Is the No. 2 tight end spot up for grabs?

What will the tight end room look like behind Dawson Knox?

The Bills are counting down the days until they have to make their final cuts to get the roster down to 53 players. With that said, we have a little competition for the number two tight end spot, and most people (myself included), did not expect this coming into the summer. Dawson Knox has solidified himself as the number one tight end on the Bills, but there might be a three-person race for the second spot between O.J. Howard, Quinton Morris, and Tommy Sweeney.

O.J. Howard

When it comes to Howard, he was brought in by the Bills to make this passing offense and tight end room even more dynamic. Most people were speculating that, with the addition of Howard that, the Bills could be in line to run more two tight end sets. But, that’s something we haven’t seen so far.

Howard was supposed to be that dynamic number two option for the Bills, but in the preseason game against the Broncos, he was the third tight end to see the field behind Morris and Sweeney. From what reporters have said about Howard, his play at training camp has been slightly underwhelming. I still think he fits into this offense, but his lack of production in practice and in the preseason gives me the feeling that Howard might not be a complete lock for the roster. Here’s his stand out play from this preseason:

Quinton Morris

Morris is an interesting case. He came in last year as an undrafted free agent and spent the entire season on the practice squad. Once again, to start camp I believed he would not make roster and find himself on the practice again this year. That could likely happen, but his play in training camp and preseason has given fans the thought that maybe Morris is the third or second tight end on the team. So far in the preseason, he hasn’t necessarily flashed, but when he has been on the field, he has been productive.

He was the first tight end on the field in the preseason game against the Broncos. This might mean the Bills like him more than Sweeney and Howard, or it means that they know what they have in Howard and Sweeney, and they want to see a little more game action from Morris. It is all speculation, but I would like to see Morris on this roster. I believe he gives you more upside than Sweeney in the long term.

Tommy Sweeney

Tommy Sweeney is the third and final option for one of the tight-end spots. Sweeney was a seventh round pick back in 2019. He has always been a reliable blocker but hasn’t shown many flashes in the passing game. His reps have been limited due to the emergence of Knox, but last season while Knox was injured, Sweeney got some in-game action. Allen seemed very reluctant to throw him the football in games, and when he did, he didn’t do much with the targets.

I like Sweeney a lot as a blocker, but he leaves a lot to be desired as a pass catcher. If the Bills wanted to go the safe option, then Sweeney is the guy. He knows the system and has been a very reliable blocker for Allen. However, if the Bills want to increase their passing game even more, then they keep both Howard and Morris.

Who wins the job?

Dawson Knox is your number one tight end, and I don’t think anything changes that. After that, even though he has looked very shaky so far with the Bills, I think the Bills keep Howard as the number two tight end. Then, I believe they go with the old reliable Sweeney as the third tight end. At the moment, you cut Morris and most likely get him back on the practice squad. But even though I went the safer route, don’t think for a minute that there isn’t a real competition for the tight ends behind Dawson Knox. As you watch the final preseason game, the tight end position is one to watch for.