{"id":53335,"date":"2018-11-15T21:16:14","date_gmt":"2018-11-16T02:16:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=53335"},"modified":"2018-11-15T21:16:14","modified_gmt":"2018-11-16T02:16:14","slug":"buffalo-bills-receiving-corps-potential-free-agency-targets-in-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/11\/15\/buffalo-bills-receiving-corps-potential-free-agency-targets-in-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Buffalo Bills Receiving Corps: Potential Free Agency Targets in 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Buffalo Bills<\/a> receiving corps is a precipitously bare cupboard in 2018.<\/p>\n

That much is pretty evident heading into the bye week. Through 10 games, just one Buffalo wideout has a game in which he accounted for over 100 receiving yards. And it’s not Kelvin Benjamin<\/a><\/strong>. It was Robert Foster<\/a><\/strong> who did so in the Bills’ most recent game which was also the team’s best performance of the season, a 41-10 pasting<\/a> of the New York Jets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What’s telling about the offensive explosion fans witnessed last Sunday was that Benjamin wasn’t a part of it. Despite seeing three targets, he didn’t make a single catch. That’s something that can’t be said about Dion Dawkins<\/a><\/strong>, who lined up as an eligible receiver and caught a touchdown pass in the second quarter. When the team’s starting left tackle is catching balls and you aren’t, your perception as an impact pass-catcher is tanking faster than Jon Gruden<\/strong>‘s Oakland Raiders<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Benjamin is one of many looming unrestricted free agents at the wide receiver position. And it certainly won’t be surprising if the Bills let him walk given the less than savory numbers he’s put up thus far. It highlights the fact that Buffalo’s receiving corps needs a significant makeover in the upcoming off-season. Though there are a few promising players on the existing roster, there will be quite a few new faces next year acquired via the draft and free agency.<\/p>\n

Here, the focus is on the latter category. A few players\u00a0set to hit free agency are intriguing and have the potential to become go-to targets in year two of the Josh Allen<\/a><\/strong> era. With the Bills enjoying over $92 million in cap space, the opportunity is there to add a big name. Here are some who make sense.<\/p>\n

Buffalo Bills Receiving Corps: A Look at Potential Free Agent Additions in 2019<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Tyrell Williams<\/a><\/h2>\n

In many respects, Tyrell Williams<\/a><\/strong> is a similar receiver to Benjamin. Both are big-bodied targets with traits that make them capable of taking the top off a defense. A perusal of NFL’s Next Gen Stats makes this apparent. The pair ranks sixth and seventh respectively in average targeted air yards which measures how far downfield they are on average when the\u00a0quarterback throws the ball in their direction.<\/p>\n

But unlike Benjamin, Williams actually hauls in those targets on a consistent basis. His 72.22 percent catch percentage (catches\/targets) ranks 23rd among NFL receivers\/tight ends. Meanwhile, Benjamin is catching a minuscule 35.71 percent of passes thrown his way. That’s the second-worst total in the league among those with a minimum of 28 targets. It’s also historically atrocious. Should that number not improve, it would be the second-worst among receivers who’ve seen at least 90 targets in a season (he’s on pace for 91) since 1992.<\/p>\n

It’s a big reason why it’s only in Buffalo’s best interest to part ways with Benjamin once the season concludes. Williams has the potential to step in and make an immediate impact. Among Allen’s most noteworthy traits is his cannon for an arm. Optimizing that element of his game is crucial moving forward. Adding a deep threat like Williams to the roster this off-season will invariably help in that regard.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/CameronParkerPO\/status\/1062832202344423424<\/p>\n

Golden Tate<\/a><\/h2>\n

The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> made headlines ahead of the trade deadline when they acquired<\/a> Golden Tate<\/a><\/strong> from the Detroit Lions<\/a>. His arrival served as an upgrade to a receiving corps becoming too overly reliant on the prowess of tight end Zach Ertz<\/a><\/strong>. But there’s no guarantee that he remains in Philly beyond this season since he’s an impending free agent.<\/p>\n

Before the trade, Tate managed three touchdown passes and two games of 100+ receiving yards with the Lions. Though he was fairly quiet in his debut with Eagles last Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys<\/a>, that’s likely to change as he familiarizes himself with the nuances of the offense. His skill set is unique and centers around how dynamic he is in space and after the catch. And he does a lot of damage as a slot receiver.<\/p>\n

\n

WR\u2019s Receiving YPG from slot:
1. JuJu Smith-Schuster, 69.2
2. Adam Thielen, 59.3
3. Tyler Boyd, 53.9
4. Golden Tate, 48.1
5. Julian Edelman, 47.3
6. Michael Thomas, 46.6
7. Dede Westbrook, 45.7
8. Tyreek Hill, 45.5
9. AJ Green, 45.1<\/p>\n

— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) November 14, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n