When Bills GM Brandon Beane talked about Buffalo's offseason needs during the NFL Combine in late February, one of the things he addressed was finding more speedy playmakers for the offense.
"We're always looking for that speed, explosiveness," Beane said in Indianapolis. "You want guys that can explode without the ball but you also want RAC (run after catch) players, guys that Josh can get the ball in their hands in space, stuff that Joe Brady can scheme up, and they can turn a five-yard pass into a 55-yard touchdown or a big gain."
Enter, Curtis Samuel.
Among NFL wide receivers that ran at least 300 routes in 2023, Samuel averaged 9.08 mph within the first second of his routes — a figure that ranked third-fastest in the league according to Next Gen Stats.
Friday, Samuel signed his three-year contract with Buffalo and is looking forward to showing he can be a playmaker for a star-studded Bills offense.
"Definitely excited to be here. When I get the ball in my hands, I feel like I'm dynamic. That's what I'm here to bring, just some explosive plays and be a team player," Samuel said from One Bills Drive.
"(Beane) had told me about it. I didn't really know the extent of as far as everybody that was involved in it, but I guess now it makes sense I'm here," Samuel laughed.
Beane isn't the only one that has a prior connection to the new wide receiver. Samuel's most productive season came in 2020 with the Panthers when current Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady was Carolina's offensive coordinator. Samuel totaled 77 catches, 851 receiving yards and three touchdowns that season.
Samuel believes that Brady has what it takes to be a successful offensive coordinator because he finds creative ways to maximize each player's skill set.
"Definitely felt like he's a good leader," Samuel said of Brady. "Somebody you can put your trust in just because I've seen it, I've seen him put a lot of guys in great situations. He gets the most out of his players."
Samuel will also get to play with the best quarterback he's had in his eight-year career. During his media availability, Samuel revealed that Josh Allen has already reached out to express his excitement of playing together.
"I watched (Allen) last year when I didn't have games or when the games were on TV I watched him. Exciting quarterback, tough, hard-nosed. But my job is just to make the game as easy as possible for him."
Samuel most recently played for Washington from 2021-2023. The WR started in 26 games and played in 38 and racked up 132 receptions for 1,296 receiving yards, eight receiving touchdowns, 49 carries for 237 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns with the Commanders.
In 2023, Samuel started in 13 games and had 62 catches, 613 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Samuel is Buffalo's second wide receiver signing during free agency. The team also signed former Falcons WR Mack Hollins on Thursday.
