As the NFL draft approaches, the Buffalo Bills find themselves in a familiar position: aggressively positioning to improve a roster that has knocked on the door of a Super Bowl but has yet to break through. With the 26th overall pick, the front office faces a pivotal decision. To acquire a true difference-maker in the first round—perhaps a dynamic wide receiver like Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State—Buffalo may need to move up the board. Such a maneuver would likely require valuable trade capital, leading to speculation that a surprising name could be on the move: tight end Dalton Kincaid.
According to John Kosko of Pro Football Focus, Kincaid stands out as the Bills’ most logical and valuable trade asset this offseason. While Buffalo is squarely in win-now mode and typically hesitant to part with young offensive weapons, the financial and structural realities of roster construction make Kincaid a compelling candidate to be dealt.
Kosko pointed out that Kincaid is entering a critical juncture in his career. He is coming off a season that earned him a career-high 86.8 overall grade from PFF, showcasing his development as a receiving threat. However, he is also entering the final year of his rookie contract. As a former first-round pick, Kincaid is eligible for a fifth-year option, a decision the Bills must make this offseason. If Buffalo exercises that option, it would guarantee a significant salary for the 2027 season, effectively committing to a high-value extension down the line.
The logic for a trade revolves around resource allocation. Kincaid is a polished route runner with reliable hands who has consistently earned strong receiving grades. In a tight end market that Kosko describes as relatively thin, a young, productive player like Kincaid would command significant interest. By trading him now, Buffalo could recoup premium draft capital—potentially a high second-round pick or more—allowing the team to turn one premium asset into multiple contributors. This approach would help address the various holes on both sides of the ball that have hindered the team’s postseason aspirations.
Kincaid’s journey in Buffalo began with high expectations. The Bills selected him in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Utah, envisioning him as a versatile chess piece in offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s system. Through 41 regular-season games, his production has been steady but perhaps not what some anticipated given his draft status. He has recorded 156 receptions for 1,692 yards and nine touchdowns. While these are respectable numbers for a tight end, the emergence of other pass-catching options and the team’s offensive philosophy have sometimes limited his target share.
The financial aspect of Kincaid’s situation adds another layer of complexity. He is currently playing under a four-year, $13 million contract, which is a manageable figure for a starting-caliber tight end. However, the looming decision regarding his fifth-year option creates a deadline for the franchise. If the Bills are not prepared to commit to Kincaid as a top-five paid player at his position in the near future, trading him before the draft would allow them to maximize his value while he is still on a cost-controlled deal. Waiting until after the option is exercised—or letting him play out his final year and leave in free agency—would diminish the return.
Timing is crucial for any potential deal. If the Bills are genuinely considering moving Kincaid, it would likely happen in the days leading up to or during the NFL draft. This timeline would allow Buffalo to identify exactly which position they need to target with the additional picks they acquire, ensuring they can fill the roster with immediate contributors.
Beyond the contractual and strategic considerations, Kincaid’s tenure in Buffalo has also been defined by a defining moment that revealed much about his character and his standing within the locker room. During the 2024-25 AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Kincaid was at the center of a heartbreaking conclusion. With the Bills trailing 32-29 and facing a fourth down with just over two minutes remaining, quarterback Josh Allen targeted Kincaid near the sideline. The pass fell incomplete, ending Buffalo’s season one game short of the Super Bowl for the second time in five years.
In the immediate aftermath, the pressure on Kincaid could have been immense. Dropping a crucial pass in a championship game often invites heavy criticism. However, what followed was a testament to the culture the Bills have built. Allen publicly defended his young tight end with remarkable conviction. He emphasized that he needed to be better for Kincaid, citing poor ball placement throughout the season rather than blaming his receiver for the critical play.
Allen also revealed that Kincaid had been battling through injuries for much of the year, playing in games he probably should have sat out. The quarterback praised Kincaid’s toughness, calling him a “tough sucker” and expressing nothing but love for how he approached the season. Allen’s defense of his teammate served as a powerful statement of leadership and highlighted Kincaid’s respected place in the organization despite the on-field struggles.
This moment encapsulates the complexity of the Bills’ decision. On one hand, Kincaid represents a valuable asset with the potential to grow alongside Allen, who clearly values him as a teammate and a competitor. On the other hand, the NFL is a business of resource management, and Buffalo has significant needs. The team must address a defensive line that has struggled to generate consistent pressure, a secondary that requires depth, and a receiving corps that could benefit from added explosiveness.
Trading Kincaid would free up not only draft capital but also future salary cap space, allowing the Bills to spread their resources across multiple positions. Given the depth of the tight end class in some recent drafts and the presence of other capable players on the roster, the front office may view this as the ideal time to move on.
Ultimately, the coming weeks will determine whether Kincaid remains a cornerstone of Buffalo’s offensive future or becomes the key piece that allows the franchise to fill its remaining holes. For a team that has come agonizingly close to a championship, no decision—no matter how difficult—can be ruled out. Whether he stays or goes, Kincaid’s time in Buffalo has already been marked by steady production, a defining postseason moment, and the unwavering support of his franchise quarterback.
