Bills GM Brandon Beane confirmed that the team views rookie Dalton Kincaid as a WR as much as a TE. "He is a tight end, but he is a receiving tight end," Beane said. "We think he'll pair well with Dawson [Knox] and give us another target in the middle of the field. So, yeah, when him and Dawson are in the game, you're in '12' [personnel], but it's quasi like '11' anyway. He's not your standard 'Y' tight end. He's going to be flexed out a lot more than necessarily you would do with Dawson.” Kincaid is no stranger to detaching from the line of scrimmage. He lined up out wide or in the slot on 44.8% of his snaps at Utah last year. That, of course, is exactly the type of usage we're looking for from our fantasy TEs. Kincaid has a chance to be a rare rookie TE to make a redraft impact. See exactly where Kincaid sits in the 2023 TE Rankings.
The Bills selected Utah TE Dalton Kincaid with the 25th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Kincaid is an older prospect at 23 but broke out early at San Diego. Across his first two seasons, he recorded 68 catches, 1,209 yards, and 19 TDs. He transferred to Utah ahead of year three and saved his best work for last fall (70-890-8). Most impressively, he caught all 16 of his targets for 234 yards and one score in a mid-season win over USC. There’s no real flaw in his on-field game. Kincaid wins with advanced route running, reliable hands, and strong YAC ability. He didn’t test in the pre-draft process due to a “tiny” back fracture, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. But he was given a clean bill of health by Dr. Robert Watkins earlier in April. You have to love the fit with Josh Allen, and it’s easy to see Kincaid overtaking Dawson Knox as soon as this season. Just note: Knox’s contract makes it hard for the Bills to move on from him until 2025. The rookie projects as a top-20 fantasy TE.
Browns WR Amari Cooper revealed on Tuesday that he underwent surgery this offseason for a core-muscle injury that he played through last year. Cooper was on the injury report with a hip late in the season, although it's unclear if this is related. Regardless, he said that he's "doing well now," per ESPN's Jake Trotter, so it doesn't sound like it'll impact his 2023 campaign. Cooper is coming off a 78-1,160-9 line and WR10 PPR finish in his Browns debut last year -- which now looks even more impressive considering he did it while dealing with this core-muscle injury.
Bills HC Sean McDermott admitted that the number of hits QB Josh Allen takes makes him nervous. "I don't think that's a healthy way to play QB in this league and it's undefeated that things are going to happen when you play that style, brand of football," McDermott said. "We have to get that adjusted and it's never going to go completely away, but it has to get where it's workable. ... He's one of the best in the league and I don't want to take his personality away from him ... but there needs to be an adjustment in that style of play." Allen, of course, has been one of the most effective running QBs since entering the league five years ago. He's averaged 5.7 yards per carry and leads his position with 38 rushing TDs over that span. Allen has averaged between 3.5 and 4.5 designed rushing attempts per game in all five of his NFL seasons, ranking among the top five QBs in total designed rushing attempts in all five. Perhaps Buffalo scales that number back a bit going forward. But we'd be surprised if Allen's rushing volume took a significant hit. It's simply too big a part of his game -- and too big a part of the Bills' offense.
On the same day RB Devin Singletary agreed to terms with the Texans, the Bills have reached a deal with a former rival. RB Damien Harris agreed to a one-year pact, according to multiple reports. The money has yet to be announced. It's tough to imagine the money being a lot less than the "up to $3.75 million" Singletary will get from the Texans. So Buffalo clearly believes Harris to be an upgrade. Expect him to complement James Cook, though we wouldn't rule out the Bills also making a significant backfield addition via the draft. Bijan Robinson in Round 1? Probably not. Harris -- who has averaged 4.7 yards per carry for his career and scored on a strong 4.5% of his career rushes -- lands in a good spot for TD upside. QB Josh Allen vultures some short-range rushing TDs, but Singletary still managed 12 ground scores over the past two years. Harris will be a nice value if he stays deep in RB4 range, as he currently sits in Underdog ADP. Cook should probably come down from his RB27 ADP there.
The Falcons signed WR Mack Hollins to a 1-year, $2.5 million deal. Hollins set career highs in Vegas last year with 57 catches and 690 yards -- but that was good for just a WR46 PPR finish. Hollins ranked just 82nd among 96 qualifiers in Pro Football Focus' receiving grades. He has a chance to find significant playing time in an Atlanta WR corps led by Drake London and not much else. But it's awfully late to be expecting a fantasy breakout from Hollins, especially in what figures to be a run-heavy Falcons offense.
Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, TE Dalton Kincaid didn’t participate in combine drills due to a “tiny” back fracture. The Utah product measured in at 6’4, 246 pounds — 6 pounds more than his college listing. A potential Round 1 pick, Kincaid said he hopes to participate in Utah’s March 23 Pro Day.
