LATEST REPORT: Former Bills WR Posts 3-Word Message After Signing With Ravens
Deonte Harty’s journey in the NFL took an unexpected turn when the Buffalo Bills released him along with several other veterans before the start of free agency. Despite signing a lucrative two-year contract with the Bills just last March, Harty found himself looking for a new team after his release, ultimately landing with the Baltimore Ravens on a one-year deal.
Announcing his signing with the Ravens on April 10, Harty expressed his excitement, especially considering Baltimore is his hometown. Taking a hometown discount, Harty signed a one-year deal worth $1.29 million with the Ravens, showcasing his dedication to returning to his roots.
While Harty didn’t become a prominent figure in the Bills’ offense, he demonstrated his explosiveness in a memorable regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins. His record-breaking 96-yard punt return touchdown shifted the momentum of the game, ultimately contributing to the Bills’ victory, clinching the No. 2 seed, and securing the AFC East championship title.
Despite this success, Harty’s postseason performance didn’t match his regular-season achievements. Nevertheless, he holds no resentment towards the Bills following his departure, expressing gratitude to the Bills Mafia for embracing him and his family during his time in Buffalo. Moving forward, Harty is eager to make an impact with his new team in Baltimore while embracing the opportunity to play in his hometown.
With Deonte Harty & Nyheim Hines Gone, the Bills Still Need to Address Special Teams
The Buffalo Bills made significant roster moves by releasing both Deonte Harty and Nyheim Hines, addressing salary cap concerns while also reshaping their special teams unit. With Harty and Hines no longer on the roster, the Bills recognize the need to bolster their special teams, particularly in light of the new kickoff rules approved for the 2024 NFL season.
Head coach Sean McDermott acknowledged the potential impact of these rule changes on their offseason plans, emphasizing the necessity of finding suitable players to fill the void left by departing return specialists. One player who could step into this role is wide receiver Curtis Samuel, who recently joined the Bills on a three-year, $24 million contract. During his time with the Carolina Panthers in 2017 and 2018, Samuel showcased his versatility by doubling as a kick returner, making him a viable candidate to assume those duties for the Bills.
#Bills PR Deonte Harty just returned a punt 96 yards for a TD and this game just got super spicy. 💨pic.twitter.com/yUZ8RT93iQ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 8, 2024
General manager Brandon Beane expressed openness to the idea of utilizing Samuel as a returner, highlighting his versatility and playmaking ability as assets that could benefit the team in various roles, including special teams. As the Bills continue to shape their roster and adapt to the evolving landscape of the NFL, Samuel’s potential contributions on special teams could prove invaluable in maintaining their competitiveness in the upcoming season.
The Bills are Expected to Draft a WR in the First Round of the NFL Draft
With the departure of Stefon Diggs, the Buffalo Bills face the challenge of finding a new X-receiver to bolster their receiving corps. Currently, their top options include Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins, and tight end Dalton Kincaid.
TRADE: Bills trading WR Stefon Diggs to the Texans in exchange for a 2025 2nd-round pick. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/Gtg7jOKeNW
— NFL (@NFL) April 3, 2024
Given the depth of talented receivers in the 2024 NFL draft class, Bills general manager Brandon Beane is anticipated to be active in the draft, potentially trading up to secure a top prospect like Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, Marvin Harrison Jr., or Brian Thomas Jr. Alternatively, they could choose to stay put at their current draft position, No. 28, and select players such as Keon Coleman, Ladd McConkey, or Xavier Legette.
However, Beane emphasized that the team won’t solely rely on the draft to add talent. He indicated that they are also exploring the possibility of acquiring veterans who could contribute to the team. Beane’s approach reflects a commitment to ongoing roster building, recognizing that there are multiple avenues to enhance the team’s depth and competitiveness.
Beane’s sentiment underscores the importance of thorough evaluation and exploration of all available options, emphasizing that the process of building a roster extends beyond the draft and continues throughout the offseason leading up to the start of the regular season in September.