Here's the Bills news of note for June 6th.
**1 - What makes sense for Maclin?
**The pursuit of Jeremy Maclin by Bills player LeSean McCoy and Tyrod Taylor is well known at this point after the receiver's surprising release late last week. The Bills as an organization have not commented on any interest in the free agent.
Buffalo appears to be a good fit to many knowing Maclin would instantly be the most proven receiver on the roster if he were to sign with the club. The Bills appear to have enough cap maneuverability (almost $13M under), but that is subject to Maclin's contract demands. We also can't forget that Sammy Watkins' contract is up after this season and will need to be addressed.
How much money with Buffalo's new front office be interested in devoting to one position?
Putting the Bills potential interest, beyond players in their locker room, aside, here's a look at what other clubs might be interested and why they could be a good fit for a quality talent like Maclin.
Arizona CardinalsCap space - about $15M
Receiver situation - thin - After Larry Fitzgerald is slot receiver John Brown and J.J. Nelson, who has never been more than a fourth wideout. They drafted Chad Williams, who has impressed, but the pads aren't even on yet.
Fit - Maclin still has the ability to get behind defenders for big plays and would be a good deep threat to pair with Fitzgerald's route running prowess as a possession receiver. Head coach Bruce Arians would welcome such a proven wideout. Maclin would be a major upgrade to a receiving corps that has moved on from Michael Floyd.
**Chicago Bears
**Cap space - about $26M
Receiver situation - mixed - After losing Alshon Jeffery in free agency, Chicago focused on value over premium market talent. They signed Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle, Markus Wheaton and Kendall Wright all to one-year deals.
Fit - Maclin would move to the top of the depth chart upon signing and would afford former first-round pick Kevin White the opportunity to get adjusted to the NFL game after missing his entire rookie season. Mike Glennon is the quarterback at least for this year, but if they hit a losing streak along the way it's likely to be Trubisky time.
Tennessee TitansCap space - about $46M
Receiver situation - thin - Rishard Matthews and first-round pick Corey Davis are the projected starters. Here's another roster where Maclin would move to the top of the depth chart and be a number one option. With a rising QB in Marcus Mariota, a strong run game and one of the best young offensive lines in the league, Maclin could be the difference making player the Titans need to put them in AFC playoff contention.
2 - Darby makes PFF all-under 25 teamPro Football Focus recently put together an all-defensive team with only one prerequisite. The player has to be under 25 years of age. Slated to be Buffalo's top cornerback this season, Ronald Darby made the list.
Here was PFF’s assessment of Darby and why he deserved to make their defensive squad.
Ronald Darby, Buffalo Bills (70.6)
In 2015, Darby came in and immediately started for the Bills and as a rookie, earned an incredible 86.1 overall grade — the third-highest PFF overall grade ever for a rookie cornerback. While 2016 was certainly a step back, he at least maintained a strong performance defending the run, and was far from alone in regressing in a Bills' defense that capitulated over the season. Darby's ability showed that he can play at elite levels from day one, earned him the selection here over his competition.
3 - Zay Jones tabbed a fantasy football sleeperBuffalo's second-round pick hasn't been able to do much in OTAs due to a sprained knee, but it hasn't stopped fantasy football gurus from believing big things lie in store for him in the Bills offense. A recent Bleacher Report write-up has Jones among their fantasy football sleepers for 2017. Here’s why.
*Three wide receivers were selected before Zay Jones in April's draft. All three of those prospects heard their names called within the first nine picks. Jones had to wait a little longer. The Buffalo Bills selected the East Carolina product with the 37th overall pick. *
*Corey Davis, Mike Williams and John Ross might be bigger names, but Jones landed in an ideal situation—even as a second-round pick—to develop into a top target. *
*There's very little competition for Jones to overcome in Buffalo. Outside of 2014 fourth overall pick Sammy Watkins, the rookie appears to be a shoo-in as the team's second starting receiver after Buffalo lost last year's top two options, Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin, in free agency. *
*Philly Brown, Andre Holmes, Rod Streater, Brandon Tate and Jeremy Butler are the veterans expected to compete for a roster spot within the Bills receiver corps.
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