5 Buffalo Bills who could lose position battles in training camp
By Aaron Tully
Whenever July rolls around on the NFL calendar, that only means one thing; training camps start. The Buffalo Bills do not have a glaring hole on their roster entering training camp in 2021.
They have tons of depth all over the roster, and tons of depth usually means plenty of training camp position battles. Here are five Bills players that could be in trouble once training camp ends.
Isaiah McKenzie
Isaiah McKenzie has been a useful gadget player for the Buffalo Bills since being signed after the Denver Broncos waived him midway through the 2018 season. During his time in Buffalo, McKenzie has averaged 9.5 yards per reception and had an 88.2% catch percentage in 2020.
McKenzie also flashed his punt returning ability in 2020 as well, taking his only return of the year 84 yards for a score in Week 17 against the Dolphins.
McKenzie will likely take over kick/punt return duties full time after the departure of All-Pro return man Andre Roberts; however, that does not mean that he will not be challenged on the Bills’ receiver depth chart.
McKenzie’s biggest threat is 2020 sixth round pick Isaiah Hodgins. The 6’4 210 lb second-year receiver has generated a lot of buzz this summer. In his final two years at Oregon State, Hodgins caught 147 passes for 2,047 yards and 18 touchdowns in 23 games.
Despite the buzz he has generated, it is unlikely that Hodgins surpasses the likes of Emmanuel Sanders, Cole Beasley, and Gabriel Davis, but it is certainly possible for Hodgins to claim the number five spot on the depth chart if he flashes enough in training camp.
The Buffalo wide receiver group is one of the best units in the NFL, and there will certainly be a decent receiver or two that does not make the roster. McKenzie should be safe on cut day, but if Hodgins outshines him during training camp, McKenzie could very well be isolated to kick/punt return duty.