Examine the Bills wide receiver problems and how to fix them

A lot can change in two weeks.

The Buffalo Bills were on top of the world after their win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3, sitting at 3-0 and looking like bona fide Super Bowl contenders. Fast forward to today, and you would have thought two weeks ago was two decades ago.

Regardless of the sour mood in Orchard Park following Buffalo’s ugly Week 5 loss to the Houston Texans, it is still too early to hit the panic button as the issues facing the Bills are solvable. It all starts with the wide receiver position, which has been under fire the last two games after disappointing outings against the Baltimore Ravens and then again in Houston.

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The stats paint a clear picture of what the receivers were struggling with. Through the first three games, the Bills’ receivers hit 78.9% of their targets, including two games at 85%. They’ve hit just 38.8% of their targets over the last two games, including just 22% against the Texans on Sunday.

No drops were credited to Buffalo receivers in the first three weeks. According to Pro Football Focus, they have lost two passes in the last two games.

What’s interesting is that Josh Allen has had more hits for his receivers in the last two weeks with 18 targets per game than he did in the first three weeks with 12.7 targets. Receivers get more opportunities but don’t convert into receptions; what’s the problem?

In the last two weeks, the receivers have not been able to create much distance from the defenders. While Curtis Samuel is theoretically their speed guy, no one in the room can be a downfield burner. Rookie Keon Coleman can go up to make contested catches and Khalil Shakir is safe, but beyond that, the Bills don’t have the elite receiver who can do it all.

Not having Shakir in the lineup on Sunday was a bigger loss than expected for Buffalo, as the Texans’ secondary covered the Bills’ receivers throughout the game. Buffalo had to resort to short-yard passes for any type of air movement and had virtually no success down the field; Allen was just 1 of 15 on passes that traveled more than 10 yards down the field.

So what can be done? Wait for Shakir to return and hope it gives a boost? Bring in someone from outside the organization? Are you hoping for better play calling from offensive coordinator Joe Brady?

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The answer is one of three, perhaps with a priority of attracting additional talent with proven separation ability. Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams is currently in the process of being traded, and while his financial situation and the roller coaster ride Buffalo has just endured with Stefon Diggs may cause hesitation, his talent is undeniable. Through five games, it’s become clear that the Bills don’t have a target that can be relied upon in crucial moments or that can consistently get the offense moving when it otherwise sputters; Getting a player like Adams or even an Amari Cooper or Romeo Doubs to help solve that problem.

Brady also needs to develop as a play-caller and become more creative again. This means a return to the moves we saw at the start of the season and moving receivers to different positions, something he has talked about throughout the offseason. Each recipient has their own abilities that are not used optimally.

Buffalo had hoped to get through the 2024 season with its mix of unproven pass catchers, but struggles in the last two games suggest changes are needed. This starts internally with players improving and players getting healthy. However, if the problems continue, the team could be forced to bring in additional talent if they want to remain competitive.

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