With the first of three selections in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills added to their wide receiver group by selecting wide receiver Marquez Stevenson with the 203rd overall pick out of the University of Houston.
Stevenson amassed quite a versatile college resume in his four seasons playing for the Cougars. As a receiver, he hauled in 147 receptions for 2,269 receptions, good for 17th and 13th in program history, respectively. His 22 touchdown catches are nothing to scoff at, as well.
Stevenson also returned 34 kickoffs for 889 yards and three touchdowns. Even as a rusher, Stevenson amassed 231 yards and two touchdowns in 26 attempts.
Stevenson has a pair of connections to the Bills, as well. Stevenson’s mentor is Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White, as both of them grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana. Meanwhile, Stevenson was college roommates with Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver during their time together at Houston.
Lance Zierlein likes Stevenson's open-field speed.
"[Stevenson is a] scheme-specific developmental prospect who needs to do a better job of matching his play speed with his true speed," Zierlein wrote at NFL.com. Stevenson lacks the ball-tracking and physicality to win contested catches as an outside receiver. He'll be scouted as a slot receiver, but is hindered by unfocused route-running and leggy strides that limit his suddenness to uncover quickly underneath. With coaching, the routes should improve, but he might need a route tree that can keep him on the move and open up chances to separate with his speed. Crossing routes, receiver screens and kick returns show off his instincts as an open-field runner, but he will need to improve his toughness, pass-catching consistency and routes if he wants to make his mark in the pros."
Stevenson joins a loaded wide receiver group that includes Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley, Emmanuel Sanders, Gabriel Davis and Isaiah McKenzie, among others.
Buffalo's next pick in the 2021 NFL Draft will come with the 212th overall pick in the sixth round, the first of back-to-back picks for the Bills.