TBN: Why the Bills Have Become a Wide Receiver Wasteland

[26CornerBlitz]

 

Every NFL team has someone who can be considered a No. 1 wide receiver. How that’s defined – whether by number of targets, catches or yards – is subjective.

But not every team has a true No. 1 receiver – a game-changing player defensive coordinators wake up in a cold sweat thinking about – and that includes the Buffalo Bills. Kelvin Benjamin certainly wasn’t it, and Sammy Watkins failed before him, too.

In four of the past five years, the Bills’ leading receiver – at least in terms of catches – hasn’t even been a wide receiver. In that span, the Bills have ranked 20th or worse in total production among wide receivers.

 

The last three years have been particularly bad. According to the analytics website Pro Football Focus, Bills receivers have ranked last in the league in catches for three consecutive seasons. In 2016, Bills receivers had 146 catches, were 28th in yards with 2,107 and tied for 24th with 11 touchdowns. Last season, they were last in catches (115) and yards (1,474), and tied for 27th with nine touchdowns. This year, they are again last in catches (116), 30th in yards (1,560) and tied for last in touchdowns (seven).

 

So a No. 1 receiver is on the offseason wish list. But how does General Manager Brandon Beane define what the Bills need?

“This is going to sound funny, but we don't sit there and say, ‘this is a No. 1 receiver,’ ” Beane said in an interview with The Buffalo News. “There are some elite, elite guys, but where do you draw the line of who's a true No. 1? Julio Jones, A.J. Green, Odell Beckham, Antonio Brown, those guys obviously are it.

 

“A lot of teams have good receivers, but are they a true No. 1? Look at the Rams. Their offense is really good. Do they have a No. 1? I look at it as, there's very few guys in that elite category that just take over games. I'm looking for good players, good receivers, and we'll take as many of them as you can get.”

 

Other offensive positions aren’t numbered the way receivers are. Elite running backs and tight ends are rarely referred to as the No. 1 at their position. The idea of a No. 1 receiver is driven more by media and fans than it is something teams concern themselves with. Ask Bill Belichick to identify the Patriots’ No. 1 receiver and he’ll likely mumble something about the ball going to whoever is open.

"When we talk about it with our scouts, I don’t ask them, ‘Is this a No. 1?’ It’s more, ‘What did he play in college? How do you project him in the pros?’ ” Beane said.

[Thriftygamer83]

Think Stevie would ever come back and play for us?  That would be interesting to see what he could do.  

[Big Turk]

2 minutes ago, Thriftygamer83 said:

Think Stevie would ever come back and play for us?  That would be interesting to see what he could do.  

Probably nothing. Dude has packed on some pounds since he stopped playing.

[Best Player Available]

The LA Rams where bobby Woods is a #3.

And makes nothing but big plays. What a blocker to boot!

[SoCal Deek]

Why are the Bills a WR wasteland? Maybe because they’re last QB refused to throw the ball and they’re current QB is a super raw rookie. Was it that hard to figure out? I think not!

[Doc]

3 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

Why are the Bills a WR wasteland? Maybe because they’re last QB refused to throw the ball and they’re current QB is a super raw rookie behind a crappy OL. Was it that hard to figure out? I think not!

 

FIFY.

[PrimeTime101]

41 minutes ago, Thriftygamer83 said:

Think Stevie would ever come back and play for us?  That would be interesting to see what he could do.  

I will tell you straight right now. This is a big NO. Stevie is all about family right now and that is what he is concentrating on. There is no way in heck he would ever return to football. period.

[Punching Bag]

40 minutes ago, Thriftygamer83 said:

Think Stevie would ever come back and play for us?  That would be interesting to see what he could do.  

 

Stevie only worked with a very, very intelligent, experienced QB because he would adjust his route using so many factors most QBs could not adjust to but him and Fritz got on same page when both were backups.  

[Big Gun]

25 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

Why are the Bills a WR wasteland? Maybe because they’re last QB refused to throw the ball and they’re current QB is a super raw rookie. Was it that hard to figure out? I think not!

Amazing how bad the last QB was that people still think wasnt the problem. It couldn't be anymore in your face and proven the last QB was the issue.

[NewEra]

Terrible/scared QB play = WR wasteland

[JinxedBill1]

Tyrod Taylor

[2020 Our Year For Sure]

Tyrod Taylor

[jlgarsh]

Foster and Zay are starting to have chemistry with Allen (and even Barkley).  Id like to see them get a top WR, but with those as #s 2 &3, we'd look better than the last 2 years at least

[Doc]

They need to do everything they can to fix the OL in FA.

