Gabe Davis entering a pivotal season with the Buffalo Bills
Gabe Davis expected to have career year last season
So, after the 2021 season, NFL fans and experts were expecting the Bills to make a Super Bowl run in 2022, especially with the acquisition of Von Miller in free agency, and with the expectation of Davis having a career season in 2022.
Davis and the Bills would start off hot against the defending Super Bowl champs in the LA Rams, as Davis would haul in four receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown to help the Bills beat the Rams 31–10.
Though, this would end up being a very disappointing season for the Bills and Davis, as the team would pile up with injuries and lose a lot of games that they should’ve won. A lot of times when Davis’s name was called to make a play, he wasn’t able to make one.
When Davis saw more time on the field, he wasn't the Bills reliable wide receiver that he was expected to be.
Davis dropped countless crucial passes throughout the season, as he would finish the season with around a 52 catching percentage, and only had 13 more receptions (48 receptions in total) when listed as a wide receiver two, compared to his first two seasons when he was listed as a depth option (35 receptions in each of his first two seasons).
The whole offense this year looked like it was just Allen and Diggs leading the helm, with a very below average offensive line and an inconsistent run game. Though Allen and Diggs got the ball moving through most of the season, there are points where other targets have to step up when opposing teams start to gameplan for Diggs.
When that happens, other receivers must step up and make plays to help take pressure off their teammates. Davis would be one of the first to be expected to do so, but he's failed numerous times throughout the season.
This would be showcased in the AFC Divisional Round against the Cincinnati Bengals, in which the Bills would lose 27–10. In that game, Davis would fail to get separation while Diggs would be shadowed for most of the game.
Davis was able to haul in a great jump ball late in the second quarter Though, later in that game, when Davis finally got separation, he would have another crucial drop late in the third quarter that would’ve helped bring momentum to the Bills team. Davis would finish the game with two receptions for 34 yards.
Davis would finish the season with 836 receiving yards, 48 receptions on 93 targets, and seven receiving touchdowns. This isn’t a bad season from a wide receiver two standpoint, but Davis’ expectations were very high by everyone at the beginning of the season, especially with a Bills pass-heavy offense.