Unfortunate Commanders departure breaking out into No. 1 role elsewhere

Adam Peters didn't think much of the Washington Commanders roster he inherited. The respected general manager gutted more than half the playing personnel in pursuit of better fortunes during his first offseason at the helm. He spent wisely and maximized the rich bounty of draft assets at his disposal. There was also a reluctance to keep established figures around who were out of contract.

Very few got new deals in free agency. Cornelius Lucas, Jeremy Reaves, Efe Obada, and Jamison Crowder were the prominent exceptions to the rule. Aside from that, almost everyone else moved onto what they hope will be greener pastures with little fanfare attached.

One of the most unfortunate departures - one that might have gone the other way in different circumstances - was Curtis Samuel. The gifted wide receiver emerged as a valuable contributor during his time with the franchise. A new regime coupled with his contract demands didn't fit into Peters' plans and he signed for the Buffalo Bills in free agency.

Samuel has a significant opportunity awaiting him with the potential Super Bowl challenger. The Bills have an opening at their No. 1 wideout spot after trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. They hope second-round pick Keon Coleman can become a focal point over time. Whether that happens right away is another matter.

Former Commanders WR Curtis Samuel improving chances of becoming a legitimate No. 1 option

The former Ohio State star took his biggest step yet to becoming a genuine top option for the first time in his NFL career. Beat reporter Matt Parrino highlighted Samuel's breakout day during his latest Bills training camp practice. His ability to make tough catches and versatility to be deployed anywhere along the line of scrimmage, in particular, are raising confidence regarding his fit in Joe Brady's offense.

This is a tremendous step in the right direction for Samuel, who is looking to take that next step and make the Commanders pay for letting him go. He might be new to the Bills, but he's worked with Brady before during their time together on the Carolina Panthers.

He went over 1,000 all-purpose yards under the play-caller in 2020 before joining the Commanders. Buffalo is hoping this once flourishing relationship continues in a different environment.

Samuel's always had the talent. Injuries have been a stumbling block more often than not, but his prowess as a dynamic offensive threat cannot be disputed. The Commanders thought a change in direction for both would be the best course of action, but there's no doubt how beneficial someone like the 2017 second-round pick would be for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in 2024.

The Commanders are moving forward with Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and rookie Luke McCaffrey as their starting trio. Hope remains high that Dyami Brown can progress under more accomplished coaches. Olamide Zaccheaus is a dependable rotational piece, but nothing more based on his career output so far.

Apart from the ultra-consistent McLaurin, everyone has questions. Unless they're answered emphatically during the upcoming campaign, Peters could regret his decision to let Samuel walk.

If Samuel maximizes the opportunity awaiting him and becomes a legitimate No. 1, that regret will increase exponentially.