The Buffalo Bills are entering the season with a depleted roster after free agency. Both Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin, the number two and number three options, left in free agency to sign with other teams. That left the Bills very thin at the position, with just the injury prone Sammy Watkins as their most competent wide receiver.
NFL Draft Picks.
In the draft, the Bills decided to select East Carolina wide receiver Zay Jones to partially address their issue. He was one of the most productive wide receivers in the draft in college, going off for 1,746 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in his final year with the team.
The Bills traded up to take Jones, and they are expecting a lot from the young rookie. However, it might not be a bad idea for the team to pair a young, inexperienced rookie with a veteran who already knows Buffalo. That's where Stevie Johnson fits in.
Stevie Johnson's Time with the Bills.
From 2010 to 2012, Johnson put up very consistent numbers and always posted more than 1,000 receiving yards. It didn't seem to matter who the quarterback was, and he routinely got open whether it was a long or a short pass. Johnson is well known throughout the NFL for his crazy celebrations, which is probably part of the reason why the Bills decided to part ways with him. He's had issues with drops, including a big one against the Pittsburgh Steelers a few years ago.
But it can't be denied, that while he was in Buffalo, Johnson was productive and could even be one of the best Bills receivers of all time.
Johnson wouldn't be too expensive.
Since leaving the Bills, Johnson hasn't exactly been the best wide receiver. He signed a three year deal with the Chargers, but had injury issues, and was eventually released by the team.
He's still a free agent and on the market, and it doesn't look like Stevie has garnered much interest from other NFL teams. This is a prime opportunity for the Bills to strike and at least continue to address the problems that they have at wide receiver. And it would be cheap! Who else is looking to sign a 30 year old Stevie Johnson right now?
It's a low risk, high reward play, and Johnson is already familiar with Buffalo.
Bills have some cap space.
The Buffalo Bills do have money that they could use to sign a player like Johnson. There are certainly some negatives, like the drops, his age, and his propensity for foolish antics, but the Bills aren't going to get production from thin air. The team might have high expectations for Zay Jones, but the truth is that he is only a rookie. It's time to give Sammy Watkins some help and bring Stevie Johnson back to Buffalo.
