Deonte Harty looks to make an impact in any way for Bills
The Buffalo Bills added versatile wide receiver Deonte Harty as another weapon in their already potent offensive arsenal.
Harty signed a two-year, $13.5 million deal in Buffalo.
Harty fits in well with the Bills in multiple ways. His ability as a slot receiver and dynamic kick returner gives Buffalo various ways of getting the speedy Harty an opportunity to have the ball in his hands.
Harty was named an All-Pro and Pro-Bowl participant during his rookie season. He led the NFL in punt return yards in 2019. Harty also averaged 26.8 yards per kick return during his rookie campaign.
Deonte Harris punt return for a TD 💨💨💨💨💨💨. #Saints off to a quick start.
— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) September 22, 2019
Over four seasons, Harty has returned 77 punts for an average of 9.8 yards per return. Harty averaged 25.8 yards per return on 75 kick returns in his career.
Harty is a well-developed route runner. He has the ability to take the top off the defense. Harty also can get open underneath, offering a new option in the intermediate game for Josh Allen. Buffalo Bills General Manager Brandon Beane added:
[Harty] really showed some good stuff stretching the field vertically and tracking the ball well. But (he) also can catch an underneath ball, can run an option route from the inside, a 9-stop route – where he’s running the corner off the ball and hitting stop, the quarterback hits him. I’ve mentioned RAC before, when you’ve got a guy who’s a punt returner who plays receiver, those guys generally are pretty good RAC players.
Jameis to Deonte Harris for a 72 YARD TD 😳 (via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/E3ZDTJhyaa
— Overtime (@overtime) October 10, 2021
Harty also embodies the underdog, workmanlike attitude that fits with the culture of the Bills. Harty entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent from Division II Assumption University. Harty shared a bit about his uphill climb into the NFL:
I feel like my whole career even as a young player, like even playing rec ball. I’ve always been doubted, I’ve always been counted out because of my size. So that’s just a mentality that I always had. Growing up and like getting recruited in college, it was the same thing. So then when I got recruited in the NFL, it was kind of the same, ‘Oh, he’s too small. He won’t be able to play.’ So, I’ve always had that chip on my shoulder, and I just felt like the sky’s the limit to be honest. And I felt like being used the right way, I could just get to where I want to be.
Expect Harty to battle for snaps early on in the slot. In addition, Harty will add another dynamic component to the special teams return game. The Bills have incumbent Nyheim Hines in the fold as well.
No matter the situation, Harty looks to make contributions early and often for the Bills.
I just want to impact the game, whichever way they need me to.
