The Buffalo Bills recently signed wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (MVS) to help provide depth at the position after they traded Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. Of course, MVS was not the only wide receiver that they brought in. They also acquired Curtis Samuel in free agency and selected Keon Coleman in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The story of how MVS came to sign with the Bills is pretty well-known by this point. After being cut by the Kansas City Chiefs, the two-time Super Bowl Champion was brought in for a visit by the Bills. He spent some time visiting quarterback Josh Allen and was convinced by his stay with the Pro Bowler that he immediately signed to play with Buffalo.
For many, MVS is just one of the wide receivers the Bills have brought in to help replace Diggs. However, that is not the way he looks at it.
Buffalo Bills Wide Receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling Reveals the Best Thing He Learned from Davante Adams
Ever since the beginning of his career, MVS has always been pegged as a “replacement” wide receiver. In other words, he has been viewed by fans and analysts as a player that was brought in to replace another.
When the Green Bay Packers drafted him in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, it was to help fill the void left by former Pro Bowl wide receiver Jordy Nelson. When he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022, he was viewed as a player who could help fill the void left by Tyreek Hill.
As mentioned, now he is viewed as a player that can help replace Stefon Diggs.
MVS does not view it that way, though.
In a recent appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, MVS addressed the perception that he is there to help fill the shoes of another wide receiver:
“I think one of the best things I ever learned from Davante [Adams] is just come in and be yourself. Don’t try to come in and emulate me, don’t try to come in and emulate [Randall] Cobb. Larry Fitzgerald was my favorite receiver growing up, don’t try to be that guy.
“Just be yourself because that’s what got you here. Just going in and being myself is the goal. It’s never about what anybody else did before me or after me. It’s all about who I am and being the best version of myself.”
MVS and Adams, of course, were teammates on the Packers from 2018-2021. They both departed following the 2021 NFL season, Adams via trade to the Las Vegas Raiders and MVS to the Chiefs in free agency.
How Marquez Valdes-Scantling Can Help the Buffalo Bills
Looking at MVS’ career numbers, it is apparent that he is not exactly a wide receiver one. However, he is a legitimate deep threat that can turn the tide of any given football game. His speed has to be respected by opposing defenses, which opens up windows for other pass catchers on his team.
MVS also has performed well on the NFL’s biggest stages. While with the Packers, MVS caught four passes for 115 yards and a touchdown in the 2020 NFC Championship Game. While Green Bay did not win, MVS was certainly one of the biggest reasons they were still in the game.
As mentioned, MVS is a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Chiefs. In the 2022 AFC Divisional Round, he had six receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown. In this past Super Bowl, he had three receptions for 20 yards, but one of them was for a touchdown.
In MVS, Buffalo not only has a speedy deep threat, but also a player who knows what it takes to win a championship.
And that is certainly someone that they need.
