Even Bleacher Report admits he’s not fully a sleeper type of player… but the outlet still goes with Gabriel Davis.
B/R pegged one player that’s going to be just that, a sleeper, for each NFL team in 2021. Here’s why B/R says Davis is just that for the Buffalo Bills in 2021:
After Gabriel Davis caught seven touchdown passes in 2020, the “sleeper” status of the Buffalo wide receiver is tenuous.
But unless you’re a Bills fan or a fantasy football enthusiast, Davis likely isn’t a player you’re familiar with. As good as he was as a rookie, Davis’ exploits were overshadowed by even bigger first seasons from Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings and Chase Claypool of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The coming-out party is imminent, though. As Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski wrote, Davis showed a knack for beating defenses deep as a rookie.
“According to Pro Football Focus, Davis led all rookies last season with five touchdowns of 20 or more yards downfield,” he said. “More importantly, he didn’t register a single drop on those targets.”
The Bills have brought in veteran Emmanuel Sanders to replace the departed John Brown, and Sanders has long been a capable pro. But it wouldn’t be surprising come season’s end if Davis has emerged as Buffalo’s No. 2 receiver.
Heading into training camp next week, Davis vs. Sanders in training camp will be the biggest storyline to watch at Buffalo’s wide receiver room. The veteran signed a one-year deal this offseason.
Naturally Stefon Diggs steps back in as the Bills’ No. 1 wideout in 2021, but it remains to be seen if Davis is a “sleeper” behind Sanders or not.
Still, if we’re being true, how that unfolds might not matter. Buffalo offensive coordinator Brian Daboll spread the team’s offense out a lot in 2021. The Bills played many three wide receiver sets, and often times, even four receiver sets.
Even when throwing slot receiver Cole Beasley into the mix, both Davis and Sanders should have plenty of touches to go around next season with quarterback Josh Allen pulling the trigger.
But while we’re here, B/R did also named sleepers for the rest of the division,. In terms of the AFC East, here are other sleepers B/R thinks the NFL should be aware of:
- Dolphins: WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
- Patriots: DB Jalen Mills
- Jets: RB Michael Carter
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