Bills Receiver Possibilities

by Mario Granata
The Buffalo Bills have made some noise this off-season for two reasons:  They had to, and they had to.  The first “had to” was due to the fact that they had some trouble on the offensive line, and CJ Spiller’s return was in question.  The second “had to” was the direct result of not having a first round draft pick.  Although some Bills fans might enjoy the current receiving core that is on the team, it never hurts to look out there for some interesting prospects. 

Here are a list of receivers out there that the Bills might want to consider, or not consider:

Dirty Thirty:
Why is it that as soon as a player in the NFL hits 30, he is immediately tabbed a veteran presence when free agency hits?  So, if a player comes into the league at 25, plays 5 years on special teams, and never started on either offense or defense, the media tags them a ‘veteran presence’.  That notwithstanding there are still some free agents out there who have ‘actual’ veteran experience who the Bills could benefit having.

Reggie Wayne (36) – The Colts have decided to move on, and the body type and style of play that Wayne possesses could benefit both Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods.  How to study film, how to prepare your body for a season and playoffs, and more importantly how to come back from an injury, Wayne would be nice to have, but will probably take the road of a contender or retirement.

Wes Welker (33) – I honestly didn’t think I would see the day where Patrick Willis and Jake Locker would retire before Wes Welker, but it has come upon us.  Welker is too injury prone, and might have taken too many hits otherwise for the Bills to take a shot at him.  Plus, if the Bills want to be run heavy, that is not one of Welker’s strong suits. 

Divorced and Remarried?
Stevie Johnson (28) – The Bills fans are sentimental, and the return of SJ13 would seem ideal at this point, if the Bills were running a spread offense.  With the addition of Watkins, Johnson would more than likely play the slot, and with Darelle Revis returning to the division, it sounds like a plan.  Johnson was traded because he had a 9 million dollar cap hit last season, and was lost in Greg Roman’s offense, only pulling in 35 passes last season.  Maybe Atlanta takes shot at him.  They recently released Harry Douglas, and could use a slot receiver.  Jacksonville and Cleveland could be players as well.

Sammy Watkins Beta Version:
Percy Harvin (26) – About 5 seconds after Sammy Watkins was drafted, he bore a striking resemblance to Harvin.  Explosive speed and unique strength, both of these players on the field at the same time would be a nightmare for any defense, however, the price tag for Harvin might be too steep.  In the true art of Sun Tzu, the Bills brought him in, hopefully, with the though that Miami would overpay for him, thus allowing a lower bid to sign Charles Clay, but in the world of cutthroat business, we are merely spectators. 

San Francisco Treats:
Michael Crabtree (27) – Crabtree holds some favorable qualifications that would put him at the front of the line.  He has played in this offense before, succeeded in it, and could teach it to the younger receivers.  However, he poses the same problem as Harvin in the form of his cap number.  From a size and speed standpoint, the Bills already have this type of wideout by the name of Chris Hogan, whom they recently tendered. 

Brandon Lloyd (33) – Originally drafted by San Francisco, Lloyd’s one hit wonder in 2010, when he had a league leading 1,448 yards receiving, seems like a distant memory.  However, that season he secured 77 receptions and just two years ago in New England had 74.  He might have just enough in the tank for a 50+ catch season and also having played in Roman’s offense gives him a bonus.  The Bills would be the 7th team in his career, so maybe they could take a flier on him for one season.