The Buffalo Bills’ offense faces a tricky dilemma coming into the 2024 season, as they need to add skill at wide receiver yet lack the cap space to make any significant changes.
While many insiders expect the Bills to spend a high overall pick on a wide receiver, especially in a draft that is regarded particularly strong at the position, Bleacher Report’s Joe Tansey feels they can find some help in the second tier of free agents.
Tansey mentioned veteran D.J. Chark, who is set to enter free agency after his one-year, $5 million contract with the Carolina Panthers expired.
Bills Bring More Help for Stefon Diggs
As Tansey pointed out, the Bills are facing the task of bolstering support for their top receiver, Stefon Diggs, in the upcoming season. With the anticipated departure of their second receiver, Gabe Davis, in free agency, and veteran Trent Sherfield nearing the end of his one-year contract, the receiving corps needs reinforcement.
At present, third-year receiver Khalil Shakir stands out as the most viable option after Diggs. However, Tansey suggests that while Shakir showed improvement in 2023, he’s currently better suited for slot and No. 3 roles on the depth chart rather than serving as Diggs’ primary backup.
To address this gap, Tansey recommends that the Bills explore the second tier of wide receiver free agents to complement Diggs, Shakir, Dalton Kincaid, and Dawson Knox in their passing game.
Tansey highlights several potential options, including Chark, Jauan Jennings, Josh Reynolds, and K.J. Osbourne. Among them, Chark stands out as one of the most accomplished, having earned one Pro Bowl nod during his six seasons in the NFL. In the previous season, Chark recorded 35 receptions for 525 yards and five touchdowns.
The #Panthers recently hosted WR D.J. Chark and WR Adam Thielen. They reportedly want to sign both of them. #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/MbSRPRhA8h
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) March 19, 2023
As Schuyler Callihan of SI.com’s All Panthers pointed out, Chark’s 2023 stats did not reveal the full tale of his effect. Chark steadily developed a chemistry with quarterback Bryce Young during the season, culminating on Christmas Eve with eight receptions for 98 yards and two scores.
“This is something new. “My previous role has been different,” Chark told AllPanthers.com in December. “But I’m going to roll with the punches and do what I need to do no matter what. Keep pushing, keep fighting, and try to make plays when I get the chance, and as long as I do that, I’ll sleep soundly at night.”
Bills Expected to Add Youth at Wide Receiver
The Bills may also utilize their first-round draft pick to acquire a young wide receiver. Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports anticipated that the Bills would select Oregon receiver Troy Franklin with the 28th overall pick, a huge target who might provide another dimension to the offense.
“Franklin is a tall speedster whose numbers increased in each of his three seasons at Oregon,” he wrote. “There’s some after-the-catch juice in his game. Exactly what the Bills need offensively.
While many believe the Bills will draft another receiver in the first round, there are differing opinions on which player they should target. Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report proposed they choose Florida State receiver Keon Coleman, but Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News thought LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was a better option.
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