Due to financial constraints with the salary cap, the Buffalo Bills lost Gabe Davis to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. Now, they may be seeking a new wide receiver to complement Stefon Diggs, potentially through the NFL Draft by trading up. According to Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports, the Bills are likely to make a move in the first round for a top receiving prospect to add the size elements that their offense lacks. In one mock draft, Trapasso predicted that the Bills would trade with the Los Angeles Rams to select LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. at No. 19 overall. This move is based on Thomas’ exceptional ability to gain yards after the catch, something that excites Bills general manager Brandon Beane.
The Bills have a history of making strategic moves in the NFL draft, like selecting cornerback Kaiir Elam in 2022 and tight end Dalton Kincaid last season. This year, they have 11 picks to work with. While Gabe Davis showed inconsistency in his time with Buffalo, he was a key receiver behind Diggs, known for his deep-threat skills and scoring 27 touchdowns over four seasons. With the departure of Davis, Thomas is seen as a potential replacement for the big-play ability, having impressed with his deep-threat capabilities at LSU and showing promise as a future standout in the league according to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.
tion deep and early in his career, Zierlein wrote, could be relied upon as an NFL team’s designated deep guy. “Thomas has potential to develop into a WR1/2 in the future, but he is not polished yet.”
Bills Include Veteran Recipient
The Bills added a quick veteran in free agency, addressing their receiver corps without waiting until the NFL Draft. On March 14, ESPN revealed that the Bills have acquired former Washington Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel for a $24 million, three-year contract.
From his entry into the league in 2017, Samuel has proven to be a multifaceted threat, adding 121 rushes with 29 touchdowns and 317 receptions for 4,098 yards. Sal Maiorana of the Democrat & Chronicle pointed out that Samuel’s best season occurred under the current offensive coordinator of the Bills.
When head coach Matt Rhule was using current Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady to call plays in 2020, Samuel was still with the Panthers, according to Maiorana. With 77 receptions on 97 targets for 851 yards and three touchdowns, the season marked Samuel’s greatest performance in his seven NFL seasons. He set career highs in yardage and reception totals as well as catch percentage (79.4%).