[Heitz]

Can we revisit this topic in about 4 games?  I'm betting the situation will be different...

[White Linen]

Tyrod Taylor

[Thriftygamer83]

Don’t really see Tyrod as the problem here.  Cannot grant a pass on Clay or Zay making heart breaking drops or half hearted attempts to make a catch.  Even with Josh Allen it still was a major sticking point of clutch drops.

[CincyBillsFan]

This is why the last 3 games are so important.  Sure they're meaningless from a playoff standpoint but they represent a chance for Allen & his receivers to get on the same page, make some big plays and ultimately learn to trust each other.  For the WR's these next 3 weeks are critical as they have an unprecedented opportunity to show that they belong on the field next year.  A good climax to the season would then be followed up by a great off season workout program between Allen and whichever of these WR's wants a long NFL career.

 

As for the TE's, I'm not sure we can salvage any of them.  I hope I'm wrong though because the less players on offense we NEED to replace the better for our chances over the next 2 years. 

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

1 hour ago, Best Player Available said:

The LA Rams where bobby Woods is a #3.

And makes nothing but big plays. What a blocker to boot!

 

...hard to believe his Rams' deal was thought to be exorbitant at the time compared to how the WR $$$ market has insanely exploded now......doubt he would have stayed anyhow...

 

Robert Woods signed a 5 year, $34,000,000 contract with the Los Angeles Rams, including $15,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $6,800,000. In 2018, Woods will earn a base salary of $790,000, a roster bonus of $3,200,019, a restructure bonus of $4,710,019 and a incentive bonus of $300,000, while carrying a cap hit of $5,467,523 and a dead cap value of $8,700,038.

[Boca BIlls]

2 hours ago, Thriftygamer83 said:

Think Stevie would ever come back and play for us?  That would be interesting to see what he could do.  

Why so he can drop the ball and blame god?

[The Now Moment]

No team needs a "number 1" wide receiver to win. It's a luxury to have.  A number one receiver costs a lot in today's game because there are so few of them.  Teams have proven they can win without though.

[Boca BIlls]

2 minutes ago, Buffalo30 said:

No team needs a "number 1" wide receiver to win. It's a luxury to have.  A number one receiver costs a lot in today's game because there are so few of them.  Teams have proven they can win without though.

The Bills havent. They have a QB that needs a #1.

Edited December 16, 2018 by Boca BIlls

[The Now Moment]

Just now, Boca BIlls said:

The Bills havent.

No but when you don't have a very good QB for so many years...Buffalo is in position to bolster that position this year with their assets and with Allen getting some buzz around the league, we might actually have a spot receivers want to play.  

4 minutes ago, Boca BIlls said:

The Bills havent. They have a QB that needs a #1.

I don't think he needs a number 1.  He just needs guys that can separate.  Foster has been able to do that and look at the early success he's had.  Mckenzie provides a different element to the offense with that great speed.  A solid pass catching tight end that can get open and make all the catches is a need IMO.  A lot of great options  in the offseason.  Who do you want for a number 1 this offseason?

[Hapless Bills Fan]

1 hour ago, Limeaid said:

 

Stevie only worked with a very, very intelligent, experienced QB because he would adjust his route using so many factors most QBs could not adjust to but him and Fritz got on same page when both were backups.  

 

Yeppers.  There's a reason Stevie flamed out elsewhere.

 

It's also fairly probable that a certain number of Fitz "WTF?" INTs were Stevie (or other WR) and Fitz being NOT on the same page

19 minutes ago, Buffalo30 said:

No team needs a "number 1" wide receiver to win. It's a luxury to have.  A number one receiver costs a lot in today's game because there are so few of them.  Teams have proven they can win without though.

 

It kind of depends on the team, more particularly on the QB, doesn't it?

 

A QB with pinpoint accuracy can make "meh" receivers look good

A QB with zipcode accuracy needs a WR or two (or a WR and TE) with a big catch radius who can bail him out when he's off-target

[Boca BIlls]

20 minutes ago, Buffalo30 said:

No but when you don't have a very good QB for so many years...Buffalo is in position to bolster that position this year with their assets and with Allen getting some buzz around the league, we might actually have a spot receivers want to play.  

I don't think he needs a number 1.  He just needs guys that can separate.  Foster has been able to do that and look at the early success he's had.  Mckenzie provides a different element to the offense with that great speed.  A solid pass catching tight end that can get open and make all the catches is a need IMO.  A lot of great options  in the offseason.  Who do you want for a number 1 this offseason?

