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Buffalo Bills: Why Zay Jones is incredibly fascinating

By John Carroll Jr.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 02: Wide receiver Zay Jones
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 02: Wide receiver Zay Jones /
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When the Buffalo Bills traded up to draft Zay  Jones in the 2nd round of the 2017 Draft, Buffalo had only begun to realize what they were in for.

People already know about Buffalo Bills wide receiver Zay Jones‘ career at Eastern Carolina.

He broke the NCAA record for receptions in a career. He was hardily a recruit for most schools.

His family history and his family’s winning pedigree is arguably second to none. Zay’s father was a Super Bowl Champion. His mother, the sister of former NFL QB Jeff Blake.

There a lot of credentials that make his genetics alone interesting but his development this season has been interesting to watch.

But it was his most recent act vs the Chiefs that has the internet buzzing.

The “Zay Jones Challenge” has taken the internet by storm.

It was this trend that got me thinking just how fascinating is the rookie wideout?

From the second camp started I’ve been high on his skill set, genetics, personality and charisma.

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But it was not until he dropped a potential game winning touchdown in Week 2 vs the Panthers, and what feels like the countless drops after that, that I really started to think.

Is he going to be a bust? Is his family’s football roots the only story about him? Were any of his record-breaking receptions meaningful?

Watching his lack of chemistry with Tyrod Taylor was so frustrating. Tyrod just couldn’t seem to have the ball where Zay needed it. Zay couldn’t make any play a guaranteed catch.

It takes time for rookies to be solid in the NFL, especially players not selected in the first round.

But the circumstances of the Bills, like always, were different.

Once the Bills traded Sammy Watkins the Bills didn’t seem to have a clear-cut #1 receiver.

They acquired Jordan Matthews on the same day. But he did not feel like the number one guy.

Zay Jones seemed as if he was going to be the number one guy. A rookie, from the second round, a reception machine.

Buffalo then traded for Kelvin Benjamin to be the #1 WR, he has been unable to stay healthy too.

Jones is back to being that potential #1 guy, with Jordan Matthews in the slot.

The game against the Panthers is long gone, the drop is forgotten.

Jones’ best game was prime-time against the Jets. The Bills played horrible but he stood out. Despite getting injured while putting on a clinic he was the bright spot on an otherwise dark night.

Disregarding Buffalo’s game vs the Chargers where they benched Tyrod Taylor, the Chiefs game was a big national stage for the Bills.

It was a must win, conference road game. Zay had the Bills’ lone TD and made a play it didn’t matter what else he did.

He is clutch.

He stepped up under the lights on Thursday Night Football and he made the most important play during the Bills’ most important game so far in Kansas City.

Zay Jones is a work in progress. The drops need to stop and the TDs need to be closer together and he needs to show more consistency.

Despite it all, he still has 23 catches, 269 yards, over 11 yards per catch, and tied for second most on the team with two TDs.

Zay Jones has had an interesting and relatively quiet rookie NFL Season.

Next: Bills Beat The Chiefs Recap

He is playing a lot better. He dropping less and stepping up with a thin WR core. Right when the Bills are about to play their most important games.

But with the stats, genetics, love of football, and the fact that he basically has “the force” its hard to imagine a scenario where he does not succeed into a top-tier NFL WR.

If all else fails with the Bills’ playoff hopes. At least follow Zay Jones and his acclimation to the pro level, its fascinating.

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