Latest news with #JacksonHawes
New York Times
03-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Bills training camp 2025 tight end preview: Will Dalton Kincaid finally have his breakout season?
Ever since the Bills used a first-round pick on Dalton Kincaid in 2023, they have invested heavily in the tight end position. Not only does Kincaid remain signed, but Dawson Knox is also under contract for his long-term extension, which the two sides agreed to in 2022. Despite having so much pushed toward the position, the Bills still have questions about the group. Whether it's in the way they divvy up the work or whether they should run more formations with both top options on the field, the Bills have some questions to answer in 2025. How will it all come together in training camp, and what could be on the way in the upcoming year? Here is a detailed outlook for when the Bills return for training camp in late July. The tight end room remains mostly unchanged, with three of the team's top four returning. Kincaid and Knox will remain the team's top pair of tight ends, with Kincaid being the superior receiving threat and Knox offering more run-blocking functionality. The Bills made their most notable switch as they let Quintin Morris, who had been the team's third tight end for several seasons, walk in free agency this offseason. Morris landed with the Jaguars, linking with former Bills special teams coordinator Heath Farwell. To spin the tight end position forward, the Bills used a fifth-round selection on Jackson Hawes to become Morris' long-term replacement, potentially. Zach Davidson returns to the team for a fourth year without ever having been on the 53-man roster outside of a few game-day elevations, and undrafted rookie Keleki Latu rounds out the group. Advertisement Can Dalton Kincaid become the player they thought he'd be when they drafted him? It's kind of wild to think about how different the offseason hype has been for Kincaid from last year to this year. This time last year, Kincaid had just come off an extremely promising first season, with Knox missing time with a multi-week injury. Over those five weeks, Kincaid was on a 105-catch, 955-yard pace and showed a lot of the potential the Bills saw in him when they selected him in the first round. Many extrapolated that sample size in the year, thinking that could become his new normal, and expectations of Kincaid became exorbitantly high for 2024, with many wondering if he would be the breakout star of the Bills' passing offense. That excitement level around Kincaid has dropped off a cliff this offseason after the tight end's second year. In 2024, Kincaid did not take the top job fully from Knox, as the pair split their reps rather than having a clearly defined starter and backup. Especially in a season after the Bills traded away Diggs, Kincaid's failure to become a key passing game contributor stung that much more. On top of it, Kincaid suffered a fairly significant knee injury in Week 10, missed three games after it, and upon his return in Week 15, rarely looked like the same player as before the injury. The disappointment in his early role and the injury that marred the second half of his season have led to external pessimism about Kincaid's future. Now, entering 2025, it's almost as if there's a reset on Kincaid. While he's freed of the way-too-high expectations of 2024, he also has the chance to overcome the lingering doubt about what he can become in the Bills offense. Just as it did in 2024, it all depends on him and what he does to force a change in his role. The Bills commented throughout the offseason that they would like to see Kincaid get stronger, which, to them, is likely code for Kincaid getting better as a blocker. That single attribute is the likely key to Kincaid usurping a higher percentage of snaps from Knox, even though the team loves Knox. The Bills maintain a strong belief in Kincaid's future, the same way that they did with right tackle Spencer Brown after his second-year struggles. In the first nine games — before Kincaid's injury in Week 10 — Kincaid took 66 percent of the offensive snaps when both he and Knox were available, while Knox had nearly 56 percent of snaps over that timeframe. Upon Kincaid's return in Week 15, he took only 37 percent of offensive snaps, clearly showing the injury altered his impact on the season. Before the injury, Kincaid was on a full-season pace of 64 receptions for 627 yards. That pace would have placed him tied for 10th in the NFL in receptions and 13th in yards in 2024. After the injury, including the playoffs, Kincaid was on a full-season pace of only 45 receptions for 461 yards. Although the pre-injury pace was nothing close to the torrid pace without an injured Knox he showed as a rookie, it's still a respectable rate for Kincaid that would have put him near the top of receiving seasons by a tight end in franchise history. Advertisement Should Kincaid get stronger and become a better blocker, which would enhance his time on the field in 2025, there is plenty of opportunity to get right back on track to where he was heading into 2024. Even if he only retains the role he had early in the season, he can still become a key contributor to the Bills, as that 627-yard pace would have landed him the second-leading receiver in 2024 behind only Khalil Shakir. That pace should be considered Kincaid's baseline, with a clear opportunity to improve. There's a legitimate chance he can upend the criticism and become one of Allen's key targets this year. Though this year is a critical one for him, because if he doesn't show he can handle a bigger snap share than what he did to begin 2024, it could cap the ceiling of what he can become in the NFL. Without question, it's a massive year for Kincaid to see where he fits into the Bills' future. Jackson Hawes vs. Zach Davidson With the Bills likely to keep only