Buffalo Plus Podcast – March 19, 2024

Episode: The Bills EXTEND Taron Johnson & Why Curtis Samuel Should NOT Stop Buffalo from Drafting Another WR
Hosts: Mike Catalana and Dan Fetes (with Jenna Cottrell off this week)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the Buffalo Bills' key roster moves: extending slot corner Taron Johnson through 2027, and signing wide receiver Curtis Samuel. The hosts dissect why Samuel's addition shouldn't deter the Bills from aggressively pursuing wide receivers in the draft, and explore what these decisions mean for the team’s evolving leadership and offensive identity.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Taron Johnson’s Extension: Value and Leadership

[02:05 – 07:12]

• Deal Highlights:
  • Taron Johnson extended through at least 2027.
  • Recognized as the highest-paid nickel corner in the NFL.
• Defensive Importance:
  • Johnson’s versatile coverage, run support, and reliability allow the Bills to use nickel as their base defense ~75% of the time.
    • “You have always been able to make the case that he's maybe the most important player on the Bills defense.” – Dan Fetes [02:23]
  • He’s “made for the slot position,” tough, and finally “able to keep himself healthy” after early-career injuries. – Mike Catalana [03:07]
• Leadership Shift:
  • With Jordan Poyer likely gone, Micah Hyde possibly retiring, and Tre’Davious White released, Johnson’s role expands as a vocal and on-field leader for the secondary.
  • Johnson (clip): “It's a new opportunity for me. I have to be more vocal this year and I’m expecting to do that a lot. ... Help the guys that are going to be new coming in and help us win.” [04:23]
  • Expect Terrell Bernard and Johnson to emerge as captain figures on defense.

2. Curtis Samuel Signing: The Real Impact

[08:00 – 21:56]

• Contract Details:
  • 3 years, $24 million with $13 million guaranteed; effectively a 2-year, $16 million commitment.
• Reaction to Fan and Media Hot Takes:
  • Hosts reject the binary takes that Samuel either “fixes” or is “meaningless” to the WR room.
    • “The thought that Curtis Samuel changes the Bill's draft plan or philosophy moving forward is just asinine to me.” – Dan Fetes [11:54, reiterated at 19:38]
    • “The dumbest take is that they're done with wide receiver.” – Mike Catalana [11:01]
• Why WR Still a Major Need:
  • Samuel is not a Gabe Davis replacement; plays a completely different role as a yards-after-catch, gadget, and short/intermediate weapon.
  • The Bills still need—and will draft—a future No.1 receiver. The hosts believe they could double-dip at WR in the draft.
    • “If he’s what they hope he is, they still need a future number one guy.” – Mike Catalana [11:10]
• What Samuel Brings (and Doesn’t):
  • Not a classic deep threat; best used in motion, from the slot, and as a runner after catch.
  • “Curtis Samuel falls somewhere between Deebo Samuel and Isaiah McKenzie. … Not a go-route wide receiver, more gadgety, close to the line of scrimmage.” – Dan Fetes [16:17]
  • His speed stretches defenses horizontally rather than vertically.
  • Comparisons to Debo Samuel’s deployment for SF (with caveat: “He’s not Debo.”) [12:28]
• Team-building Philosophy:
  • No.1 WRs are rarely available in free agency—teams draft or trade for them.
    • “Number one wide receivers don’t hit the market.” – Dan Fetes [15:07]
    • Most of the NFL’s top-45 in receiving yards were either drafted or traded for.
  • Bills trying to avoid past flaws (e.g., miscasting Gabe Davis as a WR1).

3. Stefon Diggs: Still the Guy, Ignore the Drama

[22:28 – 24:55]

• Diggs’ cryptic tweets and rumors dismissed as empty social media drama.
• “Diggs isn’t going anywhere... It will be in Buffalo. Stop.” – Dan Fetes [23:36]
• Cutting him isn’t financially feasible; he remains essential as the No.1 WR.

4. Salary Cap — Myth vs Manipulation

[24:55 – 27:10]

• The “cap hell” narrative is overblown; smart GMs can always create space.
  • Bills released Mitch Morse to clear $8M, then immediately spent the same amount on Samuel.
• “It’s manipulating the cap, folks… The cap is accounting.” – Mike Catalana [25:40-25:46]
• Good teams retain key players and spend wisely (compare Bills, Chiefs, Eagles to Saints).
• The Bills’ ownership and GM give them an edge here.

5. Final Words on the Offseason and Moves

[27:28 – 28:15]

• Curtis Samuel is a useful, versatile player—“Isaiah McKenzie on steroids”—but does not solve the long-term WR need.
• Bills now have the flexibility and speed they’ve been lacking, but the draft remains critical for offensive upside.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Taron Johnson’s role:
  “He allows the Bills to play a nickel defense as pretty much their base defense. It's what they're in 75% of the time.” – Dan Fetes [02:23]
• On "hot takes" for Curtis Samuel:
  “Do I like Curtis Samuel on the Bills? Yes. Do I think he makes the Bills better? Yes. Do I think he's a long-term solution? No. And that's okay. Some signings are just good signings.” – Dan Fetes [21:56]
• On cap management:
  “It’s manipulating the cap, folks… The cap is accounting.” – Mike Catalana [25:40-25:46]
• On Stefon Diggs rumors:
  “Diggs isn’t going anywhere… It will be in Buffalo. Stop.” – Dan Fetes [23:36]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:05] – Taron Johnson’s extension, role, and leadership transition
• [08:01] – Curtis Samuel contract and initial takes
• [11:00] – Why Samuel’s signing changes nothing about WR draft priorities
• [16:17] – Samuel’s fit in the offense: horizontal speed, gadget usage
• [15:07, 15:27] – Number one wide receivers and Bills’ team-building philosophy
• [19:38] – Samuel is “not a deep threat,” not a Davis replacement
• [22:28] – Diggs “drama” and why trade/cut is not happening
• [24:55] – A breakdown of salary cap realities and how the Bills manage
• [27:28] – Summing up Samuel’s value and the continued WR need

Summary Flow and Tone

Throughout the episode, Mike and Dan keep things sharp, informed, and occasionally irreverent, balancing analytical breakdowns with jabs at internet overreactions and "hot take" culture. Their stance is clear: the Bills have made savvy moves with Johnson and Samuel, but to reach their ceiling, they must nail the receiver draft and continue evolving their approach on both sides of the ball.

Perfect listen for Bills fans who want real analysis behind the headlines—and reassurance that the front office still has a plan to keep this team competitive.