The Buffalo Bills add another wide receiver to the list of prospects they have interest in as the 2021 NFL Draft nears. According to Justin Melo of the Draft Network, the Bills are one of many teams linked to former Iowa Hawkeye wide receiver, Ihmir Smith-Marsette.
So far, most of the skill position prospects the Bills have met with have an abundance of speed. Smith-Marsette is not exempt from that category as speed is a huge part of his game. Not only was Smith-Marsette a solid contributor as a pass catcher, but his contributions were felt most as a return man. Given the reported meeting with Dazz Newsome and Smith-Marsette, it is evident the Buffalo Bills are doing their homework to replace Andre Roberts in the return game.
In his four seasons as a Hawkeye, Smith-Marsette gained 1,615 receiving yards and scored 14 touchdowns on 110 receptions. Additionally, he added value to the Iowa offense as a rushing threat with 34 collegiate carries for 274 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Smith-Marsette didn’t have any punt return experience in college, but brought back 53 kick returns for a total of 1,520 yards and even scored 2 touchdowns. His career average of 28.7 yards per kick return indicates this could be a way for him to make a name for himself in this draft class.
Currently, Smith-Marsette is a late round sleeper that could go undrafted, but there is plenty of time for him to raise his draft stock before late April. If the Buffalo Bills do draft him in the late rounds, Smith-Marsette would have a solid chance to contribute to the team in his rookie year. In year one, Smith-Marsette could be the 2-in-1 replacement for Isaiah McKenzie and Andre Roberts.
Not only does Smith-Marsette have the potential to be both the gadget guy and kick returner in his rookie year, but he also has the potential to become the deep threat replacement to John Brown. This isn’t something he would likely provide in his rookie year, but if the Buffalo Bills do give him a chance he could develop into a 3-in-1 replacement for McKenzie, Roberts, and Brown. He already has kick return, deep threat, and gadget guy ability but needs some refinement from a route running perspective to reach that full potential in the future.
The Buffalo Bills could be the perfect fit for Smith-Marsette. Buffalo would be a place where he has a chance to do what he’s best at in year one, returning kicks and using his playmaking ability with manufactured touches on offense. Additionally, he wouldn’t have to rush into a key role in the receiver room, but rather he would have time to develop and learn from veteran receivers like Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley. Furthermore, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll would get his shiny new toy to run his jet sweeps, tunnel screens, and reverses.