WR Trent Sherfield signed

[ColoradoBills]

18 minutes ago, folz said:

 

Yes, thank you. Was going to post something similar.

 

The problem with the offense last year (besides Josh's elbow), was not Gabe Davis; it was not having any consistent play from the slot position and a burner to take the top off the defense. From 2019 to 2021, Cole averaged 813 yards from the slot position (it's also why they tried to bring him back for the playoff run last year---cause we were in trouble in the slot). Last year, we got 483 yards total from the slot (between Crowder and McKenzie). That's 40% less production from that spot. This offense needs consistent production from the slot to run properly.

 

Also, I don't think people realize that it wasn't just Diggs who got double-teamed last year. Davis also saw a lot of double-teaming because defenses were not afraid of our slot position or the run game.

 

Of course, Crowder was supposed to help there (and probably be the #1 slot). But once he went down, we were in trouble. Isaiah could get some wins in the slot playing against man, but he didn't have the "feel" for the slot against zone. So, teams bracketed Diggs and Davis and said try to beat us with what you have left.

 

So, I see the current signings as many-layered. First, they are making sure they have multiple guys who can play the slot (to couch versus injuries---they aren't going to be left high and dry again); two, they got guys who aren't going to just make the short grab and go down, these players have speed and RAC to take slants to the house (or at least get more yards out of those throws---see K.C., Miami, etc.); and thirdly, as Colorado said, we now have 4 of our top 5 current WRs that can play both inside and outside (Diggs, Shakir, Harty, and Sherfield). This makes the offense a lot less predictable and gives Dorsey a lot more options to scheme and play.

 

Not to mention that Harty and Sherfield are both big ST contributors. It is all about depth and maximizing every roster spot at this point---to get over that final hump. Plus, as others said, it frees up Hines and other players to focus on where we need them most. And Harty can take the top off the defense with his speed. Diggs and Gabe can both get deep, but they don't have that burner speed that really puts stress on opposing safeties. It was another dimension that we were missing last year.

If you have Harty flying down the field (and hitting on some chunk plays), it is going to be a lot harder to bracket both Diggs and Davis. McKenzie was fast, but fly routes were not really in his bag (due to hands/tracking the ball, whatever).

 

We don't need to spend a lot of money on WRs that are at the end of their careers (OBJ/Hopkins)---diminishing returns and steals money from other areas of need. We can draft a young guy (in case they move on from Gabe next year), and groom him for at least a year (unless they get lucky and the kid is a stud from the get---but tough to count on that where we are drafting). But, still, I am fine using a premium pick on a young WR.

 

But, I also see how these current moves are actually addressing problem areas from last season. Sometimes you don't need the shiny new toy (that breaks a week later) on Christmas morning---you need that pair of socks that will keep your feet warm all winter.* It may not be sexy, or what you wanted, but it may turn out to be what you actually needed more.

 

But, as always, we will have to wait and see if these moves pan out. I do seem to get their thought process though.

 

 

*(idea poached from House's funny post about underwear on Christmas, just changed it to socks)

 

I agree with your post.  Adding a WR in the first 2 days and another OL should give enough for Josh.  I could see a possible TE later either

with a later round pick or after the draft in FA.  The rest can be MLB and D if they want.

Beane will sign a big bodied RB after the draft.  There will be guys like that available.

 

I don't make an excuse, but injuries were brutal for the team, and they have to protect against that this year like you said.

[billsfan_34]

3 hours ago, Magox said:

This is Kumerow's replacement.   Plays special teams, good size, 4.45 forty, YAC kind of guy and coming off his best season.

 

The new #6 WR

We had Hopkins and let him go uggghhhh

[Flipnmi]

7 minutes ago, billsfan_34 said:

We had Hopkins and let him go uggghhhh

In the very small chance that Hopkins was ever really in play for the Bills, this signing has zero impact on that becoming a reality. 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

1 hour ago, Beck Water said:

 

I don't follow college football enough to have an opinion on the WR in the draft that's worth the powder it'd take to blow it to hell.