Whoever they draft

 

[brianthomas]

I don't pay for the BN but in the little part i read, it said that KBenjamin didnt know what to do, what role to play. Geez, how about just catch whatever balls are thrown his way? How about run routes with a purpose & as if youre running for your next contract?

 

To many fans & observers alike, if KB just would've done that, we more than likely wouldn't be having this conversation... as least about him.

 

Sigh haha

[The Now Moment]

9 minutes ago, Boca BIlls said:

Whoever they draft

 

Those two fourths and two fifths will definitely help if we can be as successful finding players in those rounds as the last two years. Good depth at positions of need in this draft.  Running back is another area I think they will draft. 

Edited December 16, 2018 by Buffalo30

[BillsVet]

And I'm sure McCoach will consider telling Beane he wants another DLineman or CB for his defense.  

 

In these final 3 games Allen needs to demonstrate he can throw the ball downfield as best as possible.  That said, his WR group isn't notable, and I'd guess will change significantly by the start of 2019. 

[Nextmanup]

When the Bills get a QB who can accurately and consistently pass the ball, I think we'll all suddenly find that Buffalo is not a WR wasteland. 

 

 

 

 

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

3 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

When the Bills get a QB who can accurately and consistently pass the ball, I think we'll all suddenly find that Buffalo is not a WR wasteland. 

 

 

 

 

 

...uh oh....a voice of reason.....OBD has been THE "QB Mecca of Selection & Development" post Kelly......hell, I'm thinking the entire list "post Jimbo" is the "other Canton bound" as in the Chinese province.....THE most important position on the field and we perennially eff it up...TE spot ranks #2.....or tied with WR spot....

[The Now Moment]

21 minutes ago, Boca BIlls said:

Whoever they draft

 

Still think we need more speed on this offense.  Foster and Mckenzie are a good start but more is needed.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

It could just be me, but I think Tasker is making big 'ol excuses here:

“I think Kelvin didn't know what he was supposed to do. Not that he didn't know the plays or any of that, I think he just didn’t know what role they wanted him to fill,” said Steve Tasker, a former Bills receiver and current co-host of the team’s daily radio show. “He wasn't familiar with what this offense was going to be. It was hard for him to fit in and feel comfortable out there knowing exactly what they wanted him to do. Four different quarterbacks, it's pretty tough to be good when it's that much of a carousel back there.”

 

Knowing exactly what they wanted him to do:  CATCH THE @#$@#%@^ FOOTBALL when it is thrown within his reach, and most especially when it is thrown to his hands.

 

I "get it" that it is an adjustment to catch different QB's throws, but what is so hard to understand about that role?

[Best Player Available]

1 hour ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

...hard to believe his Rams' deal was thought to be exorbitant at the time compared to how the WR $$$ market has insanely exploded now......doubt he would have stayed anyhow...

 

Robert Woods signed a 5 year, $34,000,000 contract with the Los Angeles Rams, including $15,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $6,800,000. In 2018, Woods will earn a base salary of $790,000, a roster bonus of $3,200,019, a restructure bonus of $4,710,019 and a incentive bonus of $300,000, while carrying a cap hit of $5,467,523 and a dead cap value of $8,700,038.

What a steal that was for the Rams

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

4 minutes ago, Best Player Available said:

What a steal that was for the Rams

 

5 minutes ago, Best Player Available said:

What a steal that was for the Rams

 

...you be the judge my friend....which was the better deal as far as production (NO CHEATING ALLOWED)??...........

 

Sammy Watkins signed a 3 year, $48,000,000 contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, including a $21,000,000 signing bonus, $30,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $16,000,000. In 2018, Watkins will earn a base salary of $790,000, a signing bonus of $21,000,000 and a workout bonus of $10,000, while carrying a cap hit of $7,800,000 and a dead cap value of $30,010,000.

[Best Player Available]

1 minute ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

 

...you be the judge my friend....which was the better deal as far as production (NO CHEATING ALLOWED)??...........

 

Sammy Watkins signed a 3 year, $48,000,000 contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, including a $21,000,000 signing bonus, $30,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $16,000,000. In 2018, Watkins will earn a base salary of $790,000, a signing bonus of $21,000,000 and a workout bonus of $10,000, while carrying a cap hit of $7,800,000 and a dead cap value of $30,010,000.

I will go with Woods.lol

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

11 minutes ago, Best Player Available said:

I will go with Woods.lol

 

...we can give you extra time to ruminate on your FINAL decision....