The first 19 picks of the draft came and went with no receivers taken, then picks 20 through 23 saw the top four receivers selected. With pick #24 the NY Giants pick CB Deonte Banks. At this point the Bills trade up to make the next selection, and in doing so leapfrog the Dallas Cowboys, who many had expected to draft Kincaid. The televised reaction of the Cowboys draft room all but confirmed that the Bills stole their desired player right from under them!
Bills Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey has experience with 12-personnel (two tight-end) sets, both in his time playing QB at the University of Miami, and as the coaching staff with the Carolina Panthers (with TEs Greg Olsen and Ed Dickson).
The interesting thing about Kincaid as a player is that he profiles as a slot receiver in a large body. I have seen diverse scouting reports on him in regards to his blocking abilities, however the scouts I respect happen to be the ones who give him high marks in run blocking. There are professionals, such as former NFL Scout Daniel Jeremiah, who have him as high as the 9th best talent in the 2023 draft.
The absolute ceiling for a player of Kincaid’s mold is the Kansas City Chief’s TE Travis Kelce. Given Kelce is perhaps the greatest-of all-time pass-catching TE, this comparison may seem a bit ridiculous, however I feel it is fun to think of him in this best-possible-outcome context. Another fun comparison (speaking strictly on-field here) is TE Aaron Hernandez. It is safe to say no one remembers Hernandez for his blocking abilities, however his catching abilities and physical attributes made him a important component of some of the most potent New England Patriot offenses of the Tom Brady era.
The key to that offense in New England was Hernandez on the field at the same time with fellow TE Rob Gronkowski. Gronk, fitting more of the mold of the traditional Tight End, forced the opposing defenses to play a guessing game—especially as far as what kind of personnel they should employ on their side of the ball. If the opposing defense goes “big” and adds another linebacker, they would throw the ball and beat you with speedy athleticism. If the opposing defense goes “small” to keep up with the speed, the offense would call a run and beat you with two TE blocking physicality.
Established Buffalo Bills TE Dawson Knox has blocking upside and I expect him to be lined up adjacent to the offensive line from where he can either block or run passing routes. Now, with TE Dalton Kincaid in the equation, he can also either be added to the line or split out as the slot formation, and I expect to see some pre-snap motion from him employed to confuse defenses.
To drive the point of my optimism home here, in addition to the existing and potential blocking skills of newly drafted Dalton Kincaid, I will use the words of Bills GM Brandon Beane here to describe the receiving abilities of Kincaid: Think of WR Cole Beasley in a 6’3.5″ and 246 pound body. Go Bills!