NEWS NOW: Bills plans for WR Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis next season with additional and Departure of top rated superstar

The Buffalo Bills will enter the 2024 season without their starting wide receiver duo and team captains from last year, Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Head coach Sean McDermott noted on the Centered on Buffalo Podcast that the Bills’ wide receiver group will have a “different atmosphere.” With star quarterback Josh Allen leading the team, new faces are expected to emerge as Buffalo’s primary receiving threats. As training camp approaches, both fans and analysts are eager to see who will step up and play pivotal roles in the team’s revamped receiving corps. Let’s now examine the current composition of the receiving group and how it has evolved since the conclusion of the 2023 season.

Key Departures

Stefon Diggs

The departure of Buffalo’s former top receiver leaves a significant void, having averaged 111.25 receptions, 1343 receiving yards, and 9.25 touchdowns over his four seasons with the team. He was traded to the Houston Texans.

Gabe Davis

A former fourth-round draft pick developed into the Bills’ second option on offense but never surpassed 1000 receiving yards in any season. Known as “Big Game Gabe,” he had a reputation for performing well in crucial moments. However, he has now joined the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Key Additions

Curtis Samuel

The Buffalo Bills signed the seven-year veteran to a three-year contract in free agency this offseason. Samuel brings electric speed and big-play ability that the Buffalo offense has been seeking.

Keon Coleman

Coleman was the Buffalo Bills’ top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The rookie adds a fresh dimension to the Bills’ wide receiver group and provides Allen with a tall target to “play above the rim”.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Buffalo bolstered its receiving corps by signing MVS to a one-year contract in free agency, snatching him away from a rival team. Known for his speed, he is expected to provide depth and a deep threat for Allen to target downfield.

Key Returners

Kahlil Shakir

Shakir currently holds the starting slot receiver position for the Bills, but he’s likely to see action on the outside as well. From Week 8 through the end of the 2023 season, Shakir actually outgained Stefon Diggs in receiving yards despite receiving half as many targets. As a result, Shakir begins the 2024 season as one of Allen’s preferred targets.

What’s the Bills’ game plan at receiver?

With the departure of two prominent players and the arrival of several new faces, the Bills offense is undergoing a significant transition this offseason, particularly in their passing game. General Manager Brandon Beane has brought in a diverse range of options to address these changes, but the question remains: will it be sufficient? Let’s delve into the potential strategies and game plans for the Bills’ revamped passing offense heading into the 2024 season.

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The Buffalo Bills’ approach under GM Brandon Beane reflects confidence despite not having a traditional number-one wide receiver. In a recent interview with Go Long, Beane emphasized the diversity within their receiving corps, highlighting that different players bring unique skill sets to the table.

While the absence of a clear-cut number-one receiver means Allen lacks a reliable security blanket, it allows him greater flexibility to read defenses and distribute the ball without forcing targets to a single player like Stefon Diggs. The Bills are intentionally constructing their receiving options to exploit matchups across the field, incorporating talents from wide receivers like:

– **Kahlil Shakir:** Versatile and adaptable, capable of playing multiple roles on offense.
– **Keon Coleman:** Aerial threat with excellent size and leaping ability, ideal for red zone situations.
– **Curtis Samuel:** Utilized for gadget plays, screens, and explosive plays after the catch.
– **Marquez Valdes-Scantling:** Known for deep threats and adds depth to the roster with experience in crucial games.
– **Dalton Kincaid:** A sizable slot receiver who excels in creating mismatches over the middle.
– **Dawson Knox:** Strong blocker with a reliable connection with Allen, tough to tackle after the catch.
– **James Cook:** Athletic running back who poses matchup problems for linebackers in the passing game.

Together, these players provide a blend of skills that can exploit defenses in various ways, ensuring the Bills’ offense remains dynamic and adaptable in the upcoming season.

Tight ends need love too

Brandon Beane emphasized the legality and effectiveness of utilizing tight ends in the passing game, stating to Go Long, “I read the rules, it’s legal to throw it to a tight end.” The Buffalo Bills boast one of the league’s top tight end duos with veteran Dawson Knox and former first-round pick Dalton Kincaid. Given the limited experience between Josh Allen and the wide receivers, with only Shakir having caught a pass from Allen, the Bills are expected to lean heavily on their tight ends, who have established chemistry with Allen.

Last season, Kincaid ranked third on the team in receiving yards and second in targets. Head coach Sean McDermott highlighted Kincaid’s potential for a standout season on the Centered on Buffalo Podcast, emphasizing the critical rapport he has developed with Allen.

New top dog

With Stefon Diggs departed, the Buffalo Bills face a crucial need for someone to step into the role of top wide receiver. Among the contenders, Keon Coleman, their top draft pick, emerges as a promising candidate. Brandon Beane, speaking to Go Long, praised Coleman’s speed and athleticism, citing his standout plays at LSU and his skills in punt returns despite his impressive height.

While Coleman faces challenges as a rookie, the NFL’s recent trend of successful rookie wide receivers offers hope that he can contribute early. However, another strong contender for the top receiver spot is Kahlil Shakir, who flourished in the latter half of 2023. Shakir’s breakout potential, highlighted by memorable playoff moments like his touchdown against the Steelers, positions him as a sleeper candidate for a breakout third year. Fantasy football enthusiasts should take note of Shakir’s potential impact as he gears up for the upcoming season with the Bills.

Wild cards

The Buffalo Bills have not only added new talent through free agency and the NFL Draft but also have intriguing sleeper options to consider. Among them are two former second-round picks, K.J. Hamler and Chase Claypool, who have shown flashes of brilliance in their careers despite not fully reaching expectations.

In addition, Justin Shorter remains a wildcard after being drafted by the Bills in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft but missing the entire season due to injury. Known for his impressive physical attributes as a former 5-star recruit, Shorter has yet to showcase his full potential on the field.

While their chances are slim, these three players will have opportunities to earn roster spots with the Bills. If any of them can successfully rejuvenate their careers and contribute, it could elevate the Bills’ wide receiver group beyond its 2023 performance.

With a mix of experienced veterans, a promising rookie like Keon Coleman, and potential comeback stories, the Bills’ receiving corps promises an exciting and unpredictable offensive dynamic. This sets the stage for a reconstructed passing game that could redefine success for Buffalo in the upcoming season.