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Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid looks to bounce back this season after his production declined in 2024.
Dalton Kincaid has only shown flashes of his potential as a Buffalo Bill.
After an encouraging rookie season in which Kincaid caught 73 passes for 673 yards and a pair of touchdowns, his production dipped in 2024. Injuries were partly responsible, but Kincaid wasn’t overly effective when healthy, either.
Despite that, many remain bullish on Kincaid’s outlook. In fact, Pro Football Network recently ranked the 6-foot-4 tight end as one of its breakout candidates for this season.
“Kincaid ran fewer routes, saw fewer targets, and posted the lowest catch rate among qualified tight ends in 2024,” PFN’s Brandon Austin wrote. “The season ended on a sour note, as the young tight end had a crucial drop in the AFC Championship Game loss to the Chiefs.
“Still, Kincaid’s potential remains undeniable. With the Bills not adding significant target competition this offseason, Kincaid is poised to reclaim his role as a focal point of the passing attack. His efficiency metrics improved in Year 2, and if he can regain chemistry with Allen, Kincaid could be due for a bounce-back campaign.”
Dalton Kincaid’s Production Dipped in 2024
Kincaid’s numbers indeed declined last season. He had 44 catches for 448 yards and two scores in 13 games, and he was relatively a non-factor in the playoffs. His fourth-down drop in the final minutes of the AFC championship game spelled the end of the Bills’ season.
Even so, opportunities await him at tight end. The top of the depth chart remains largely unchanged from last season, with Kincaid and veteran Dawson Knox listed No. 1 and 2 in some order. Buffalo also used a fifth-round draft pick (No. 173) on Georgia Tech’s Jackson Hawes.
Without a clear-cut top target, Kincaid will have a chance to impress in training camp and command more targets.
Bills Must Soon Decide on Fifth-Year Option
A lot is at stake for Kincaid. Following this season, the Bills must decide whether to pick up Kincaid’s fifth-year option, dictating his future with the team.
Per Spotrac, he’s set to make $1.97 million on the four-year, $13.42 million rookie deal he signed after being drafted 25th overall out of Utah in 2023. He carries a $3.66 million cap hit.
The Bills will report to training camp on July 22.
Douglas Bonjour is a breaking news contributor covering the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy. He is also a contributing writer for The Associated Press and has worked for Point Spreads, the Connecticut Post and Hearst Connecticut Media as a reporter and editor. More about Douglas Bonjour
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