NFL Off-Season Free Agency/Trade Positional Breakdown WR

[Lost]

We need a separator and IMO any receiver approaching or past the age of 30 cannot be that.  

 

Lets just trade for Garret Wilson and call it a day.  

[Lost]

Just now, Lost said:

We need a separator and IMO any receiver approaching or past the age of 30 cannot be that.  

 

Lets just trade for Garret Wilson and call it a day.  

 

 

Actually I had previously laughed at the possibility of the Bills considering bringing in someone like Dionte Johnson to complete the WR room but looking at this chart below has me reconsidering.   

 

 

[BuffaloBillyG]

11 hours ago, billsfan89 said:

The NFL off-season is starting just figured that I would post a breakout of the Bills top free agency options at WR. WR is a key need for the Bills, I will be mainly talking about the Bills critical need for a boundary WR opposite Keon and Shakir in the slot. I think Samuel is more of a WR4/gadget player. Hollins could be back and a draft pick. But this is more so about a front line WR .

 

Top Free Agents 

 

• Amari Cooper- The Bills could bring back Cooper. It's not a foregone conclusion the Bills won't bring back Cooper and draft a rookie behind him for depth/development. 

Pros: Knows the organization and the organization knows his fit and will not cost anything draft capital wise. 

Cons: Will be 31, was not the most productive last season, and might not add the speed that the Bills want. Cost could also be steep. 

 

• Tee Higgins- The big free agent on the market at WR.

Pros: Just turned 26, if Cincy doesn't franchise him he will not cost anything draft capital, and he's been consistently productive. Also doesn't hurt to take a weapon from Burrow. 

Cons: He's been a bit banged up and he's not exactly a burner either. He's a 4.59 40 time guy. He's also going to cost an insane amount cap wise. 

 

• Chris Godwin- A high end "young vet" another top WR on the market. 

Pros: While he's been around the league for awhile he's only going to be 29. He's been fairly consistent and won a Super Bowl. Also a free agent no draft capital cost. 

Cons: Coming off a banged up season, has had some slight durability issues, also he is more comfortable in the slot, might not be a good fit with Shakir. 

 

Top Trade Candidates 

 

• Devante Adams- A trade possibility. Of course the Jets trading to a division rival is unlikely but assuming the Jets are open to it this is a possibility. 

Pros: Consistently elite and durable WR, plays well on the boundary, draft capital cost would be moderate, and the Jets can absorb a good chunk of the contract. 

Cons: Will be 32/33 next season, will cost some draft capital, and not exactly a burner. Also not likely the Jets trade him in the division. 

 

• DK Metcalf- Been in trade rumors for awhile certainly one of the leagues "freak" WR's and the trade from NFC to AFC is possible. 

Pros: Will be 27/28 right in his prime, elite freak athlete burner type who plays well on the boundary, and a consistently productive player. 

Cons: Draft and cap capital cost would be very high. Likely seeking a new contract. 

 

• Jakobi Meyers- Not been in rumors but on the last year of his deal, Raiders could be looking to sell off some parts. 

Pros: Last year of his deal and a very manageable contract. Cap and Draft capital cost won't be too high. Will be 29 next season coming off a strong season. 

Cons: Not an elite athlete and elite producer. Might not have the strong impact desired. 

 

• Deebo Samuel- Officially on the trading block. Has had some very strong seasons and a very unique weapon when healthy. 

Pros: Will be 29/30 next season and he's been very productive when healthy. Draft capital cost could be reasonable. He also is a boundary WR.

Cons: He's played 15 games 3 out the last 4 seasons but he's been constantly battling nagging injuries. Cap capital cost is likely to be steep as Deebo is likely seeking a new contract. 

 

• Cooper Kupp- Been in trade rumors for awhile certainly an elite WR for a large chunk of his career but while his production has dipped he's been very good. 

Pros: Former Super Bowl MVP whose still very productive when healthy. 

Cons: Hasn't been very healthy in recent years, he will be 32 this upcoming season, and he might also be better suited for a slot WR role. Cap cost will also be fairly high. 

 

• Tyler Lockett- Vet WR who Seattle could get rid of for a fairly low cost. He's been in trade rumors for awhile now.

Pros: Should come fairly affordably draft and cap capital wise. He's a reliable vet whose been fairly productive and durable. 

