Bills (OC) Joe Brady - Jacob Kupferman/AP Photo
What else is new for the Buffalo Bills? You already have the hybrid kickoff rule, which will bring returns back to special teams.
Now, we focus our attention on the new receiving core brewing up for quarterback Josh Allen.
With Stefon Diggs being traded to Houston, Gabe Davis signing a new deal with Jacksonville, and Trent Sheffield and Deonte Harty departing, the door is open for some new faces.
Buffalo’s New Wide Receiving Core:
Keon Coleman
For starters, rookie second-round draft pick Keon Coleman is already making a first impression on and off the field and is one heck of a character.
From his unique style of trench coats, to his competitive juice on Bills Family Feud, Coleman will be one to watch and cover all season long.
Look for Coleman to be penciled in on the outside receiver spot right away.
Khalil Shakir
You also have the lone returner in Khalil Shakir, who exploded onto the scene in the playoffs last year.
One of his highlight plays came during the AFC Wildcard game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He caught a pass from quarterback Josh Allen that looked to be well short of the first down. Shakir had magic on the play as he spun around the defender and took it to the house.
The Bills went on to win the game 31-10, and number 10 of the Bills was a big reason for this. He finished with three receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown.
If Coleman is already penciled in as a day-one starting receiver, Shakir is the other guy. Will all that offseason training with Eric Moulds still be worth it?
Curtis Samuel
Curtis Samuel is basically a carbon copy of Tyreek Hill, and the receiver is very fast. You can line him up in the slot and hit him open on go routes.
Line him up like a Debo Samuel in the backfield and watch him with the ball in his hands.
He is your multifaced, do-it-all gadget receiver who just needs the right quarterback to shine.
Plus, Samuel was already familiar with Sean McDermott when both were on the Carolina Panthers.
As mentioned, look for Samuel to be used to trick defenses into keying in on the two outside receivers (Coleman and Shakir), and bam, hit him in space.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Then you have Marquez Valdes-Scantling, whose name strikes fear in postseason hearts.
He is a tall, vertical body who can make spec catches in the endzone and can drag his feet down the sideline for a magical reception.
While with the Kansas City Chiefs, he dropped the ball a lot but came through in the clutch en route to the Chiefs’ second straight Super Bowl win.
The Bills brought him in because he’s a playoff performer and provides a very big target for Allen.
Chase Claypool
Chase Claypool has had a wild journey throughout his NFL career. He originally played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and then the Chicago Bears.
The problem with him was questions of work ethic. In other words, did Claypool want to take the time or have the drive to be a great NFL receiver?
So far, he has shown drive with the Bills. He consistently put in the work during the offseason because his mind was made up.
The thing is, though, can his mind concentrate on football all year long?
Look for Claypool to be on the bubble for roster cuts. If he is serious about it, he can make the team.
Who will be Buffalo’s New Wide Receiving Core Come Week 1?
This decision will obviously be up to Brandon Beane to decide who gets cut.
However, it’s on the players to put it all out on the field and make it count, so it will be harder for Beane to decide who to cut and who makes the team.
Bills fans want to see Shakir and Coleman do their thing this year, but they also want to see if Samuel can be their great-value version of Tyreek Hill and if Valdes-Scantling can overcome his regular season drop issues.
If not, Andy Isabella, Mack Hollis, Justin Shorter, K.J. Hamler, and Tyrell Shavers are all waiting in the wings, trying to push them out of the starting position.
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