Buffalo Bills Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Former Patriots and Bills RB Damien Harris announced his retirement Monday. Harris signed with Buffalo last offseason but appeared in just six games before suffering a neck injury. Although not deemed season-ending at the time, it wound up sidelining him the rest of the year. We're guessing that injury also factored into his retirement (at age 27), though that hasn't been reported as of this writing. There's no fantasy impact here unless you have Harris on your dynasty roster. (Feel free to release.) The Bills sport only James Cook and Ty Johnson at RB on their current roster (plus Darrynton Evans on a Futures contract). We'd bet on at least one upcoming RB addition -- and quite possibly more.

The Bills are signing WR Curtis Samuel to a three-year, $24 million deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The contract can be worth up to $30 million and includes $15 million in guarantees. It almost certainly locks Samuel in as the No. 2 WR alongside Stefon Diggs. It's worth noting, however, that he's getting significantly smaller annual averages than Gabe Davis (Jaguars) and Darnell Mooney (Falcons). Each of those free-agent WRs got deals with $13 million annual averages and more guaranteed money. For now, Samuel looks poised to battle TE Dalton Kincaid for the No. 2 spot in targets. Though we'll see whether Buffalo adds a WR early in the draft. Samuel presents intrigue in that his short-range game differs from the skill sets of Diggs and Davis, who spent the past four years in Buffalo. Samuel also played under Bills OC Joe Brady in Carolina in 2020, when he trailed Robbie Chosen and D.J. Moore by more than 20 targets apiece. Samuel did garner a career-high 41 carries that season, but the Panthers only got three games of RB Christian McCaffrey. For fantasy, Samuel looks interesting and obviously lands with an upside QB. But it's tough to like him as more than a high-WR4 to low-WR3. Samuel's short-range game makes him more attractive for lineup-setting leagues than best ball drafts. His arrival is also bad news for WR Khalil Shakir, who has spent 72% of his snaps in the slot over two seasons in Buffalo. Shakir can play outside as well. But you shouldn't consider him before the end of best ball drafts.

The Bills are releasing S Jordan Poyer and CB Tre'Davious White. The Poyer release means Buffalo must replace both starting safeties. Micah Hyde is also a free agent and reportedly considering retirement. White struggled with injuries over the past three seasons, most recently tearing an Achilles' tendon at the beginning of October. We'll be surprised if White lands more than a supporting role anywhere in 2024 -- and perhaps beyond. We'll see how the Bills address safety this offseason. Damar Hamlin is the only safety currently under contract. The NFL's Comeback Player of the Year played just 17 defensive snaps in 2023 and likely isn't an answer for 2024.

The Steelers released QB Mitchell Trubisky. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo said the two sides agreed to "mutually part ways." Trubisky made two starts for Pittsburgh this past year, totaling 359 yards, two TDs, and three INTs on 6.2 yards per pass attempt. The 29-year-old will only land a backup job on the open market and has scant dynasty value. The Steelers are expected to add a QB this offseason to compete with or replace Kenny Pickett.

The Bills on Sunday announced that Joe Brady will remain OC. He drew praise amid the Bills' 6-1 finish to the regular season. But it's tough to pinpoint evidence he actually improved the offense. Buffalo fared worse in offensive DVOA and EPA per play after the OC switch. Brady's version of the offense leaned run more, which might have helped decrease the turnovers. But that turnover dip also just might have been the positive side of normal variance. WR Stefon Diggs fell off over the season's second half, with no single pass-catcher seeing a huge fantasy benefit. Buffalo has other questions to address on offense this season, including whether Diggs stays, whether WR Gabe Davis returns (he's headed for free agency), and what changes occur in the backfield. We'll have initial projections out right after the Super Bowl, but plenty could change with the Bills beyond that point.

The Steelers-Bills game originally scheduled for 1 pm ET on Sunday has been moved to 4:30 pm ET on Monday. Buffalo is expecting heavy snow and wind gusts up to 60 mph on Sunday. The forecast for Monday calls for light snow, sustained winds around 15 mph, and gusts up to 30 mph. That's still tough weather for the passing and kicking games -- but significantly better than it would have been on Sunday. We're adjusting our projections for this game.