Cons: More of a slot WR, He will be 33, and He's had a dip in production the past two seasons (although one could argue that's more so a product of Metcalf and Smith-Nijgba taking up a lot of targets). 

 

• Calvin Ridley- Titans could be a seller and a vet WR might not be in their plans. Much like Meyers not rumored to be on the block just yet but it adds up. 

Pros: Been a very productive WR eclipsed 1k years 3 out of the last 4 years he's played. Fills the boundary WR role. Draft capital cost could also be modest. 

Cons: Will be 30/31 next season and his contract could be hard to absorb cap wise. 

 

As the trade market opens up there certainly could be more options to look at. Personally I would love to see Metcalf but if the cost on pick/cap is too high to make sense then it I think Ridley or Meyers could be nicer "stop gap" options that could be cheaper. 

 

Who do you think would make the most sense for the Bills to go after either in free agency or the trade market at WR? Or is this just an avenue where the Bills can sink a high pick into and call it a day? 

That's a nice list, however I don't see the Bills in on too many of them. With the way Brandon Beane looks at Free Agency a lot of the time, I suggest that the WR we end up with isn't even a FA yet. Watch for WRs that become cap casualties over the next few weeks. They can be signed and not count against the comp pick formula...which seems like something Beane has been paying attention to the last few years.

 

My name to watch is Christian Kirk. They have Thomas and Gabe Davis is locked in with a big contract. With a new coaching staff in Jacksonville it would make some sense for them to drop Kirk and get the cap savings. I really think if he gets cut he would be firmly on the Bills radar.

[Dillenger4]

I just figured we were getting Darius Slayton from the Giants. Then a game wrecking edge in Garrett or Crosby. Heck swing for the fences and get Sexy Dexy from Giants in a package with Slayton too. That would work!

[ColoradoBills]

5 hours ago, Magox said:

The budget for a WR should be under $8/$9M AAV

 

The defense is where the vast majority of where resources should be allocated.

 

Agree on the D but I could see a decent WR costing $10M.  That is about where I put my AAV.

[MJS]

I'd love to have Metcalf. I'm not too interested in any of the other options. Maybe just bring back Amari Cooper if they can't make a swing for someone better and then try to bring in some draft talent.

[Maine-iac]

No problems with Cooper coming back if the price is right.  Mike Williams or Noah Brown might be a bargain veteran at the outside WR spot.  Otherwise I'd hope for another 4th or 5th round find like Gabe or Shakir.  We don't necessarily need a superstar just someone who can keep the defense honest when they play single high or cover zero.  Be able to run a route or beat one guy down the field.

[MikePJ76]

2 minutes ago, Maine-iac said:

No problems with Cooper coming back if the price is right.  Mike Williams or Noah Brown might be a bargain veteran at the outside WR spot.  Otherwise I'd hope for another 4th or 5th round find like Gabe or Shakir.  We don't necessarily need a superstar just someone who can keep the defense honest when they play single high or cover zero.  Be able to run a route or beat one guy down the field.

I don't think Cooper is interested in playing at a discount honestly.  Plenty of teams have cap space to pay a guy like cooper.  

 

His play was nothing special here and he too had a wrist injury that limited him.  He gets no grief and fans want him back but they ignore colemans injury and hate him.  Kind of a weird thing to me.

 

I really cant imagine a scenario where cooper is back unless I am completely misreading the guy and he will play at a discount.  

[Maine-iac]

1 minute ago, MikePJ76 said:

I don't think Cooper is interested in playing at a discount honestly.  Plenty of teams have cap space to pay a guy like cooper.  

 

His play was nothing special here and he too had a wrist injury that limited him.  He gets no grief and fans want him back but they ignore colemans injury and hate him.  Kind of a weird thing to me.

 

I really cant imagine a scenario where cooper is back unless I am completely misreading the guy and he will play at a discount.  

I didn't say anything about a discount. If Spotrac is correct I'm sure Cooper could produce enough to warrant a 13 or 14 million dollar contract.  I also don't think the way this offense is built we need to pay over 20 million to anyone to play outside.  I'm probably in the minority in that thinking but every year the hype train starts around pass catchers and year after year we lose because our defense can't make stops in the playoffs.

[nedboy7]

Im on the Metcalf or Cooper wagon. 

[LABILLBACKER]

6 hours ago, Lost said:

We need a separator and IMO any receiver approaching or past the age of 30 cannot be that.  

