The big Youth Thurman Thomas Jerseys , speedy wideout would be a dynamic complement to Buffalo’s current crop of receivers"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections NewsNotesOpinionAnalysisDiscussionPodcastNFL DraftSalary CapNFL Free AgencyOpinionNotesBuffalo Bills 2019 free-agent target profile: wide receiver Tyrell WilliamsNew,47commentsThe big, speedy wideout would be a dynamic complement to Buffalo’s current crop of receiversESTShareTweetShareShareBuffalo Bills 2019 free-agent target profile: wide receiver Tyrell WilliamsRichard Mackson-USA TODAY SportsThe Buffalo Bills need help on offense. With a young, rocket-armed quarterback in Josh Allen, the team should prioritize adding weapons to maximize Allen’s talents and potential. While adding to the offensive line is a must, adding to the team’s receiving options is another easy way to help Allen reach the next level of his development.Buffalo dramatically changed its receiving corps during the 2018 season. Big-bodied veterans Kelvin Benjamin and Andre Holmes were phased out of the offense and subsequently released, and in their place the Bills added speedier, smaller receivers. Robert Foster (who at 6’2” isn’t small, but he is smaller than the 6’4” Holmes and the 6’5” Benjamin), Isaiah McKenzie (5’8”), and Victor Bolden Jr. (5’8”) were added to the roster, playing significant roles both on offense and special teams as the 2018 season progressed.More change is necessary here, and acquiring more talent should be a priority for Buffalo. If the team wants faster receivers with some size, then they should be looking at a player like Tyrell Williams. The former undrafted free agent signee of the San Diego Chargers stayed with the team when it moved to Los Angeles. He has been a favorite deep target of quarterback Philip Rivers throughout their time together.Would Williams be a good fit in Buffalo? Aside from the fact that his name is clearly one prioritized by the franchise, he certainly possesses skills that the team seems to covet. Blazing SpeedTyrell Williams is a burner. For a 6’4” wideout, his speed is beyond warp speed, instead falling squarely into ludicrous speed. At his pro day in 2015, Williams ran a 4.43 forty-yard dash; that time would have been twelfth among all wideouts at the 2015 NFL Draft Combine had Williams been invited. His low time of 4.33 seconds would have tied Phillip Dorsett for the second-fastest time at the combine that year. Williams’s speed has translated well into his NFL game, as he’s caught 155 passes for 2,530 yards in his four-year career—an average of 16.3 yards per reception. Putting him on the outside with Foster, who also runs quite well Thurman Thomas Jerseys Stitched , would cause nightmares for opposing defenses.Number One Receiver?Bills general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott each said that they doesn’t think a true “number one” receiver is necessary anymore in today’s NFL, but don’t tell Williams. In an interview earlier this winter, Williams said that he feels like he is a true “go-to” receiver, someone whom teams can rely on to be “the guy” rather than just another guy on the roster. Williams average season is not indicative of traditional “number one” status, as he has averaged 48 receptions, 778 yards, and five touchdowns per 16 games over his career. His role in the Chargers’ offense, though, was to play second-fiddle to Keenan Allen. In the 2016 season, which Allen missed due to an ACL tear, Williams set career-highs in targets (119), receptions (69), receiving yards (1,059), and touchdowns (seven). When given the opportunity, Williams has shown that he can be “the guy;” however, he has never consistently had to be “the guy” in San Diego/Los Angeles.What Will He Cost?Given his stated desire to be a number one receiver, it’s safe to assume that Williams will seek a contract that pays him as such. Given Buffalo’s brass stating that they don’t believe a numbernone receiver is necessary in today’s NFL, one can also assume the Bills won’t pursue Williams on the open market. (Their actions may suggest otherwise, however. Hello Antonio Brown trade talks.) To pass on him without first checking in about his contract wants would be foolish, as he fits what the team needs almost perfectly—he is a big target who can win contested catches and flat-out run by defensive backs. Spotrac projects a contract of three years at nearly $29 million as Williams’s market value Cody Ford Buffalo Bills Jersey , comparing the 27-year old to Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, Marquis Lee, and Kenny Stills. Of those four players, the guaranteed money ranges from $16.5 million (Lee) to $24.25 million (Baldwin). If the Bills were to offer Williams a three-year deal worth $30 million with $17 million in guarantees, they would be acquiring a talented receiver entering his prime at a completely reasonable price. Granted, such a contract would be betting on Williams’s future rather than paying for his past production, but that’s exactly what a signing like this one is. Giving a talented player a change of scenery and an opportunity to grow into a larger role is always a leap of faith, but this particular plunge would add an explosive, talented player to a Buffalo offense sorely lacking in that department. When an organization falls short of their stated goals, it’s only natural that they seek to identify what went wrong and look to make changes. As fans of the Buffalo Bills we get to do the first part. Affectionately known as “finger-pointing,” the offensive line for the Bills is perhaps the most commonly cited part of the team that went wrong. Russell Bodine was picked up during the off-season in an attempt to help fill the gap left by an unexpectedly retiring Eric Wood, the beloved long time