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The Buffalo Bills Must Find A WR2 In The Offseason

By Jacob Schyvinck

Bills quarterback Josh Allen walks off the field after throwing an interception late in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 22 In the background the Cincinnati Bengals players celebrate.Ty 012223 Dejected Josh Allen After Fourth Quarter Interception
Bills quarterback Josh Allen walks off the field after throwing an interception late in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 22 In the background the Cincinnati Bengals players celebrate.Ty 012223 Dejected Josh Allen After Fourth Quarter Interception /
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After a stunning home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, upgrades need to happen for the Buffalo Bills. WR2 is one of them.

This was set to be the year for the Buffalo Bills. After a narrow loss in one of the best games of all time last year, Buffalo reloaded, getting a first-round corner, something they needed, and added Von Miller to be their superstar on defense.

Once again, it wasn’t meant to be. Josh Allen likely dealt with a pretty serious elbow injury all year, and struggled with turnovers down the stretch, most notably in the red zone. Miller tore his ACL and wasn’t available for the playoff run. They didn’t generate enough pressure or early down stops up front, and didn’t have an answer for a pretty loaded Bengals offense.

The other issue the Bills had was their ability to find a second option outside of Stefon Diggs. Diggs generated a lot of attention, but guys like Gabe Davis and Dawson Knox didn’t step up as much. Khalil Shakir is a nice player, but he was a day three pick and likely a slot guy going forward.

There are certainly other upgrades the Buffalo Bills will have to make, but one of those is very clear as we look to the offseason: a bona fide WR2.

The free agent class doesn’t present much in terms of finding one, and it often won’t. Good receivers stick around or get traded. It likely means that the Bills will need to turn to the 2023 NFL Draft to find that guy.

So who could it be? It comes down to value. If someone like Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Jordan Addison becomes available at that spot, due to the rumored disappointment with the wide receiver class, then it becomes a no-brainer.

But if not, then it gets more interesting. Josh Downs is an exceptional talent with explosiveness, short-area dynamic quickness, and the ability to create separation from the slot. His speed is a threat on vertical routes, and he can make some highlight-reel plays outside of his frame.

If they want size, Cedric Tillman can win on quick-breaking routes, whether it be in and out-breakers or working back on the vertical plane. He can win at the catch point and has impressive change of direction skills post-catch for someone his size. Xavier Hutchinson is a strong possession receiver with an impressive toolbox of releases. Rashee Rice also wins deep and after the catch.

Wherever the value is, the Buffalo Bills need to find that guy who can compliment Diggs and stress defenses a bit more. The offense can return to where it’s been with that addition, and it may be enough (with other additions) to get the Bills to the promised land.

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