The Buffalo Bills continue to be extremely active in free agency as first-year head coach Rex Ryan looks for redemption after a failed tenure with the New York Jets. The team made the first marquee move of the offseason by acquiring LeSean McCoy and have not stopped there adding several offensive weapons to the mix. The team has officially made one more move heading into the NFL Draft.
The Buffalo Bills wanted a tight end to go alongside their strong wide receiver corps and Charles Clay was the intended target. According to ESPN.com, the Bills have officially landed Clay as the Miami Dolphins are opting not to match the offer sheet. The Dolphins had placed a transition tag on Clay, expecting no one to move on him, but the Bills put up a five-year, $38 million contract with $20 million in guaranteed money and Miami simply backed away.
The Bills have been eyeing Clay since the start of free agency, favoring him over other options like Jordan Cameron and Jermaine Gresham. Clay has dealt with injuries during his career including knee and hamstring issues last season, but still managed to finish with 605 yards ranking third on the team. Buffalo was lacking a receiver that could attack across the middle of the field and Clay is one of the better nightmare matchups to achieve that.
Clay will join a load offense that now has McCoy in the backfield. Last year's first-round draft pick Sammy Watkins will return alongside Robert Woods while newly signed Percy Harvin enters the mix as well. Harvin signed a one-year prove-it contract with the Bills after getting released from the Jets. He reunites with Ryan.
The last remaining question for the Bills is their quarterback play. The team was trying to get by with EJ Manuel, but he has struggled since the start of his NFL career. Instead of chasing a big name in a trade, the team traded for Matt Cassel who was benched last year with the Minnesota Vikings and signed Tyrod Taylor. None of those options inspire much confidence.
According to Gil Brandt of Rotoworld, the Bills are eyeing several quarterbacks in the draft that could be available in the second round. The team has brought in Bryce Petty for a private workout and is expected to eye options like Brett Hundley and potentially Garrett Grayson out of Colorado State. The Bills are not predicted to make a move on a quarterback in the first round, but will look to draft someone potentially in the third or fourth.
