Breaking; Bills Urged to Pursue Veteran WR Returning to NFL After Surprise Retirement
In order to fortify their evolving wide receiver group, the Buffalo Bills have acquired experienced pass-catchers. This has provided a much-needed boost for a unit that suffered losses of its two leading receivers from 2023.
According to an analyst, it is possible for there to be another surprise addition.
According to Alex Ballentine from Bleacher Report, the Buffalo Bills are being considered as a potential suitor for veteran wide receiver Corey Davis. Davis had previously retired unexpectedly just prior to last season while playing for the New York Jets but has since applied for reinstatement in March of this year and was released by the team, thereby becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Ballentine suggests that the Bills may be the team willing to have him for his comeback tour as the 29-year-old waits to find out.
Veteran Receiver Can Still Be ‘Functional Weapon’
Since entering the league in 2017 with the Tennessee Titans, Davis has maintained a steady level of production. However, he experienced his best season to date in 2020 where he amassed an impressive total of 65 receptions for 984 yards and five touchdowns. Furthermore, Davis cemented himself as a key player on both offense and defense during his tenure with the Jets from 2021 through to early-2022.
On the right team, Ballentine proposed that the 29-year-old could still offer valuable input.
Ballentine stated that Davis could still be a useful asset in an appropriate offensive scheme. Although he may not have fulfilled expectations as the 5th overall pick during the 2017 draft, he has demonstrated enough proficiency in vertical plays to serve as a viable second or third option.
According to the Bleacher Report analyst, even though Keon Coleman has been drafted by them, the Bills may still require more talented players after losing Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs. The author also noted that apart from their rookie receiver, they have a comparatively limited number of receivers in their team which could make room for someone like 6-foot-3 Davis.
Bills Making Changes After Stefon Diggs Departure
Having lost both Diggs and Davis at the start of offseason, The Bills have already introduced some experienced players to their wide receiver squad. They’ve enlisted Marquez Valdes-Scantling – previously with Kansas City Chiefs – as well as attracting Chase Claypool who has been impressing onlookers during the team’s early training sessions.
According to Syracuse.com journalist Matt Parrino, Claypool has emerged as the clear standout among his peers, even managing to outmaneuver rookie safety Cole Bishop.
There is a belief among analysts that the team may require increased reliance on their veterans in light of Coleman’s slow adaptation to NFL level. With regard to filling Diggs’ shoes, Pro Football Focus analyst Sam Monson cautioned against expecting too much from the rookie at this point but acknowledged his future potential as an eventual top receiver for the team.
According to Monson, while Coleman has potential as a prospect with impressive size and skills like exceptional body control and hands similar to Diggs, his profile reveals numerous red flags. Consequently, he may not be the safest choice for teams looking to appoint him as their X receiver in place of Diggs since he lacks proficiency in route-running and separation against man coverage compared to Diggs.
