Bills observations: Dawson Knoxs reminder, Kaiir Elam sticks with first team

June 09, 2024

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — With training camp now past the halfway point, the completion of Day 7 brought the Buffalo Bills to an annual benchmark in their summer preparations. The team returns to Buffalo for a Friday night practice at Highmark Stadium: the blue and red scrimmage.

But first, the Bills completed another day of work at St. John Fisher University and saw the return of three previous non-participants from Day 6. Defensive tackle Tim Settle and cornerback Kyron Brown, who had been dealing with groin injuries, got back on the field Thursday. As did safety Jordan Poyer, though he only sat out Day 6 on a veteran rest day.

What stood out on Day 7, and how are some of the competitions shifting now quite far into camp? Here are several observations from Thursday’s session:

Elam gets more first-team time

For the second practice in a row, the reps with the first-team defense mostly belonged to second-year cornerback Kaiir Elam.

Elam started training camp on the outside looking in of the first-team defense through the first three practices, but he has been a mainstay — at least getting some reps — since Day 4. It’s notable that he took as many first-team reps as he did on Thursday, because that marked two straight days of him essentially being the top guy on the field with Tre’Davious White. It also marks four consecutive sessions that the Bills worked him into the first-team defense, while Christian Benford has only done so once out of the last four practices. Dane Jackson has gotten time with the top unit three of the first four days, but the last two mostly have been Elam, who ended the practice with an interception. There is some context behind it, though.

The Bills were working on fourth-and-long in that period, so there was no real threat to run, and Elam had a firm grasp of the intended receiver, Trent Sherfield, before jumping the route. Quarterback Josh Allen and offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey motioned for defensive holding to be called, and Allen even said after practice that Elam got away with one. Regardless, it wasn’t called by the referees in attendance, so it counts. And it also counts for continuing his confidence amidst a competition that appears to be trending positively for him.

Considering the investment in him, the last two practices could be a pivotal point in the trajectory for Elam’s second season. Although how Elam performs in preseason games is a huge piece to the puzzle, the coaching staff’s action by giving him additional first-team opportunities on consecutive days is a good sign. The rotation in the upcoming practices bears watching because if it continues in Elam’s way leading up to the first preseason game, it could wind up being his job to lose. But it’s not over by any stretch, and it was still legitimately up for grabs from the spring into the early practices of the summer.

Keep up with all things from 2023 Bills training camp here.

When the Bills opened up their camp, the middle linebacker competition featured three players: Tyrel Dodson, Terrel Bernard and Baylon Spector. Each got their day next to Matt Milano with the first-team defense over the first three practices. Even without a padded practice on the top unit, that one day might be all that Spector gets. On Day 6, the Bills had Dodson as the middle linebacker next to Milano, effectively skipping Spector’s expected spot in the daily rotation. And again on Day 7, it was not Spector, but Bernard with the top unit instead. When asked why Dodson skipped Spector’s turn, coach Sean McDermott said they’ve liked the job Spector has done but wanted to focus in on Dodson and Bernard. With so few reps and camp already on the back half, that answer is as good of an indication as any that they’ve made at least one decision.

That also applies to third-round rookie linebacker Dorian Williams, who has yet to receive any first-team time at middle linebacker. McDermott said Thursday they’ve been focusing exclusively on Williams playing outside linebacker within their scheme after trying him out in the middle in the spring. Without time on task, that effectively rules him out of the competition at middle linebacker. So if the Spector and Williams bits of information remain true, either Dodson or Bernard will start next to Milano against the Jets in Week 1.

Day 7 was a Dawson Knox involvement reminder

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the training camp of a rookie player, especially one who was picked as highly as tight end Dalton Kincaid. Throughout camp, Kincaid has consistently played well as a pass-catcher, teasing what could be a substantial involvement in the offense in 2023. Even during Day 7, Kincaid caught three of Allen’s 10 attempts during practice. However, starting tight end Dawson Knox had possibly his best day of training camp so far, with the highlight being a touchdown catch on the first 11-on-11 play of the practice.

Knox was working against the linebacker Bernard from the inside to the outside, breaking free with ample separation toward the front right corner of the end zone. Allen put the throw on target, and Knox brought in the over-the-shoulder reception for a touchdown. He also had some other involvement in the offensive attack the rest of the way, which further underscores that if Kincaid gets a good amount of snaps this season, it will not happen because he’s replacing Knox in the lineup, barring an injury. Knox is still a big part of their offensive plan in 2023, and having the two on the field together could be one of their most heavily used personnel packages in 2023.

