Jamison Crowder targeted more than Isaiah McKenzie in win

WR Jamison Crowder attracted four targets in Thursday’s opener, while Isaiah McKenzie was targeted three times

Buffalo signed free agent WR Jamison Crowder this offseason to compete with Isaiah McKenzie for the slot receiver position, which was vacated due to the departure of Cole Beasley.

After a solid camp from McKenzie, it was assumed that the he would take a majority of the slot receiver snaps for the Bills in Week 1 against the Rams, and he did. He was on the field for 26 snaps, compared to Crowder’s 18 snaps. But, McKenzie’s night got off to a rough start when a Josh Allen fastball bounced through his hands and into a Rams linebacker’s arms, resulting in a drive-killing interception. McKenzie was targeted 3 times, recording 2 receptions for 19 yards and a redemption touchdown in the 3rd quarter:

Jamison Crowder surprised Bills Mafia and you might say he outplayed McKenzie in the slot on Thursday. Crowder was targeted 4 times, catching 3 balls for 28 yards in only 18 plays. He also returned one punt for 21 yards.

You could sense that Crowder and Allen were developing chemistry throughout the game, although an interception was thrown while targeting Crowder in the second quarter.

Expectations weren’t too high for the veteran Crowder, who many thought wouldn’t make the Bills roster after a sluggish training camp. But, he looks like the solid, reliable receiver that they had hoped for. Beasley accounted for 82 catches in both of the last two seasons, so that volume will have to be dispersed elsewhere. As the 2022 season unfolds, it’ll be interesting to see which receiver will receive the majority of the work at WR3.