One of the bigger offseason signings for the Buffalo Bills was former Dallas Cowboys receiver Cole Beasley. Expected to add a potent safety valve target for Josh Allen, Beasley’s preseason seems to indicate he can do everything that was hoped for.
The box score against the Indianapolis Colts credits Cole Beasley with a single target. The pass was caught for 13 yards, but even the complete stat line misses the mark when it comes to capturing what Beasley did for the team.
Beasley was targeted another time by Josh Allen, on the second play of the game. The seven-yard reception was negated by an offensive holding call on Quinton Spain. In addition to this second target, Beasley was consistently breaking ankles.
Cole Beasley was also asked to run deeper routes to clear space for teammates and moved around the formation a bit. The breadth of what was asked of Beasley in just two drives suggests the Bills plan to be creative. And Beasley’s overall effectiveness in executing is a positive sign.
Here are a few thoughts on Beasley from beat reporters covering the joint practices between the Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers this week.
Sal Maiorana (Democrat and Chronicle) wrote “It seems to me the Bills WRs are struggling to get open downfield because Allen is not delivering quick enough. On a bunch of these plays he would have been sacked or forced to run. The exception is Beasley. He always seems to be open.”
Greg Tompsett from Cover 1 implored readers on Twitter to “get used to it” regarding Josh Allen connecting with Cole Beasley. Tompsett also stated that “Beasley [was] putting everyone in the blender.”
While preseason and training camp reports should come with healthy skepticism, the early returns on Cole Beasley should be encouraging. A dependable and shifty wide receiver could go a long way in helping out Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.