Where does Tommy Sweeney fit on the Buffalo Bills in 2020?
By Daniel Bruce
2019 Season recap
Starting the season off as the third tight end, Sweeney showed impressed as injuries to certain players depleted the depth but Sweeney still proved himself good enough to be on the roster.
In the Bills second preseason game Sweeney made his mark, putting up two catches for 47 yards, including connecting with Josh Allen for a great throw and catch.
Perfectly placed ball here from Allen to TE Tommy Sweeney. #Bills pic.twitter.com/aFP5o4ZWvf
— Bradley Gelber (@BradleyGelber) August 16, 2019
The rapport between Allen and Sweeney looked like it was evolving in the Panthers game, along with another great grab up the seam with the two connecting again later in the first quarter.
With Jason Croom and Dawson Knox out last night, Tommy Sweeney capitalized, showing out with the Bills’ 1st team offense.
— Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) August 17, 2019
The former @BCFootball TE hauled in two receptions for 47 yards, including this 25-yard catch and run that set up a LeSean McCoy TD.pic.twitter.com/R5NmHSFd1R
With Knox and Croom out for that game, Sweeney was out there on the field showing out and making his case for the roster.
Through the first five games of the season the rookie tight end was playing about 25.4% of the snaps on offense. However he didn’t get another snap until Week 17, when he did contribute 63% of snaps and was the feature tight end.
In his first career NFL game versus the Jets in Week 1, he had 2 catches for 35 yards and looked like Allen’s favorite target at the position. Through his next 4 games Sweeney’s production would fall off, with only one catch for three yards.
Sweeney would have another great game versus the Jets in Week 17, catching five passes for 76 yards, and looked like the second best receiver on the field behind Duke Williams. Quarterback Matt Barkley regularly looked his way up the seams.
During the Jets game the sure-handed tight end made a savvy 10 yard catch and was called for an inexplicable offensive pass interference penalty when the defender slipped.
What a weak push-off call on Tommy Sweeney... #Bills pic.twitter.com/75kzBG36IF
— Bradley Gelber (@BradleyGelber) December 29, 2019
Sweeney could be relied upon in the run blocking game as well, he used his large frame to keep maintain his blocks and was sure to soak up a lot from veteran Lee Smith.
The former Boston College tight end finished the season with 114 yards on eight catches, pedestrian production but with limited time on the field it was a solid campaign for Sweeney.