Tag: Curtis Samuel

PFF grades the Bills’ work in free agency

PFF grades the #Bills’ work in free agency:

The Bills have been active in the first wave of NFL free agency, addressing roster needs with players who can be valuable contributors and rotation players in all three phases.

Similarly, letting some players walk in free agency while releasing and trading others has created cap relief and added draft capital while freeing up money to add cost-efficient talent.

Headlined by the additions of WR Curtis Samuel and LB Nicholas Morrow, a mix of new and familiar faces have been signed and re-signed.

While it’s worth noting that additional signings have taken place, including DE Casey Toohill and S Mike Edwards, with more potential moves on the way as the team has reportedly met with S Julian Blackmon and DE Austin Johnson on free agency visits, and still have a number of their own free agents available as well.

Had they been factored in, Toohill, who’s had solid numbers as a depth and rotation player, and Edwards, who has the second most defensive TDs in the NFL since 2021 (5) and two Super Bowl championships with Tampa and Kansas City to his name, may have affected the grade.

Nonetheless, here is the Bills 2024 free agency grade prior to those additions, according to Pro Football Focus…

BUFFALO BILLS

Epenesa has two straight seasons with strong production as a pass rusher, notching pressure rates above 10% and pass-rush grades above 70.0. He’s a big edge who has gotten faster off the ball as he’s developed, and he’ll still be just 25 in Week 1 of 2024, so there could be more improvement ahead.

Jones came out of the gates of the 2023 season on fire as an interior pass rusher, and the continued growth of Ed Oliver has enabled the two to work off each other and weaponize twists and stunts on the interior more effectively. Oliver still has a quick get-off and a bursty second step in his 30s, and Buffalo needed to add more defensive linemen, so why not retain a player you know is a fit as a three- to five-technique?

Buffalo looks ready to move on from the dynamic duo of Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, who had an incredible run as the starting safety tandem for years. Rapp is a good box defender, and the Bills structured this deal in a way that they can approach it year to year while also buying out two additional years from Rapp.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: B-

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LOOK: New Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu is switching to a single-digit number

No. 4 looks good on Luvu.

In his three seasons with the Carolina Panthers, new Washington linebacker Frankie Luvu wore the No. 49 jersey. Upon signing with the Commanders, that number was off-limits, as it is retired as the number of the legendary Bobby Mitchell.

So, would Luvu return to the No. 50 he wore with the New York Jets when he first entered the NFL?

We have our answer. Per Washington’s X page, Luvu will wear No. 4 in 2024. The No. 4 jersey was worn by wide receiver Curtis Samuel in 2023, but Samuel departed in free agency. From 2020-22, quarterback Taylor Heinicke donned the No. 4.

While it may take some getting used to, the No. 4 looks pretty slick on Luvu.

Before 2021, Luvu would’ve had to wear a more traditional linebacker number. However, the NFL relaxed those rules, allowing more flexibility for jersey numbers.

Washington’s signing of Luvu has been praised around the NFL, as many believe his football is still ahead of him.

What WR guru said about Bills signing of Curtis Samuel

What WR guru said about #Bills signing of Curtis Samuel:

Count Yahoo football analyst Matt Harmon as one of the most excited enthusiasts of the Bills signing free agent WR Curtis Samuel.

During a podcast with Dalton Del Don, the duo capped the end of their airtime with the announcement.

“Final piece of news, as we are taping this,” Harmon proclaimed. “The biggest news, the biggest signing in the NFL has happened. Because, according to Adam Schefter as we were taping this, former Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel is signing a three-year, $24 million deal with the Buffalo Bills.”

Harmon created the Reception Perception methodology of evaluation which charts a receiver’s performance on every route run during a multi-game sample to map an understanding of how they perform beyond box score and independent of the influence of outside factors in a variety of ways. 

That evaluation includes…

  • How good of a route-runner is this receiver and on which patterns does he create the most separation?
  • Where does this receiver “win” on the field and what are his best attributes?
  • Where are they best deployed?
  • What quarterback of offense would they best gel with?
  • What kind of coverage foils this wideout and is there a role he best fits in?
  • Is this receiver capable of excelling or breakout if tasked with a greater target workload?

That the creator of such a deep-dive analytic method of evaluation has been and is bullish on Samuel in his career as a pro receiver is certainly positive. That he is authentically so excited at the Bills signing him may also be a good sign.

“I mean, I’m alive. I’m alive, bro. I’m alive. This is awesome. I’m completely thrilled,” Harmon expressed when asked for an immediate reaction during the podcast.

He and Del Don even went as far as to comment on their belief that the Bills got better at the receiver position, stating that Samuel was a clear upgrade.