 

Lets just trade for Garret Wilson and call it a day.  

That's not a terrible idea either but I doubt the Jets work with us. I'm just not on board signing or trading for ANY WR over 30.  Higgins is getting franchised.

Kupp, Diggs, Cooper, Adams, K. Allen, DHop....hard pass.

Now maybe Dyami or Slayton on a cheaper deal I'd be down for?  But Metcalf would be my top target. He could be Josh's true #1 for the next 4 years. 

 

[3rdand12]

10 hours ago, Magox said:

The budget for a WR should be under $8/$9M AAV

 

The defense is where the vast majority of where resources should be allocated.

As long as it is the right type. The one we seem to be missing ! You know who I'm talkin about. Outside Guy with speed and hands as well

If we are not getting a star DE in FA ? I want to fill some other needs in FA

Defense , and starting WR please. Thanks Magox

[3rdand12]

6 hours ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

That's a nice list, however I don't see the Bills in on too many of them. With the way Brandon Beane looks at Free Agency a lot of the time, I suggest that the WR we end up with isn't even a FA yet. Watch for WRs that become cap casualties over the next few weeks. They can be signed and not count against the comp pick formula...which seems like something Beane has been paying attention to the last few years.

 

My name to watch is Christian Kirk. They have Thomas and Gabe Davis is locked in with a big contract. With a new coaching staff in Jacksonville it would make some sense for them to drop Kirk and get the cap savings. I really think if he gets cut he would be firmly on the Bills radar.

How does he fit ?

[Warriorspikes51]

8 hours ago, MikePJ76 said:

Mike Catalana said something interesting on the podcast with sal and matt today, He thinks Howie roseman is going to search around and see what the market is for AJ Brown.

really??  Not sure AJ Brown would “fit” here

 

but he is a stud. Still 27.  I’d guess the price would be a 1st +  

[BuffaloBillyG]

1 hour ago, 3rdand12 said:

How does he fit ?

I think he would fit well. He's able to play outside and can separate. Also, coming off an injury an could possibly be had with the type of "prove it" deal Beane likes to fill out.

[Einstein's Dog]

2 hours ago, LABILLBACKER said:

That's not a terrible idea either but I doubt the Jets work with us. I'm just not on board signing or trading for ANY WR over 30.  Higgins is getting franchised.

Kupp, Diggs, Cooper, Adams, K. Allen, DHop....hard pass.

Now maybe Dyami or Slayton on a cheaper deal I'd be down for?  But Metcalf would be my top target. He could be Josh's true #1 for the next 4 years. 

 

For a WR, I'm with you DK Metcalf is my top choice.  However, I really think the defense needs a stud DE like Garrett or Crosby.  And if they trade for one of the DE's I don't think the FO would do another big trade for DK.  I would love to see it, but it really seems like a long shot.

 

Of the FA WRs I like D Adams best.  Adams looked better to me than A Cooper.

[NoSaint]

9 hours ago, MikePJ76 said:

Mike Catalana said something interesting on the podcast with sal and matt today, He thinks Howie roseman is going to search around and see what the market is for AJ Brown.

the eagles core is not sustainable. They may make some interesting moves 

[Wizard]

The correct answer is Courtland Sutton. Boundary, not too costly, and he is productive.

 

 

[HappyDays]

4 hours ago, Einstein's Dog said:

Of the FA WRs I like D Adams best.  Adams looked better to me than A Cooper.

 

I would love Adams after he is inevitably cut, seems like he gets forgotten about a lot in these discussions because he's not officially a FA yet. Jeremy Fowler reported he would prefer to return to the west coast though and listed both LA teams and San Fran as options. I suppose if we really want him we will just pay him whatever it takes. Adding him would make us much less desperate at the position heading into the draft. It feels like the most logical move honestly.

[GunnerBill]

12 hours ago, Maine-iac said:

I didn't say anything about a discount. If Spotrac is correct I'm sure Cooper could produce enough to warrant a 13 or 14 million dollar contract.  I also don't think the way this offense is built we need to pay over 20 million to anyone to play outside.  I'm probably in the minority in that thinking but every year the hype train starts around pass catchers and year after year we lose because our defense can't make stops in the playoffs.

 

The last two years the playoff came down to our offense having the ball last needing a touchdown and not being able to score.

 

That isn't to say the D played well in those losses. But if you are talking about what it came down to... that's it.