A multi-tooled dual threat able to line up at a plethora of spots, wide receiver Curtis Samuel’s stock was never higher than after the 2020 season.
Samuel posted 1,051 scrimmage yards with the Carolina Panthers and was bound for free agency, where he found a lucrative new deal with Washington. However, he has yet to rediscover his 2020 form, but there's reason to believe he could as a member of the Buffalo Bills.
Samuel's finest season thus far came in his only year with Joe Brady as his offensive coordinator.
Year 2 is on the way.
"So excited to get Curtis back," Brady said recently on the Centered On Buffalo Podcast with Eric Wood. "You know, I only had him for one year. He kind of just did this (points up) the whole year."
In that one year, Samuel was fed that ball like no other season in his seven NFL campaigns. His 77 receptions, 851 receiving yards, 41 carries and 200 rushing yards still stand as tops in his career.
"Hopefully, a little bit of everything," Brady said of what fans can expect to see from Samuel.
In 2023 with the Commanders, Samuel had just seven carries and was second on Washington with 62 catches for 613 yards. He joins a Buffalo squad with a familiar OC in Brady and an assortment of questions and possibilities at receiver.
Gone is perennial Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs, the team's unquestioned No. 1 WR for the past four seasons. With Diggs having been traded to the Houston Texans, quarterback Josh Allen will find a new No. 1 target.
Perhaps it will be Samuel, who is among a crop that includes the returning Khalil Shakir, rookie Keon Coleman and a slew of newcomers with familiar names such as Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mack Hollins, Chase Claypool and KJ Hamler.
Adding to Brady's excitement is that he'll get more work in with Samuel than previously, as the 2020 offseason was different in myriad ways due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It limited access and normality. This time around, there are no restraints.
"The one year that I had him was the COVID year," Brady said. "So, I didn't get to really do much with him in the offseason. I met him for the first time at training camp and so just kind of get a feel of what he can do. We just basically played him at the wide receiver to start and gave him some carries at running back. Then, Week 2 of my first year, Christian McCaffrey got hurt and then it was OK, we had good running backs on the roster, but it was like, 'How can I get this guy involved?' He just took it and kind of ran with it."
That's the hope once more.
The 27-year-old Samuel's skillset remains enticing, but nobody's been able to consistently unlock his potential like Brady.
"He's an incredible blocker," Brady said. "He can play on the outside, play on the inside. Can move him around as fast as it can be, just get him the ball in his hands and good things happen. Whether he's playing receiver, whether he's playing running back, it really doesn't matter. It's just his versatility will be an asset to [our] offense."
Littered with uncertainties, comeback stories and second and third chances, the Bills' WR room is overflowing with conundrums and question marks. Perhaps an unlocked Samuel will be the answer.
