It’s still early, but the Buffalo Bills are adjusting to life without Sammy Watkins.
The team is sure the #1 receiver will be ready for week 1, but you don’t know what’s going on inside the Bills medical staff.
Buffalo’s stand-ins to replace the highly talented wideout look to be receivers trying to resurrect their careers in Leonard Hankerson and Greg Little or some players trying to get a crack in the lineup in Dez Lewis and Kolby Listenbee.
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor is creating chemistry with his new receivers, and was putting his doubters in question when he used the middle of the field through the second week of OTAs. According to Joe Buscaglia of WKBW, the starter was reading the field well, finding his targets well enough and placing the ball in the right spot to allow them to make a play — and more importantly, he didn’t allow the defense to make their mark on the play.
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Buscaglia also stated second year man Dez Lewis was getting reps with the ones and was impressing. The large-frame receiver was using his frame and hauling in balls in the 7 on 7 drills. The receiver was known for numerous drops in his rookie season, but seems to be making the necessary adjustments to progress in his sophomore season.
Greg Little (Yes remember him?), the second round pick in 2011 from the Cleveland Browns was getting his reps with the ones as well. Little brings talent and size to take the #2 receiver job. The 27-year-old from North Carolina put up over 700 yards receiving in his rookie season with the Browns, but declined in the next two years to follow.
Little brings size with a 6-foot-2 and 220 pound frame and is known for his man-to-man separation skills, but the receiver struggles with drops. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Little dropped 7.8 percent of his targets from 2011 through 2013, the highest rate among NFL receivers over that span.
It is only the second week of OTAs, but you have to think the wide receiver competition is what every Bills fan will be eyeing in on during Training Camp.