from him but he's under contract, cheap, knows the offense)

I like cutting McKenzie. 

 

Don't bring Brown, Beasley, Kumerow or Crowder back. 

 

Sign Olamide Zaccheaus and Darius Slayton. 

 

Then draft a R1 WR. 

 

 

This flushes out the Bottom 3 WRs. 

 

Cheap veterans this team can afford in their mid-20's. 

 

Elite traits WR that buffers Gabe Davis leaving after next year. 

 

 

Regardless, Beane has to have it in his head that one #1 WR is not enough. Diggs is not enough. Stack weapons. 

[C.Biscuit97]

17 hours ago, Donuts and Doritos said:

 Read the article. It's not 1 year it's all 3 years. 

2020 = 56.5%

2021 = 55.6%

2022 = 51.6%

 

He has one of the lowest catch % in the NFL over all 3 years & it's been declining each year. This is who he is, a low catch % WR. 

I think this stat should come with more information. Davis’ attempts are way down field than like a slot guy for instance so it should be lower. The % probably drops every 5 yards you go down the field. 
 

it would be more interesting to see Davis compared to guys who play similar to him. Maybe MVS of the Chiefs. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/ValdMa00.htm
 

very similar and Davis is actually better. Davis wasn’t good enough this year but stats can be very misleading. 

[FireChans]

3 hours ago, Thurman#1 said:

 

 

 

Yes, this.

 

And in fairness, receivers who mostly are targeted for long passes are going to have a lower catch rate. Nature of the beast.

 

But still, Gabe could work on his hands a bit more.

Of the top 30 WR's in the NFL based on average depth of target

 

Gabe is:

5th in ADOT

24th in drop%

17th in passer rating when targeted

20th in YAC/R

 

[NoSaint]

On 2/20/2023 at 5:57 PM, GunnerBill said:

 

Fair but they didn't have the production indicators to match. Gabe's production indicators put him as a mediocre #2. I said that when Bills fans were tipping him for 1,000 yard seasons. I also say it now. He is a #2 receiver. He is capable of being that and has demonstrated that fact. 

 

Doesn't mean I don't think the Bille should be trying to upgrade. I do. I was arguing they hadn't done enough at receiver all last summer as well you know.

 

he’s currently a number 2 the way fitz was a starting qb- great off the bench but not getting it done on the level many teams have. 
 

the difference being Davis could put it together but right now he is limited and in a “as strong as your weakest link” sense if we add a lineman or two he could be that guy next year 

Edited February 22, 2023 by NoSaint

[Donuts and Doritos]

4 hours ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

I think this stat should come with more information. Davis’ attempts are way down field than like a slot guy for instance so it should be lower. The % probably drops every 5 yards you go down the field. 
 

it would be more interesting to see Davis compared to guys who play similar to him. Maybe MVS of the Chiefs. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/ValdMa00.htm
 

very similar and Davis is actually better. Davis wasn’t good enough this year but stats can be very misleading. 

 

He's an inconsistent pass catcher. Some games he's on, others he's off. Thus he's 50%. It's not just stats, it's visible when you watch the games. His route tree is limited, his foot work is slow & he can't separate easily, which is why he has to go way down field. He can't separate & get the needed shorter intermediate catches with any kind of consistency. We can & should upgrade from him @ WR2.