By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
Another Sunday in the books, another tough day for the team’s wide receivers.
The Buffalo Bills failed to put together much of an offensive effort against the Green Bay Packers en route to a 22-0 loss. Buffalo’s offensive line hasn’t given much help to rookie quarterback Josh Allen who was sacked seven times on the day. Allen himself doesn’t do anyone any favors when he hangs on to the ball too long as well.
But there’s still blame to place on the Bills’ wide receiver group. Top target Kelvin Benjamin had one grab for 34 yards against the Packers and has seven the entire year. Zay Jones had four catches for 38 yards with the bulk of that work coming with the game well over against Green Bay.
Could the Bills consider bringing in someone with experience to help the crew? If they do, here are 6 free agents the Bills could consider:
WR Jeremy Maclin
In 2017, the Bills showed interest in Maclin, but he ended up signing with the Baltimore Ravens. That doesn’t mean the Bills still wouldn’t be interested. Clearly Maclin has taken a step back based on that season, as he only hauled in 40 catches for 440 yards and three touchdowns.
In 2014 and 2015, Maclin surpassed the 1,000-yard plateau and previously had some speed. The nine-year vet probably lost a step there too, but he’s a close friend of running back LeSean McCoy from their days in Philadelphia. Give him a call?
ESPN reports Maclin might be dealing with a hamstring injury as well.
WR Rishard Matthews
Off-field issues signal the Bills won’t be in the running for Matthews, but you never know.
Off the field, Matthews basically quit the Tennessee Titans last week when he decided he wasn’t getting enough touches. He does have a point after he was Tennessee’s leading receiver the past two seasons. The bigger problem for the Bills? The Buffalo News reports that Matthews isn’t a big fan of Buffalo’s ride receiver coach, Terry Robiskie, who was his offensive coordinator with the Titans the past two seasons.
Still, Matthews has had production in the past two years of his career and he’s only 28. Kicking the tires is worth a shot. Last season in 14 games the 6-foot tall target had 53 catches for 795 yards. His best season came in 2016 with 65 catches. 945 yards and nine touchdowns.
WR Jeremy Kerley
Kerley is a familiar face. He was cut by the Bills a mere month ago.
But that has its advantages, too. Kerley, 29, won’t save the day for the Bills, but he knows the playbook and could be a better option as a slot wide receiver than another the Bills have now. After leaving Buffalo, Kerley has had workouts, including one with the New England Patriots, but he was never signed.
WR Kenny Britt
The 29-year-old Britt hasn’t blown the doors off anyone during his career, aside from one big season with the Los Angeles Rams in 2016 when he had 68 receptions, 1,002 yards and five touchdowns.
Britt is a 6-foot-3 target and could hopefully use that size a little better than Benjamin has so far in 2018. After signing a $32.5 million contract with the Browns in 2017, he’s bounced around, dealt with injuries and hasn’t looked great. Although, as far back a two weeks ago, he did have a workout with one of his former teams, the New England Patriots.
WR Roger Lewis
As a cut of the New York Giants at the end of training camp, Lewis is the youngest player on this list at only 24. However, he did have some decent successes during his lone season seeing NFL action. With the Giants last year, he had 36 catches for 416 yards and two touchdowns. Despite only notching seven catches he rookie year in 2016, he still had another two touchdown catches. Lewis, at 6-foot, has decent speed as he ran a 4.47 40-time at his combine.
WR Markus Wheaton
After two strong seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, things haven’t gone according to plan for Wheaton. He had back-to-back years with 53 and 44 catches, respectively in 2014 and 2015, and has since bounced around the NFL with the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles.
The 5-foot-11 target was released by the Eagles at the end of training camp, was re-signed, then was released again. He has struggled with a hamstring injury.