Grading the Buffalo Bills signing of free agent Curtis Samuel

The Buffalo Bills made their biggest signing of free agency by agreeing to a three-year deal with Curtis Samuel. The former Panthers and Commanders wide receiver has plenty of connections of Buffalo and looks like a perfect fit for this offense.

Samuel was a second round pick by the Carolina Panthers in 2017 and Brandon Beane was still with the Panthers at the time of this NFL Draft. He would play four seasons with the Panthers and had only 2,087 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns during that time.

However, his best season was in 2020 when Joe Brady was offensive coordinator for the Panthers and he had 77 receptions on 97 targets for 851 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. He also had a career high in rushing attempts with 41 for 200 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

He would leave in free agency and sign with the Commanders but dealt with injuries and only plaed in five games. The last two seasons though he was a bigger part of the offense and had 126 receptions, 1,269 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns as well as two rushing touchdowns.

Free Agency Grade for the Buffalo Bills signing of Curtis Samuel: A-

There isn't much to not like about this signing as Curtis Samuel should be a perfect fit for the offense that gives them plenty of versatility. He has primarily been a slot receiver between the Panthers and Commanders and should remain in that role with the Buffalo Bills.

However, he has some good speed that Joe Brady should be able to utilize to hit some big plays in the passing game but also help spread the field to create room in the middle of the field for Dalton Kincaid and any receiver crossing underneath.

Over the past few years, the Bills have had Deonte Harty and Isaiah McKenzie as that gadget receiver that can line up in the backfield or even take some carries. The Buffalo Bills will now look to Curtis Samuel as the player to fill that role.

If there is one negative, or concern, with the signing is that it is a three-year deal worth $24 million and an average of $8 million might be considered a lot for a receiver who has never had over 1,000 receiving yards. However, Samuel has never had a quarterback like Josh Allen and it wouldn't be surprising to see him break that mark this season.