Grading the Bills’ Offense Through 9 Games This Season

Marquise Goodwin has used his speed all year long to separate himself from defenders, but has had injury concerns as well.

• What I Like: top-of-the-line speed, knows how to use it to break free from defenders, makes Tyrod’s deep ball more of a threat, opens up the field for Woods and Watkins, Taylor likes to target him
• What I Don’t Like: could work on his route-running, need to find a way to get him involved outside of his speed, injury-prone, concussion-prone, needs to bring in more of his targets
• 2016 Receiving Statistics: 16 receptions, 37 targets, 301 yards, 18.8 average, 3 TD, 9 first downs, 2 catches 20+ yards.
• 2016 Fantasy Points: 

Marquise Goodwin came into this season as our clear No. 3 wide receiver, beating out a handful of competition. He was the most consistent of those battling for that spot throughout training camp and the preseason.

Because of that, expectations were much higher this season than they were last season. With Taylor in his second year as a starter with this offense, we all assumed Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin would all have career years.

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Although that hasn’t really happened yet for any of them, Goodwin has been having an average year limited by injuries. Dealing with a concussion twice this season, the good news is Goodwin has only missed one game (Week 8 vs. Patriots) and has been targeted more than 5 times in all but two of his contests (Week 1 vs. Baltimore and Week 7 vs. Miami).

Goodwin has shown that his speed is a very valuable piece to this offense. During Week 2 vs. the Jets, Goodwin scored an 84-yard touchdown by flying past Darrelle Revis. He would do something similar during Week 7’s matchup with the Dolphins, this one for 67-yards. His other touchdown of the season came on a short pass in the red zone, proving that he can even be used in goal-line situations.

Unfortunately, consistency is key in this league and it’s something that Goodwin hasn’t perfected yet. Even though he has 37 targets this season and is averaging just over 4 targets per game, he is only bringing in about two of them per game (16 catches on the season).

Goodwin has the ability to be a strong No. 3 wide receiver for this team and if Woods can step up, it would open up both of their games and keep opposing defenses honest. When Watkins returns to the field, both Woods and Goodwin will benefit from it, as well.

Don’t count these wide receivers out yet, we haven’t seen what they can all do on the field at the same time — especially under an offense run by Anthony Lynn. Until we see that, we will never know anyone’s true potential with this offense.

Regardless, Marquise Goodwin will need to have a strong final seven games of the season and find a way to avoid injuries at all costs.