It's no secret that the Buffalo Bills have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. But at times in Josh Allen's career, there's been a narrative that he doesn't have much help around him. His band of unheralded pass catchers isn't exactly ranked among the top groups in the league.
But Buffalo's prime time showdown with the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night proved that this team has more talent than they're given credit for, especially at tight end.
General manager Brandon Beane has quietly put together one of the best tight end groups in football, and it's becoming a focal point in the Bills' offense.
Bills tight end group shines in Week 3 win
Unless you're a die-hard Bills fan, you may never have heard of Jackson Hawes. The fifth-round rookie wasn't a superstar in college, and he didn't turn many heads when Buffalo drafted him in April. He's making a name for himself now, though.
The tight end has been one of the most efficient players on this team so far this year. He's used primarily as a blocker in two or three tight end sets, but he has some receiving chops as well. He showed off his skills against the Dolphins, catching the first touchdown of his professional career on a first-half shovel pass from Allen.
His work for the night didn't end there. Hawes was a key blocker in James Cook's third-quarter touchdown run to give the Bills the lead. The rookie may not have the potential of a Dalton Kincaid, but he has already become an important contributor in this offense.
As the third tight end on the roster, he rounds out an elite unit. Dawson Knox and Kincaid already made up a dangerous duo at the position. The pair allows Buffalo to line up with two tight ends on the field, forcing defenses to account for both the run and the pass.
Kincaid's receiving ability was on full display Thursday night. He hauled in five passes for 66 yards and a touchdown.
With these three tight ends, the Bills can dictate the flow of the game with a variety of looks on offense. It's already making an impact in Week 3, but this advantage could be enough to decide games late in the season and in the playoffs. It could be small roster differences like this that finally push this team over the hump.