Former Bronco wide receiver KJ Hamler to sign with Buffalo Bills for 2024 season

The Buffalo Bills are looking to the future, while still playing in the present. The team is signing a former Denver Broncos wide receiver to a futures deal, per Field Yates. Details of the deal have not been released but it's clear the Bills are looking to bolster their wide receiver depth next season. He'll compete for a roster spot throughout the preseason, albeit a long shot.

Hamler was a second-round pick of the Denver Broncos and had a solid start to his career. As a rookie, he recorded 30 receptions for 381 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, Hamler's career has been derailed by injuries and other medical concerns. In 2021, after only three games, he tore his ACL and missed the remainder of the season, and in 2022, played in only seven games due to a nagging hamstring injury.

In the two seasons following his rookie year, Hamler totaled 12 catches and 239 yards. The injury issues continued in 2023, after tearing a pectoral muscle in March, and in July, he was diagnosed with a heart condition called pericarditis that affects the membrane surrounding the heart, causing swelling and irritation. The heart condition was the final straw for the Broncos, leading them to release him last year.

In September of 2023, the Indianapolis Colts signed Hamler to their practice squad; however, he never saw the field and was not retained by the Colts, which led becoming a free agent and signing a futures deal with the Bills.

For Buffalo, it's a great signing because the risk is nearly non-existent but comes with a lot of upside. Hamler has exceptional speed, reported to run a 40-time in under 4.3 seconds. At first glance, you might think the addition of Hamler is about the unknown future of Gabe Davis; however, Hamler is only 5'8" and weighs approximately 180 pounds. He's built for and has the skill set as a slot receiver but with the emergence of Khalil Shakir, it's hard to see how Hamler fits on this Bills roster but depth is good to have in this league and you can never have too much speed.