Although acquiring a discounted veteran is still an option, Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane stated he does not have intentions to make a huge splash trade in free agency.
The wide receivers room for the Bills remains a worry after the NFL draft. Although he may not even make the squad, Buffalo signed free agency wide receiver Chase Claypool last week and assigned him Stefon Diggs’ jersey number.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox pushed Buffalo to sign former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling in an effort to help the Bills make it to the Super Bowl this season.
South Florida’s own MVS with a touchdown in the Super Bowl!🤘#AmericanFB pic.twitter.com/l8urJNYTCF
— The American (@American_Conf) February 12, 2024
Knox noted, “It was unexpected that the Bills did not take more action to support quarterback Josh Allen.” “(Keon) Coleman could be a good enough substitute for Diggs as the team’s top target, but Buffalo only signed free agents like Mack Hollins and Curtis Samuel and didn’t add any more receivers in the draft.
“Buffalo has room for another receiver, especially one who can stretch the field like Diggs used to. The Bills would be wise to sign former conference opponent Marquez Valdes-Scantling. During his two years with the Chiefs, Valdes-Scantling wasn’t very reliable, but he had a great postseason in 2023, with two catches for 62 yards against Buffalo in the divisional round.
After leading the Chiefs to consecutive Super Bowl victories, Valdes-Scantling might also assist in demonstrating to the Bills what is necessary to make the figurative next move. Furthermore, any advice he could give on defeating Kansas City in the postseason would be extremely beneficial.
When Valdes-Scantling was cut by the Chiefs in late February, he was about to enter the final year of his $30 million contract. Despite a $2 million dead money charge, the decision saved Kansas City $11.9 million in 2024.
The Bills Could Land Marquez Valdes-Scantling at a Hefty Discount
MVS caught 21 of 42 targets for a pitiful 314 yards and one touchdown at the end of the regular season. Even though he was the Chiefs’ highest-paid receiver, his postseason success wasn’t enough to keep him in the city. He caught 8 of 13 targets for 124 yards and one touchdown in four postseason games.
According to Knox, the 29-year-old made just less than $9 million with Kansas City in the previous season and might not be willing to accept a significant pay decrease. “But at this stage of the offseason, he might not have an option.”
Marquez Valdes-Scantling was there when @PatrickMahomes needed him. 💪 pic.twitter.com/d1UgupcETq
— NFL (@NFL) January 31, 2023
With Tre’Davious White’s post-June 1 release, the Bills will clear an additional $10.2 million in cap space, bringing their total cap room to about $2.8 million. The previous 2018 fifth-round pick was also mentioned by Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News as a potential free agency choice for the Bills.
The player making big plays down the field for the Bills in an AFC divisional playoff game against the Chiefs in January was Valdes-Scantling, not Stefon Diggs. Valdes-Scantling, 29, has undergone at least one big-game test.
Though it’s hard to get enthused about Valdes-Scantling, he also contributed to the Chiefs’ 2017 Super Bowl victory. In the AFC Championship game, he caught six passes for 116 yards and one touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals, after only completing 42 of 81 targets for 687 yards and two touchdowns in 2022.
On Monday, May 6, MVS met with the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team. Therefore, competition to hire the veteran may exist.
Bills News: The Veteran FA Wide Receiver Market Is Dwindling
The Bills might be turned off by Valdes-Scantling’s drop rate, but there are fewer wide receivers available as free agents.
Skurski listed former wide receiver Zay Jones of the Bills and former starter Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints as options. Chiefs pundits have also mentioned both names, speculating that Kansas City may add a seasoned player in light of Rashee Rice’s anticipated suspension.
