Two-time Super Bowl champion could be Buffalo Bills’ Cup contender

Fresh off a second straight Super Bowl title, free-agent receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling landed with the Buffalo Bills in what appeared to be a mutually calculated deal.

The 29-year-old, who has a high probability of success on deep passes, likely saw a changing receiving corps and an opportunity to become a significant contributor. Meanwhile, the Bills management apparently jumped at the chance to add a seasoned option, who has a career average of 17.0 yards per reception, for a relatively low salary, especially after losing WR1 Stefon Diggs and WR2 Gabe Davis earlier in the offseason.

Valdes-Scantling seems like a good fit for Buffalo, but Professional Football NetworkDakota Randall suggests the 2018 fifth-round pick may not make the 53-man roster. The PFN reporter identified “a potential NFL Draft contender for all 32 teams” and Valdes-Scantling was chosen to represent the Bills.

“The Bills are hoping Marquez Valdes-Scantling can establish himself as a downfield weapon for Josh Allen. But his issues with droppers are well-documented, and if the Bills want to get rid of the bait, they’ll only incur a $1.35 million hit to the salary cap,” Randall said in Potential candidates for training camp reduction for all 32 NFL teams.

Although Buffalo’s receiver room is crowded, Valdes-Scantling’s ability and big-game experience seem to put him in the bubble of the roster. With Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Mack Hollins seemingly certain to make the roster, Valdes-Scantling is the heavy favorite to take the No. 5 spot.

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Heading into his seventh professional season, Valdes-Scantling is probably a safer bet than 2023 fifth-round pick Justin Shorter, who failed to crack the active roster as a rookie. The 6-foot-4 target, who has four career playoff touchdown receptions, enters the battle for the job with notable upside over former second-round picks Chase Claypool and K.J. Hamler, who are essentially reclamation projects.

After 687 receiving yards with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022, Valdes-Scantling’s production dropped off significantly in 2023, but he had catches in all four postseason games, including a key touchdown in Super Bowl LVIII.

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