If there is one player on the Buffalo Bills that might be overlooked a bit going into Week 1, it would be tight end Dalton Kincaid. As a former first round pick in 2023 that the Bills traded up for, Kincaid is heading into a crucial year.
It was a bit of a rough year last season for Kincaid, where he missed some time due to a knee injury which caused a decline in his production from his rookie season. He dropped over 200 receiving yards and had 16 less targets. While he matched his touchdown number from his rookie year, he still has just four total touchdowns in his first two seasons.
As he prepares for his third season, he will need to prove to the Bills that he deserves a long-term future in Buffalo. As a former first round pick, the Bills will have to make the decision on whether or not to pick up his fifth-year option next offseason. The fact that the Bills traded up for him shows that they really liked what they saw from him, but he hasn’t exactly lived up to the expectations for a first rounder.
Dalton Kincaid projected to have big breakout season at the right time
NFL Nation reporters from ESPN recently listed bits for each team going into the regular season and Kincaid was the center of attention for the bold prediction, per Seth Walder. Walder believes Kincaid "will record at least 900 receiving yards". Here's what Walder said about this prediction:
"TE Dalton Kincaid will record at least 900 receiving yards. This is more of a feeling than anything else, but sometimes it takes tight ends a few seasons to really settle in and make an impact. Kincaid was a highly touted prospect who flashed his potential in a 73-reception, 673-yard rookie season in 2023. Plus, there are still questions about other playmakers in Buffalo, so he ought to get his fair share of targets."Seth Walder, ESPN
If Kincaid can get back to the track he was on from his rookie season, then maybe 900 receiving yards isn’t the most bold prediction and quite frankly, Bills fans would love to see this come true.
At the same time, it’s highly unlikely just because of the fact that the Bills like to spread the ball around and there is not a true go-to weapon for Josh Allen. Maybe this is the perfect opportunity for Kincaid to take a step forward for the Bills and prove that he can be a franchise player for the Bills.