Latest news with #DaltonKincaid
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Will Dalton Kincaid be the Bills' top receiving option in 2025?
Yahoo Sports fantasy analysts Matt Harmon and Justin Boone discuss Dalton Kincaid and Keon Coleman's fantasy upside in the Buffalo Bills offense and what the ceiling is for the third-year tight end specifically. Hear the full conversation on the 'Yahoo Fantasy Forecast' podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen. View more Video Transcript When I look at the Bills on paper, doesn't it look like one of either Keyon Coleman or Dalton Kincaid kind of has to take a step forward for this pass-catching core to reach its ceiling, cause in ADP Kincaid and Coleman are, they're like touch and tags, they're right by each other. Do you agree with that? And if you had to pick between the two, who do you think is more likely to take a step forward and Coleman, his second season, and Kincaid in his 3rd season?. Kincaid in his 3rd season. I think it's Kincaid. Like they took both those guys early. I totally agree with you that they're expecting, you know, hopefully one, ideally both to give them more than they've given them so far. Coleman was the kind of guy, I think we saw very early on when he came in last year that he was going to be a little bit of a project, right? He had that really fun personality, he had all the enthusiasm in the world, but once he got out there, it was pretty evident that it was going to take a little bit of time for him. Kincaid's had that opportunity, right? The, the time has been there. Now he's just got to get to it. He finished 2nd on the Bills in targets last year with 75, despite the fact that he was battling through the injuries that I mentioned. So, if he's out there, if he's healthy for a full year, what does that look like? What does that number look like? Can he potentially be that, you know, #2 target in the offense? Now, the concern I think with him, and you could look at this with Kraft as well, had the Bills and the Packers just decided like, we're not gonna have a number one receiver. We're not gonna have a guy that we're constantly going to. We're gonna game plan every single week. We're gonna spread the ball around. We're gonna let our quarterbacks and, you know, these offensive play callers really handle a lot of that. And are they gonna have success doing that? I mean, you could argue that they have, right? The Bills have gotten away with it ever since Joe Brady took over. So do they necessarily need that guy to emerge as that you know, guy who can win no matter what week in and week out, or do they just let Josh Allen kind of find the open guy? That's my biggest concern with Kincaid right. Now, because I think he was showing enough before the injury-filled year last year. I think he was showing enough that he was on a path to being a decent fantasy tight end. Is he going to be one of the, you know, top 3, top 5 tight ends? Maybe not, but he can easily be a, a fantasy tight end one, a top 10, top 12 guy. Uh, we just need to see him stay healthy, really. Close
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fantasy Football: Dalton Kincaid headlines breakout candidates at TE position for 2025
With the NFL season approaching and fantasy football drafts in full swing, there's never been a better time to determine which players could be this year's breakout stars. It seems easy in hindsight, but identifying young talent on the verge of making a major leap is often what propels fantasy managers to championships. Over the next week, I'll highlight my favorite breakout candidates at every key fantasy position. Today, we're taking a look at tight Kincaid, Bills 2025 Fantasy Projection Receptions Receiving Yards Receiving TDs Dalton Kincaid 71 787 5 After Joe Brady took over as the Bills' offensive coordinator and the team moved on from having a target-hog No. 1 receiver in Stefon Diggs, their offense has been content to spread the ball around. Last year, WR Khalil Shakir was the only player on the roster to top 80 targets, but the results are hard to argue with since Buffalo has had one of the league's best offenses under Brady and Josh Allen is coming off his first MVP award. This is worth noting because fantasy managers searching for the next breakout tight end should be looking for someone who has a chance to be a top-2 target in their offense. As Andrew Cooper of Fantasy Alarm has pointed out in the past, the vast majority of fantasy TE1 performances come from players who fit that criteria. That brings us back to Kincaid, who finished second on the Bills in targets a year ago with 75 — despite battling through shoulder and knee injuries that cost him four games and limited him in several other outings. Through the first nine weeks of the season, before suffering the PCL sprain that sent him to the sidelines for a month, Kincaid was on pace for 102 targets. The 100-target mark was only reached by four tight ends last year — Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, Travis Kelce and Jonnu Smith. Not bad company to keep. It's also not the first time Kincaid finished second in targets on the team. If we go back to his rookie campaign the year before, he posted 91 targets but also had a slow ramp up in the opening month and missed a game due to injury. However, over the final 12 weeks, Kincaid was the TE11 in fantasy points per contest and ended up with 73 catches for 673 yards and two scores. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] One could argue that if he had stayed healthy last season, he would have outproduced those stats and perhaps even broken out already. Even with the injury issues, there were a number of close calls in 2024 where Kincaid was open and Allen simply missed him for big plays. If some of those connections hit, people would be talking about Kincaid right now. So while fantasy managers may feel burned by the unrealized potential of the former first-round tight end, I'm here to tell you that Kincaid still has a path to being a fantasy star. If the 25-year-old stays healthy and finds the end zone at a more normal clip, he'll be someone you want in your lineup every week. TE11 (Low-end TE1 with a path to top-seven production) Tucker Kraft, Packers 2025 Fantasy Projection Receptions Receiving Yards Receiving TDs Tucker Kraft 62 803 8 Whether Kraft belongs on this list is debatable after he had 50 catches for 707 yards and seven touchdowns last season. That was enough to make him the TE12 in fppg, but I see an even higher finish coming in 2025. Kraft showcased outstanding abilities with the ball in his hands (led all TEs in yards after catch per reception), while establishing himself as the Packers' clear starter at the position. If you're worried about the return of Luke Musgrave, who missed time due to injuries or the arrival of first-round wideout Matthew Golden, don't be. Jordan Love is on record saying Kraft's usage is a focus for the