It was just a year ago when there was so much uncertainty with the wide receiver room of the Buffalo Bills, heading into the 2024 season. They had lost Gabe Davis to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and traded Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. It was a completely revamped wideout room going into last season. The only receiver on the Bills that had caught a pass from Josh Allen going into last year was Khalil Shakir.
The Bills drafted Keon Coleman in the draft, and signed both Mack Hollins and Curtis Samuel in free agency. One of the better signings that looked to be a solid one was the Bills bringing in Samuel from Washington. Buffalo signed Samuel to a three-year, $24 million deal in hopes that he could provide versatility outside the numbers and maybe even the backfield.
Samuel started out his career with the Carolina Panthers, where he had the best year of his career up to this point under Joe Brady, current Bills’ offensive coordinator and former Panthers’ offensive coordinator in 2020. Samuel had 851 receiving yards and 200 rushing yards to go with 5 total touchdowns. In addition, Samuel caught 79% of his passes (77/97).
The signing of Samuel last season was meant to help the Bills’ offense in terms of speed and versatility. Instead, it was nothing more than a major disappointment. In 14 games, Samuel had just 253 receiving yards and one touchdown to go with 14 rushing yards. Now whether you want to say it was because of the lack of proper usage or him battling through some injuries, Samuel’s first season in Buffalo was one to forget.
WR Curtis Samuel could very well be in roster trouble
The Bills added new receivers in Joshua Palmer, Elijah Moore, and Laviska Shenault in free agency, while also drafting Kaden Prather in the 7th round of the NFL Draft. Now you’ve got these four new Bills receivers to go with Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Curtis Samuel as the notable players in that room.
Palmer was signed to a three-year deal, and Moore is more explosive than Samuel. It would not be a surprise to see Samuel get released by the Bills at the end of the summer if he cannot beat out these new teammates in training camp.
While Samuel does have the advantage of already knowing the Bills’ offensive scheme, it’s all about what you can do on the field. Up to this point, Samuel hasn’t proved it with the Bills.