three tight ends on the 53-man roster, it boils down to the drafted rookie Hawes against the practice squad mainstay in Davidson. Hawes has a pretty strong reputation for his blocking abilities coming out of college, which will be an asset for the Bills should any injuries happen to Knox. At 6-foot-4, he's also a massive target in the middle of the field, and even if he won't offer much after the catch, he still has good hands to make some contested catches. Davidson is one of the most well-liked in the locker room, and he's come a long way from where he started after joining the practice squad in 2022. He'll provide more as a receiver than a blocker, although he lacks the top-end athletic upside. Although Davidson became a semi-popular deep roster player among fans during last year's preseason, he likely has his work cut out for him to prove to the Bills that they should cut a young player they drafted who is now signed to a cost-controlled four-year rookie deal. The top two of Kincaid and Knox have not played on any special teams units over the last two years, and that is the expected outcome once again in 2025. But the Bills will want a special teams function out of their third tight end just as they had with Quintin Morris for years, which could ultimately determine who sticks on the roster in 2025. Davidson hasn't been able to make his mark on special teams in the years he's been with the Bills, so if they can trust Hawes on most of the core-four special teams units, that could shore up his spot on the team. Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox and Jackson Hawes Among the position groups, tight end is one of the more straightforward ones for the Bills in 2025. The Bills usually only keep three tight ends, and Kincaid and Knox are roster locks and will remain a big piece of their offensive plan in the upcoming season. As for the third tight end spot, despite Davidson's long-standing tenure within the Bills system, Hawes has the inside track on the job because of his status as a fifth-round draft pick. It doesn't completely rule out Davidson, but Hawes would either need to suffer a long-term injury or be outplayed entirely by Davidson for the latter to stick as the third tight end. Plus, if the Bills are unsure of Knox's long-term future with the team, given his salary and age, that's one more reason to keep Hawes under his four-year rookie deal. (Top photo of Dalton Kincaid: Tina MacIntyre-Yee / USA Today)
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NFL taps Bills for 'Hard Knocks' debut during training camp. NFC East as featured in-season division
Buffalo Bills edge rusher Landon Jackson (94) speaks to the media after the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Orchard Park, N.Y., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Buffalo Bills tight end Jackson Hawes (85) speaks to the media after the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Orchard Park, N.Y., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Buffalo Bills tight end Jackson Hawes (85) speaks to the media after the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Orchard Park, N.Y., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Buffalo Bills edge rusher Landon Jackson (94) speaks to the media after the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Orchard Park, N.Y., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Buffalo Bills tight end Jackson Hawes (85) speaks to the media after the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Orchard Park, N.Y., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The reigning NFL MVP will be a featured attraction this season on the league's training camp documentary, with the Buffalo Bills making their first appearance on 'Hard Knocks.' The New York Giants will get another shot, too, after their uncomfortable debut. Advertisement The NFL announced Wednesday at the spring owners meetings that the Bills, led by quarterback Josh Allen, were selected for the behind-the-scenes show on HBO that's in its 25th year. The five-part series will air on Tuesdays beginning on Aug. 5. The NFC East was also picked as the featured division on the in-season show, with filming of the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders and defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles set to air in December. The league reached a new multi-year deal with HBO to continue to broadcast the show. The Bills, who hold their training camp off-site at St. John Fisher University outside of Rochester, New York, have entered their ninth year under head coach Sean McDermott. Still seeking their first championship, having not appeared in the Super Bowl since their fourth consecutive loss following the 1993 season, the Bills have won five straight AFC East titles and qualified for the playoffs in seven of the past eight years. Allen has been a driver of that success, entering his eighth season and coming off his first MVP award. The Bills return a majority of their offense from a team that finished second in the NFL in scoring in the 2024 season. They retooled their defense, starting with the addition in free agency of edge rusher Joey Bosa. Advertisement The NFL revamped its rules last year around 'Hard Knocks' appearances, previously allowing teams that made the playoffs within the previous two seasons to decline to participate. Such an opt-out is no longer an option. Teams now ineligible for selection include those with a first-year head coach, those that have appeared on the training camp version of the show in the past eight seasons, and those picked for the in-season version focusing on one division. The Chicago Bears were a first-time 'Hard Knocks' participant last season during training camp. HBO and co-producer NFL Films last year added the in-season show, filming around the four AFC North teams, and an offseason version that premiered — and perhaps ended — with a focus on the Giants. The awkward goodbye between running back Saquon Barkley and general manager Joe Schoen was a prominent part of that series, which has so far not been renewed. Barkley, who signed with the rival Eagles and went on to win the Super Bowl, later complained that his side of the conversation with Schoen was recorded and aired without his consent. Advertisement Schoen's informing Barkley that the Giants would not make him a contract offer or put the franchise tag on him and thus let him become a free agent became a must-see scene, along with a pained reaction from owner John Mara about losing a popular player. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Rookie Reveals Key To 'Laser Mentality'
