It will likely be one of the more hotly contested competitions in training camp. With no incumbent starter from a season ago on the roster, the number two receiver role is truly up for grabs this summer.
By Canio Marasco / Contributing Correspondent
Arguably the most turnover on the Bills roster this offseason occurred in the wide receiver corps. The departure of Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin and Justin Hunter left a serious hole in the Bills depth at the position. To remedy this turnover, the Bills brought in both veteran and rookie wide receivers. With many new faces, and plenty of roles to be had, the battle at wide receiver should be one of the best at training camp. With starting positions up for grabs, here are the three most likely players to factor into the battle for number two wide receiver.
Corey Brown
Brown was forced to fight his way to this opportunity in Buffalo. Brown went undrafted in 2014, after a rather successful career at Ohio State. He found his first chance in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers. After signing in 2014, Brown showed his natural playmaking ability immediately.
In his first season with the Panthers, Brown played in 13 games and had 21 receptions. He was used in a myriad of roles in the Panther offense, as they simply tried to use his speed as much as possible. Not only did he serve as a deep threat, he was also used out of the backfield, and served a major role on special teams.
Brown’s most successful season came in 2015, during Carolina’s run to the Super Bowl. Brown totaled 31 receptions on the season and had 447 yards receiving. Last year he continued to show his talents, and established himself as an offensive threat in Carolina.
Brown’s speed and game breaking ability makes him an interesting option for the number two wide receiver role. He rotated up and down between the first and second offensive units in the spring practices.
Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison stated that it’s important to have a deep threat in a run-first offense, as defenses will try to crowd the line of scrimmage.
“You take shots over their head,” said Dennison. “That’s how we’ve always tried to do it in the years I’ve learned this game from the guys that have taught me the game. We’ll be successful running it and when they’re up there trying to stop the run, we’ll take our shots down the field.”
Andre Holmes
Much like Brown, Holmes has fought through several tough years to reach this starting opportunity in Buffalo. After going undrafted in the 2011 draft, Holmes bounced around several NFL teams, while he tried to show his natural talent.
Holmes went to Hillsdale College, a Divison-II school. Even though he had a very productive collegiate career, his draft stock was hampered by the fact that he went to a small school. After several practice squad stints, Holmes found his first real opportunity in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys.
After two years of bouncing between the active roster and practice squad, Holmes was claimed by the Oakland Raiders. In 2013, Holmes played in 10 games and had 25 receptions. In 2014, he played in 16 games and had 47 receptions. The past two years, Holmes was used as a red zone specialist, and he caught seven touchdowns over that time.
Being 6-foot-4-inches, Holmes has the size to thrive in the number two position, and could be lethal in the red zone.
“My expectations are to keep it moving and continue to grow,” said Holmes. “Grow from where we started. We set the bar and we always have to jump higher than that bar.”
Holmes largely lined up as one of the starting outside receivers in the spring practices and earned the praise of the offensive staff. Demonstrating an ability to perform on special teams has only enhanced his stock.
Zay Jones
Possibly the most interesting option for the number two wide receiver role is the rookie Zay Jones. The Bills drafted Jones in the second round of the 2017 draft after a very productive collegiate career at East Carolina University.
Jones rocketed-up draft boards after a very successful senior year, and an impressive Senior Bowl. The lanky and athletic wide receiver had 158 receptions for 1,746 yards last season. He added to that impressive campaign with eight touchdown receptions.
Jones has all the tools to be a perfect outside receiving option. Standing at 6-foot-2-inches, Jones has the height to start on the outside in the NFL. He also ran a 4.45 at the combine, which means he should be able to create separation.
Even though Jones has the intangibles, he will still have to beat out two veteran NFL wide receivers. Despite this, he said he’s simply ready to compete.
“Everyone wants to deem themselves a number one receiver and you have to have that mindset,” said Jones. “But you can’t be worried what someone else is doing. You have to focus on your job and what the coaches ask of you and do it to the best of your ability and whatever happens, happens after that.”
Jones looked the part in the spring practices, though he missed some time with a sprained knee. The rookie is also the most versatile of the three with a good deal of experience working out of the slot as well.
This battle for the number two receiver role figures to be among the most intense at training camp. Consistency in the practices and performance in the preseason games will largely determine who earns the job opposite Sammy Watkins in Buffalo’s offense.