Bills RB James Cook totaled 13 carries for 36 rushing yards with 3 catches for 16 receiving yards in Week 18 vs. the Dolphins. Sunday night's showing wasn't the most robust performance we've seen from the second-year back and marked the third straight game in which he'd finished a contest with fewer than 10 PPR points. Still, Cook made several improvements in his sophomore campaign. His overall opportunity share in Buffalo lept from 7.4% as a rookie in 2022 to 17.1% this year en route to finishing with the third-most total scrimmage yards (1,567) among RBs. Cook turns 25 in September and seems poised to hold onto the Bills' leading job moving forward. That should help him maintain firm RB2-level value in dynasty formats into 2024.

Bills QB Josh Allen completed 30 of 38 passes for 359 yards with 2 TDs and 2 INTs in Week 18 vs. the Dolphins. The veteran also led the team with 67 rushing yards on 13 carries in Sunday night’s contest. 2023 was a strange season for Allen. Despite ranking second in the NFL with a career-high 18 INTs, he was able to finish as the QB1 overall in six points per passing TD scoring. Allen was able to offset his turnover issues by tallying 15 rushing TDs (tied with Jalen Hurts for first among QBs) and finishing fourth in passing yards (4,306). However, it’s also worth noting that Allen’s completion rate on 20+-yard passes (30.6%) in 2023 ranks as his lowest mark over the past three seasons. There are subtle reasons to be concerned about Allen and the Bills’ offense moving forward, but nothing major enough to sway dynasty managers from valuing him as one of the top QB assets. Allen is still a major stud.

Eagles LB Nicholas Morrow (abdomen) is inactive for today's game against the Giants. That leaves Philly down its top two LBs, with Zach Cunningham already ruled out. Expect Shaquille Leonard to lead the position in playing time. Undrafted rookie Ben VanSumeren looks like the next guy up. He has yet to play a snap on defense this season, though, so shouldn't be in anyone's IDP plans. Leonard makes for a solid LB3-level play.

Bills RB James Cook carried 20 times for 70 yards in Saturday’s win over the Chargers. He didn’t see a target, as Josh Allen attempted only 21 passes. Cook also lost a fumble late in the game, although he wasn’t benched. Leonard Fournette mixed in for 5 carries (0 targets) in his 2023 debut. Fournette – and Latavius Murray – each handled one goal line carry, matching Cook’s total. But it was Allen who popped in a pair of short-range rushing scores. A solid New England run D awaits in Week 17, but Cook will remain a near must-start.

RB James Cook was the Bills' offense in the Week 15 win over the Cowboys, accounting for 221 of the team's 360 total yards (61%). Cook gashed the Dallas run defense all game, turning 25 carries into 179 yards (7.1 YPC) and a score. He added two catches for 42 yards, including an 18-yard TD on a corner route to the front pylon. Cook was the best player on the field in this game -- and the Bills wisely rode him. QB Josh Allen finished with just 94 passing yards on 15 attempts. Don't expect another game like this from the Bills or Cook the rest of the way. But Cook has clearly been the biggest winner from the OC change to Joe Brady. He's now averaged 17.0 carries and 4.8 targets for 141 total yards in four games under Brady. Week 16 brings an excellent matchup vs. the Chargers' 20th-ranked RB defense. The sledding will be tougher in Week 17 against New England, but Cook's passing-game role will keep him a must-start for that one.

Bills TE Dawson Knox returned Sunday after missing the previous five games following wrist surgery. His return didn't hurt TE Dalton Kincaid's playing time, though. Kincaid still ran a route on 87.8% of Josh Allen's dropbacks. His 8 targets ranked second on the team, and his 5 receptions tied for the Buffalo lead. Kincaid managed just 21 yards (4.2 per reception), but short targets have been a staple all season. We'll take that issue if it comes with strong reception volume. Sunday marked the seventh straight game of 5+ receptions for Kincaid.

Bills TE Dawson Knox (wrist) is active for today’s game vs. the Chiefs. We’ll see exactly how big a role he plays in his first action since Week 7. Knox averaged 4.0 targets per game over the first seven weeks of the season to TE Dalton Kincaid’s 4.5. We’re expecting that gap to be wider in Week 14 and beyond.

Bills TE Dawson Knox (wrist) has been activated to the 53-man roster. That puts him in line to play vs. the Chiefs on Sunday for the first time since Week 7. Knox would be a desperation fantasy start, but his return dings TE Dalton Kincaid's target projection. It also takes WR Khalil Shakir out of the picture even in deep fantasy leagues.

Bills TE Dawson Knox (wrist) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Chiefs. He was a full-go in practice all week, and HC Sean McDermott said Friday that Knox "has a good chance" to play Sunday. We currently have him projected in, which dings TE Dalton Kincaid’s fantasy outlook. The rookie averaged 7.4 targets over the last five games without Knox vs. 4.5 with Knox over his first six outings.

