The Buffalo Bills spend a lot of money last offseason, especially on offense. They made a marquee trade for LeSean McCoy before drafting Karlos Williams. They signed Percy Harvin and Charles Clay to help the offense. On paper the Bills' offense paired with a solid quarterback would be unstoppable. Tyrod Taylor did his part under center, but no one else remained healthy enough to take the unit to the next level. Does that mean they will have to revisit that part of the roster in 2016?
The Bills wanted a one-two punch of Harvin and Sammy Watkins for Taylor. Unfortunately, both struggled with injuries and were barely on the field together. Watkins managed to bounce back, but Harvin only played in just five games, caught 19 passes and ended things early on injured-reserve. Then questions of retirement followed him after hip and knee injuries once again were an issue. Head coach Rex Ryan stressed that he does believe Harvin wants to play football again, but with the Bills having the option to cancel his contract out after one year, the chances he returns to Buffalo are slim.
"I've talked to him a couple of times, but just texts back and forth," Ryan said, via the team website. "I think I've talked to him once and I've texted him a few times. More about a personal variety than about where he is on the injury front. I get the sense he wants to play. He had the surgery because he wants to play."
According to Syracuse.com, one of the Bills' biggest needs is a No.2 receiver. The Bills have Watkins as their top guy and that will certainly not change as he continues to get better. The Bills have Robert Woods, but his consistency was lacking all of last year before he too ended things on injured reserve. Buffalo got some good production out of Chris Hogan and Marquise Goodwin, but not enough to make an impact. The Bills also signed Jarrett Boykin and Greg Little to futures contracts. The team needs that one-two punch.
The Bills could spend money in free agency to get someone. Rishard Matthews, Travis Benjamin and Jermaine Kearse are all options for that No.2 role. They are not going to get the contract of a top wide receiver, but they have the talent level to take a lot of pressure off the shoulders of Watkins. The Bills were hoping Harvin was that player, but he simply did not turn out to be the threat needed. With his release likely, getting a replacement that can stay healthy and productive will help Buffalo in 2016.
