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Despite having lower expectations after two difficult seasons, Chase Claypool has impressed the Buffalo Bills greatly in the first few weeks of practice.
The former second-round pick was the best player at the team’s first optional practices, displaying some impressive speed, according to Matt Parrino of Syracuse.com.
“During OTAs, Claypool has been the Bills’ most reliable receiver and is laying the groundwork for a potential run at the 53-man roster,” Parrino wrote. “During an 11-on-11 play, he made the most spectacular play of the day, catching a deep bomb from backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky.” Rookie Cole Bishop discovered that when he gets past his defender, it’s difficult for the safeties to catch up. The play would have ended in a touchdown in a game.
However, a different analyst is doubting the significance of these outings and their potential impact on the Bills offense, which is trying to rebuild after losing Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs, two of its best receivers.
Bills Offense Is Inquired About
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For the Win, Robert Zeglinski of SI.com questioned whether Claypool’s rise to the top offensive player was actually a positive sign for a Bills team that wants to rely on younger players like Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir.
Zeglinski said that while Shakir and Coleman haven’t emerged to the top, it’s not necessarily a sign that Claypool is performing better than the other receivers just yet.
However, it is concerning for the Bills’ offense that Claypool, who hasn’t made a significant contribution to a winning team in almost five years, is the one who steps up to the plate when things are at their worst. (Never mind that Claypool’s persona has always been more alluring than the results he produces on the field.) Before they eventually hit a wall later in the summer, now should be the ideal time of year for the young Buffalo building blocks to demonstrate their abilities, Zeglinski wrote.
Starting with his rookie year in Pittsburgh in 2020, when he caught 62 passes for 873 yards and nine touchdowns, Claypool has had successful seasons in the past. Before his output declined over the next two seasons, Claypool had another excellent season in 2021, recording 59 receptions for 860 yards and two touchdowns.
Zeglinski continued by stating that quarterback Josh Allen is capable of leading the team to 10 or 11 victories on his own, but given the depth of talent in the offense, he implied that “the 2024 NFL season might have to be Allen’s most Herculean task yet”.
Bills See An Increase In Veteran Performances
Early in practices, Claypool is not the only seasoned receiver who is beginning to get along with Allen. After a sluggish practice at first, Parrino mentioned that former Chiefs pass-catcher Marquez Valdes-Scantling also had a big play.
“Marquez Valdez-Scantling signed just before OTAs began, and he has been largely quiet since then. However, the large, quick receiver beat Christian Benford to make his first significant play with Allen on Tuesday, catching a nice pass about 25 yards down the field, according to Parrino. “There was an opportunity for Taylor Rapp to make a play, but the throw and route were too good.”
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