Buffalo Bills: New Additions at WR Will Help Tyrod Taylor Succeed in 2017

Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes (18) in action against the Houston Texans during the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes (18) in action against the Houston Texans during the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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buffalo bills tyrod taylor
Aug 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jeremy Butler (17) catches a pass from quarterback Ryan Mallett (not pictured) for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

WR Jeremy Butler

Jeremy Butler signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills worth $625,000 and will join an inexperience receiving crew — which will likely work in his favor. Look for Butler to have a good offseason and carry that into the preseason.

I see Butler having the same opportunity as Corey Brown next season — a chance at a No. 3 or No. 4 spot on the roster. I think the two will be fighting for the same position, but will both turn out productive seasons on a team that will likely target other receivers on a consistent basis.

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One positive with Butler that we don’t get with Brown is size. Listed at 6’3” and 205 pounds, Butler could be a force to be reckoned with. He hasn’t had much of an opportunity to showcase his skills, but what we have seen has been promising.

Butler joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2014, but unfortunately found himself on the injured reserve his rookie season. He would see his first action in 2015 with the Baltimore Ravens, where he played in 8 games and recorded 31 catches, 363 yards and no touchdowns. In fact, his only touchdown came in a preseason game and the quarterback that threw him the ball — Tyrod Taylor.

He didn’t see much of any action last year with the San Diego Chargers. He played in 4 games, but only caught 2 catches for 11 yards. Butler will have a chance to build off what he was able to do in 2015 and prove that last season was just a speed bump. Being back with Tyrod Taylor should help, which he noted as a big factor in his decision to sign with Buffalo.

All in all, I see Jeremy Butler and Corey Brown making the team and acting as depth behind Sammy Watkins, Andre Holmes and whoever we pick in the NFL Draft. I think his size will favor him over Brown and he will see more of an opportunity, if the offseason calls for it.

2017 Projection: 38 receptions, 400 yards, 3 touchdowns, 25 first downs

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