According to Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550 in Buffalo, the Bills could begin shopping veteran WR Stevie Johnson for draft picks immediately after they take a wide receiver in this year’s draft.
Buscaglia reports that the Bills are “very serious” about drafting LSU WR Odell Beckham Jr at No. 9 overall and known to have interest in Clemson WR Sammy Watkins as well.
Buscaglia believes it’s unlikely that Johnson will be back with the Bills beyond this season as his cap figure will continue to increase.
Last year, the Bills used a second-round pick on USC WR Robert Woods, so adding another young talent to their offense could make Johnson expendable.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard that Johnson could be on his way out of Buffalo. There was talk a few months ago that he could be a cap casualty, but the Bills elected to keep him around.
Johnson, 27, will be entering the third season of his five-year, $36.25 million contract and will make $3.65 million for the 2014 season.
It’s worth noting that the Bills wouldn’t see any actual saving in regards to their cap situation until 2015 and 2016 if they were to release him outright.
Johnson played in 12 games for the Bills this season where he caught 52 passes for 597 yards and three touchdowns. Pro Football Focus gave Johnson a positive rating in 2013, but it was still only good enough for No. 54 overall among qualifying receivers.
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