Before the onset of free agency, the Buffalo Bills made a surprising move by releasing six veteran players, among them wide receiver Deonte Harty.
Harty had previously signed a two-year contract worth $9.5 million with Buffalo in March. In 2024, his base salary amounted to $2.6 million, with a cap hit of $5.7 million. The Bills freed up over $4 million in cap space by releasing him.
A month later, Harty secured a new opportunity in the NFL and expressed his excitement. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero broke the news on April 10 that Harty would be joining the Baltimore Ravens on a one-year deal. Following the announcement, Harty shared a brief message on X, formerly known as Twitter.
BALTIMORE!! IM HOME
— Deonte Harty (@tayynation1) April 10, 2024
The Baltimore native kick returner is also claiming a hometown discount. Harty and the Ravens agreed to a $1.29 million, one-year contract.
Harty never fully settled in as a member of the Bills offense, but in the regular season finale versus the Miami Dolphins, he displayed his explosiveness by setting a team record with a 96-yard punt return touchdown that changed the course of the game. In the end, the Bills prevailed 21-14, securing the No. 2 spot and the AFC East championship.
#Bills PR Deonte Harty just returned a punt 96 yards for a TD and this game just got super spicy. 💨pic.twitter.com/yUZ8RT93iQ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 8, 2024
The 26-year-old didn’t carry over his success into the postseason despite being named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Harty has 15 receptions for 150 yards and one touchdown at the end of the regular season. He caught two out of every two targets for 37 yards in two postseason games.
Harty has no ill will towards Buffalo once he leaves. On March 6, he wrote, “Bills mafia!!” It has been enjoyable. I appreciate you welcoming my family and me! Love is eternal 💙👶🏽.
The Bills waived wide receiver Nyheim Hines, who was sidelined for the whole 2023 season due to a jet ski accident during the offseason, concurrently with Harty’s cut. Hines signed a one-year, $1.9 million contract with the Cleveland Browns after the Bills dismissed him, saving them almost $4.6 million.
Buffalo must handle special teams now that Harty and Hines are gone, particularly in light of the league’s approval of new kickoff regulations for the 2024 NFL season.
Head coach of the Bills Sean McDermott was aware that the new restrictions would impact their offseason plans even before the NFL approved them. According to team writer Patrick Warren, McDermott stated, “When you look at the kickoff rule, if that goes through, you’re gonna need someone to occupy that spot – or maybe more than one.”
Wide receiver Curtis Samuel, who recently inked a three-year, $24 million contract with the Bills, is one player who might fit that role. In 2017 and 2018, Samuel played both kick return and positional football for the Carolina Panthers.
General manager of the Bills Brandon Beane is amenable to the notion. He stated, “We think he’s a guy who can line up in the backfield, at receiving, with gadgets, and he could be a returner for us.
The Bills’ top priority is to locate a new X-receiver after they traded superstar Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. Right now, Mack Hollins, Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir, and Samuel are the team’s best receivers.
TRADE: Bills trading WR Stefon Diggs to the Texans in exchange for a 2025 2nd-round pick. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/Gtg7jOKeNW
— NFL (@NFL) April 3, 2024
Beane is expected to trade up and select a top talent such as Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, Marvin Harrison Jr., or Brian Thomas Jr. because there is a strong class of receivers entering the 2024 NFL draft. Buffalo, on the other hand, might choose to pass at No. 28 and take Xavier Legette, Ladd McConkey, or Keon Coleman.
Beane made a strong implication that they will add players other than through the draft. Veterans still exist in the world. Beane informed reporters, “We’ll continue to search and see if there is someone who would fit.” Furthermore, there are still other options available even if we are unable to sign the desired player by April. We must keep in mind that roster development is a never-ending process.
“September is when we play games,” Beane continued. “I’m going to move every stone to create more rivalry and depth.”