B/R Debate: Which Buffalo Bills WR Needs to Step Up Most?

With two big free-agent investments on the defensive line, the Buffalo Bills still haven't addressed another position of need: wide receiver.

The Bills could potentially select a top-rated receiver during the 2012 NFL draft, but if they don't, it will be a sign that they expect growth from within. The Bills have seemingly already said this by not signing any of the available receivers in free agency.

But which receiver needs to step up most in 2012?

To debate the topic, we bring in B/R Bills featured columnist Chris Trapasso, a return debater who can also be found on Twitter.

Lead us off strong, Chris.

Chris: Bills fans must realize that the receiving contingent has a long way to go. With the Mario Williams signing, the offensive side of the ball has been somewhat ignored by the masses heading into the season.

Buffalo made the correct decision re-signing Stevie Johnson, and based on what other wideouts received on the open market, they got him at a great price.

But I'm still not sold on him as a true No. 1 receiver.

That's why I think he's the guy that needs to make the biggest stride in 2012. Yes, it'll be asking a lot after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, but in order for the Bills to be well-balanced enough to win around 10 games, he has to improve his overall game.

He eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau, but can anyone realistically say he was a huge difference-maker in 2011? I can't. In 2010, yes. Not last year. Though it wasn't entirely his fault, during a critical three-game stretch that ultimately kicked off their seven-game losing streak, Johnson caught seven passes for 108 yards and no touchdowns.

He's got to have more of an impact than that.

His drops are worrisome, especially in crunch time, but aren't a huge concern for me. He simply cannot disappear for long stretches and must become a receiver that threatens the opposing defense on each play. He's more of a possession receiver than anything else, and that's fine.

But if so, he's got to make the most of his targets and reel in more than five catches per game while making a few big plays down the field and becoming a reliable target in crucial situations.

If he's a legitimate danger to the opponent, it'll make things much easier to Chan Gailey to run his spread system.

Erik: I agree with the points you've made about Johnson's game needing improvement, but I'll go with David Nelson.

The Bills haven't made a single addition to their receiving corps this offseason, so let's assume for a minute that they don't make anymore changes. What the Bills lacked last year was explosive plays in the passing game, and the relative assumption is that those explosive plays have to be 50-yard bombs.

They could, however, be good after-catch gains. Nelson's not an incredibly fast receiver, but he reportedly ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at his pro day in 2010 and a 4.09-second short shuttle. On 61 receptions, he only racked up 212 YAC with 648 receiving yards total.

His ability to create YAC may be contingent also upon the presence of a vertical threat in the passing game, which is where Stevie Johnson comes in as well.

Now let's say that the Bills draft a wide receiver early or target a player that gives them more big-play potential. The coverage will be rolling to either Stevie Johnson or the No. 2 receiver first, and that will leave Nelson alone underneath. All the more reason for him to improve those YAC numbers.

Either way, it will be his role to dominate underneath.

Ryan Fitzpatrick was at his best when he was throwing 0-19 yards off the line of scrimmage, whether between or outside the numbers. Receivers who can excel in those ranges will also excel in the Bills system.

Giving him better weapons for outside the numbers will help play to his strengths between the numbers, which makes a perceived lack of attention for the wide receiver position a bit hard to believe.

Chris: Nelson's an underrated but very important piece for the Bills offense. Sure, I'd like to see him build on a relatively successful 2011, but I don't think it'll be that hard for him.

His improvement will be dependent on strides made by Johnson.

If Stevie can garner attention from deep safeties, Nelson will thrive across the middle and in the middle of the zones.

Realistically, a lot of receivers could work well in Chan Gailey's quick passing attack. Nelson's a great target at 6'5'' and has demonstrated great hands and determination over the last two seasons, but a legitimate playmaker is what the Bills need most.

That's where Johnson comes in.

He's shown flashes and has gotten the notoriety. Now it's time to back it up.

Remember, he only had one 100-yard receiving game last season and had another late-game drop that could have easily led to victory.

He has the talent and is a hard worker, but needs to be focused and truly believe that he can become an unquestioned No. 1.

Erik: It's interesting this topic comes up that the Bills need a playmaker. It's the very fabric of the debate between value of Wes Welker to the Patriots. Would you call him a playmaker? No, but as one of the best underneath guys in the business, it's not crazy to think he's an irreplaceable part of the Patriots offense.

It's less likely that Nelson could be that Welker-type guy if the Bills drafted another receiver, and in keeping with the Welker comparison, Nelson was able to show those flashes even without a "deep threat" to take the attention away from him.

In addition to the effectiveness of Fitzpatrick on throws zero to 19 yards off the LOS, he threw a majority of his passes in the middle of the field, which is also where Nelson made most of his impact.

Greg Jennings is highly talented, but the Packers have had great success with marginal talent at receiver apart from Jennings. I think the overarching theme here is that Nelson needs to step up in the middle to aid Fitzpatrick, but that Fitzpatrick needs to become more well-rounded as a passer.

Chris: Yes, this may be more about Fitzpatrick than anyone else. Your Welker analogy is spot-on. For me, I think Johnson's got a better chance to be that invaluable underneath possession guy for the Bills than Nelson.

I'm not bashing Johnson's overall talent, but he's shown the innate ability to get off press coverage and make quick cuts within the first 10 yards. He's much better in that respect than he is attempting to stretch the field.

As you know, having that reliable chain-mover is vital.

Nelson's more of an intermediate seam guy that I believe has potential to be a special, more vertical part of the offense.

I don't think we're disagreeing very much; both guys must improve.

But their shortcomings are the reason why I've been so adamant about Buffalo drafting Michael Floyd in Round 1 if he's available.

Erik: I think we can agree on one thing: Unless the Bills are able to land one of the draft's top receiver prospects, they'll need to get improvement at the position.

Thanks again, Chris, for joining me in another spirited Bills debate. I love debating with you, so please join me in another debate in the future.

For the readers, be sure to check at the AFC East blog every day for a new debate over AFC East-related topics.

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