Adding experience and championship pedigree to a young position group is often seen as a wise move. The Buffalo Bills made significant changes to their receiving corps in the 2024 NFL offseason, parting ways with veterans Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis and focusing on younger players like rookie Keon Coleman and third-year contributor Khalil Shakir. While they did bring in some external help with Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins, and possibly Chase Claypool, it appears that the Bills are banking on their young, relatively inexperienced receivers for most of their passing game, including second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid.
The turnover and youth at the position have led some to question the unit’s potential productivity and long-term viability, suggesting that the Bills may need to make another move or two at wide receiver. One writer, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, suggested that adding a back-to-back Super Bowl champion could benefit Buffalo. He highlighted Marquez Valdes-Scantling, a former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver, as a potential fit for the Bills.
Valdes-Scantling, known for his speed and ability to stretch the field, could provide the Bills with valuable experience and depth at wide receiver. While he hasn’t been consistently outstanding in his career, he has shown flashes of brilliance, especially in the 2023 postseason. His experience with the Chiefs could also offer insights into beating Kansas City, a valuable asset for Buffalo.
While signing Valdes-Scantling could make sense on paper, it wouldn’t necessarily drastically change the Bills’ receiving corps. He likely wouldn’t immediately start over Coleman, Shakir, or Samuel, and his contributions on special teams could be limited. Additionally, at 29 years old, he may not have much room for further development.
Overall, while signing Valdes-Scantling could add veteran experience to the Bills’ receiving corps, it might not be a long-term solution. Buffalo seems content with their current mix of young talent and skill sets, but a potential signing of Valdes-Scantling could be revisited if the team feels the need for more experience during training camp.
