Buffalo Bills: New look receiving corps

Anquan Boldin has informed the Buffalo Bills and the NFL that he is retiring. This news followed 13 days after Boldin was quoted saying he was all-in with the Bills this year. See what the depleted Buffalo receiving corps looks like today.

The Buffalo Bills wide receiver depth chart is listed below from Ourlads.com:

#11 Zay Jones, age 22

Height: 6’1″

NFL Draft: 2017 / Round: 2 / Pick: 37

Zay Jones has made an impact in each game that he has played in thus far. With the recent departures of Sammy Watkins and Anquan Boldin, Zay Jones will be thrust into the number one spot on the receiver depth chart.

The stellar rushing attack that the Buffalo Bills possess will take pressure off of the passing game that has struggled in past years. If Zay Jones makes any contribution this season, it will go great lengths to the success of the Buffalo Bills this year.

#87 Jordan Matthews, age 25

Height: 6’3″

NFL Draft: 2014 / Round 2 / Pick 42

Jordan Matthews was involved in the trade with the Philadelphia Eagles in which the Bills sent Ronald Darby over. Matthews’ campaign with the Buffalo Bills has been injury plagued so far, but he hopes to return to action soon, especially for week 1.

With Anquan Boldin gone, Jordan Matthews should be the number one slot receiver on the team. There was question whether Boldin or Matthews would take the reins at the slot position, but that question is answered now.

#8 Rod Streater, age 29

Height: 6’3″

NFL Draft: Undrafted 2012

Rod Streater was the training camp standout this year but was quieted down when Anquan Boldin came to town. Now that he has retired, Streater returns to the wide receiver three battle.

If Streater is healthy come week 1, then I could see him being the third option on the team, not Andre Holmes or Corey Brown. With Jones, Matthews, McCoy, and Clay on the team, Streater will not get a whole lot of looks. When he does, he better make them count.

#18 Andre Holmes, age 29

Height: 6’4″

NFL Draft: Undrafted 2011

Andre Holmes was signed in free-agency this year from the Oakland Raiders. Holmes was the projected number three-receiver a month ago until the roster jumbled, and Rod Streater surged to the top.

Holmes has had quiet seasons for the Raiders in 2015 and 2016. Pulling in 201 and 126 yards respectively. Holmes is a red-zone threat with seven touchdowns in the past two seasons combined. That is a lot for a player who gains as many yards as he does. Holmes will play his role this year. Not a top receiver, but a player who buys into the team’s system and makes his money in the end-zone.

With Jordan Matthews’ current injury woes, it is tough to have much confidence in the wide receiver corps this season. I have no idea what to expect from the Bills’ offense this year except for the fact that LeSean McCoy will run for 100 yards a game.

It will be interesting to see how the roster looks come week 8 when we have a good idea of how the season is going for the Bills.

Next: Buffalo Bills: What to Watch For Preseason Week 3

Are you confident in the current state of the Buffalo Bills’ receiving depth chart? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

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