 

I do follow "draftology" enough to know that the chances of getting a player who can contribute in Year 1 are better in the 1st and 2nd round, slide some in the 3rd, and that day 3 guys, if they do contribute, typically take a couple years to find their feet.

 

I also have pretty good respect for Greg Cosell and if he names 2 WR he thinks can contribute their 1st years and believes at least 1 will be available where the Bills pick, to me that's worth listening to.

If Smith-Njigba falls past 20 becuase of his hamstring issues they should try to move up and get him

[Process]

Diggs - Great #1 WR

Shakir/Harty - Good slot duo

Davis - Great #3 WR/deep threat

Sherfield - Good depth/special team player

 

What's missing? A true #2 WR. Come on Beane, we still need that high draft pick WR! And then we've got a really really good group. 

[BillsFan4]

Seems like a really nice depth WR/ST signing.

[Success]

1 minute ago, Process said:

Diggs - Great #1 WR

Shakir/Harty - Good slot duo

Davis - Great #3 WR/deep threat

Sherfield - Good depth/special team player

 

What's missing? A true #2 WR. Come on Beane, we still need that high draft pick WR! And then we've got a really really good group. 

 

I don't disagree at all w/ the breakdown - but it MAY be what we roll w/ this season.

 

We don't really have the cash to get a real #2 in FA, and to get one in the draft would likely mean a 1st rounder (maybe a 2nd round, but it gets more iffy there).  Not sure if I want our most impactful draft pick to go toward WR, personally.  Thinking more MLB or O-line.

 

If we do stand pat, I think it's a really good group regardless.  Give Allen more time in the pocket and he'll get the most out of it.

 

[billsfan_34]

14 minutes ago, Flipnmi said:

In the very small chance that Hopkins was ever really in play for the Bills, this signing has zero impact on that becoming a reality. 

We wouldn’t be signing this guy if we kept IH. Doesn’t matter now F it lol 

[BigAl2526]

Exactly the kind of signing that could be expected this off season with a tight cap situation.  He's got enough speed, though he's certainly not Tyreek Hill fast.  He has good hands, gets separation, can play in the slot or outside, is an outstanding blocker for a WR and can play special teams.  Not, he doesn't have a name in the league and no, his total production is very limited, but if he had a big name and lots of production on his resume, the Bills would not be able to afford him.  

[ColoradoBills]

7 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

A lot of chatter about a couple of JAG WRs added…reminds me of the Buddy Nix days of consistent JAG FAs added and constant attempts to prop them up…  love the speed the adds bring, but it’s still a mediocre WR room. 

 

Unfortunately, it's a first 2 day pick and some other vet minimum players and that's it for this year.

That's just the reality.

 

I know you are all-in on WR talent and while of course that is wanted, the OL has to improve.  More time for Josh and having Dawson Knox

able to get more free releases off the line could be a big difference in the offense.  They got to get Knox's yardage up to 800 yards this year.

He had a 74% catch rate, so I don't want to hear from fans he can't catch a ball.

 

Add an incremental improvement to some of the depth WRs and you would have to admit it's a plan.

[HappyDays]

1 hour ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

I think that makes Buffalo +3 in free agent signings. Pretty sure none of them are worth a 3rd round comp pick that Beane appears to be on the verge of wasting. Hope we start losing some guys or there will be zero compensation for Edmunds.

 

No, we are 2 gained and 2 lost right now. 1 year contracts with a salary of under $1.75 million don't count towards the formula. So far the only qualified gains are Harty and McGovern, the only qualified losses are Keenum and Edmunds. I'm guessing Jaquan Johnson and Sherfield will both make less than $1.75 million so that doesn't change anything. Fingers crossed Houston signs Singletary for $2 million and we are in good shape to get that 3rd rounder.

 

Edited March 20, 2023 by HappyDays

[transplantbillsfan]

Good signing.

 

Sherfield was pretty good with the Phins.