One could argue that it takes a special type of player to embody what it means to be a Buffalo Bill, and for most, that is a tough, gritty, physical football player. With Joe Brady's "everybody eats" mantra fueling Buffalo's surge last season, there is also a strong "team above everything" mentality, and everyone on offense, defense, and special teams does all the dirty work. Advertisement But in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, the Bills got one player who loves getting his hands on opponents and enforcing his will on them more than most. Georgia Tech's Jackson Hawes is Josh Allen's latest weapon, but he's not an offensive weapon in the conventional sense. He's a bruising blocker who loves nothing more than putting defenders in the dirt. "I think you just got to be comfortable sticking your face in there," Hawes said on his blocking prowess. "You can't blink, my mentality is my eyes are like the lasers, man, and I'm just staring down my target, and then I'm not satisfied until I'm moving them." Labeled as the best blocking tight end in college and the draft class, Hawes is an extension of the offensive line and takes pride in moving defenders off their mark and putting them on their backside. Advertisement Yes, he's a receiver, too. In his only college season with Georgia Tech, he totaled 195 yards from 16 receptions. "A lot of stuff in the quick game, a lot of stuff out in the perimeter, anything that the coach wants me to do," Hawes added on what else he brings to the offense. The Bills are getting a proper blue-collar player. One who takes pride in his duties, both in the run and pass game, with his blocking chops second-to-none. Dalton Kincaid is the clear No. 1 tight end, and with Dawson Knox having an out in his contract after 2025, Hawes' "laser mentality" might see Knox pushed down the depth chart, with the rookie set to bring a new level of physicality to the AFC East bullies. Related: 'The Next Josh Allen' Gets Drafted By Buffalo Bills Rival Related: Bills' Josh Allen Reveals 'Different World' With 'Sinners' Hailee Steinfeld
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Draft Rookie Who Is Best At The 1 Thing He Does
The Buffalo Bills had a solid draft class with defense being a key priority, but the offense also had some nice additions. One of which was Georgia Tech tight end Jackson Hawes. While some might look at Hawes' stats from last season and ask themselves why the Bills would draft a tight end who isn't a good receiver, well, he's seen as the best blocking tight end in college. Advertisement In a similar role to what Dawson Knox does, Hawes comes to Buffalo looking to establish himself as a bruising blocker. For Greg Cosell, who was a guest on One Bills Live, he knows exactly what Hawes is coming to Buffalo to do. "Of the ones I saw, which was a good amount, I think he was the best blocking tight end that I watched," Cosell said. "He's not necessarily a receiver, but they're not drafting him to do that." American team tight end Jackson Hawes of Georgia Tech spars with American team defensive lineman Shemar Stewart of Texas A& Hunt-Imagn Images So yes, Hawes isn't a receiving tight end, but that's fine, Buffalo has Dalton Kincaid to do that. But with James Cook, Ty Johnson, Ray Davis, and Josh Allen, the Bills have quite the star-studded cast to run the ball with. However, to do that, you need good blockers - enter Hawes. Advertisement "I think you just got to be comfortable sticking your face in there," Hawes said on his blocking prowess. "You can't blink, my mentality is my eyes are like the lasers, man, and I'm just staring down my target, and then I'm not satisfied until I'm moving them." So, he knows his key strength, and he is bringing that to a Bills team that has a reputation for being the bully of the AFC East. Some might scoff at the notion of drafting a tight end for the sole purpose of blocking, but Hawes can be a receiver when called upon. As Cosell stated, that's not what Buffalo intends to do with him - he's going to physically overpower defenders in the run game. And he'll do it with a smile on his face, too. Related: Schefter Predicts Major Changes for Bills Related: Bills Sneaky Trade of A.J. Epenesa Predicted
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NFL draft: Bills select Georgia Tech TE Jackson Hawes at No. 173 in Round 5
2025 NFL draft: Bills select Georgia Tech TE Jackson Hawes at No. 173 in Round 5 The Buffalo Bills have finally addressed their offense at the 2025 NFL draft in the fifth round. With the No. 173 overall selection, Georgia Tech tight end Jackson Hawes heads to Buffalo: A playmaker at tight end was not amongst the top needs for the Bills coming to the draft with Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox in the fold. Hawes will still have his role. Hawes could slot right in as a blocking tight end on the Bills offense and a potential special teams option. Pro Football Focus graded him a positive 74.7 run blocker in 2024. In 2024, Hawes only mustered up 16 catches for 195 yards in 12 games played. Bills Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2025 draft.
