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Buffalo Bills: 5 Retired Players That Would Help Right Now

By Ryan Brennan

Sep 15, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills former players Jim Kelly and Bruce Smith on the field before a game against the New York Jets at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills former players Jim Kelly and Bruce Smith on the field before a game against the New York Jets at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart/Getty Images /

WR Lee Evans (2004-2010)

Career Stats (in Buffalo): 109 games, 377 receptions, 5,934 yards, 43 TD, 261 first downs

The first position we are going to upgrade is the wide receiver position. The Buffalo Bills currently only have a few wide receivers on the roster that are capable of producing from day one.

Sammy Watkins is always hurt, Andre Holmes still has to prove himself, in fact most of the receivers on the Bills’ roster have to prove themselves still.

Now, there are a number of former Bills’ wide receivers I would bring back. There’s the obvious in Andre Reed or Eric Moulds. There’s also Peerless Price, Stevie Johnson and Josh Reed to consider.

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Above all the rest, there’s one guy I would like to see come back more than anyone — Lee Evans. Lee Evans joined the Buffalo Bills in 2004 as the team’s 13th draft pick in the first round. One of the main reasons I would choose him to come back is because he never got the chance he deserved in the NFL — and never got the credit he deserved for what he was ultimately able to do.

Andre Reed had Jim Kelly, Eric Moulds had a number of talented quarterbacks and in my opinion, Price, Johnson and Josh Reed were never destined to be superstar-caliber receivers. I do believe Evans was, though, and would’ve if he had a better quarterback. In his 7-year tenure with the Bills, he had J.P. Losman, Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing him the ball.

If Evans had Tyrod Taylor throwing him the ball — or whoever will be throwing him the ball next season — I’m almost positive he would produce better than any other receiver in Bills’ history.

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Not only does Lee Evans rank third in Bills’ history in receiving yards with nearly 6,000 yards in his 7-year stay, but also third in touchdowns. In both statistics, he sits behind Andre Reed and Eric Moulds. Compared to those two, Evans had a higher yards per reception average (15.7) and less fumbles.

If Evans finished his Bills’ career with the same amount of receptions as Andre Reed (with Evans’ 15.7 yards per reception), then Evans would’ve finished with nearly 1,700 yards more than Reed.

In addition, with his 43 touchdowns, Evans averaged a touchdown ever 8.7 catches. Andre Reed averaged a touchdown ever 10.9 catches.

I would love to see what Tyrod Taylor could do with Lee Evans, especially with Sammy Watkins out there as well. Oh boy, this offense would be scary. Plus, in his 7 years in Buffalo, Evans only missed 3 games and they all came in his final season with the team. Very reliable.

Moving on to offensive tackle.

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