Bills can't ignore Joshua Palmer's alarming stat heading into bye week

When you think about the Buffalo Bills, it’s hard not to think about the greatness that their offense has, despite the lack of true wide receiver help that they have had in the last couple of seasons. While DJ Moore was a great acquisition, he’s been dealing with a shoulder injury since Week 2 that caused him to miss the Bills’ last two games.

Still though, Week 1 against the Houston Texans showed fans just how dynamic this offense is when Moore is available and healthy. As for the rest of the group, Keon Coleman has managed to step up big time this season and Khalil Shakir remains dependable, but nothing too dynamic.

Then there is one veteran who started out strong for the Bills, but then has quickly been dropping in production and efficiency very fast.

Joshua Palmer has yet to find his footing with Bills

As a free agent signing in the 2025 offseason, Joshua Palmer has not been the greatest investment that the Bills have made. Last season, he played in just 12 games (and missed the postseason) and only had 303 yards and 0 touchdowns, both of which are career-lows. Injuries held him back and he was never fully healthy which ultimately led him to being shutdown for the playoffs.

Coming into this season, there was hope that with a full offseason to recover, as well as having his offensive coordinator becoming his new head coach, Palmer would be able to put 2025 behind him and become a serious contributor for this offense this season.

To start this season, Palmer's first two catches both went for touchdowns. Not only did they go for six, but they each went for 30+ yards. Great start, right? Well, it went down fast and things are not looking great at all. Through six games, Palmer has just 4 catches for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was held without a catch in Week 3 against the Chargers, and he's only had one catch in four games.

The sad part is that these are not the worst of it all for Palmer. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Palmer currently has the highest drop rate this season (with a minimum of 10 targets), and his rate is sitting at 42.9%. The next closest one to Palmer is Chris Bell of the Miami Dolphins at 28.6%. I'm sorry, but that is just completely unacceptable and the Bills need to make some kind of change with Palmer.

Bills must make WR change involving Joshua Palmer

Palmer was brought to Buffalo on a 3-year deal worth $30 million, making $10 million per season. In 17 total games he has played with the Bills, Palmer has 420 yards and 2 touchdowns. Outside of his Week 1 performance last week against the Baltimore Ravens, Palmer has never had more than 2 catches in a game in Buffalo. Finally, he's never had more than 61 yards in a game. How is that worth $10 million per year?!

Now, his drop rate is the highest in the NFL and there have been some passes from Josh Allen where it hit Palmer in the hands, but he couldn't hang onto it.

As the Bills enter their bye week, all the focus is going into the defense and their lackluster performance (and rightfully so), but it's important that the Bills address this issue with Palmer. For a guy making as much as he is and having very little production to go with the alarming drop rate stat, Brandon Beane should be seeking to bring in competition at wide receiver.

Infact, it may not be a bad idea to have Palmer be a healthy scratch and give someone else a chance. Palmer suiting up doesn't do anything for the Bills, and this drop rate stat just proves it.

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