Bills' interest in Gabe Davis reflects uncertainty behind top three receivers
Wide receiver Gabe Davis stretched the field during his four years in Buffalo, averaging 16.7 yards per catch in 64 regular-season games from 2020-24. He totaled 163 catches for 2,730 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Khalil Shakir, the Buffalo Bills’ top wide receiver, watched from the sideline Tuesday while his quarterback, Josh Allen, led their offense through 11-on-11 drills in practice.
Former Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis started 47 games in four seasons in Buffalo, proving to be a reliable target for quarterback Josh Allen.
Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
The high ankle sprain that has kept Shakir out of the Bills’ last eight practices has healed enough that he no longer needs to wear a walking boot and, as coach Sean McDermott put it, Shakir is still on track to return in time for their season opener with the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 7.
Shakir’s progress hasn’t stopped general manager Brandon Beane from scouring the free-agent market for help at receiver, and he is bringing one of Allen’s friends to One Bills Drive for a visit Wednesday.
Allen all but confirmed following practice that Gabe Davis will be in Orchard Park this week to meet with the Bills about a possible reunion.
Davis stretched the field during his four years in Buffalo, averaging 16.7 yards per catch in 64 regular-season games from 2020-24. He totaled 163 catches for 2,730 yards and 27 touchdowns, not including his eight-catch, 201-yard, four-touchdown performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2022 AFC divisional round.
“I love Gabe, and I’m sure I’ll see him over the next day or two,” Allen said. “Happy to see him, honestly. I love that guy. He was awesome when he was here. And now he’s getting back to full health here, soon. So, who knows? We’ll see.”
A free-agent visit doesn’t mean a contract is guaranteed for Davis, 26. The Bills will want to make sure he is past the torn meniscus that ended his 2024 season with Jacksonville and prompted the Jaguars to release him. He signed a three-year, $39 million contract with them as a free agent, but they cut him in May after using the No. 2 overall pick on receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.
In 10 games with Jacksonville, Davis caught 20 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns. He spent Tuesday in Pittsburgh for a second visit with the Steelers.
The top of the Bills’ depth chart at receiver is set with Shakir, Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer, but no one else has shown enough through training camp to solidify a spot on the 53-man roster.
Curtis Samuel didn’t participate in a padded 11-on-11 team session until Tuesday because of a hamstring injury that happened in training camp. Elijah Moore, a four-year veteran coming off consecutive 100-target seasons with Cleveland, has not shown enough consistency. Moore was among the Bills’ standouts Friday at their joint practice with the Bears, but then he dropped two of his four targets in the 38-0 preseason loss Sunday night.
Tyrell Shavers has four catches for 99 yards in two preseason games, but he likely needs to make an impact on special teams to make the 53-man roster.
K.J. Hamler and Laviska Shenault have strengthened their cases by proving they can return kickoffs and punts and work on coverage units. Kristian Wilkerson, Stephen Gosnell and Deon Cain showed flashes of potential during camp, and the Bills signed Grant DuBose before practice Tuesday to replace seventh-round pick Kaden Prather, who was designated as waived/injured. They can place Prather on injured reserve or release him if another team doesn’t claim the rookie.
Additionally, the Bills designated nickelback Te’Cory Couch as injured/waived Tuesday and placed running back Darrynton Evans on injured reserve. They signed running back Jarveon Howard to replace Evans, but there is still a spot available on their 91-man preseason roster. Beane doesn’t have to trim it to 53 players until Tuesday, so there is time for someone to make a strong impression.
The final preseason game is 7:30 p.m. Saturday against the Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla.
“It’s trying to figure out who the rest of them are and how they can help us, not only on offense, but on special teams,” McDermott said. “And how we can ensure, if we have someone – knock on wood – go down, that we have the right person, profile, size, speed, whatever it is to make sure we don’t drop too far with that next spot. So, always trying to maneuver, figure out the puzzle of the roster this time of year, and the numbers and how it’s going to affect special teams, and vice versa.”
Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel makes a catch during OTAs on May 27 in Orchard Park.
Samuel had 31 catches for 253 yards and one touchdown in his first season in Buffalo last year. Derek Gee, Buffalo News
Samuel’s spot isn’t guaranteed, even though the Bills gave him a three-year, $24 million contract as a free agent in 2024. They envisioned a specific role for Samuel, especially given his history with offensive coordinator Joe Brady, but multiple minor injuries prevented the veteran from flourishing. The Bills saw Samuel’s best during the postseason, when he had six catches for 81 yards with two touchdowns – but during the regular season, Samuel had just 31 catches for 253 yards and one touchdown.
McDermott called Samuel, 29, an “important piece” Friday, but he also acknowledged that there needs to be “urgency” from the receiver to get on the field. They would have a significant dead cap hit if they cut Samuel, and there may not be much of a market to trade him. There wouldn’t be any savings by cutting Moore, either, and they’ve used him in Shakir’s role while the No. 1 receiver recovers.
“You see that dude cut and move,” Coleman said of Moore. “He’s got some wiggle to this game. He can make plays and get open. That means a lot for us. He can stretch the field for us.”
The Bills’ interest in Davis also suggests they’re still looking for someone who can stretch the field. Palmer can provide that with his nuanced route-running and length, but he was the only offensive starter to appear in the preseason game Sunday because the team wanted to give him more experience in the offense.
Davis would be a low-cost option who could fill a specific role. Davis caught 11 of Allen’s 28 complete passes that traveled 20-plus yards in 2023, according to The Buffalo News’ research. His 355 receiving yards on those catches were 166 more yards than the next-closest Bills receiver, Stefon Diggs.
In 2024, Allen threw two touchdown passes that traveled 20-plus yards, eight fewer than Sam Darnold and Justin Herbert, both of whom led the NFL. Allen completed 21 such passes, per Pro Football Focus, but he acknowledged it’s an area he wants to improve this season.
The Bills are pleased with the progress they’ve seen from Coleman, especially as a downfield threat. They want him to take advantage of the single-high safety looks they’ll draw with Allen and their effective running game. The tight ends are heavily involved in the offense, as well, but the depth cart at wide receiver is far from settled
