Bills Round 1 Draft Recap: Buffalo Trades Up for Dalton Kincaid, Adds Instant Offense
The Buffalo Bills weren't satisfied with having the No. 27 overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday.
After months of projections, the Bills traded up two spots to No. 25 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, sending away the 27th selection and their fourth-round pick (No. 130) in order to add to an already elite offense by selecting Utah Utes tight end Dalton Kincaid.
Throughout the pre-draft process, the Bills were predicted to target a receiver, a running back, a cornerstone on the offensive line or maybe a difference-maker on defense. While tight end was brought up occasionally, addressing the position wasn't thought to be a major priority, especially with the presence of fifth-year tight end Dawson Knox.
But Kincaid's can't-miss offensive ability made him someone that the Bills not only couldn't pass on, but had to trade up to jump the Dallas Cowboys at No. 26 just to assure they could get him.
This should speak volumes to how highly general manager Brandon Beane, coach Sean McDermott and the rest of the organization view Kincaid.
"I've historically traded up for guys that I really like and we had a strong feeling that Dallas was gonna take him ahead of us," Beane said after the pick Thursday on The Pat McAfee Show.
He could now step in to compete for the starting tight end role or share the field with Knox to form a dynamic safety net for quarterback Josh Allen to throw to.
And of course, Buffalo is adding him to an offense that already features Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Someone's going to end up finding space, and don't be surprised to see Kincaid benefiting as a result.
At 6-4, 240 pounds, Kincaid brings nice size to the tight end position, but seperates himself from the rest of most guys that play the position due to his receiving skills. In four of his five collegiate seasons, he caught at least eight touchdown passes. During his freshman season as San Diego, 11 of his 24 catches for the season were touchdowns.
Now imagine pairing this knack for scoring in an offense that will allow him to thrive, whether by design or by not. Kincaid could find ample space in yards-after-catch scenarios, especially when the rest of the secondary is downfield and Allen has to make a short throw on the fly.
Though volume will be hard to come by his first few years in the league, Kincaid has proven he has the star-level traits that could eventually command a role similar to that of Travis Kelce or Mark Andrews. In a thrilling 43-42 win over the USC Trojans last season, Kincaid led all receivers with 16 catches for 234 yards and one touchdown, as he picked apart one of the best teams in the country in dominant fashion.
This certainly was a pick that seemed to be on the lesser-likely side of things for the Bills. But given the fit and unmatched receiving ability, it's hard to argue with it.
Buffalo is back on the clock in the second round on Friday with the No. 59 overall pick.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
Thanks for reading our SI-powered coverage of your Buffalo Bills ... Bills Mafia!
You're a member of Bills Mafia hungry for more Buffalo coverage? Read here.