Buffalo Bill. Bodine began the season in the backup spot behind Ryan Groy, but replaced Groy in Week 3. A December injury to Bodine pushed Groy back into the starting role. If you put all this together, it would be no surprise for the Bills to look for an upgrade. Let’s turn to the tape and see if it agrees. Play 1NOTE: Bodine isn’t circled at the beginning of each play as his spot never changes and he’s frequently obstructed by the quarterback. When the Buffalo Bills picked up Russell Bodine it was accompanied by much rejoicing from fans of the Cincinnati Bengals, his former team. Upon review, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Bodine was not the dumpster fire that was commonly portrayed. One facet of his game that seemed like a strength was move blocking. Bodine helps out Wyatt Teller and gets Malik Jackson off his spot. LeSean McCoy chooses a different lane, but arguably could have followed Bodine for a few more yards. Play 2In a game of inches and split-second decisions, it’s hard to fault McCoy for not latching on to Russell Bodine’s hip. However, if he had, this run turns into a huge gain. Malik Jackson disengages from Wyatt Teller handily Cody Ford NFL Draft , but is swatted down by Bodine. Another solid block on the move is another lost opportunity. That tiny drift to the right from McCoy allows Jackson to get a hand on him after recovering from the earlier swat. Play 3There’s some good and some less good on this play. Right away Bodine jams his right arm out, helping John Miller get on his block. Bodine looks to work on two defenders with Teller. It’s impossible to know for sure without assignments, but Teller seem delayed in finding someone to hit. Bodine meanwhile has to decide which of two players to attack and doesn’t get a good piece of either. The end result is a pretty heavy hit on Josh Allen. Play 4Russell Bodine and John Miller are just fine two-on-one. When Miller disengages, the lane disappears quickly. Bodine isn’t in great position to prevent Malik Jackson from kicking sideways and blowing up the run. If there’s a consistent flaw in Bodine’s game, it’s the ability to match lateral movement and stop plays like this one. Play 5Here’s one to just enjoy. Bodine helps Vlad Ducasse out with the first defender and moves on to the next man. Bodine does a good job with both blocks. Unfortunately, other blocks don’t go so well, including the one from Ducasse once he’s solo. Play 6It’s possible Russell Bodine isn’t sure which direction the rushing attempt is going, especially with a back as shifty as LeSean McCoy. Even with that benefit of the doubt given, the indecision on which player to attack leads to Bodine missing both. Based on available evidence, it’s a decent bet the play was designed to flow to the right (our left). Had Bodine attacked Roquan Smith, there’s a good deal more room for Shady. Play 7Bodine is a player who will always be described in context of his surrounding talent. As the Cincinnati weak link there seemed to be some unease in allowing Bodine to take on defenders by himself, with schemes seeming to limit his exposure. In Buffalo he is most assuredly not the weak link and often took on defenders by his lonesome. While technically he’s being helped by Wyatt Teller on this play, there doesn’t seem to be much benefit from the rookie’s presence. Bodine isn’t manhandled but he’s not winning either. As a power lineman, there’s much to be desired. On the other hand, it could be quite a bit worse and as they say “practice makes better.” With more exposure to one-on-ones in Buffalo, Bodine seems to have improved from his Bengals days that gave me the impression he was a consistent liability. Play 8It’s Roquan Smith again, but this time there’s no decision. With Bodine committing to his man he makes Smith hesitate and gets just enough to let Ivory slip through. This would have been one of Ivory’s better runs this year if John MillerJordan Mills* didn’t negate it with a holding penalty. *credit to JonR67 for the catch. Play 9Bodine played and started in every game in his four years with the Bengals. You don’t go 66 games (two playoff games) without gaining some experience and here Bodine shows that value. Bodine doesn’t flinch when Whitney Mercilus is bearing down on him. Letting the block come to him pays off as Mercilus bails before making contact while Duke Ejiofor tries to slip by. Bodine is ready for it and Josh Allen has plenty of room. Play 10Bodine ends up hitting three different Indianapolis Colts on this play and helps Vlad Ducasse and John Miller. Allen has another nice pocket, primarily thanks to Bodine. SummaryRussell Bodine played a pretty competent brand of football in his first year with the Buffalo Bills. Never dominating in the trenches, Bodine was rarely a liability either. It was common to see Bodine helping out his guards with blocks and at times looked like the best protector for Buffalo. With Bodine at center, Buffalo is unlikely to establish a power running game without some true maulers to flank him. A more finesse- and speed-based game should be an easier style to get going with Bodine and require less overhaul around him (though it would still need some). It’s widely expected that the Buffalo Bills will seek to improve the offensive line this off-season and Russell Bodine shouldn’t be considered safe. Time and energy are finite resources. There are several positions I’d allocate more into fixing than center and if using a strictly triage-based strategy there’s at least three spots on the offensive line I look at before hitting Bodine’s name. That’s not how the NFL tends to work though. With general manager Brandon Beane likely scouring all available players at all positions there’s no compelling reason not to sign an upgrade if one falls into their lap.