This offseason, the Buffalo Bills added new wide receivers to their roster, but this week, it was time for an early exit.
On May 16, the Bills announced the release of wide receiver Quintez Cephus, just over two weeks after signing the former Detroit Lions pass-catcher. Cephus had recently returned from a one-year suspension for breaking the league’s gambling policy, and his signing sparked some criticism from fans.
In addition to Cephus’ release, the Bills signed veteran safety Dee Delaney, who is expected to compete for a roster position this season.
Short Tenure for Former Lions Receiver
The Bills confirmed Cephus’ acquisition on April 29, adding a receiver with a chequered history. Cephus entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick of the Lions in 2020, and he had a good rookie season, recording 20 receptions for 349 yards and two scores in 12 games.
Cephus’ performance subsequently dropped over the next two seasons, with only 17 receptions for 219 yards and two scores while struggling with injuries. He did not play any games in 2023 since the league suspended him for breaking gambling regulations.
According to The Associated Press, Cephus was one of three Lions players reprimanded for gambling, and he received the harshest punishment, an indefinite suspension that lasted the entire season until being reinstated this summer.
We’ve signed S Dee Delaney and released WR Quintez Cephus.#GoBills | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/YKessfigj0
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) May 16, 2024
Bills Making Other Moves at Receiver
The Bills had worked hard to reshape a wide receiving corps that had lost its best two players, Gabe Davis in free agency and Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans.
The squad selected Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman with its top overall pick, the first in the second round. According to Pro Football Focus expert Sam Monson, Coleman possesses some excellent physical qualities as well as some red flags, implying that he will be unable to fill the vacuum left by Diggs’ departure.
“Coleman is an intriguing prospect, but his profile had a lot of red flags and he would seem to be one of the riskier answers to a team that intends to install him as their X receiver and essentially replace Diggs,” Monson stated. “Coleman has size and exceptional body control and hands — traits that Diggs possesses — but he doesn’t have the route-running chops or ability to separate against man coverage that Diggs does.”
The Bills added some veteran depth this offseason by signing Curtis Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Chase Claypool. Following the NFL Draft, they added more young talent by signing undrafted free agency receiver Xavier Johnson Jr.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic praised the multi-sport hero, pointing out that Johnson excelled on both offense and special teams.
“A three-star recruit, he had double-digit football offers (plus several basketball offers) but chose instead to walk on at his dream school, Ohio State,” wrote Brugler. “He earned a role on special teams each of the last five seasons, finishing his career with a remarkable 899 snaps and 14 tackles.”
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