The Kansas City Chiefs recently cut wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. A surprise for Chief fans, Maclin’s free agency may work out perfectly for the Bills, who are thin at the wide receiver position. Maclin has been a solid catcher that quarterback Alex Smith has relied on for victories. Can the Buffalo Bills entice Maclin to sign with the team? Here is why the free agent could be a force for the Bills.
Maclin’s proven track record
Jeremy Maclin has shown that he can snag the ball. Drafted in 2009 for the Philadelphia Eagles, the wide receiver played with them for 5 seasons.
Considering that LeSean McCoy did much of the offensive work for the team during those years, Maclin still ended up with 4771 yards and 343 receptions. His last 2 years with the Chiefs was quite productive. With over 1600 catching yards, Maclin still has much life left in him. In his years in the NFL, he has not averaged less than 12 yards per catch. A guy with steady, consistent hands is what Buffalo needs.
Ties to LeSean McCoy and David Culley
It is no secret that Jeremy Maclin has ties to Bills’ running back LeSean McCoy. According to CBS sports, McCoy stated that the Maclin called him first after being released by Kansas City. McCoy would like to have Maclin on the team. Since they have already played together in the past during their time with the Eagles, the duo possesses a good chemistry.
Maclin also knows Buffalo’s quarterback coach David Culley. Culley was a wide receiver and assistant coach for Kansas City. Players want to get themselves into a good situation. Familiarity could work for Maclin.
The number one or two receiver
While Sammy Watkins is slated to be the Bills’ number one receiver, it is not locked up yet.
Watkins has been hurt for much of his career and just had another surgery on his foot. Maclin has shown that he can stay healthy. Besides his torn ACL in the offseason that canceled his 2013 season, Maclin has started in 102 games. That is a better track record than Watkins. Buffalo has also declined to pick up Watkins’ 2018 fifth year option.
That leaves the door wide open for Maclin to be the top guy. Maclin also has a good shot of being the number two receiver if he can move past newly drafted receiver Zay Jones. As of now, Jones is week-to-week in practice, due to a sprained knee. That leaves a competition between Maclin and Jones. Newly added receivers Andre Holmes and Corey Brown do not come close to Maclin’s talent. Tyrod Taylor also needs another consistent guy to catch his passes.
Jeremy Maclin is slated to meet with the Baltimore Raven this week. Fans will have to wait for his decision on what team he wants to join.
