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Welcome back to the Buffalo Wins season review by position. Today we’ll discuss the wide receiver position.
In the first year of the Rex Ryan Buffalo Bills, how Greg Roman used their best receiver was at times a point of contention. By the end of the season, however Watkins not only had his first 1,000 yard season but also a coming out party of sorts – showing how dominant he can be when he’s targeted like the premier receiver he is.
As for his partners in crime, upon the injury to Percy Harvin (and subsequent undocumented injuries to Woods and Hogan) the Bills were touch and go in terms of support from receivers not named Sammy Watkins. While Tyrod Taylor’s first year starter status can be a part of that, the inability of a receiver to take the reigns as a willing compliment is something that will bear watching this off-season.
Key Stats
95. That is the number of targets that Sammy Watkins had at the end of the year. To put that in perspective, Julio Jones had 204, Odell Beckham Jr had 159 and AJ Green had 132. For the 2016 season, I’d guess a sweet spot for Watkins would be 110 targets – but that’s a chat for another day.
In 2015, Watkins’ declaration to get him the ball was met at first with fan and media ridicule, but by end of the season it was clear – good things happen when Sammy is targeted. Early on, he lost targets to new acquisition Percy Harvin; during the 2 game dark period at quarterback (shudder) Watkins was out from part of one game (Bengals) and all of the Jacksonville implosion. And by the end of the season, his body cashed the check he wrote with his mouth in spades.
In terms of his teammates, the Bills need more production from their receivers – be they tight ends, wide receivers or backs. This year, the Bills scored 23 touchdowns, good for 20th in the NFL. Out of those 23 scores, 11 were in the first half and 8 were in the fourth quarter. Now, I’m not going to try and trap you with a word problem, so I’ll back up. In the entirety of the 2015 season, the Bills scored 4 touchdowns in the third quarter passing. That has to go up if they want to dig out of slow starts like the ones that plagued them at times this year. This stat is also important given the fact that the Chiefs (20), Broncos (19) and Vikings (14) all made the playoffs with less touchdowns receiving is countered by their effective defenses. Buffalo’s defense is a wait and see, so…
Possible FA Fits
Since the Bills themselves seem to be looking for this in their futures signings of Greg Little (6’3) and Jarrett Boykin (6’2), size is needed on the roster at receiver. I’d also argue, given Tyrod’s penchant for the deep ball that they acquire another speed merchant to play outside similar to Harvin.
Given their needs, here are three players I think can play a role:
Andre Holmes, Oakland/LA? Raiders – Playing in more of a reserve role, Holmes’ size (6’4) and speed have been used in more of a reserve receiver role for the Raiders this year. Given the bargain bin jumping the Bills will have to do, taking a chance on a receiver that’s both tall and fast seems like a worthy gamble for at least a #3 role, especially given most teams’ usage of taller faster receivers in the slot of late.
Leonard Hankerson, Buffalo by way of New England/Washington/New York Jets – Currently on the roster as an impending free agent, Hankerson’s size (6’2) and speed (4.43 40 time) would be a nice add to the team on a more permanent basis. The key will be whether Hankerson in a one week audition felt that Buffalo wanted him and not just a body to get through Jets week. Worst case scenario, if he departs he’d be a player that counts as a FA lost in a 2017 comp pick formula. Given the Bills penchant to stay away from moves in free agency, that can only help.
Reuben Randle, New York Giants – Coming off a bad season statistically, the 6’2 receiver could come to Buffalo on a one year deal to prove the play of the prior season was an anomaly. In Buffalo he’s fit the run first team and provide Taylor with a bigger option deep and over the middle.
Final Thoughts
With Robert Woods entering a contract year, Percy Harvin’s status in limbo, Marcus Easley recovering from a devastating injury and Chris Hogan’s wrist putting in question his status as a number 3 receiver, the Bills will have to put in work this off season to solidify a supporting cast around Sammy Watkins. Because of the Bills’ position cap wise, that may not be possible with a marquee talent, so Doug Whaley and his staff will have to rely on late futures signings like Boykins to emerge and “out play” their contracts.
Up Next: Running Backs
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