The Buffalo Bills lost three wide receivers in the offseason. Marquise Goodwin and Robert Woods signed with the San Francisco 49ers and L.A. Rams. Jeremy Hunter is now a Pittsburgh Steeler. The Bills have a had a hard time in the past few years keeping good players on the team. They just lost Stephon Gilmore and Mike Gillislee to AFC East rival, the New England Patriots. Can Buffalo’s wide receiving corps get the job done and help the Bills secure a winning record?
Sammy Watkins needs 1000-plus yards
Buffalo lost a first round pick when they drafted wide receiver Sammy Watkins in 2014.
The former Clemson Tiger has incredible speed and solid hands. His biggest issue is staying on the field. Watkins has had several injuries that have caused him to miss games. His foot has been a problem. He missed half of last year due to his foot injury and had offseason surgery on the same foot again. The wide receiver has also struggled with hip and ankle injuries. The Bills declined to pick up his five-year option, but Watkins can secure a position with the team by having a great 1000+ year. He is more than capable of it. In 2015, he posted 60 catches and almost 1050 yards. While last season was somewhat of a down year, his 28 catches for 438 yards average about 15 yards per catch, which is a decent number.
A good year for quarterback Tyrod Taylor and a healthy Watkins can be magic in 2017.
Zay Jones is a starter
The Bills wheeled and dealed to move up in the second round to grab Zay Jones. The East Carolina star shows much promise. While in college, Jones set a 2016 season record with his 158 catches and 1746 yards. He scored 8 touchdowns.
Jones is everything that a team should want in a receiver. He has good hands and height. At 6 ft. 2 and 200 pounds, Jones ended his college career with 4279 receiving yards and about 400 receptions which showcase his consistency. However, in OTA’s with the Buffalo Bills, Jones recently injured his knee. He is listed as having a sprained knee that is week-to-week.
However, with three months left until opening day at home against the New York Jets, the second-round pick has more than enough time to heal. Jones should be a day one starter.
Andre Holmes can move the chains
Used to snagging passes from Derek Carr, Andre Holmes jumped ship from the Oakland Raiders to Buffalo during the offseason. He should make the number three spot behind Jones. While his numbers are not mind-blowing, he has 102 catches and over 1400 yards. Holmes averages about 10 yards per catch. Using him on third downs to move the chains could work out well for Buffalo. Buffalo needs Holmes, Watkins, and Jones to have solid seasons if the team is going to be successful.
