Buffalo Bills: 4 potential veteran training camp casualties

WR Andre Holmes

When the Bills agreed to sign wideout Andre Holmes to a three-year, $6.5 million deal last spring, the plan was for Holmes to compete for the number two receiver position or, at the very least, become a legitimate red zone target for then quarterback, Tyrod Taylor. Well, let’s just say that didn’t exactly come to fruition.

Much like most of the team’s pass catchers, the 2017-18 season was quite simply one to be forgotten for Holmes. He pulled in a paltry 13 catches for 120 yards and three touchdowns over the course of 14 games and was a complete non-factor during the team’s successful playoff push.

The problem for the lanky receiver heading into this summer’s training camp is he is faced with a plethora of younger competition to secure a fleeting roster spot. The team invested draft picks in Ray-Ray McLeod and Austin Proehl, signed gifted speedster Robert Foster, and retained the skilled trio of Malachi Dupre, Quan Bray and the cult-figure known as Brandon Reilly.

The harsh reality is that Holmes, 30, has likely plateaued as a receiver. He has trouble gaining any semblance of separation when running his routes and, despite being 6-foot-4, fails to utilize his body positioning to his advantage.

Holmes’ only saving grace may be his willingness and ability to play the gunner role on special teams. That said, I suspect that one of the aforementioned youngsters will grow into said role and Holmes’ days as a Bill will be numbered.