Predicting the Buffalo Bills 2020 Depth Chart: Wide Receivers
By Daniel Bruce
![SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings makes a catch for a 41-yard touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings makes a catch for a 41-yard touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a4e3a5d62f59f160c058061a22aabd72d8595c028bdb968af45fd2def0db9615.jpg)
Starter: Stefon Diggs
The Buffalo Bills prized acquisition of the 2020 offseason is the polarizing receiver who made a name for himself in Minnesota.
Widely regarded as a Top-10 receiver in the NFL, Diggs gives Allen a star option at the Z spot. While John Brown was great last year, he is better suited to settle in as the Bills second receiver.
Diggs is very versatile in the way he plays as he is a premier deep ball threat, uses his shiftiness to gain yards on short passes and is one of the leagues best route runners.
Enjoying his best season yet in the NFL last year, Diggs accumulated 63 receptions for 1,130 yards and 6 touchdowns. Finishing fourth in the league with 17.9 yards per reception is just one example of his big play ability.
Stefon Diggs should immediately help the Bills deep passing attack in 2020 pic.twitter.com/sSzx2qZT0D
— PFF (@PFF) June 26, 2020
With Diggs producing a league best 3 touchdowns over 40+ yards, he should help Allen and his deep passing woes.
Starter: John Brown
The Buffalo Bills far and away best receiver last season, Brown had his best season so far in the NFL. Catching 72 balls for 1,060 yards and six touchdowns, he was a consistent presence throughout the season and rarely went a game without making an impact.
Brown had 50+ receiving yards in his first 10 games of the season and through those weeks it was just him and Michael Thomas who were in that elite company.
Being the second receiver this season and playing more at the X position, Brown may see a slight dip in production, but should also receive less attention because of Diggs. Josh Allen now has a myriad of options to throw the ball now, and has two great deep threats in Brown and Diggs on the outside.
Starter: Cole Beasley
Another receiver coming off of a career year, Beasley has shown great chemistry with Josh Allen, and is someone the young quarterback has shown a lot of trust in.
Beasley finished with 67 receptions for 778 yards and six touchdowns and the veteran receiver was a great security blanket for Allen. Whenever the Bills would face man coverage, Beasley would consistently win over the middle of the field with his pristine route running.
#RevengeGame TD for Cole Beasley. 25-yard TD from Josh Allen to Beasley in his return to Dallas.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 28, 2019
(via @BuffaloBills)pic.twitter.com/n8KlBUQ7nc
The play highlighted above is just one example of how his route running opens up wide windows and gives Josh Allen easy throws. The great veteran leadership brought by Beasley helped Allen and the whole offense progress in 2019.