Today on Buffalo Rumblings, we’re discussing the tight end position. With the potential of moving on from Tyler Kroft and/or Lee Smith this offseason, let’s take a look at who would be left on the Buffalo Bills if both of those players were gone.
Rookie Dawson Knox became the de facto starter during the 2019 season after Kroft suffered his offseason injury. Knox seized the opportunity and made a huge leap from his college career to his rookie season. If Buffalo wanted to roll him out as the starter in 2020, I don’t think many folks would mind (as long as he doesn’t drop the ball figuratively and literally).
After Knox was drafted in the third round, the Bills used a seventh-round selection on Tommy Sweeney. Sweeney played in limited games during his rookie season but has the look of a player who could develop with some TLC. If he makes enough progress in the 2020 offseason, it could make the decision to release one of those veterans pretty easy.
Jason Croom is an intriguing option at tight end, as well. He has NFL experience, playing 15 games for Buffalo in 2018 and starting three in relief of Charles Clay. He spent 2019 on injured reserve but was clearly on the roster bubble. Was it a case of the cupboard being bare in 2018 or is he part of the team’s plans in 2020?
Nate Becker probably isn’t ready for a role on the active roster at this time, but he is a strong candidate for the practice squad if they keep Sweeney on the active roster.
If the Bills had these three tight ends on their roster to start 2020, they would certainly be young and inexperienced at the position. It would probably be their weakest position group on the roster, frankly. But each of the three would bring something to the table in terms of talent and the potential would be there.