Buffalo Bills Draft: What will the role of Dalton Kincaid be?

After three hours of waiting, the 2023 NFL Draft had finally reached the 20’s section of picks. The wide receivers, who many Buffalo Bills fans were hoping for, flew off the board. The Jacksonville Jaguars were on the clock at pick number 25 when the Bills traded their fourth-rounder to them to move up from pick 27.

With the 25th overall pick in the 2023 NFL, Buffalo selected tight end Dalton Kincaid out of Utah. Kincaid is 6’4″ 246lbs, with 32 5/8″ arms and 10 1/4″ hands. In 26 career games for the Utah Utes, Kincaid posted 107 catches, 1,414 yards, and 16 touchdowns, on 13.2 average yards per catch. For many analysts, Kincaid was the number one overall tight end in the draft.

General Manager Brandon Beane in his press conference following the pick, revealed that he felt the Cowboys wanted Kincaid, so he had to jump them. He also revealed that had Kincaid not been there, they were ready to trade back.

Kincaid Immediately makes the Buffalo Bills’ offense better, as star quarterback Josh Allen gets another high-powered weapon. A tight end was not a major need of the Bills, so many fans are questioning the pick, especially as their initial reaction. However, as a pass catcher, Kincaid is one of the best at doing that in the entire draft. With the type of player he is, and some of Beane’s comments, what is the Bills’ plan for Kincaid that we can draw up right now, and did Beane label him as Cole Beasley’s replacement?

Buffalo Bills plan for Dalton Kincaid

The first thing you think of when you hear the Bills drafted a tight end is, “Well, what about Dawson Knox?” It is a very valid point, as the Bills just extended Knox last year, to a 4-year $52 million deal. Knox will earn $10 million a season on average. Knox is still going to play a lot, as Beane mentioned Kincaid is going to be a great compliment to him.

The Buffalo Bills have a premier quarterback in Josh Allen, and they want to pass the ball a lot. Kincaid, as mentioned earlier, is an elite pass catcher.

The Cole Beasley comparison immediately sticks out. It’s no secret that the Bills’ offense has been at its best under Josh Allen when Beasley was operating the middle of the field from the slot. A top-notch slot receiver is what makes this offense hum. The offense stalled drastically towards the middle of the season, the team brought back a retired Cole Beasley just to have his presence open things up. What made Beasley so good was his route running, and his ability to immediately adjust on the fly, (yes, in the middle of plays) to defensive looks and get open for Josh Allen. Kincaid can return that to this offense, as he shows similar instincts.

A big slot receiver, with great hands, route running, and speed, able to win aggressively at the point of catch, and YAC ability; which is another thing the team has been missing. Beane also mentioned that they plan on having both Knox and Kincaid on the field at the same time, which will force teams to adjust and create possible exploits, specifically, more nickel defensive looks.

Buffalo Bills plan for Dalton Kincaid continued

Dawson Knox has been good in his time in Buffalo and will remain a key piece to the offense. He is a more traditional style of tight end who blocks well, can play in on the line, and provide nice receiving ability. Kincaid is your flex tight end, who is more of a vertical threat than Knox. As Beane mentioned, their two skill sets should pair nicely with the Bills’ offense.

If it was never more evident than last season, you need offensive firepower to win in today’s NFL. The Bills are in a loaded AFC, headlined by Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, and Joe Burrow and the Bengals. For as long as the Bills remain in contention for a Super Bowl, they will have to go through those two teams, who feature amazing offenses, with tons of firepower. At times last year, it felt like the entire offense was just Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs. It’s only day one of the draft, and the team is gearing up with the help of Kincaid.

The Chiefs are top dogs and the reigning Super Bowl champions. The Bills are looking for their own Travis Kelce. Now while we can’t expect a Kelce-like player realistically, because Kelce is steaming towards being the greatest tight end ever; Kincaid certainly brings all of those traits, and hope that he can be an impact player of sorts. To beat the Chiefs or Bengals in January, you have to go pound-for-pound on offense, and the Bills seem to finally realize that.

Not to mention, fewer dropped passes should make Bills fans, and Josh Allen happy.