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1. D.J. Hackett, wide receiver.
The Bills had soon-to-be former Arizona Cardinals receiver Bryant Johnson in Orchard Park, N.Y., for a visit earlier this month, but the 6-foot-3, 216-pounder left team headquarters without a contract; since then, Johnson has been biding his time, waiting for a team to overpay for him. That shouldn't be the Bills. Although Johnson has put up good numbers during his career as Arizona's third receiver, the 2003 first-round pick from Penn State has never proven his worth as a starting-caliber target. Nevertheless, some organization will probably give him No. 2 receiver money. Not smart.
That's where Hackett, a three-year Seahawk, comes into play. In limited action last season (six games), Hackett put up impressive reception (32) and touchdown (three) totals. Had he played a full season as one of Matt Hasselbeck's targets, the 6-2, 208-pounder would have finished with over 80 catches and eight scores. In Buffalo, he would be an ideal slot option for second-year quarterback Trent Edwards.
Buffalo's best bet would include adding Hackett as a No. 3, drafting James Hardy, the 6-7 wideout from the University of Indiana, and releasing Josh Reed. It's hard to beat a four-receiver set of Lee Evans, Hardy, Hackett and Roscoe Parrish. That quartet would combine to bring size, speed, physicality and playmaking ability to the table; Edwards and offensive coordinator Turk Schonert would be licking their chops. Simultaneously, opposing defenses and their coordinators would be fearful.
2. Ben Utecht, tight end.
Though Utecht is a restricted free agent, his team, the Colts, gave him the lowest possible contract tender (one year, $927,000). That means another team can snatch Utecht from Indianapolis with a better offer without giving up draft picks, assuming the Colts wouldn't match it. The 6-6, 251-pound Utecht, a 2005 undrafted free agent from the University of Minnesota, has quietly caught 68 passes in a weapon-filled offense over the last two seasons. So far during free agency, the Bills have brought in also-ran tight ends Ben Troupe (now a Buccaneer) and Courtney Anderson for visits; clearly, then, they acknowledge that their weak TE position -- which lost the productive Michael Gaines to Detroit -- is in need of repair. Utecht is far better than either Troupe or Anderson, and he's learned from one of the best in Dallas Clark. Buffalo really ought to consider grabbing the 26-year-old from the Colts and entering the draft with one fewer offensive need.
The Bills had soon-to-be former Arizona Cardinals receiver Bryant Johnson in Orchard Park, N.Y., for a visit earlier this month, but the 6-foot-3, 216-pounder left team headquarters without a contract; since then, Johnson has been biding his time, waiting for a team to overpay for him. That shouldn't be the Bills. Although Johnson has put up good numbers during his career as Arizona's third receiver, the 2003 first-round pick from Penn State has never proven his worth as a starting-caliber target. Nevertheless, some organization will probably give him No. 2 receiver money. Not smart.
That's where Hackett, a three-year Seahawk, comes into play. In limited action last season (six games), Hackett put up impressive reception (32) and touchdown (three) totals. Had he played a full season as one of Matt Hasselbeck's targets, the 6-2, 208-pounder would have finished with over 80 catches and eight scores. In Buffalo, he would be an ideal slot option for second-year quarterback Trent Edwards.
Buffalo's best bet would include adding Hackett as a No. 3, drafting James Hardy, the 6-7 wideout from the University of Indiana, and releasing Josh Reed. It's hard to beat a four-receiver set of Lee Evans, Hardy, Hackett and Roscoe Parrish. That quartet would combine to bring size, speed, physicality and playmaking ability to the table; Edwards and offensive coordinator Turk Schonert would be licking their chops. Simultaneously, opposing defenses and their coordinators would be fearful.
2. Ben Utecht, tight end.
Though Utecht is a restricted free agent, his team, the Colts, gave him the lowest possible contract tender (one year, $927,000). That means another team can snatch Utecht from Indianapolis with a better offer without giving up draft picks, assuming the Colts wouldn't match it. The 6-6, 251-pound Utecht, a 2005 undrafted free agent from the University of Minnesota, has quietly caught 68 passes in a weapon-filled offense over the last two seasons. So far during free agency, the Bills have brought in also-ran tight ends Ben Troupe (now a Buccaneer) and Courtney Anderson for visits; clearly, then, they acknowledge that their weak TE position -- which lost the productive Michael Gaines to Detroit -- is in need of repair. Utecht is far better than either Troupe or Anderson, and he's learned from one of the best in Dallas Clark. Buffalo really ought to consider grabbing the 26-year-old from the Colts and entering the draft with one fewer offensive need.
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