It’s safe to say that the Buffalo Bills missed Gabriel Davis during their postseason run. Josh Allen had a game for the ages, but the team still fell short against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. The last time these teams met in the playoffs, Davis went off to the tune of eight receptions for 201 yards and four touchdowns. Obviously, he would not have replicated those numbers had he played, but he might have been enough for the Bills to pull off the win. Instead, Buffalo is going home and there is a very real chance that the former fourth-round pick has played his last game with the Bills.
After four solid seasons, Gabriel Davis is officially eligible for unrestricted free agency, and there’s a good chance he actually reaches the open market. The Central Florida product recently stated he wants to see what other teams are offering, but he is open to returning to the Bills. However, there is a good chance the Bills cannot afford him. After going all-in on Josh Allen’s cheap years and Stefon Diggs’ prime, the bill has come due. Buffalo is currently $43.6 million over the 2024 salary cap, which means they’ll have to make some tough decisions about who will and won’t be back next year.
Gabriel Davis Wants To Test Free Agency, Likely To Leave Bills
Gabriel Davis is no superstar, but the past few years have proven that he can be a reliable part of a good aerial attack. Since entering the league, the wideout has recorded 163 receptions for 2,730 yards and 27 receptions on 299 targets while mostly working as a perimeter and red zone weapon. Good wide receivers are in short supply, and Davis is one of the better options set to hit free agency. While free agent wide receivers like Michael Pittman, Tee Higgins, and Mike Evans will undoubtedly command a higher salary, Davis will earn a notable raise in the coming months.
Best Team Fits
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers desperately need somebody who can catch the football. Bryce Young had a rough go of it during his rookie season, but not too many quarterbacks would thrive when their best receiver is an over-30 Adam Thielen. Baker Mayfield’s success with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shows that the Panthers have not provided the proper framework for success. Gabriel Davis isn’t going to fix this team on his own, but it wouldn’t hurt to add a receiver who can consistently win in contested situations. With over $31 million in cap space, Carolina should be able to comfortably sign Davis and another playmaker.
Tennessee Titans
DeAndre Hopkins is still a good wide receiver, but he’s not getting any younger. The rest of the wide receiver depth chart, however, leaves a lot to be desired. Will Levis showed some flashes as a rookie, but he’ll never be a long-term solution if he doesn’t get better players on the offensive line and at wide receiver. Fortunately, Tennessee has $73.9 million in cap space, so they should be able to throw money at guys like Michael Onwenu and patch up the receiver room with more cost-effective players like Gabriel Davis.
Chicago Bears
D.J. Moore helped bring out the best in Justin Fields, but he’s only one player. Whether it’s Fields or Caleb Williams, Chicago’s quarterback is going to need another complementary receiver with Darnell Mooney also hitting free agency. Gabriel Davis is a perfect fit as the second or third receiver in this offense, as his size and ability to win outside pairs well with Moore’s more elusive style of play. With plenty of draft picks and cap space, Chicago could finally make the leap to the playoffs if they make wise decisions over the next few months.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are back in the AFC Championship Game for the sixth time in as many years, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any flaws on this roster. Travis Kelce is back to looking like his old self after a relatively underwhelming regular season, but if age is starting to catch up with him, they’ll need another reliable option. Rashee Rice looks to be a star in the making, but he can’t be the only target in this offense. Gabriel Davis is a natural fit, and if anyone knows how dangerous this guy can be in the right environment, it’s Kansas City.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers currently have Keenan Allen and Mike Williams on their roster, but there is a real chance that both wide receivers become cap casualties. The real player to watch here is Williams, as he and Gabriel Davis have similar games. While Davis isn’t quite as good, he’s younger, better at staying on the field, and can provide similar results for a fraction of the cost. Justin Herbert isn’t quite in the same tier as Josh Allen, but he’s still a great young quarterback who should be more than capable of getting the ball into Davis’ hands.
Main Photo: Gregory Fisher – USA Today Sports
