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

Ryan Brennan

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

buffalo bills tyrod taylor — Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jeremy Butler (17) against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills brought back Tyrod Taylor and have also signed a number of new targets for him. It should make for a fun 2017 campaign.

When the 2016 season came to an end, the Buffalo Bills‘ offense was a complete mess. Tyrod Taylor was on the verge of playing for another team, the coaching staff had just been fired, the injury report was lengthy to say the least and our receiving corps was just sad.

To make matters worse, the Bills’ defense was even more of a mess.

After piecing together an impressive coaching staff that started with the hiring of new head coach Sean McDermott, Buffalo set out to fix the roster in hopes for another shot at the playoffs. One of the biggest needs for the team was at wide receiver.

So far this offseason, that position group has seen quite the restoration, but it’s not over yet. After seeing Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin pack up for the West Coast, Percy Harvin retire and Marcus Easley be released, the Buffalo Bills weren’t left with much at wide receiver.

In fact, after all of that they only had Sammy Watkins, Walter Powell, Dezmin Lewis and Kolby Listenbee under contract next season.

Thanks to a busy free agency period, the Buffalo Bills have made several additions at wide receiver and they are only a few more receivers away from being ready for the 2017 season. In this piece, we are going to take a closer look at the new wide receivers, grade the Bills on the signing and see how they will fit in Buffalo’s offense.

Lastly, we will take a look at what else the Bills need to do at wide receiver to ensure a smooth 2017 campaign.

Let’s get started.

WR Corey “Philly” Brown

Corey Brown signed a one-year contract worth just $690,000 and will re-join Sean McDermott, who was coaching the defense in Carolina when Brown was with the Panthers. He will wear #10 next season, Robert Woods’ old number.

Brown will join several new wide receivers in Buffalo and will have a chance to earn a bigger contract if he performs well. As of right now, Corey Brown is the team’s No. 3 wide receiver in my opinion — behind Sammy Watkins and Andre Holmes. If the team selects a wide receiver in the first round, Brown will likely move to a No. 4 wide receiver, but will still have a good chance to produce.

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In the past three seasons with Carolina, Brown has totaled 79 catches (144 targets), 1,019 yards, 7 touchdowns, 12.9 yards per reception and 52 first downs. His best season came in 2015 when he finished with 31 catches, 447 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Brown will give the Buffalo Bills an option deep down the field, which will be crucial with Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin each taking their talents elsewhere this offseason. Coming in at 5’11” and 190 pounds, his size won’t give him much advantage over the defense. His speed will, though.

One problem that has kind of stuck with Corey Brown has been dropped passes. Take this one for example:

Cam Newton finds Corey Brown for a wide-open touchdo-

...

Oh. #NEvsCAR http://t.co/0uNXE670lI
— NFL (@NFL) August 29, 2015

Hopefully we see better hands vs. the Patriots next season.

All in all, I think Corey Brown will turn out a good season for the Bills and will show good chemistry with Tyrod Taylor. I expect Buffalo to draft a No. 2 wide receiver, but I think Brown will land that No. 4 spot come regular season.

2017 Projection: 33 catches, 345 yards, 3 touchdowns, 20 first downs

WR Corey Washington

Corey Washington recently joined the Buffalo Bills‘ receiving core as the fourth free agent addition at the position. The terms to his contract have yet to be announced, but I would imagine it to be for the league minimum.

Washington will likely be one of the receivers that don’t see a lot of time on the field, unless injuries arise. With that being said, he will be fighting for a roster spot this offseason. Fortunately for him, the Bills’ receiving crew doesn’t have a lot of proven talent and he will join everyone else in the fight for a spot.

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

WR Andre Holmes

Out of the four free agent wide receivers signed by the Buffalo Bills this offseason, Andre Holmes has the most promise and is the early favorite for the No. 2 spot on the roster. If the Bills go WR in the first round of the draft, the two will compete for that spot behind Sammy Watkins.

Holmes came at a decent price, too. He signed a 3-year contract worth $5.15 million with $2.45 million guaranteed. He will only count $1.4 million against the Bills’ cap next season.

At 28 years old, Holmes still has some of his prime left and could definitely make the most out of it in Buffalo. He will be the most experienced receiver on this team and it will likely show early on. Not to forget, his 6’4”, 210-pound frame will definitely give a Tyrod Taylor a good target all over the field and will take attention off Sammy Watkins.

Holmes will be entering his 6th season and has spent the past four years with the Oakland Raiders. He saw his biggest season in 2014 when he finished with 47 catches, 693 yards and 4 touchdowns. In his career, he has totaled 102 catches, 1,462 yards and 12 touchdowns.

I expect Andre Holmes to earn the No. 3 spot after the Bills select a WR in the first round, but that will really depend on how everyone performs throughout the offseason. Either way, I expect him to be a consistent target for Taylor and will turn out the best season of his career. His success will land him an even bigger role next season.

2017 Projection: 51 receptions, 640 yards, 6 touchdowns, 38 first downs

The Buffalo Bills could still use some help at the wide receiver position, more specifically a No. 2 receiver and a little more depth.

I’m pretty sure the Buffalo Bills have made most of their moves in free agency. All that’s left are a few depth additions and then it is time to get ready for the draft — which is where I see the Buffalo Bills finding their No. 2 receiver.

Obviously, there are 2 receivers to look at — Mike Williams and Corey Davis.

If the Bills decide to go this route, either receiver will work and both will bring different styles. Williams will bring better production out of the gate, but won’t have the type of explosiveness that Buffalo likes. On the other hand, Corey Davis will bring a higher ceiling, but would have to compete a little more for the No. 2 spot in Buffalo.

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Williams can go up and catch just about any ball thrown his way. This will be attractive to a Bills’ team that struggled with their passing game last season. Davis has the size, but brings speed and ability to get open to his arsenal.

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Personally, I think the Buffalo Bills would be better off with Corey Davis. Not only is Mike Williams expected to go before him, I think the Bills can get more out of him in the long run.

If the Buffalo Bills don’t elect to go with WR in the first round or decide to trade for an extra draft pick, then Zay Jones could potentially pop into the equation. He has been vocal about his talent and has even made his own case for being the best receiver in this class.

Confidence can go a long way and Jones definitely has that. Not to mention, his receiving coach in college is now coaching the Bills’ receivers — which could be a match made in heaven.

Also, don’t forget about Josh Gordon, who is ready to make a return to football. Likely being released by the Cleveland Browns, he will be available to any team. The Bills would have to look past his history and hope that he is ready to turn over a new leaf.

Ultimately, I see the Buffalo Bills going WR in the first round and bringing a No. 2 receiver into the equation. It could definitely make for an exciting 2017 campaign.

Next: Chad Ochocinco Shares Opinion on Sammy Watkins

What do you think of the Buffalo Bills‘ new wide receiver corps? Leave your thoughts below!

Ryan Brennan

My name is Ryan Matthew Brennan and I am 23 years old. Writing has been a passion of mine my entire life and I plan on continuing my travels within this industry. I was the editor for Fansided's BuffaLowDown -- a Buffalo Bills' blog -- in addition to Wake Up Mr. West -- a blog dedicated to Kanye West. After a short hiatus, I am now with Sabre Noise, continuing my love for all things Buffalo.