Buffalo Bills: Predicting roster battles entering final preseason game

Wide Receiver

The top of the depth chart at this position is pretty well set with John Brown, Cole Beasley, Zay Jones, Robert Foster and Andre Roberts. This leaves only one spot left, assuming they keep six receivers, on the Bills’ regular season roster. The players competing for that final spot are Isaiah McKenzie, Ray-Ray McCloud and Duke Williams.

At the start of the preseason, Ray-Ray McCloud appeared to be the favorite with a strong training camp but hasn’t made much of an impact during the games. In three preseason games, McCloud has 4 receptions on 10 targets for 49 yards while adding five punt returns for 35 yards.

Meanwhile, Isaiah McKenzie has been much more efficient and shown more of a big play ability. He has three receptions for 99 receiving yards while adding 4 punt returns for 34 yards. He also has one six-yard rushing touchdown, which he scored on his only snap against the Detroit Lions.

The challenge here is that McCloud and McKenzie are similar players in that they are fast, smaller receivers. They have the same skill set as John Brown and Robert Foster and they don’t bring anything different to this offense.

However, Duke Williams is a big receiver and has the size that is lacking at this position group. The former CFL star has really stepped up the past few games with touchdown receptions against the Panthers and Lions.

The performance this preseason of all three leaves the coaching staff in a tough situation. The player that wins this position could come down to which of these three plays the best against the Vikings.

Prediction: Isaiah McKenzie