Buffalo Bills: B/R names Gabriel Davis as surprise rookie gem
Bleacher Report named wide receiver Gabriel Davis as the Buffalo Bills surprise rookie gem in 2020.
The Buffalo Bills had another excellent NFL Draft under general manager Brandon Beane. However, unlike past years when the team has relied on rookies to contribute almost immediately, path to playing time for this rookie class is a little more murky.
This isn’t to say that they won’t contribute but this class may not get the chance to see regular snaps, especially early on. Although Brent Sobleski at Bleacher Report recently named Gabriel Davis as the Buffalo Bills one surprise rookie gem for the upcoming season.
"Stefon Diggs became the Buffalo Bills’ biggest offseason addition. His inclusion in the lineup provides quarterback Josh Allen with a true No. 1 target and pushes John Brown and Cole Beasley down a peg.Incoming fourth-round pick Gabriel Davis could supplant Robert Foster as the team’s vertical threat. Davis ranked second among FBS wide receivers last season in deep receiving yards, according to Pro Football Focus.“I like Davis,” general manager Brandon Beane said during the initial episode of Bills: Embedded 2020. “I hope he doesn’t run too fast, because he plays faster—you know what I mean? Just be 4.58 or something, he’ll be fine.”Davis ran a 4.54 at the combine and fell. Clearly, the organization likes the 6’2″, 216-pound target enough to provide him with multiple opportunities."
Why Gabriel Davis could make an impact this season
The explanation that Sobleski lays out makes perfect sense as the Buffalo Bills offense can use the skill set that Gabriel Davis brings. The Bills did add Stefon Diggs this offseason to join John Brown and Cole Beasley, but the Bills still were lacking size.
Davis is a nice combination of size at 6’3″ and 212 pounds but also has speed to get over the top of defenses. While Diggs is going to help Josh Allen utilize his big arm on deep plays, Davis should also contribute in this area. He is an excellent receiver to have down the sideline that can win those contested catches.
As Sobleski notes, Davis was a big play threat at UCF and his final year there averaged 17.2 yards per catch for 1,241 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.
The challenge for Davis will be that his targets are probably going to be limited so when he gets a chance to make a play, he has to make it. The Bills depth chart is probably going to have him slotted in as the number four wide receiver.
Next. Breaking down the Bills defensive line combinations in 2020. dark
The pieces are certainly there for Gabriel Davis to have a big rookie season for the Buffalo Bills, the question is just going to be if everything is able to come together.