“This is awesome. What an upgrade over Gabe Davis! You get Curtis Samuel out there? That is really interesting to me.”

He echoed the same sentiment that multiple media analysts have noted that the Samuel signing does not preclude Buffalo from adding a receiver in the draft to replace Davis’s deep-threat abilities while noting Samuel had his best season under Bills OC Joe Brady when he was in Carolina.

“Oh baby, I mean… Curtis Samuel had his best season in the NFL in Joe Brady’s offense. In 2020, he had 1,000 total yards. Over 800 receiving yards. Over 200 rushing yards. He was awesome. I think that he can be used in more true receiver ways and I think he can probably be deployed more as a flanker… I love this signing for the Bills. I love this signing for my guy, Curtis Samuel. I mean, this is absolutely electric. What a time. What a freaking time to be alive.”

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Bills’ Curtis Samuel on offensive coordinator Joe Brady: ‘A good leader’

#Bills’ Curtis Samuel on offensive coordinator Joe Brady: ‘A good leader’

The Buffalo Bills made their first big signing of the NFL free agency period by inking WR Curtis Samuel to a three-year deal.

And his previous playing under Joe Brady during his last pro stint as an offensive coordinator played a key role in landing the receiver.

“I was super-excited when the opportunity came, having some experience with Joe Brady and Carolina definitely influenced me a lot,” Samuel said during his introductory media availability.

“He (Brady) definitely feels like he’s a good leader, somebody you can put your trust in just because I’ve seen it, I’ve seen him put a lot of guys in great situations,” Samuel said. “He gets the most out of his players. I feel like that’s a testament of who he is, about how much guys respect him, and they lean on him, and they trust him.”

The addition of Samuel, whom Bills GM Brandon Beane helped draft while with Carolina’s front office, includes explosive playmaking potential. 

He achieved career-high numbers in his last season together with Brady in 2020 (77 catches for 851 yards receiving and over 1,000 total yards.)

“When I get the ball in my hands, I feel like I’m dynamic,” Samuel said. “That’s what I’m here to bring, just some explosive plays and be a team player. Whatever they need me to be, whatever they need me to do, whether it’s block, catch the ball. Whatever it needs to be, I’m here to be that team guy and help us make plays.”

As an offensive weapon, Samuel’s versatility will allow him to line up in the slot, outside, and from the backfield in the run game as well.

“It’s a little tougher for defenders because I got multiple ways I can go,” Samuel said. “You know, a lot of DBs can use the sideline as their best friend. But in the slot, there’s a whole bunch of room.”

He brings an elite burst with yards-after-catch potential to QB Josh Allen, whom he’s excited to connect with on the field.

“After I signed, he definitely reached out and I spoke to him,” Samuel said about Allen. “I’m definitely excited, I’ve watched him last year when I didn’t have games or when the games were on TV, I watched him. Exciting quarterback, tough, hard-nosed. But, you know, my job is just to make the game as easy as possible for him and I feel like that’s just trying to get open as fast as I can and make the game easier for him.”

After spending his last several seasons with Washington amidst their years as a franchise in transition, the appeal of Buffalo as a competitor with a dedicated fan base holds high appeal to one of the newest Bills.

“It’s a winning organization,” Samuel said. “I just was excited. The fan base was insane. I’ve been to a lot of other places, I’m always grateful for every stop that I took along my journey. I wouldn’t be who I am today without all those people and all the support that I get.

“But I definitely be excited to play in front of these fans.”

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Curtis Samuel picks new number with the Bills

Curtis Samuel picks new number with the #Bills

Curtis Samuel has a selected a new number upon joining the Buffalo Bills.

Samuel, 27, agreed to a three-year deal during free agency.

The wideout began his career with the Carolina Panthers. After four years there, Samuel jumped over to the Washington Commanders.

During those tenures, he’s only worn two numbers: No. 10 and 4. While with the Commanders, he changed numbers to No. 4, the one he wore at Ohio State in college.

Unfortunately, both options were off the table for him in Buffalo. The No. 10 belongs to fellow wideout Khalil Shakir, meanwhile, James Cook wears No. 4 after he changed his number too.

So a new look: No. 1. Samuel reportedly will pick that number which was last worn by Emmanuel Sanders in 2021:

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Former Panthers WR, OC to reunite with Buffalo Bills

Former Panthers WR Curtis Samuel will be reuniting with former Panthers OC Joe Brady up north.

The most productive season of Curtis Samuel’s NFL career came when Joe Brady was calling the plays. And luckily for him, he’ll get to run it back with his old pal.

On Friday, the Buffalo Bills officially announced their signing of Samuel—who is shuffling north for a three-year deal worth up to $30 million. That, of course, means the former Carolina Panthers wide receiver will be reuniting with a former Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator.

