The Buffalo Bills as a team seem to be entering a pivotal season for the franchise. They have made the playoff four straight years but with only one trip to the AFC Championship and none reaching the Super Bowl, patience is starting to run out.
While the pressure will be on all players, one player in particular who could be facing some extra pressure is wide receiver Gabe Davis. The former fourth round pick stepped into a starting role last season after he showed flashes as a backup.
Unfortunately, it seemed like there was more he could have done in the expanded role. He finished the year with 48 receptions on 93 targets for 836 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns.
These are good stats but in this offense, with Josh Allen throwing the ball, the ceiling is much higher.
Buffalo Bills' WR Gabe Davis among five players entering make-or-break years
Recently, Pro Football Focus put together a list of players who were entering make-or-break years in the NFL. One of those players was Gabe Davis, who was joined by Baker Mayfield, DeAndre Hopkins, JC Jackson, and Patrick Queen.
"In 2022, Davis' 66.3 receiving grade ranked 45th out of 60 receivers who saw at least 75 targets. His average of 1.41 yards per route run dropped him to 37th among receivers, his 27.6% catch rate on contested targets plummeted him down to 56th and his 81.9 passer rating when targeted ranked 44th."William Moy
The good news for Gabe Davis is that the Buffalo Bills believe he can be that starting wide receiver in this offense. They seemingly had a number of chances to bring in competition from signing Odell Beckham Jr. or trading for DeAndre Hopkins.
Neither of those happened and Davis doesn't have much competition for this season. With him entering a contract year, a big season from him could result in a big contract in free agency next offseason.
While the Bills may have trouble re-signing him, it would still be good news because it means he was a big part of the offense and helped Josh Allen and this passing game.