Bills TE Dawson Knox (wrist) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. That puts him in line to return for this weekend's game vs. the Chiefs. Knox isn't a bankable fantasy play, but his return could certainly impact TE Dalton Kincaid. The rookie averaged 7.4 targets over the last five games without Knox vs. 4.5 with Knox over his first six outings. It's tough to imagine Kincaid's usage returning to those previous levels considering how good he's been lately. But Knox's return adds some downside risk to Kincaid's Week 14 fantasy profile.

Bills TE Dawson Knox (wrist) has been designated to return from IR and will practice on Wednesday. HC Sean McDermott when asked whether Knox will play vs. the Chiefs this weekend only said, "We'll take it one day at a time." We'll keep tabs on Knox's status for that one. He's not a fantasy option, but his return would put a dent in TE Dalton Kincaid's fantasy value. Kincaid averaged 7.4 targets over the last five games without Knox vs. 4.5 with Knox over his first six outings.

Bills RB James Cook logged a season-high 22 touches in Sunday's loss to the Eagles: 16 carries and a season-high 6 receptions. It marked the third time this season he has reached 20 touches and the second such game in a row. So does that mean his role is growing? No. Cook's carry and opportunity shares have not increased the past two weeks, following the team's OC switch. In fact, Cook's 51.6% share of RB carries against Philly was his second-smallest of the season. His 53.5% opportunity share (carries + targets) was his fourth-lowest. Cook benefited in each case from high team play volume. The Bills ran a season-high 92 plays at Philadelphia and 76 in the Week 11 win over the Jets, their third-most plays of the year. Buffalo RBs, though, have also seen a boost in target share over the past two games. A 21.9% share against the Jets was the highest since the season opener -- until Sunday's 23.5% share. If that continues, Cook's fantasy numbers would certainly benefit. He has caught four passes in two straight games after reaching that number just twice through the first 10 weeks. Buffalo now heads into a Week 13 bye. Then come matchups with the Chiefs and Cowboys that should support RB targets, because each ranks among the league's toughest WR defenses. Then comes Cook's best remaining matchup (Chargers) and a Week 17 rematch with New England. The Patriots afforded him 102 total yards and a TD at 6.4 yards per touch in their first meeting. Cook should be a solid PPR contributor the rest of the way. He won't be a lock for strong touch counts, though. Latavius Murray actually played 1 more snap vs. Philly, ran six more routes, and trailed Cook by just 1 target. Ty Johnson has also worked in for 6 touches each of the past two weeks. Leonard Fournette, meanwhile, has yet to be called up from the practice squad a month after signing.

Commanders WR Curtis Samuel racked up 9 receptions for 100 yards in Thursday's loss to the Cowboys. He drew 27.3% of the team's targets, accounted for 32.1% of the receptions, and delivered 33.3% of the yards. No teammate exceeded 5 catches or 52 yards in the game. The big receiving line followed consecutive games that Samuel finished with just 6 and 5 receiving yards. He has reached 50 yards five times now in 11 games. But should we just chalk Thursday's numbers up to variance? Samuel's not likely to deliver another stat line that big over his final four fantasy outings. But he can be a low-level starting option the rest of the way. Samuel had caught 4+ passes in five straight games before missing Week 9 with an injury. Samuel came back for the mere three receptions across two games before the big one against Dallas. The Cowboys have been tough in coverage but also play outside WRs tougher than slot WRs. Week 13 will bring a Miami defense that has fared better against slot WRs than outside but also been a positive matchup for opponent WRs overall. Miami's offensive scoring ability also gives that game shootout potential -- or a chance Washington is chasing once again. Either case would drive up passing volume. Washington gets its bye in Week 14. But then come two more opponents (Rams and Jets) that allow more production to slot WRs than outside. A Week 17 matchup with San Francisco doesn't look good for anyone. Though Samuel's short average target depth (6.4 yards) could help his volume in another matchup that's likely to find the Commanders trailing. He carries some low-level upside in deeper leagues, as a WR3 or PPR flex. Just don't overrate Samuel's production in Dallas.

Bills TE Dawson Knox (wrist) is eligible to come off IR this week, but HC Sean McDermott said Monday that Knox isn't ready yet. Buffalo has a Week 13 bye, so we'll see if Knox is cleared to play in Week 14. His continued absence is excellent news for TE Dalton Kincaid, who has been TE3 in PPR points over the past four weeks.