GO DEEPER

Bills observations: More dazzling from Dalton Kincaid, possible clarity on MLB rotation

For the most part in the first seven practices, 2023 free agent acquisition Connor McGovern has been taking the first-team reps at left guard. Outside of drafting Kincaid, the McGovern contract was their most substantial offseason investment, and to this point, the returns have been relatively positive. But on a handful of series over the last few days, McGovern has ceded some first-team reps to another free agent signing, David Edwards. It’s been a very good camp to this point for Edwards, both in team drills and in one-on-one and two-on-two opportunities. Before an injury-riddled 2022, he was a locked-in starter for the Rams for three years.

On top of that, Edwards also has prior experience with Bills offensive line coach Aaron Kromer while in Los Angeles, so there’s a level of trust there in Edwards. This seems like it could be just the Bills wanting to familiarize left tackle Dion Dawkins and center Mitch Morse with Edwards in the event of an injury to McGovern, but there’s no ignoring Edwards’ performance to this point. It will be something to track to see if those first-team opportunities become a bit more frequent for Edwards. At worst, Edwards appears to be a massive upgrade to what the Bills had as a reserve offensive lineman in 2022.

Epenesa challenging for a lot of snaps without Miller available

As Von Miller continues his rehab from a late-November torn ACL, most of the attention on the defensive ends has been on third-year player Greg Rousseau and free agent acquisition Leonard Floyd. Rousseau remains an unquestioned starter, and based on what he showed before a high ankle sprain last season, he has the potential to have a breakout season in 2023. Floyd should factor in quite a bit as well, though it’s a slightly imperfect fit because Rousseau and Floyd are at their best rushing from the defensive left side.

They have certainly taken plenty of reps together throughout camp, but the left-sided proclivity for each player has allowed A.J. Epenesa to get a steady stream of first-team time every day on the defensive right side. Although not quite as impactful as his camp in 2022, Epenesa has shown some good pass rushing and run defending in spots so far this camp. Perhaps most telling, he’s consistently playing ahead of Shaq Lawson and Boogie Basham, as they appear to be on the outside looking in on the top four pass rushers (including Miller). Epenesa’s involvement and solid showings could pave the way for a substantial role until Miller is ready enough to play this season.

We’re live with Josh Allen after practice at training camp.#BillsCamp | #BillsMafia https://t.co/WThoBOqDhR

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 3, 2023

A day of highs and lows for Josh Allen

The first-team passing offense was full of highlights Thursday, though some of them were for their passing prowess and others were turnovers. Allen finished the practice completing 10 of 16 passes for two touchdowns, though with two turnovers and a fumble mixed in. The first interception was Allen’s fault entirely, as he rolled left and didn’t put enough on the pass to the sideline, allowing Dane Jackson to intercept the throw well behind the intended receiver. The second interception to Elam was less of Allen’s fault, and more a victim of the fourth-down circumstances and trying to make a play, but it remains on his ledger regardless. The fumble was Allen’s fault, as a slightly higher shotgun snap went through of the quarterback’s hands and looped five-plus yards behind him. That’s a snap Allen has consistently received without problem, so it’s just something else to fine-tune.

However, when Allen was on, he was locked into his targets, allowing them the accuracy, momentum and space to get the ball up the field for additional yardage. His touchdown toss to Knox to begin the day was perfect, as was another scoring throw to receiver Gabe Davis. Considering two of his big errors were his fault, Allen has had the tendency of coming through with a big performance on his next day of work. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Allen has one of his best days at Highmark Stadium on Friday night because of it.

Isabella pops on second- and third-team work

For an addition in the middle of training camp, wide receiver Andy Isabella has looked pretty good so far while trying to learn a new playbook on the fly. Isabella, who has worked primarily at slot receiver since his arrival to the Bills, has seen his opportunities slowly increase during team drills. He shows some real talent as an intermediate, middle-of-the-field route runner. On Thursday, Isabella worked in with the second- and third-team offenses, and brought in one touchdown pass, and two other receptions to quietly make his mark.

The 5-foot-9 Isabella was a 2019 second-round pick and is trying to keep his career alive, but he’s done a nice job so far. Considering Khalil Shakir and Deonte Harty have their roster spots locked in, and with fellow slot receiver Bryan Thompson sidelined with a concussion, Isabella has the chance to be a heavy contributor in their preseason games. Isabella remains a roster longshot, but if he does well enough with the opportunity, a practice squad invitation in 2023 is definitely within his reach.

Day 7 non-participants: WR Isaiah Coulter (knee), WR Bryan Thompson (knee), DE Von Miller (knee, PUP list), DT Jordan Phillips (shoulder, PUP list), LB Tyler Matakevich (calf, PUP list)

(Photo of Dawson Knox: Gregory Fisher / USA Today)

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