Bills QB Josh Allen said Monday that he's not expected to have surgery on the UCL injury he suffered in his right elbow on November 6. He also told reporters that he didn't feel like he had his usual throwing mechanics until 2 weeks ago. Allen's numbers certainly suggest that the elbow was an issue. In his first 8 games, including the 1 in which he hurt the elbow late, he posted a 64.1% completion rate, 8.1 yards per attempt and 19 TDs vs. 8 INTs. Over his final 10 games, including the playoffs, he registered a 61.7% completion rate, 7.1 yards per attempt and 19 TDs vs. 9 INTs. We'll keep an eye on Allen's status throughout the offseason, but he should tentatively expected to be 100% for the 2023 campaign.
Bills QB Josh Allen completed 25 of 42 passes for 265 yards and 1 INT in Sunday’s loss vs. Cincinnati. His pick came late in the 4th with the game already wrapped up. The Bengals mustered only 1 sack, but steady pressure — and snowy conditions — made life tough for Allen. Allen did pop in a rushing score, his 8th of the season. Buffalo should now shift its focus to upgrading the pass catchers and the OL.
Bills RB James Cook tallied 12 carries for 39 yards and 1 score in Sunday’s win over Miami. He out-carried Devin Singletary by 2, although neither guy saw a target on 39 Josh Allen attempts. It was Cook who found the end zone in the 1st quarter, though. The explosive rookie will look for more next weekend, likely against the Bengals. Cincy exited the regular season 6th toughest in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.
Bills QB Josh Allen put up a monster 352-3-2 passing line in a Wild Card win over Miami. We wouldn’t put either INT on Allen, although he was to blame for a lost fumble in the pocket. Credit Miami for only allowing 20 rushing yards on 4 Allen runs. As a passer, though, Allen’s rare arm talent showed up in several key spots. His scores went to Gabe Davis, Cole Beasley and Dawson Knox. Allen will likely face the Bengals — at home — next weekend.
Bills TE Dawson Knox (hip) practiced fully on Friday and doesn't appear on the team's final injury report ahead of Week 18 vs. the Patriots. Though Knox put up a zero in a Week 13 last time these teams faced off, the Pats' defense has allowed 10 TE scores this season, tied for 2nd-most in the NFL. We feel Knox is a mid-TE2/streaming consideration in fantasy lineups this weekend.
Bills QB Josh Allen (ankle, right elbow) upgraded to full practice again on Friday and doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Week 18 vs. the Patriots. With AFC playoff seeding still being a factor in this game, it stands to reason that Allen and all other key starters will play the full compliment of snaps. Fire up Allen as a no-doubt QB1, per usual.
The NFL announced that the Bills-Bengals game will not be rescheduled. It's officially a no-contest and players do not receive any stats for the game. Commissioner Roger Goodell is also recommending that the AFC Championship Game be played at a neutral site if the Bills or Bengals make it there as the road team. All 32 teams will vote on that proposal on Friday.
Update: The NFL owners have approved these changes to the playoff setup.
Bills TE Dawson Knox (hip) practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday ahead of Week 18 vs. the Patriots. We'll have a better picture of his health on Friday. Be sure to check back tomorrow for updates.
Bills QB Josh Allen (ankle, elbow) was downgraded to a limited practice on Thursday after logging full participation the day before. There's no need for alarm at this time as it relates to his availability for Week 18 vs. the Patriots. Allen has been beaten up all season and has yet to miss a game. We'll keep an eye on him in case anything changes on this front.
Bills TE Dawson Knox (hip) practiced fully on Wednesday. We'll keep an eye on him just in case. Starting the practice week in full bodes well for his chances to play in Week 18 vs. the Patriots.
Bills QB Josh Allen (ankle, elbow) practiced fully on Wednesday. The 2-time Pro Bowler has played in every game this season despite his nagging ailments. We'll keep track of his health in case anything changes, but we feel good about his chances of playing in Week 18 vs. the Patriots.
The NFL announced Tuesday that it won't resume the Bills-Bengals game -- halted by S Damar Hamlin's collapse -- this week. The league added that it will keep the Week 18 schedule intact and that no decision has yet been made on how to treat Monday night's game going forward. That means fantasy football leagues and contest providers will either have to wait for further word on the resumption of that contest or figure out alternate solutions. We'll certainly be watching for updates on that front -- as well as, of course, any updates on Hamlin's condition.
Browns WR Amari Cooper snagged 3 of 4 targets for 105 yards in Week 17's win over the Commanders. Much of his production came on a pair of 30+ yards TDs from QB Deshaun Watson in the 2nd half of Sunday's contest. Only 1 other Browns' pass-catcher had more than a single catch. Cooper is set to go up against a fairly beatable Steelers secondary next Sunday in Week 18 action.
Search