[RG Murdock]

2 hours ago, IronMaidenBills said:

Who is our 1B WR? Why can Philly and Cinci have nice things, but we have to deal with dumpster diving? 
I honestly feel really bad for Allen and Diggs. 

Enough of the "Why can't we have nice things" comments. It's old. Bills have, and have had one of the top 5 payrolls in the league. They've been BIG spenders the last 3 years. Phlly and Cincy have been paying bus fare for their QB's the last 3 years!! Buffalo has a new state of the art stadium coming, one of the top paid QB's, WR, TE, Safety, and D-lineman in the league. Outside of a replacement for Edmunds, and some solid draft picks, I think the Bills are set right now. Just need the injured players to come back and have their normal big seasons this year!!        

[ColoradoBills]

2 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

Yea I think there’s a chance they still upgrade there but either way the plan if as is is not good enough IMO… but just the way the regime rolls. Defense is priority. 

 

I'll say you are sticking to your guns.

[stevestojan]

Haven’t read a word of these 14 pages, but I can only assume we just signed ourselves our 16th kick returner/ST specialist? 

[skibum]

This could be a great pickup. Sherfield put up solid #3 WR numbers while sharing targets with the most prolific receiving duo in the league.  So he's a legit receiver, not just a gadget player or ST gunner that happens to be labeled a WR. He's biggish, really fast, and purportedly great on ST. He's got experience, versatility, athleticism, good character, and low mileage. I think he will serve whatever role he ends up with very well. 

[Gambit]

31 minutes ago, billsfan_34 said:

We wouldn’t be signing this guy if we kept IH. Doesn’t matter now F it lol 

You're talking about Hodgins not Hopkins. That's what was confusing about your original comment.

[Motorin']

4 minutes ago, stevestojan said:

Haven’t read a word of these 14 pages, but I can only assume we just signed ourselves our 16th kick returner/ST specialist? 

 

No, looks like he replaces Taiwan at gunner and Kummerow as a blocking wr. Can play in the slot and outside and contribute to offense. 

 

He's like a wr #5/6 that also gets rid of a roster spot for just a special teamer. 

[SCBills]

26 minutes ago, RG Murdock said:

Enough of the "Why can't we have nice things" comments. It's old. Bills have, and have had one of the top 5 payrolls in the league. They've been BIG spenders the last 3 years. Phlly and Cincy have been paying bus fare for their QB's the last 3 years!! Buffalo has a new state of the art stadium coming, one of the top paid QB's, WR, TE, Safety, and D-lineman in the league. Outside of a replacement for Edmunds, and some solid draft picks, I think the Bills are set right now. Just need the injured players to come back and have their normal big seasons this year!!        

Mahomes:

 

-Top IOL in the NFL

-Top tier Tackle 

-Elite TE

 

Burrow:

 

-Good IOL

-Top tier Tackle

-The best WR trio in the NFL

 

Tua:

 

-Mediocre IOL

-Top tier Tackle

-Elite WR duo

 

Allen:

 

-Mediocre IOL

-Average Tackle

-Elite WR1

 

Any way you slice it Allen is behind KC, CIN and MIA in terms of Offensive talent around him.   He’s more in the Herbert/Rodgers level, assuming Rodgers is a Jet. 
 

I like the Harty & Sherfield upgrades, but being ok as is, is acknowledging that we haven’t provided Allen with anywhere close to the protection and/or weaponry of the two teams who played in the AFC CG, along with a team in our own division. 
 

Edited March 20, 2023 by SCBills

[NewEra]

12 minutes ago, stevestojan said:

Haven’t read a word of these 14 pages, but I can only assume we just signed ourselves our 16th kick returner/ST specialist? 

And a nice depth WR4-6 that will get some snaps. 
 

I don’t think he’ll return kicks.

5 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

 

No, looks like he replaces Taiwan at gunner and Kummerow as a blocking wr. Can play in the slot and outside and contribute to offense. 

 

He's like a wr #5/6 that also gets rid of a roster spot for just a special teamer. 

He was WR3 in Miami last year.  Playing over a 7M WR 

Edited March 20, 2023 by NewEra