If the Buffalo Bills are finally going to end their playoff struggles in 2025, they know that tight end Dalton Kincaid will be a part of the reason why.
After his (relative) down year in 2024, though, there is concern in some circles that he'll never be able to reach the potential that made him a first-round pick. The Utah product last season recorded just 44 receptions for just over 400 yards and two touchdowns.
Those numbers were a significant decrease from his strong rookie season.
Despite that stat reality, Kincaid was still given major props from around the league this offseason.
Kincaid received honorable mention in ESPN's top 10 tight ends ranking in the league heading into the 2025 season. NFL executives, coaches, and scouts voted on the list.
"Athletic, he can run, elite hands and ball skills, plus his QB will make him productive," an NFL personnel director told Jeremy Fowler during the ranking.
Buffalo does not have a true standout wide receiver on its roster. Because of that, the team knows it needs to get the best production possible out of a player like Kincaid.
There's reason for hope as well.
Kincaid has reported to offseason workouts physically bigger than the year prior, a suggestion apparently made by the Bills once the 2024 season concluded. The idea that the 6-4 Kincaid has muscled up above his usual weight of 240 increases the odds that he can be a matchup nightmare for safeties and linebackers during the new season.
Entering his third season, Kincaid has a long way to go before confirming his sophomore slump was an aberration. With an optimistic glance at how things look now, though, it's clear Kincaid is looking to do much better than an "honorable mention" in next year's rankings.