When and with whom > how
It’s a good thing that, when attempting to predict roster decisions made by your favorite team, “when” and “with whom” someone plays is more important than “how” they play...
...because “how” the Buffalo Bills played against the Chicago Bears was something I’d prefer not to talk about right now.
Nonetheless, there’s valuable insight to be gained about the current status of multiple players on the roster based on when they played in relationship to a player perceived as being in competition with them. For the players selected, it feels wise that I would revisit some of my previously-discussed camp battles of interest. Let’s dive in!
Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Tyrell Shavers
How: MVS dropped an easy pass. Shavers was unable to haul in a pass behind him, but made another catch from backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky with about five minutes left to go in the first half.
When and with whom: Valdes-Scantling received snaps with Josh Allen. Tyrell Shavers did not. MVS and Shavers had their snaps overlap once Trubisky entered the game for the first play of the second quarter, but Shavers’ first snap didn’t come until after the other non-Josh Allen starters had been removed.
Verdict: Marquez Valdes-Scantling is currently ahead of Shavers on the depth chart, regardless of any Shavers camp buzz and silence surrounding MVS.
Quintin Morris and Zach Davidson
How: Neither player recorded a catch. Both received one target.
When and with whom: Quintin Morris was in with Trubisky in the early second quarter, while the starting offensive line was still playing with skill position players Keon Coleman and Curtis Samuel. Zach Davidson was playing in the fourth quarter with Shane Buechele and Frank Gore, Jr.
Verdict: There’s been positive camp buzz around Zach Davidson, but there’s currently no reason to suspect that Davidson is ready to unseat Morris as TE3 at this time.
Dalton Kincaid vs. not getting enough snaps
How: Kincaid received one target when Trubisky was at quarterback.
When and with whom: Josh Allen played eight snaps against the Chicago Bears. Dalton Kincaid was on the field for seven of those snaps. On 3rd & Short on the Bills’ first drive, Dawson Knox came off the field and Kincaid remained, even though it was a run play.
Verdict: Arrow pointing up for snap count not being a hindrance to Kincaid leading the team in catches in 2024. Not having him on the field in one 2nd & Long situation wasn’t ideal, but 100% snap share is an unrealistic target.
It’s important to note that these observations reflect a singular point in time, and we’ll have to keep an eye on them moving forward to see if they change. They reflect what currently is, not what can be if trajectories change. The Buffalo Bills’ next scheduled preseason game is Saturday, August 17 in Pittsburgh against the Steelers.
...and that’s the way the cookie crumbles. I’m Bruce Nolan with Buffalo Rumblings. You can find me on Twitter and Instagram @BruceExclusive and look for new episodes of “The Bruce Exclusive” every Thursday on the Rumblings Cast Network — find out more through my linktree!