{"id":92567,"date":"2025-05-31T06:17:36","date_gmt":"2025-05-31T06:17:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/92567\/"},"modified":"2025-05-31T06:17:36","modified_gmt":"2025-05-31T06:17:36","slug":"curtis-samuel-dynasty-outlook-amid-buffalo-bills-wr-roster-battle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/92567\/","title":{"rendered":"Curtis Samuel Dynasty Outlook Amid Buffalo Bills WR Roster Battle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Curtis Samuel\u2019s dynasty outlook has a lot of bearish fantasy vibes ahead of the 2025 NFL season, and understandably so. The wide receiver\u2019s first season with the Buffalo Bills was underwhelming, and now he\u2019s stuck in a crowded battle<\/a> just to make the team\u2019s 53-man roster.<\/p>\n

Bills head coach Sean McDermott<\/a> offered an optimistic tune this week when asked about Samuel at the start of organized team activities, though. He suggested the 28-year-old Ohio State product may be ready to make a bigger impact in his second season with the franchise.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s battled through some injuries, and then, being new in the system last year, I think it took some time just to get up to speed,\u201d McDermott told reporters<\/a> Tuesday. \u201c\u2026 I think now going into Year 2, I think we have a better understanding of how he can help us and the role that he may play for us in the days and weeks ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fantasy football managers must remain cautious with Samuel despite those upbeat remarks, however.<\/p>\n

Curtis Samuel Dynasty Outlook (2025 Fantasy Football)
\nBills Star\u2019s Current Production<\/p>\n

Samuel finished his first campaign in Buffalo with 31 catches for 253 yards and one touchdown in 14 appearances. He finished as the WR111 in standard leagues. That represented the lowest fantasy ranking of his career in a season where he played at least 10 games.<\/p>\n

The New York City native did show some signs of hope down the stretch, though. The wideout posted a season-high seven catches in the Bills\u2019 Week 18 win over the New England Patriots<\/a>. He then found the end zone twice in the team\u2019s three playoff games.<\/p>\n

JOSH ALLEN TO CURTIS SAMUEL! 55-YARD TD!<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa: #DENvsBUF<\/a> on CBS\/Paramount+
\ud83d\udcf1: Stream on @NFLPlus<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/iMGpzU9Qg3<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

While those numbers lend credence to McDermott\u2019s comments about Samuel finding a role and a rhythm, the poor overall production can\u2019t be ignored. That\u2019s especially true with so many players fighting for targets within Buffalo\u2019s \u201ceverybody eats\u201d<\/a> offensive scheme.<\/p>\n

Curtis Samuel Dynasty Price<\/p>\n

Samuel currently rates as the No. 316 overall player and the No. 118 wide receiver on the dynasty ranking website KeepTradeCut<\/a>. His positional ranking did climb a bit in February following his strong finish to the 2024 season, but it\u2019s since faded once again.<\/p>\n

Curtis Samuel Dynasty Outlook Amid Bills WR Competition<\/p>\n

Although some Bills beat reporters suggest Samuel is a roster lock because of his contract situation, that argument remains unconvincing. Yes, general manager Brandon Beane<\/a> wouldn\u2019t get much salary-cap relief this year, but he\u2019d still save money in both 2025 and 2026.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a look at the numbers if Samuel is released, per Spotrac<\/a>:<\/p>\n

2025: $8.6 million dead cap ($430,000 savings)
\n2026: $3.5 million dead cap ($6.2 million savings)<\/p>\n

As a result, Samuel is still in danger of losing his roster spot. He\u2019ll be a prime cut candidate if he\u2019s outplayed by Elijah Moore<\/a> and rookie Kaden Prather<\/a> in training camp.<\/p>\n

When you factor in their contracts, recent production and intended roles, it\u2019s very likely Elijah Moore and Curtis Samuel will be competing against each other for playing time this upcoming season. pic.twitter.com\/2dks5gg2kP<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mike Bundt (@Mike_Bundt) May 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

The Bills have a bunch of wide receivers fighting for just five or six spots. It\u2019s a group that includes Samuel, Moore, Prather, Khalil Shakir<\/a>, Keon Coleman<\/a>, Joshua Palmer<\/a>, Laviska Shenault Jr., and Tyrell Shavers.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s too much talent on that list to keep Samuel if he\u2019s being significantly outplayed. The Bills are in win-now, championship-or-bust mode. They aren\u2019t going to keep a veteran just because it would be moderately more financially sound. They need the best 53. Period.<\/p>\n

Now, from a fantasy football perspective, leaving Buffalo may benefit the former Carolina Panthers<\/a> and Washington Commanders<\/a> receiver. He\u2019d have a chance to emerge as a No. 3 target elsewhere. At best, he\u2019ll be the No. 5 option with the Bills, barring injuries.<\/p>\n

What To Do With Buffalo\u2019s Wide Receiver in Dynasty Leagues<\/p>\n

Samuel is likely a free agent in all but the deepest of dynasty leagues. He should probably remain there unless a fantasy manager is truly desperate for help at wide receiver. There just isn\u2019t much upside to his stock, regardless of what happens over the next few months.<\/p>\n

In Buffalo, the only way he\u2019d become a consistent fantasy option would be a substantial run of injuries. Even if multiple Bills receivers go down, the tight end tandem of Dalton Kincaid<\/a> and Dawson Knox<\/a> would be more likely to pick up the slack than the 2017 second-round pick.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, Samuel could carve out a bigger role, but it\u2019s hard to imagine him becoming a stud. He only finished inside the top 30 fantasy wideouts once during the prime of his career with Carolina and Washington, and now he\u2019s exiting those peak production years.<\/p>\n

WR Curtis Samuel is kind of being slept on this offseason. Excited to see what Brady does this season to unlock his skillset. pic.twitter.com\/sNVQZTqJUr<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Film Room (@Cover1FilmRoom) May 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Perhaps he carves out a niche as a No. 4 receiver and trick-play specialist in Buffalo. That simply isn\u2019t going to represent enough touches to become a dynasty starter, though. He\u2019ll likely carry more value in the real world than the fantasy one, regardless of where he plays in 2025.<\/p>\n

All told, it\u2019s worth keeping tabs on Bills camp. If Samuel is making a profound impact or the team\u2019s offense suffers multiple key injuries, he\u2019ll be worth a fantasy roster spot. Beyond that, however, it\u2019s probably best to leave him on the waiver wire.<\/p>\n

Main Photo: [Gregory Fisher] \u2013 USA Today Sports<\/p>\n

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