team this offseason. Green Bay is another offense that likes to spread the ball around, so expect Kraft to be among the team leaders in targets again. TE12 (Low-end TE with a path to top-seven production) Colston Loveland, Bears 2025 Fantasy Projection Receptions Receiving Yards Receiving TDs Colston Loveland 64 741 5 While we could discuss Baltimore Ravens TE Isaiah Likely in this space, his true breakout continues to be impeded by Mark Andrews. And with the way rookie tight ends have performed in recent years, it feels odd not to address the impact they will have on the fantasy landscape this season. Loveland is an explosive pass-catching weapon with top-10 draft capital who the Bears prioritized under the new Ben Johnson regime. While it might be too much to expect the kind of debut campaign that Sam LaPorta had with Johnson in Detroit, Loveland will be a key part of an ascending Bears' offense. TE10 (Low-end TE1 whose ceiling will only be limited by target competition in Chicago) Tyler Warren, Colts 2025 Fantasy Projection Receptions Receiving Yards Receiving TDs Carries Rushing Yards Rushing TDs Tyler Warren 58 665 4 9 36 1 The Colts' recent history of deploying a tight end by committee will come to an end now that Warren was selected 14th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. The 23-year-old is an impressive all-around prospect, who posted an outrageous final college season stat line of 104 catches, 1,233 receiving yards, eight receiving touchdowns, 26 carries, 218 rushing yards and four rushing scores. Many beat writers mentioned how often Warren was getting the ball in OTAs, another sign the team plans to make the most of his skills in Year 1. TE13 (Borderline low-end TE1 with a chance to rise quickly if Colts feature him)
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Analyst Expects Bills' Dalton Kincaid To 'Explode' In 2025
Analyst Expects Bills' Dalton Kincaid To 'Explode' In 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid was supposed to take the step from a promising player to a star in 2024, but the football gods had other ideas. Advertisement A second-season that saw injury derail his production, Kincaid couldn't live up to his rookie year hype, posting just 448 yards (673 rookie season) and two touchdowns with 29 fewer receptions. For an offense that averaged 30.9 points per game, having a young, promising tight end not play to his full ability, what that could now look like in 2025 is a scary thought. Bills' play-by-play caller Chris Brown thinks that Kincaid will be the Bills player set to explode this upcoming season. "For me, it's Dalton Kincaid,' Brown said. 'A guy that had to battle through injury last year, but there were signs of his game that were encouraging even in year two, where his production dropped off considerably from what it was as a rookie when he had 73 receptions and set a team record at the tight end position for single season receptions. Advertisement "He made more plays down the field last year, even with the reduced number of receptions and receiving yards than he had as a rookie. I think, I blame injuries for curtailing his production more than anything else. And so I think here in year three, where we have seen a boatload of Bills players under this regime truly excel and explode onto the scene, I expect Kincaid to do that.' Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) is tackled by Denver Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad (40) in an AFC wild card Konezny-Imagn Images With a fully healthy Kincaid, Allen will get his security blanket back, and if he can be somewhere near as productive as he was in his rookie season, this Bills offense will be humming. Of course, we know that football isn't always as straightforward as that, but Kincaid, who has an aging Dawson Knox behind him, has to step up and be the No. 1 guy. Advertisement Can he do it? Absolutely, and he showed it in 2023, but he must bounce back in the biggest way for Joe Brady. And in doing so, it might be the ace in Buffalo's deck that could be the difference between another sour playoff exit or something the franchise has been waiting decades for - a Super Bowl win. Related: Josh Allen's Bills Coach On Hot List For Major Move Related: Bills Saddled With 'Super Bowl Or Bust' Expectations In 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills' Tight End Dalton Kincaid Facing Defining 2025 Season
Bills' Tight End Dalton Kincaid Facing Defining 2025 Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills' offense last season was a well-oiled machine under coordinator Joe Brady, and that was without tight end Dalton Kincaid improving on his rookie season. Advertisement Kincaid, a first-round pick out of Utah, rose to prominence in 2023, posting 673 yards and two touchdowns, with many of the thought that 2024 would see him explode into one of the best tight ends in football ... but it didn't happen. Injuries contributed to Dalton's so-so form that yielded just 448 yards and two touchdowns, and as he enters his third season, a big improvement is needed. And A to Z Sports named Dalton as one player who is under pressure to perform in 2025. "The 2025 season will be Kincaid's last opportunity to improve his standing within the compensation tiers for fifth-year options, but it's also worth noting that Buffalo will need to ask themselves if they're keen on a fully-guaranteed, non-flexible cap commitment for Kincaid if he has a similar season to 2024 once again this season," A to Z Sports writes. "So yes, there's pressure to perform up to his pick status but there's also pressure to clinch in a fifth-year option commitment, too." Advertisement Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid lines up for a play during the AFC Championship J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The thing is, we know what Kincaid is capable of; we've seen it. Now it's about getting him healthy and involved regularly, as Dawson Knox falls down the pecking order. With two years on his rookie deal before Buffalo can think about his fifth-year option, having a season like he did in 2023, and the franchise's minds could shift to an early extension. But if he continues the slide, things could get messy. No, he won't be cut or anything like that, but there is a real chance the Bills don't pick up his fifth-year option, and at that point, he'll be a 28-year-old potentially looking for a new team. Advertisement Kincaid has played just two NFL seasons, so he is still figuring things out, but he needs to show that last year was an anomaly, not something that will happen regularly. Yes, injuries played a part, but your best ability is availability. And Dalton needs to be available in 2025. Related: Bills Saddled With 'Super Bowl Or Bust' Expectations In 2025 Related: Bills' First-Round Rookie Sued for Sexual Assault This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
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)
