Wide receiver Chris Hogan is only a small part of a large Buffalo Bills wide receiving corps this offseason. Well, not that small.
Despite reportedly losing some poundage prior to OTAs, Hogan is still one of the bulkiest receivers currently on Buffalo roster. Officially listed at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, he's on the shorter side of the group but the second heaviest behind former Giant Ramses Barden.
The 25-year-old is hoping to use some of that extra weight to his advantage in the slot role, where he's been currently taking the bulk of his reps, as well as on special teams.
"Once the pads come on, I’m not going to change anything really,” Hogan told Chris Brown of buffalobills.com. "I kind of like to think of myself as a physical receiver anyway so once the pads come on I can add little things to my game. Instead of being out here trying to run around people, I can really use my size and strength to my advantage."
That work in the slot has been a product of fellow receiver Robert Woods missing time while rehabbing from ankle surgery. Hogan said the time in the middle of the field helped him pick up on the "little things of our offense," and that there was "a little more thinking involved" when it came to the intricacies of the position.
But as the guy they called "Seven-11" last season due to the fact he was always open, Hogan is hoping his off-season training regimen, namely his footwork, will pay off and separate him from the other hopefuls that have been brought on.
"I really worked on my lower body strength and come out here looking like I gained an extra step or two,” Hogan said. "That first step is something that I really try to focus on when I’m training because that first step is so big in whatever I’m doing out here whether it’s special teams or in the offense."
The Ramapo, N.J., star had catches in six games last season, hauling in a total of 10 on 17 targets for 83 yards and four first downs. He also notched 10 combined tackles on special teams.
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The Ramapo, N.J., star had catches in six games last season, hauling in a total of 10 on 17 targets for 83 yards and four first downs. He also notched 10 combined tackles on special teams.
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Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily
