The Buffalo Bills began overhauling their wide receiver group last season. At first, general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott prioritized big-bodied receivers who could win one-on-ones. Essentially, they wanted players who were so big that they fit the stereotypical “open when he’s covered” mantra. They assumed that players like Kelvin Benjamin and Andre Holmes would be able to win contested catches all over the field.
(Narrator: They assumed incorrectly.)
Midway through the season, Buffalo began prioritizing smaller, shiftier players at the receiver position—players who could gain separation in man coverage and use speed to make plays.