The Buffalo Bills already parted ways with one oft-injured wide receiver when they released Curtis Samuel earlier this offseason, and an NFL analyst believes they could soon ship away another veteran pass-catcher.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox identified the top post-June 1 trade candidates, naming Bills receiver Joshua Palmer as one of the players likely to hit the trade block. The Bills have already brought in some competition, which could leave Palmer on the wrong side of the roster bubble as summer approaches.
Bills Could Make Clean Break With Joshua Palmer
As Knox wrote, the Bills haven’t gotten what they hoped out of Palmer since giving him a three-year, $29 million contract last offseason. The Bills could have the chance to make a clean break with Palmer, Knox added.
“In a few weeks, they’ll have an opportunity to get out from under a deal that is looking like a mistake,” Knox wrote. “Palmer had a few bright moments in the Bills’ offense last season, but he wasn’t the dependable complementary receiver he had previously been for the Los Angeles Chargers. He produced a career-low 303 receiving yards, though it’s worth noting that he was also limited to 12 games.”
Like the since-released Samuel, Palmer also struggled with injuries, Knox added.
“The 26-year-old battled an ankle injury for much of the season and was eventually placed on injured reserve,” Knox added.
Knox noted that Palmer is set to carry a salary cap hit of $11.8 million this season, but the Bills could save $10.2 million if they trade him after June 1.
“Since the start of the offseason, Buffalo has signed Trent Sherfield, traded for D.J. Moore, and drafted Skyler Bell,” Knox wrote. “That alone might not be enough to justify pulling the plug on Palmer, but his contract plays a part.”
Rookie WR Could Move Up the Depth Chart
The Bills could have some competition on their wide receiver depth chart this summer, with Bell expected to make a bid for a veteran’s spot.
Sal Maiorana of the Democrat & Chronicle predicted that Bell might be able to surpass third-year receiver Keon Coleman, who appeared to lose the faith of the coaching staff after struggles and disciplinary issues. Maiorana noted that the Bills chose to play an ailing Palmer ahead of Coleman last season, a potentially ominous sign for Coleman.
âPalmer had 256 snaps despite missing seven games and being limited in several others, and what was telling is that there were four games after Palmer returned from his Week 6 ankle injury where even though he still wasnât 100%, he was active and Coleman was a healthy scratch,â Maiorana wrote.
Maiorana added that Bell looks to be a strong fit for the Bills.
âUnless something changes, Coleman is going to battle for the No. 4 spot in the rotation, and the only real threat right now would seem to be Bell,â Maiorana wrote. âAs ESPNâs Mel Kiper said after the pick was made Saturday, âJosh Allen is going to love Skyler Bellâ so if he can seamlessly make the transition to the NFL, Coleman could be in trouble no matter how much love Beane and Brady have showered him with.â
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