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Buffalo Bills: 6 draft prospects that can replace Isaiah McKenzie

By Kendall Mirsky

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 04: Wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie #19 of the Buffalo Bills carries the ball against the defense of the Houston Texans during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at NRG Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 04: Wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie #19 of the Buffalo Bills carries the ball against the defense of the Houston Texans during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at NRG Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 28: Wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette #6 of the Iowa Hawkeyes breaks a tackle during the first half by cornerback Desmond Anderson #25 of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on September 28, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 28: Wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette #6 of the Iowa Hawkeyes breaks a tackle during the first half by cornerback Desmond Anderson #25 of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on September 28, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Last but not least is former Iowa Hawkeye Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who is another prospect the Buffalo Bills have already shown some interest in according to Justin Melo of the Draft Network. At 6’1 and just about 180 pounds, Smith-Marsette might be the best return man on this list. While that isn’t the only part of his game, it could be very valuable to the Bills in 2021 if they don’t bring back free agent Andre Roberts.

In Smith-Marsette’s four years as a Hawkeye, he earned 1,615 receiving yards and scored 14 touchdowns on 110 receptions. He also added contributions as a runner with 274 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 34 carries. Lastly, Smith-Marsette did not have any punt returns but excelled on kick returns with 53 attempts for a total of 1,520 yards and 2 touchdown returns, averaging almost 29 yards per kick return as a Hawkeye.

Although Smith-Marsette might be the best returner on this list, that is no knock to his receiving and overall offensive ability. He may not be the shiftiest guy in the world, but he has enough elusiveness to make people miss. His long strides and rare straight-line speed could actually make him a viable candidate to replace McKenzie, Roberts, and John Brown.

He isn’t the most polished route runner yet, but he has the potential to be used like a swiss-army knife. He could come in year one to be the return man on special teams and gadget guy on pre-snap motions on offense. As he gets time to work on his craft he could turn into the missing deep threat on this Buffalo Bills roster. He already has the speed and physicality when it comes to high pointing the football, next he just needs to work on the nuances of creating separation on deep routes.

dark. Next. Buffalo Bills interested in Denico Autry

For most teams, Smith-Marsette doesn’t have enough production as a receiver to be looked at as a valuable draft prospect. However, for the Buffalo Bills, this guy could fit in perfectly because he would have time to develop behind guys like Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley, and Gabriel Davis, while still making small but meaningful contributions to the team in year one. Smith-Marsette is a day three pick that I am most excited about potentially adding to the Buffalo Bills in 2021.

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