The Buffalo Bills have added Marquez Valdes-Scantling to their roster in order to inject some competition into their wide receiver depth chart. However, there are whispers that he might not even make the final roster when the season kicks off.
After being released by the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the offseason as a cost-cutting measure, Valdes-Scantling found himself searching for a new team. Eventually, he landed in Buffalo, joining a revamped receiving corps that was looking to fill the void left by the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis. Alongside free agent Curtis Samuel and second-round pick Keon Coleman, Valdes-Scantling was expected to play a key role in the Bills’ passing game.
But recent reports suggest that things might not be going according to plan for the young receiver. According to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic, Valdes-Scantling has failed to make a strong impression during team drills and has been relegated to the second-team offense. This has raised doubts about his chances of making the final roster come Week 1.
While some might see this as a setback for Valdes-Scantling, there are still potential landing spots for him if he doesn’t stick with the Bills. The Kansas City Chiefs, who let him go in the first place, could be interested in bringing him back for some veteran experience. Alternatively, the New Orleans Saints, who are in need of depth at the wide receiver position, could also be a potential destination for him.
Despite his struggles to live up to expectations with the Chiefs, Valdes-Scantling could still prove to be a valuable asset for the right team at the right price. With the Saints relying heavily on their top receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, adding a player like Valdes-Scantling could provide some much-needed depth to their receiving corps.
Stylistically, Valdes-Scantling’s playing style is similar to that of Shaheed, which could limit his impact on the team when everyone is healthy. However, in case of injuries, having a reliable option like Valdes-Scantling could prove to be crucial for the team’s success.
In the end, only time will tell whether Marquez Valdes-Scantling will manage to secure a spot on the Buffalo Bills roster or if he will have to look elsewhere for his next opportunity in the NFL.
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA Today Sports
