New Buffalo Bills WR dubbed ‘underrated’ player in great situation for success

Curtis Samuel has yet to put on a Buffalo Bills jersey or step onto the field at Highmark Field, but his potential role on his new team has already changed significantly.

The 27-year-old, of course, was an immediate contributor to the team’s offense after signing a three-year deal with the Bills in March, a versatile speedster brought in to complement four-time Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs in place. of the departure of Gabriel Davis. However, it is difficult to be a “complementary piece” when the piece you are completing is no longer present.

Buffalo traded Diggs to the Houston Texans in April, immediately propelling Samuel up the team’s wide receiver pecking order. He now sits atop the Bills receiver rankings, amid a trio of talented, but opportunistic, unproven players; Samuel appears to be a primary target in a Buffalo receiving corps also led by third-year contributor Khalil Shakir and rookie Keon Coleman.

Related: Why Bills GM was happy with WR Keon Coleman’s poor 40-yard dash time

It remains to be seen how the snap and target split will play out between Samuel, Shakir, Coleman and the other receivers on the Bills’ depth chart, but at this point, Samuel’s opportunity seems incredibly advantageous, especially considering his familiarity with the Bills. offensive coordinator Joe Brady. The signal-caller worked with Samuel as the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers during the 2020 NFL season, helping the player to a career-high 77 receptions for 851 yards.

Samuel’s opportunity in Buffalo was arguably the most promising he had encountered as a professional, and writers across the country were beginning to take notice. Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report recently compiled a list of eight underrated NFL players who could have a significant impact on the 2024 NFL season, identifying Samuel as a potential candidate.

The Ohio State product probably won’t be a big factor for the Bills on the field in 2024, but he’s easily the most proven pass catcher on a team that was eighth in the league in passing a year ago. is a year old,” Davenport wrote. “Frankly, if Samuel doesn’t have the best season of his career, the Bills are probably in trouble.”

The sentiment that Buffalo “will probably be in trouble” if Samuel doesn’t set new career highs in receptions and yards, while perhaps a bit hyperbolic, is not egregious; the former Ohio State Buckeye is now paired with a quarterback who is not only the best he’s played with as a professional, but also one of the undisputed best in the NFL. Given this apparent spot on the depth chart and the familiarity (and demonstrated success) with the system and signal-caller, it’s hard to imagine Samuel failing to usurp 77 catches for 851 yards.

Related: Bills QB Josh Allen lags behind in QB rankings after NFL Draft

That said, there are several scenarios in which Buffalo’s offense could still be productive even if Samuel fails to take a step forward. While Samuel has more professional experience than the aforementioned Shakir, the now third-year passer has recent experience in the system and chemistry with Josh Allen; the former Boise State Bronco caught 39 passes for 611 yards last season, his role within the offense and relationship with Allen blossoming as the year progressed.

Keon Coleman, who the team selected with the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, also figures to be a primary aerial target, with general manager Brandon Beane already projecting the rookie as the team’s “X” wide receiver. team. We also can’t overlook second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid as a safety valve in the middle of the field; The former Utah Ute caught 73 passes for 673 yards as a rookie, and many predict the 24-year-old will lead the Bills in receptions next season.

Buffalo’s offense will neither “live nor die” according to Samuel; That said, the sneaky passer has an advantageous opportunity. He could be a prime target for one of the NFL’s top signal callers, a significantly more favorable situation than those he’s been presented with previously in Carolina and Washington.