It took the Buffalo Bills four games to find a use for veteran wide receiver Curtis Samuel this season, but a change at a key roster position could ensure that he remains in the lineup this season — and off the trade block.
Samuel was a healthy scratch for the first three games of the season before being activated for Sunday’s win over the New Orleans Saints. He served as the team’s kick returner after Brandon Codrington was benched, a move that could flip Samuel’s fortunes and keep him on the gameday roster going forward.
Bills Bring Curtis Samuel Back
Samuel was one of the biggest additions to the roster in the 2024 offseason, signing a three-year, $24 million deal with expectations that he would serve as one of the top wide receivers. But the Bills struggled to get Samuel involved in the offense last season as he made 31 receptions for 253 yards and one touchdown.
Samuel’s role grew even smaller this year, with speculation that the team could trade him before the season started. While Samuel ultimately made the 53-man roster at the end of the summer, he was listed as inactive for the first three games.
Samuel could find new life in a different role. Bills coach Sean McDermott told reporters that the team benched Codrington so they could get a look at other returners.
âSeeing how the gameday roster looks with certain players up and certain players down, with the goal of making sure we have our best guys out there,â McDermott explained.
While Samuel had only a modest impact in the return game on Sunday, he could offer more roster flexibility than Codrington for the remainder of the season. Samuel is a regular in the offense, while Codrington rarely plays at his given position of cornerback.
Curtis Samuel Seen as Trade Target
Heading into Sunday’s game, some NFL insiders saw Samuel as a player likely to move at the upcoming NFL trade deadline. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler listed him alongside the now-injured Tyreek Hill as top candidates to hit the trade block as targets for receiver-hungry teams.
The Steelers could have one more move in them, and I’d be willing to bet they’d at least have a conversation on Tyreek Hill if Miami engaged,” Fowler wrote. “Curtis Samuel is also a healthy scratch in Buffalo despite making $7.4 million this season.”
Reporter Ryan Talbot of Syracuse.com predicted before the season started that Samuel could fetch the Bills a Day 3 draft pick in return should they put him on the trade block — while also clearing up some key salary cap space.
âMultiple teams are looking for help at wide receiver, which could benefit the Bills in unloading Curtis Samuelâs contract,â Talbot wrote. âIn the trade scenario, Buffalo sends the receiver and a future fifth-round pick to a receiver-needy team in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick. Buffalo doesnât care about the potential return as they get Samuelâs contract off the books and are left with a minimal dead cap hit.â
The Bills could also be reluctant to deplete their wide receiver depth, especially with the team harboring Super Bowl hopes this season.
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