Vote: What should the Buffalo Bills do at tight end this offseason?

Last month, we took a look at all the ways the Buffalo Bills could address the tight end position this offseason. Now, it’s your turn to read the excerpts and vote on what you think the best option is. If you want more info on a certain topic, click the linked headline.

All-22 Analysis: Tyler Kroft

By Jeff Kantrowski

Tyler Kroft is well rounded and effective across most of the play book. He was the only tight end on the 2020 Bills I think you could make the above statement about. I like Kroft on the Bills, though snap counts definitely suggest the team wasn’t as enthusiastic about him as I am. Knox and Gilliam are exciting as prospects and, if you’re into gambling, Kroft is expendable. But until they’re better than Kroft they’re not and in 2020 they were not.

Read the entire article with GIFs and analysis here

All-22 Analysis: Dawson Knox

By Jeff Kantrowski

There aren’t any surprises on film. Dawson Knox is a case where pretty much everyone sees the same thing. The good news is that all the tools are there for a great player to emerge. A major jump in blocking and consistency when catching aren’t that much to ask for right? OK, yes it’s a big ask but not an unreasonable one. I don’t think it would be all that shocking for year three to be a breakout season for Knox. But I wouldn’t put all my eggs in that basket just in case.

Read the entire article with GIFs and analysis here

Bills can save money if Lee Smith retires or is released

By Matt Warren

If he’s cut or if he retires, the results on the salary cap are the same; the Bills save a good chunk of money. He’s set to make $1.9 million in base salary, $100,000 in a workout bonus, and the roster bonus this season. None of his $2.25 million cap hit is guaranteed in 2021. He doesn’t have pro-rated signing bonus money that needs to be held to account. As long as the Bills release him by the fifth day of the league year in March, they won’t be on the hook for any money in 2021.

Read the entire financial breakdown here

Bills need infusion of talent at tight end after status quo 2020

By Matt Warren

The answer to the Bills’ questions at tight end are not on the roster right now. Even if they kept the expensive Smith to pair with Knox and Becker made a jump, they’d have to hope that Sweeney would be healthy and able to play in 2021.

Read the entire look at the current crop of Bills TEs here

Free-agent options at tight end for the Bills

By Dan Lavoie

Jonnu Smith
Here’s your first projection pick. The 6’3” 250-lb Smith just had his best season—41 catches, 448 yards, and eight touchdowns.

Gerald Everett
This is your other projection pick. Everett is pretty similar to Jonnu Smith and also made it through four years of football without a true “breakout” season—2020 was his best year, with 41 catches for 417 yards and one touchdown.

Rob Gronkowski
The future Hall of Famer hardly missed a beat in his return to action, with 45 catches for 623 yards and seven touchdowns. His blocking prowess is, of course, legendary.

Jared Cook
He’ll be 34 years old in 2021, but doggone it, Cook still has fuel left in the tank. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2018 and 2019, and caught 37 passes for 504 yards and seven touchdowns in 2020.

Trey Burton
If you’re looking for a backup tight end who could handle the kind of H-back role the Bills feature in their offense, Burton’s a valid choice. His best season was a 54/569/6 season in 2018 when he played 80 percent of snaps. Other than that year, he never cracked 34 percent in his career.

Read more about each tight end and a look at some leftovers in the full article

2021 NFL Draft options at tight end

By Andrew Griffin

Tier I
Kyle Pitts (Florida)
Pat Freiermuth (Penn State)

A unique athletic specimen, Pitts is an elite, massive receiving target and has more than a passing resemblance to former Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis—but he needs to improve his blocking. Luckily, he has the frame for it. With ample size and speed, Freiermuth has the rounded skillset to be a do-it-all tight end, but that talent never came to full fruition in college, and it’s fair to wonder if he can reach his potential in the pros.

Tier II
Tommy Tremble (Notre Dame)
Hunter Long (Boston College)
Brevin Jordan (Florida)

Tier III
Luke Farrell (Ohio State)
Noah Gray (Duke)
Matt Bushman (BYU)

Read more about the Tier II and Tier III prospects in the full article

Opinion: What I would do at tight end this offseason

By Bruce Nolan

Bruce lays out his thought process in a multi-step process.

1. Assume a Lee Smith retirement, and if not—release him
2. Sign Dan Arnold away from the Arizona Cardinals
3. Draft Tommy Tremble

Read about why this is what Bruce would do in his full article

Now it’s your turn to vote! What should the Bills do at tight end this season?