The Oakland Raiders cut a number of veteran players as free agency opened this week, shedding a decent amount of salary, but also giving teams around the league players to target, including wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and safety Michael Huff, who could be headed to the Buffalo Bills.
According to SI.com, Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson said on Wednesday that he thinks the bills should bring in Heyward-Bey to add to the offense after cutting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. The team has some salary cap space and could use another receiver to open up the field for whoever they get to play quarterback, possibly Matt Flynn or Tim Tebow even.
"Tell DHB come be a Bill." Johnson told ESPN's Josina Anderson. "He was stepping into that role of playmaker for his team. With me opposite him the game will be simplified a ton so he can ball out. Not that I think he needs that wide receiver opposite him anymore, but given the situation I think it'll benefit us all."
Heyward-Bey was regarded as a talented receiver when he was drafted in 2009, but he never lived up to his potential with Oakland, making just 41 catches for 606 yards and five touchdowns last season. In his four year career he has made 140 catches for 2,071 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Bills are lacking on offense and need more talent to build around Johnson and CJ Spiller. Fitzpatrick was a disappointment over the past two years after signing a six-year extension and new head coach Doug Marrone is ready to move on, possibly with his former Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib, who they could take in the draft.
The team also could make a trade for Carson Palmer or Matt Flynn to hold things over when they draft a quarterback. If West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith makes it down to number eight, the Bills could snag him.
The Bills finished just 6-10 last season and have not made the playoffs or had a winning record in years. The team ranked sixth in rushing and only 25th in passing with just over 200 yards per game. Johnson likely wants Heyward-Bey to help the team, but he selfishly knows that without another receiver, he will be getting double coverage from corners after making 79 catches for over 1,000 yards and six touchdowns.
The Bills lost three of their final four games of the season, but finished the year with a win over the Jets, who also finished 6-10.
