Buffalo Bills’ $24 Million Free Agent Signing Named One of ‘Worst’ in NFL
The Buffalo Bills are betting big that free agent pick up Curtis Samuel will soften some of the blow of losing Stefon Diggs in a trade with the Houston Texans, but not everyone is buying in that the veteran wide receiver will elevate Josh Allen and the passing attack in 2024.
Buffalo signed Samuel to a three-year deal worth $24 million back on March 15, but at least one NFL analyst is bearish on him making a significant impact.
Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler lists Samuel among the 14 “worst” free agent signings across the NFL this offseason, so far.
“With both Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs now gone,” Fowler writes for B/R. “It’s hard to believe GM Brandon Beane approached free agency with the mindset of just adding the parallel skill set of Samuel to pair with Khalil Shakir, two inside-out, smaller pass-catchers to be Josh Allen’s top 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.