While being introduced to local media following the announcement, Samuel was asked why he believes he thrived under Brady in Carolina.

“Just trustin’ in him to put me in the right spots, the right location to be the best playmaker I could possibly be on the field,” he replied. “I feel like he did a great job at that.”

Brady was on the job in 2020, when Samuel tallied career-highs in receptions (77), receiving yards (851) and catch rate (79.4 percent). The dual-threat weapon also notched a career-high 200 rushing yards, making him one of three Panthers wideouts to record 1,000 yards from scrimmage during that campaign.

The former second-round pick would then catch up with Ron Rivera in Washington the next year. Brady, meanwhile, didn’t last through 2021—as he was fired during the team’s bye in Week 13.

Since then, Brady has bounced back in Buffalo—where he’s gone from quarterbacks coach to full-time offensive coordinator in just two seasons.

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Who is the one free agent the Commanders can’t afford to lose?

Who is the one free agent that the Commanders can’t afford to lose?

Free agency is one week away, and the Washington Commanders have an NFL-high $91.5 million in salary cap space, according to Over the Cap. Tuesday’s franchise tag deadline passed without the Commanders using the tag on anyone. Safety Kam Curl would have been the most likely to receive the tag, but it was not a consideration for Washington this time.

At this time next week, close to 30 Commanders will be free agents. There will be starters and key reserves looking to sign new deals in Washington — or elsewhere.

The Commanders’ top free agents are cornerback Kendall Fuller, wide receiver Curtis Samuel and Curl. Washington has the ability to keep several of its own free agents and add some from the outside, but with a new regime, there will be plenty of changes.

If you’re general manager Adam Peters, who is the one free agent you can’t afford to lose?

CBS Sports recently looked at one free agent from every NFL team that it couldn’t afford to lose. Fuller was the choice for Washington.

Kendall Fuller is one of the best defensive backs available this offseason: His 83.1 PFF defensive grade is the sixth-best among cornerbacks who played at least 100 snaps last season. Fuller, who snagged two interceptions, was one of the few bright spots on what was the NFL’s worst defense last season since their unit was the lowest ranked team in scoring defense (30.5 points per game), total defense (388.9 total yards per game), passing touchdowns (39) and passer rating (105.7).

Keeping Fuller around for the Dan Quinn era could pay massive dividends since Quinn took a Cowboys unit in 2020 that was dreadful and helped flip them into a top five group within a few seasons.

Curl’s age is certainly a reason for him to be the choice. However, we agree with CBS here. Why? Fuller’s age and knees are a concern, but it isn’t easy to find good cornerback play. Fuller may move to the slot or even safety, but he will thrive anywhere he lines up.

The Commanders’ secondary was bad last season, but the new coaching staff will get more out of this group. Sure, Washington will need to add to the defensive backfield, but letting go of its best player (Fuller) wouldn’t be a great start.

Of course, Fuller’s potential return will come down to cost. Washington ha the money, but will it choose to go younger?

7 standout wide receivers Patriots could still target in free agency

With Tee Higgins and Mike Evans off the table, here are seven standout free agent receivers the Patriots could still target

The wide receiver market is thinning in free agency with Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins being franchise tagged and Mike Evans signing a two-year deal to stay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Those are two big-ticket options gone for the receiver-needy New England Patriots.

But there’s no need to hit the panic button. There are still plenty of wide receiver options that could give the Patriots a major boost in free agency. Some even have the potential to sit at the top of the depth chart in the coveted No. 1 receiving role.

With Higgins and Evans off the table, here are seven standout receivers the Patriots could still pursue in free agency.

Top 12 remaining free-agent wide receivers

Tee Higgins and Mike Evans are now off the table. So, who’s left?

Sorry, Carolina Panthers fans. There will probably be no Tee Higgins and definitely no Mike Evans in your team’s immediate future.

But that doesn’t mean they still can’t sign a worthwhile wideout next week.

Here are the top 12 remaining receivers who are slated to hit free agency:

Five former Ohio State players make list of top NFL free agents

Five Buckeyes make list of top free agents #GoBucks

Our lovely friends over at Touchdown Wire have provided an interesting list of the top 101 players to become free agents in 2024, and five former Ohio State football stars have made an appearance. These lists are always fun because the excitement of someone getting a fresh start always provides a silver lining of potential stardom.

Some of the players on this list are young guys looking to cash on big and potentially start over, but a couple are older players looking to make a trip to the bank as they finish their career.

NFL teams can contact free agents on March 11, which opens the official tampering period. Now, this list is not set in stone as there is a slim chance a player can be franchised tagged and no longer available for free agency, but again I want to emphasize that chance is pretty slim for these five players. Let’s now dive into the list.