The top four wide receiver spots are hopefully locked in for the Buffalo Bills heading into training camp. Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley (if he doesn’t retire), Emmanuel Sanders, and Gabriel Davis are locked and loaded in those spots. Beyond that, there is a ton of intrigue.
Isaiah McKenzie vs Isaiah Hodgins vs Marquez Stevenson
In each of head coach Sean McDermott’s previous four seasons with the team, the Bills kept six wide receivers on the initial roster but several other players rotated up from the practice squad during the season or were added to the roster. If that holds true, two of these guys should make the team.
McKenzie seems to have the inside track to the returner job and he played a big role in Buffalo’s offense last year and the year before. He’s not a roster lock but he is pretty close at this point.
Hodgins brings something different to the Bills’ roster in his size. He’s the second-tallest receiver on the roster at 6’3” and has the ability to high-point the ball and secure the catch. He’s been the most impressive receiver this spring, but we’ve never seen him play against another team. He missed the 2020 season with a redshirt year on injured reserve after an impressive training camp.
With those two very impressive resumes, it would seem like Stevenson is the one on the outside looking in. Unless he can explode in preseason games and overtake McKenzie as the returner, I don’t see how he can make the active roster. He seems destined for the practice squad even if he’s a draft pick.
For those of you asking about keeping seven receivers, it would seem unlikely with how many offensive and defensive linemen the team will probably keep.