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Camp battle: Isaiah McKenzie has seemingly locked up returner job

Matt Warren is Associate Director of NFL coverage for SB Nation and previously covered the Bills for Buffalo Rumblings for more than a decade.

A couple years ago, the Buffalo Bills signed Andre Roberts to be their returner on special teams because they didn’t trust Isaiah McKenzie with the role. It seems that confidence has returned, as McKenzie has had a death grip on the role this offseason.

Buffalo drafted Marquez Stevenson in the late rounds of April’s NFL Draft to be competition, but he has been running clearly behind the veteran during camp. On Saturday during the team’s scrimmage, Stevenson dropped another punt during special teams work.

McKenzie offers a lot more on offense as offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s gadget piece and he’s running fifth in the receiver rotation. His returner ability is icing on the cake, and all but locks up a roster spot for him and a guaranteed role on Sundays.

In the season finale, McKenzie took a punt back to the house as they rested the veterans including Roberts. He’s shown flashes and hopefully any ball security issues are behind him.