The Buffalo Bills haven't been shy about drafting wide receivers in the high rounds in recent seasons. They used two first-round picks on Sammy Watkins (in 2014, after trading their 2015 first-rounder), a second-round pick on Robert Woods (in 2013) and third-round picks on T.J. Graham and Marquise Goodwin (in 2012 and 2013, respectively).
Would it make sense to draft another receiver early in the 2016 draft? It might.
The Bills' decision to put Percy Harvin on injured reserve Saturday will likely end Harvin's brief career in Buffalo. Harvin showed promise in five games, but after he experienced knee and hip injuries this season, it's unlikely the Bills will bring him back next season -- if Harvin continues his NFL career at all.
Harvin signed a three-year deal in March, but the final two seasons will be voided five days after the Super Bowl, making him a free agent. Unless the Bills can recover some of Harvin's signing bonus, they would have paid him $5.9 million guaranteed to catch 19 passes for 218 yards.
Watkins is a terrific talent, but in a season and a half in the NFL, he has battled through broken ribs, a hip injury that required surgery, a groin injury, a hamstring injury, glute soreness, a calf injury and now an ankle injury that leaves his status for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins in doubt. Though he showed toughness to play through the rib and hip injuries last season, his more recent injuries have caught up to him, and the Bills' offense has suffered in his absence.
The Bills need a Plan B if Watkins continues to get banged up and miss time. Woods has been a quietly productive No. 2 receiver but will enter the final season of his rookie contract next year. The expectation is that the Bills will want to re-sign him, but cornerback Stephon Gilmore remains their top priority among players with expiring contracts in 2016 -- and Woods might want to play elsewhere, with a better quarterback.
Beyond Watkins and Woods, the Bills will likely re-sign Chris Hogan, a pending restricted free agent, next offseason, and they could also try one more time to get a few healthy games out of the oft-injured Goodwin.
But wouldn't it make sense for the Bills to add another young receiver to the mix? They don't need to be the Detroit Lions, who drafted receivers Charles Rogers, Roy Williams and Mike Williams in three consecutive first rounds from 2003 through 2005. They just need some insurance in case Watkins isn't healthy or Woods isn't with the team past 2016.
Of course, the Bills will have more pressing needs in the offseason. Even if Tyrod Taylor finds his groove late this season, quarterback should be a priority, as Taylor is able to become a free agent after the 2016 season. Left tackle will be a need if Cordy Glenn leaves through free agency next spring, as will left guard if Richie Incognito signs elsewhere. The Bills will also be in the market for a linebacker if they can't re-sign Nigel Bradham.
Factoring in Harvin's deal voiding, the Bills have just more than $1 million in cap space for 2016, according to ESPN Stats & Information, and using a projected $150 million salary cap. The Bills will be able to carry over a few million of unused space from 2015, and they can restructure contracts to create more room, but in general, the Bills are going to be operating on a tight budget next spring.
That makes hitting on draft choices more important, and after Saturday's news about Harvin, it's safe to add wide receiver to the Bills' list of 2016 draft needs.