Brandon Tate,Michael Thomas

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Brandon Tate (15) carries the ball,as Miami Dolphins free safety Michael Thomas (31) is late with the tackle, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

(Associated Press)

When the Buffalo Bills signed Brandon Tate in early September, they envisioned him bolstering their return game. Through seven games, Tate has done just that for the Bills.

Tate is currently averaging 23 yards per kick return, second among players with at least 10 returns, and his 276 kick return yards are third in the league to Ted Ginn Jr. and former Bills receiver Deonte Thompson. In the punt return game, Tate is 12th in the league with 130 yards.

His success on the field has translated over to Pro Football Focus' ratings and the analytics site recently named him as the third best returner of 2016 through seven weeks.

In addition to handling kick and punt return responsibilities, Tate will look to step up in the receiving game while Buffalo battles injuries. Tate caught two passes for 31 yards last week against the Dolphins in a game where the Bills were without Robert Woods and lost Marquise Goodwin in-game.

Tate has already helped Buffalo flip the field multiple times this season and they'll need him to continue doing this as they enter the toughest part of the 2016 schedule.