Exclusive; Bills Make $24 Million Commitment to ‘Versatile’ WR With 4.31 Speed
Following Gabe Davis’ departure in free agency, the Buffalo Bills have potentially discovered their next secondary receiver.
According to ESPN’s March 14 report, Curtis Samuel, a former wide receiver for the Washington Commanders, is set to join the Bills on a three-year contract worth $24 million. Sources highlighted that since his debut in 2017, Samuel has earned recognition as an adaptable player due to his remarkable speed and statistical record of 317 receptions for 4,098 yards along with adding up 121 carries leading him towards significant achievements with twenty-nine total touchdowns.
Buffalo presents Samuel with the opportunity to assume a significant position, given that they have already parted ways with their second most effective receiver and are actively seeking individuals capable of accumulating yards after catching.
Speedsters Land Bills
In 2017, Samuel garnered attention after clocking a swift time of 4.31 in the 40-yard dash and was subsequently drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round following his collegiate career at Ohio State.
His NFL career has been productive, but injuries have also hindered him. During his rookie season, Samuel encountered a sports hernia which resulted in just five games played. Additionally, he was limited to only playing five games due to further injury during 2021.
Although he faced injuries, Samuel established himself as a dependable receiver. According to Pro Football Focus, he was deemed “a reliable asset who can enhance any wide receiver group” due to his low number of dropped passes – only four out of 66 catchable ones throughout the previous season.
There is a possibility for Samuel to take on an important position in Buffalo. With the departure of Davis, they also witnessed veteran receiver Trent Sherfield go into free agency and released Deonte Harty who handled returns as well, earlier this month.
According to Sal Maiorana from the Democrat & Chronicle, Brandon Beane – who is currently the Bills’ general manager – worked as the assistant GM in Carolina when Samuel was drafted, indicating that there are already some ties between him and the team.
Maiorana noted that Samuel is additionally linked to Buffalo’s present offensive coordinator.
According to Maiorana, in 2020 when Joe Brady was the current Bills offensive coordinator calling plays for head coach Matt Rhule, Samuel remained a member of the Panthers. During that year, he achieved his highest stats across seven seasons in the NFL with 77 catches on 97 targets yielding him 851 yards and three TDs; all career highs including an impressive catch percentage of 79.4%.
More work could be ahead for Bills.
Although Samuel’s presence will aid the Bills in compensating for Davis’ departure, several experts predict that the team will pursue further additions to their wide receiver unit during this offseason. The 2021 NFL Draft is widely deemed as possessing a plethora of talented receivers, and it is anticipated that Buffalo may invest their No. 28 overall pick on acquiring another pass-catching player.
According to Chris Trapasso from CBS Sports, the Bills may be eyeing Oregon’s Troy Franklin as a potential receiver. His height of 6-foot-3 would bring some valuable big-play potential to Buffalo’s offense.
Trapasso wrote that Franklin, a speedy player, has seen an increase in his numbers every season he played at Oregon. Additionally, he possesses the ability to make plays after catching the ball – something that would greatly benefit Buffalo’s offense.
To bolster their offense, the Bills acquired tight end Dalton Kincaid by trading up during the first round of last year’s NFL Draft.
