With The First Pick
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Buffalo Bills: What happens on offense after losing Maclin?

By Maurice Barksdale

Dec 24, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) throws a pass before a game against the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) throws a pass before a game against the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Buffalo Bills recruited free agent WR Jeremy Maclin very hard only to see him sign with the Baltimore Ravens.  How much will this impact the Bills offense?

If there was ever a team that needed the services of Jeremy Maclin it was the Buffalo Bills.  They have talent at wide receiver but the effectiveness of that talent is contingent on several unknown factors.

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First, can Sammy Watkins stay healthy?  Watkins missed half of 2016 with a foot injury and as the Bills best receiver they need him on the field.  The Buffalo Bills also need second round draft pick Zay Jones to have an immediate impact on offense.

If either of those two things don’t come to fruition then the Bill passing game could end up near the bottom of the league again in 2017.  Signing Jeremy Maclin would have given the Bills a known commodity as a number two receiver to Watkins.

Or if Watkins health is an issue again, then Maclin could have served as the number one receiver.  Jeremy Maclin had connections to the Buffalo Bills so there was incentive to sign.  He played with running back LeSean McCoy with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Buffalo Bills quarterback coach David Culley was Maclin’s wide receiver coach with the Eagles and Chiefs, so there was familiarity there.  But all of that and the need the Bills had at receiver wasn’t enough to lure Jeremy Maclin in.

Now that Maclin is a Raven, what do the Buffalo Bills do moving forward?  The Bills had the number one rushing attack in the NFL last season but their passing game ranked 30th.  That simply won’t cut it if the Bills are to have any chance in the AFC East.

In a perfect world, Watkins will have a big year and Zay Jones will play well as a rookie.  If this happens then the Buffalo BIlls passing game will improve.  If not, they’ll have to count on free agents Andre Holmes and Corey Brown to pick up the slack.

Holmes has shown flashes over the years and Brown has potential.  If given a bigger role over their earlier teams, then it’s possible one or both could be productive in the Bills system.  But that’s a lot ask.

The Buffalo Bills need more from tight end Charles Clay as well.  The signed him to make an impact as a free agent but he’s only put up solid numbers.  Tyrod Taylor needed more receiving talent around him but if he does or not is questionable.

Next: Oakland Raiders: Are they ready to unseat the Patriots?

The inability to sign a higher profile free agent wide receiver like Jeremy Maclin is problematic for the Bills.  Now they need everything to fall into place perfectly for the passing game to improve.  If things don’t according to plan then Tyrod Taylor might not make it through the season as the starter.

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