Breaking; Bills Add WR With ‘Blistering’ Speed After Breakout Season
The Bills are adding WRs at an incredible rate after having a great season.
Since the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills have continued to add speed and versatility to their wide receiver lineup, acquiring players who can provide some competition for kick return duties as well.
NFL insider Aaron Wilson reports on X that the Bills have signed former Tulane wide receiver Lawrence Keyes III as an undrafted rookie free agent. The Bills have already drafted the No. 1 overall draft pick, Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman, and continue to attract talent through undrafted free agency.
Speedy Receiver Logged Breakout Season in 2023
Keys spent his first two collegiate seasons at Notre Dame, totaling 18 receptions for 185 yards during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He then transferred to Tulane and immediately saw a huge improvement in his performance, with 30 receptions for 296 yards and two touchdowns in 2022.
Keys had a breakout season in 2023 with 33 receptions for 599 yards and seven touchdowns. He was also the team’s primary kick returner, completing 23 kick returns for 624 total yards and an average of 27.1 yards.
After transferring to Tulane for his final college season, Keys received praise from Crescent City Sports’ Rene Nadeau for his “incredible” speed and skill. “The key bubble speed is 10.3 seconds, and it is designed for 100 meters and 4.35 for 40 yards,” he wrote. “It is also extraordinary that has an excellent capture as a recipient. Keys excels at making acrobatic catches, running routes and evading single coverage.
Keys will have a chance to compete for a depth role in Buffalo and could have an advantage in the return game, especially after the league implements new rules that emphasize kick returns instead of touchbacks. The Bills released wide receiver Deonte Harty, who was their primary kick returner last season.
Bills Rounding Out Wide Receiver Corps
After trading No. 1 receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans and leaving No. 2 Gabe Davis in free agency, the Bills made a move to add new talent to the position. After selecting Coleman with the first pick in the second round of the NFL Draft, the Bills also signed former Ohio State wide receiver and running back Xavier Johnson Jr. as an undrafted free agent. The versatile Johnson is coming to the end of his six-year career with the Buckeyes. In his final season, he had 26 receptions for 329 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 353 yards and one touchdown.
NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein said Johnson “doesn’t have a clearly defined position,” so he will likely spend time on special teams while finding a role on offense. he pointed out. “He has good size but average speed and burst,” Zierlein wrote. “His best position might be runner rather than receiver, as he had enough vision to handle kick returns and some runs at Ohio State. Either way, he’s not polished enough to be the team’s backup, so he’ll have to be the special teams ace who plays on Sunday.
The Bills also added several veterans to their receiving corps, signing former Washington Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel and former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mack Hollins.
