Buffalo Bills bring an element to their offense that they were solely lacking with first free agency move
The Buffalo Bills are reportedly on the board with their first free agency deal, and it brings an element to their offense that they were sorely lacking. Wide receiver Josh Palmer, the former Los Angeles Chargers deep threat, is reportedly in agreement for a 3-year, $36 million contract with the Buffalo Bills, giving them a […]
The Buffalo Bills are reportedly on the board with their first free agency deal, and it brings an element to their offense that they were sorely lacking. Wide receiver Josh Palmer, the former Los Angeles Chargers deep threat, is reportedly in agreement for a 3-year, $36 million contract with the Buffalo Bills, giving them a speedy deep target that they didn't have last season.
Palmer was a terrific signing, filling the exact type of wide receiver need that this team had — someone that can stretch the field and threaten the safeties deep. What does this mean for the pecking order in the Bills wide receiver room?
At only 25 years old, the Bills are getting a 6'1" 210 lbs wide receiver just entering his prime. Palmer was 13th in the NFL in yards per reception at 15.0. He's a versatile receiver that's a talented route runner against both man and zone, and will help open things up for the rest of the receiver room.
In a room that has Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman as two of the other top-three options, what will be the pecking order?
Shakir, fresh off his new 4-year, $60.2 million contract extension, is the team's top option. Plain and simple. No, he's not your prototypical outside alpha wide receiver, but as a slippery route runner that thrives in space, he's likely set to lead the team in volume, while continuing to be one of the best receivers in the league after the catch.
Coleman's role in the offense is still being defined entering his second season, after his rookie year went off the rails after a wrist injury. Hopefully, entering year two, offensive coordinator Joe Brady will utilize Coleman a bit more from inside alignments, designing some free releases for the 6'3" receiver.
Now enters Palmer, who can line up inside or out, but figures to see more targets down the field than the other receivers. His ability to create separation down the field is a massive win for Josh Allen and the Bills. I don't expect Palmer to lead the team in statistical categories, but his presence has the opportunity to be massive.
Follow along all year for more Buffalo Bills coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on Bluesky @jonhelmkamp.bsky.social, and make sure to follow our main page @AtoZSports.bsky.social for all the latest news.
