Bills GM Brandon Beane Reveals Keys to Signing WR Curtis Samuel in Free Agency

The Buffalo Bills signed receiver Curtis Samuel in free agency. Will his new role in the offense cut anybody else out of the rotation?

Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers / Grant Halverson/GettyImages

The Buffalo Bills are as synonymous with offseason receiver targets as they are with wintery home games and heartbreaking playoff losses. From Stefon Diggs’ cryptic tweets to Gabe Davis’ departure to free agency and a first round filled with pass-catching prospects, the conversation won’t be ending anytime soon.

However, general manager Brandon Beane has already used the open market to add reinforcements to the receiving corps. In signing Mack Hollins and Curtis Samuel, Buffalo has added capable bodies and elevated the floor of its offense.

While it is unlikely either start – Khalil Shakir played well down the stretch, Diggs is still a Bill, and this class truly is stocked with options – there will still be important roles to play in offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s offense.

Dallas Cowboys v Washington Commanders / Patrick Smith/GettyImages

At the NFL Annual Meetings, Beane spoke about the Samuel acquisition and how his idiosyncratic skill set made him an attractive target.

“Curtis is one of those guys, a unique player,” Beane said. “When he came out I remember spending time with him and scouting him at Ohio State. Guy that spent half the time in the running back room at Ohio State and half in the receiver room. 

“And I remember questioning him how he was able to do that. And he’s obviously smart to be able to do that. That was the last draft I was in Carolina and then we took McCaffrey one, him two. We were thinking like … you’re just giving defenses another problem to deal with.”

Samuel is far from the first former Panthers player to be welcomed into Western New York. He signed a three-year deal worth up to $24 million, including $15.02 million in guarantees (per Over the Cap), entrenching himself as a piece of Buffalo’s future.

While not breaking the bank, Samuel’s deal isn’t insignificant, especially given quarterback Josh Allen’s impending cap hits. Every signing the Bills make will be under intense scrutiny given the team’s cap constraints and the proximity of a Super Bowl appearance.

Fortunately for Buffalo, Brady was in Carolina during Samuel’s tenure, presiding over the offense from 2020–2021. His insight was invaluable in acquiring the versatile target. 

“What gave me confidence to bring him here was talking to Joe Brady,” Beane continued. “He had his best year with Joe, Joe saw what he could do and really played to his strengths.

“So we see him as a guy that – yes – can be in the backfield, can line up at receiver, gadgets, he can be a returner for us, he can stretch the field vertically. Just not a traditional ‘Line up out wide’ receiver or ‘Get in the slot.’ We think he’ll play outside, inside, backfield. Just give Joe a lot of versatile ways to use him, really.”

Samuel posted career highs in receptions (77), receiving yards (851), and rushing yards (200) in 2020 with Brady calling the shots.

The Bills may opt to draft a traditional starting receiver to complement Diggs on the boundary, but Beane’s comments make it clear there is a role awaiting Samuel – perhaps one that is more conducive to success than his previous stop with the Washington Commanders.