The Buffalo Bills are hoping big that free agent signing Curtis Samuel can lessen the impact of losing Stefon Diggs in a trade with the Houston Texans, but not everyone believes the experienced wide receiver will help Josh Allen and the passing offense in 2024.
On March 15, Buffalo signed Samuel to a three-year, $24 million contract, but at least one NFL analyst doubts he can make a huge impact.
According to Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report, Samuel is among the 14 “worst” free agent acquisitions in the NFL this offseason so far.
“With both Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs now gone,” Fowler writes for B/R. “It’s hard to think GM Brandon Beane approached free agency with the intention of simply acquiring Samuel’s comparable skill set to pair with Khalil Shakir, two inside-out, smaller pass-catchers who will be Josh Allen’s preferred targets.
“Again, I expect both Samuel and Shakir to do well this fall, but making a move for a legitimate ‘X’ wideout to add to the perimeter in say a Tee Higgins would have made sense for Buffalo.”
Samuel arrives in Buffalo having caught 62 passes for 613 yards and four touchdowns in Washington last season.
What Curtis Samuel Brings Buffalo Bills.
Curtis Samuel is likely merely one piece of the puzzle for the Bills, as general manager Brandon Beane and Co. aim to restructure the receiving corps around Allen.
After all, Samuel has yet to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season and averages just over three touchdown receptions per season, thus far in his career.
However, there is some reason for optimism, as Allen will represent by leaps and bounds the most consistently dominant quarterback Samuel has caught passes from to date.
If the regular season began today, Samuel would likely sit atop the receiver depth chart alongside Khalil Shakir, and Mack Hollins, as Buffalo’s three starting receivers.
However, given that the Bills now own an additional sixth-round pick from the Texans thanks to the Diggs deal, Buffalo could look to trade up to select one of the top receiver prospects in the first round of this year’s draft.
“If I had to guess,” an NFC Personnel Director told me recently. “Buffalo’s going to draft at least one and maybe two wide receivers.”
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