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Bills add WR Andre Holmes to the fold

Bills add WR Andre Holmes to the fold
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A few days after a potential deal with the Buffalo Bills became public knowledge online -- and subsequently dismissed by the player himself -- it appears Andre Holmes will be joining the team after all.

On Saturday afternoon, Holmes suggested he would be joining the Bills on Twitter, and it was then backed up by the Bills making an official announcement shortly after. A 6-foot-4 wide receiver, Holmes will be entering his seventh year in the league with the Bills, after most recently playing with the Oakland Raiders.

It's reportedly a three-year deal worth $6.5 million in total, according to NFL.com.

Holmes, 28, has started a total of 20 games in his career but was a depth player for the Raiders over the past two seasons. In 2016, he brought in 14 receptions for 126 yards and three touchdowns.

Holmes is the fourth wide receiver the Bills have added since free agency began, joining Philly Brown, Jeremy Butler, and Corey Washington as new pieces for the team at the position.

Joe B's Take

Even with all the recent signings, the Bills have made this offseason to wide receiver, they are still without a legitimate starting option opposite Sammy Watkins.

Among that group, Holmes would be the strongest of all the other candidates to take a place in the normal offensive rotation, after having enough experience in his time with Oakland to warrant the consideration. Holmes, though, has struggled to gain separation on opponent's cornerbacks for much of his career, which limits his total impact on a game.

It's hard to ignore his frame -- specifically in the red zone -- and the addition may be in response to losing out on athletic tight ends like Martellus Bennett and Jared Cook in free agency. That is likely where Holmes will make his biggest impact with the team.

That said, while he isn't an ideal starter, he'll serve as quality depth for the Bills in the upcoming season and will be able to make spot starts if needed.

The need for a starting wide receiver to play with Watkins, though, remains a high priority.

Twitter: @JoeBuscaglia