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Amari Cooper vs. Joshua Palmer Triggers Bills 'Route Technician' Debate

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Mar 15, 2025 12:57 PM ET

The Buffalo Bills needed another weapon for Josh Allen this offseason as the franchise once again failed in the playoffs against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Some wanted a bonafide No. 1 in Tee Higgins, but others wanted speed, and in new signing Joshua Palmer, Buffalo gets a home-run threat.

But not only that, Palmer, in his four years with the Los Angeles Chargers, was rather productive, totaling 2,287 yards and 10 touchdowns, and now he brings his talents to Buffalo.

For Palmer, there is one thing that he prides himself on, and it is something that will be music to Josh Allen's ears.

“I take a lot of pride in being able to run the entire route tree,” Palmer said. “Being able to be outside, inside, the ability to stop, to go deep, win in different situations. So being able to run a slant route but five different ways if I have to, I take a lot of pride in that in the way I train and the way, I work out and the way I approach the offense and the scheme.”

The Bills don't have a receiver like that. ... though they did.

Amari Cooper, acquired in trade last year at midseason, is a five-time Pro Bowler and a very precise route-runner. Want a debate about that skill? Amari wins it.

But he also pretty much caught two passes per game last year. And Buffalo is moving on.

Meanwhile ...

Khalil Shakir does his best work from the slot, Keon Coleman is maining an outside receiver, and Curtis Samuel is a little bit of both, but in Palmer, the Bills get a receiver who can do it all.

Now, we aren't saying Palmer will be the saving grace of the passing game, but he gives Joe Brady options to scheme up different things and put Palmer anywhere along the formation.

Armed with home-run speed, no doubt Buffalo will look to use that often, but Palmer's ability to be used in a variety of ways is also hard to gameplan for.

It is a good signing for Buffalo, and one that Bills Mafia hopes will help push the franchise over that playoff hump.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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