The Buffalo Bills announced today that they are signing former Saints wide receiver and punt returner Deonte Harty to a 2-year, $9.5 million deal.
Harty, formerly known as Deonte Harris, is a four-year veteran who has played his entire career with the Saints. He received Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro honors his rookie season in 2019 after leading the league in in punt returns and punt return yards.
League source confirms Bills expected to sign former Saints WR/PR Deonte Harty to 2-year deal. Harty was a First Team All Pro & Pro Bowler in ‘19 and a Pro Bowl alternate in ‘21 before missing most of ‘22 with a turf toe injury. @JeremyWGR first to allude to possible deal
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) March 15, 2023
Harty has experience in the slot and as a true wide out. The signing might spell the end of Bills gadget/slot receiver Isaiah McKenzie, who was underwhelming in the slot role in 2022. It also alludes to the fact that running back Nyheim Hynes will probably have a bigger role in the Bills offense in 2023, possibly relieving him of his return duties.
Argument for Harty probably goes like this:
— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) March 15, 2023
Better ceiling than McKenzie (assuming he's gone now) for net cap add of $1M.
Harty takes return duty allowing Hines more work with offense.
Improve 2 areas for minimal cap hit.
But betting a lot on a guy who's never stayed healthy. https://t.co/Tyd1gW41aa
Harty, an undrafted free agent out of Assumption College in 2019, was suspended three games in 2021 due to a DUI conviction and missed a majority of the 2022 season with a turf toe injury. But, when healthy, Harty is one the more explosive wide receivers, specializing in the deep ball and yards after the catch.
Since 2020, Harty has the fourth most yards per route run among wide receivers:
Deonte Harty could be a thing for the Bills pic.twitter.com/SJYqFAJDKS
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) March 15, 2023
In 40 career games, Harty has 64 receptions for 793 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also has 15 career rushes for 123 yards. Here is how his contract is broken down:
WR/PR Deonte Harty's 2 year, $9.5M contract with the #Bills
— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 15, 2023
▪️ $4.75M guaranteed at sign
▪️ $5.51M in 2023
▪️ $2M annual incentives
Cap Hits
23: $3.7M
24: $5.3M
Full Breakdown: https://t.co/MVCp8XaN0w