The Buffalo Bills have been left very thin at the wide receiver position with injuries to several key players. Jordan Matthews is out for weeks with a serious injury, and the Bills top receiver last year, Charles Clay, will also be out for a long time. That leaves Buffalo with second round pick Zay Jones, who has struggled with drops, Andre Holmes, and Brandon Tate. At this point, Buffalo will need to find production from somewhere else to replace what both Charles and Matthews were giving the Bills.
1. Brandon Reilly WR (Buffalo Bills)
The Nebraska product was solid in the preseason, as he caught nine passes for more than 100 receiving yards and scored a touchdown.
He was also sure-handed, something that even the talented Zay Jones has not been. Bills fans who watched Reilly play in the preseason have to be wondering why Reilly hasn't been given a shot as a starter yet. Buffalo certainly needs the production, and he could provide some of it.
2. Stevie Johnson WR (Former Buffalo Bills)
Sean McDermott isn't going to put up with the antics of the former receiver, but he doesn't have too many options. Stevie Johnson was solid for the Buffalo Bills and a fan favorite in the past. There's no question that he's talented, but he is much older at 31 now. At this point, Buffalo doesn't have many other options and should consider signing the free agent wide receiver, even if he is a bit old.
3. Gary Barnidge TE (Former Cleveland Browns)
The Bills have two other tight ends on the roster besides Charles Clay, but neither is particularly experienced. That's where 32 year old tight end Gary Barnidge could step in. He's flashed talent in Cleveland of all places, and he's also an excellent blocker. He's a guy the Bills could trust, and would work well as a temporary fix at the tight end position.
The Bills are left in this dire position after an offseason in which their top three receivers (Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, and Marquise Goodwin) either left or were traded to another team. The Bills tried to address the wide receiver issue through the draft and free agency, but it hasn't worked so far. Anquan Boldin decided to retire just days after signing a contract.
Jordan Matthews and Charles Clay are both hurt. And Zay Jones hasn't been the amazing receiver the Bills thought they were getting when they drafted him.
All of those things have left Buffalo's depth at wide receiver very thin, but the above players would give Tyrod Taylor more targets capable of getting separation and making catches against opposing defenses.
