The Buffalo Bills signed wide receiver Curtis Samuel, formerly of the Washington Commanders, as their greatest free agent acquisition to date (and most likely their largest signing of the whole offseason) based solely on salary worth. Samuel and Buffalo agreed to a $24 million, three-year contract that could potentially earn $30 million. The fast wide receiver played for current Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady while Brady was Matt Rhule’s offensive coordinator in Carolina, where he was drafted by the Panthers during the time Bills general manager Brandon Beane was Carolina’s assistant general manager.
The Buffalo organization’s and Samuel’s acquaintance with one another may provide the Bills a different path early in the 2024 NFL Draft than many supporters had anticipated or hoped for. With that position group receiving the most love in the numerous draft simulations that have been circulating on social media and the attention of the Bills Mafia, media, and content creators at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, IN this past February, the #WRTrain has been moving full speed toward its destination.
Even if the signing of Curtis Samuel changes the team’s course for the 2017 NFL Draft, do fans feel differently as a result of the move?
I’ll list the reasons in favor and against; you tell me which, if any, fits with your current way of thinking and, if not, where your mind is at the moment:
An argument FOR the Curtis Samuel signing changing your opinion on the Bills’ best direction at the top of the upcoming NFL Draft:
The Bills’ depth chart at wide receiver currently stands as follows:
Stefon Diggs
Curtis Samuel
Khalil Shakir
Mack Hollins
Justin Shorter
Andy Isabella
K.J. Hamler
Tyrell Shavers
Bryan Thompson
The Bills’ depth chart at edge rusher currently stands as follows:
- Gregory Rousseau
- Von Miller
- A.J. Epenesa
- Jonathan Kingsley
- Kameron Cline
The Bills’ depth chart at safety currently stands as follows:
- Taylor Rapp
- Cam Lewis
- Damar Hamlin
- Kendall Willliamson
Are we certain that the team’s most pressing need at this time is a wide receiver? Even with Epenesa’s resigning, the edge rusher room feels a little empty, while the safety room resembles the denouement of an emotionally charged “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” episode. The Bills seem to have a higher chance of passing the ball effectively with their current receiving corps than they do of stopping the pass effectively with their pass rushing and coverage group, assuming that “passing and stopping the pass” is the key to winning in the NFL in 2024 (which it is).
The Bills are now far more suited to pass the ball than to stop the pass thanks to the arrival of Curtis Samuel, who may not put the world on fire as a 1,200-yard receiver for the team, and the development of Khalil Shakir as a reliable and capable target.
Without a doubt, this is a fantastic wide receiver class, but these kinds of classes are getting more and more common. Because it’s such a terrific class, you can also find someone to contribute later on in the draft. Regarding a late Day 2 defensive end, are you able to say the same thing? What about a safety on Day 3? How many Amon-Ra St. Browns or Puka Nacuas take place in less advanced classes?
The Bills ought to use the first pick—which is allocated to the position with the greatest need—on a position other than wide receiver.
An argument AGAINST the Curtis Samuel signing changing your opinion on the Bills’ best direction at the top of the upcoming NFL Draft:
The wide receiver the Bills signed is a talented player.
Additionally, it is evident that they lack experienced or highly skilled players at safety and on the defensive line.
However, their defense did not help them defeat the Chiefs and the Bengals in the postseason when they had more seasoned players.
The Bills must keep adding to their weaponry, much like the notorious Kylo Ren joke. With a highly drafted safety, they cannot “stop” Patrick Mahomes in the postseason. All they have to do is get more points. When compared to former WR2 and current Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Gabe Davis, Samuel is a more versatile player who can be deployed in the backfield.
However, the WR2 post is not the only issue. Even the most ardent Curtis Samuel supporters wouldn’t view Stefon Diggs, who is older than thirty, as Diggs’ obvious successor as the WR1 in Buffalo. There are historically strong wide receivers in this class, and while those players may become contributors down the road, the Bills are more interested in finding a player who can assist the club right away and possibly replace Diggs when the production allows demands that. There are numerous Malcolm Perrys, Tylan Wallaces, and Dez Fitpatricks for every Amon-Ra St. Brown and Puka Nacua. Josh Allen and the offense can play at a high level for years to come, with or without Diggs, if they go big, get the guy, and execute well.
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