PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 19: Andy Isabella #87 of the Buffalo Bills looks on during the preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The Buffalo Bills made some moves this off-season in regards to the wide receiver position. They added four new weapons to compete with Khalil Shakir for playing time, behind Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Two of the new additions, Deonte Harty and Trent Sherfield, have solidified their spots on the depth chart. The other two, Justin Shorter and Andy Isabella, are still fighting for their positions.
There’s one big question revolving around these two wideouts: Will the Bills keep six receivers, or seven? For this article, we’re going to pretend that they are keeping six so we can take a look at who has the upper-hand. Isabella and Shorter are two very different players, which makes this conversation a little more complicated. Let’s dive into what each player brings to the team, and why they deserve that sixth spot on the roster.
Justin Shorter
The Bills drafted Justin Shorter in the fifth round (150th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft out of the University of Florida. He’s a 6’4″ physical receiver that ran a 4.55 second 40-yard dash while bench pressing 18 reps. A massive wingspan helps him bring in catches that most wouldn’t be able to. This wingspan also helps him make his mark as a blocker and special teamer.
Shorter is a different type of receiver than the Bills have used the past few seasons. A big body that rarely drops the ball. In three seasons at Florida, he dropped four total passes, including zero drops in 2022. He has shown flashes of skill that could prove to be valuable to the Bills this upcoming season. Gabe Davis is the biggest receiver Josh Allen has had over the past few years, so we could see Shorter become the new “big redzone target” behind Davis.
In three pre-season games, Shorter finishes with 6 receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown. The Bills made a mistake by letting Isaiah Hodgins get scooped up by the Giants, so I have no doubt that Brandon Beane will be thinking of that when deciding whether to have Shorter on the 53-man roster.
Andy Isabella
Isabella was selected in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. After being cut in 2022 by Arizona, he was picked up and played two games with the Baltimore Ravens. He’s a 5’9″ slot receiver that ran a 4.31 40-yard dash while bench pressing 15 reps. His quickness allows him to get open and create mismatches any time a linebacker is lined up across from him.
The thing that sets Isabella apart from Shorter is his return game ability. While he has never returned a kick or punt for a touchdown, he can still be dangerous when back deep to return. Like Shorter, he rarely drops the ball. He has dropped three passes in his four year career – all in 2020. Isabella fits the build Josh Allen loves to throw to and can fill in if someone goes down with an injury.
Isabella finished the pre-season with 6 catches for 63 yards and no touchdowns. With Nyheim Hines out for the season, the Bills need to decide how much they value returners. This could cause Isabella to be an important piece to this roster and make the 53-man roster.
Summary
Brandon Beane will have a tough decision, if they decide to keep six receivers. Both players can have a solid impact on the Bills season this year so he’ll have to choose wisely. If one (or two) of the top wide receivers go down with an injury, these two could become a crucial piece to the Bills offense in 2023. At the end of the day, it comes down to the Bills deciding between a big outside wideout that can block well or a small slot receiver with returner upside.
