No. 28 – WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
Josh Allen has a howitzer, but who will be on the receiving end of his downfield heaves? According to PFF, the quarterback targeted Stefon Diggs or Gabe Davis on 51 of his 82 throws that traveled 20-plus air yards last season. Now both wideouts are gone. Insert Mr. 4.21.
No. 28 – WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
Most expected the Buffalo Bills to look at receivers before the Stefon Diggs trade, and now it seems inevitable they'll swing big here. There's no need to trade up given the depth in the class.
Landing Adonai Mitchell is a steal this late because he's a fantastic route-runner who was nearly impossible to guard without safety help.
No. 28 – WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
Franklin might get lost in the shuffle of a loaded wide receiver class, but he shouldn't. His smoothness comes from his athletic profile and his confidence in knowing how to win at the position. He needs to continue to get stronger but, overall, is a competitive player who can be a good WR2 for a vertical NFL offense.
No. 28 – WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
What, exactly, is the Bills' plan at wide receiver? They just traded Stefon Diggs, and they let Gabe Davis walk in free agency. Kahlil Shakir, Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins top their depth chart at the position. Could Buffalo be a team to watch for a trade up into the top 10 for either Rome Odunze or Malik Nabers? I wouldn't rule it out, but it would be costly, likely forcing the franchise to sacrifice its 2025 first-rounder.
In this scenario, though, a talented wideout could fall into the Bills' lap. Thomas was an incredible vertical threat for Jayden Daniels last season, leading the country in touchdown catches with 17, 10 of which came on go routes or fades. He ran a stellar 4.33-second 40 at the combine. He could be a legit No. 1 WR, which quarterback Josh Allen now needs.
TRADE No. 28, No. 144 and a 2025 third-rounder to EAGLES for No. 22 – WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
After trading away Stefon Diggs to Houston, Buffalo moves up to take Thomas to become the Bills' next No. 1 wide receiver. The Bills also lost Gabe Davis in free agency, leaving them with Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir at receiver, plus Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox at tight end. This move gets Buffalo ahead of Dallas to snag Thomas, a prototypical X receiver with the size, speed, and cutting ability needed to dominate in the NFL. He should fit beautiful with Josh Allen and Kincaid, whom the Bills also traded up to take in last year's first round.
No. 28 – WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
With the trade of Stefon Diggs to the Texans, they need help in a big way at receiver. Adonai Mitchell is a bigger body who can fly. They will love him in Buffalo. By the way, I would draft two receivers in this draft if I were Bills GM Brandon Beane.
No. 28 – WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
With Stefon Diggs now gone in a trade to the Houston Texans, the Buffalo Bills' need to add another weapon grew exponentially.
Florida State's Keon Coleman may not be the fastest target. Detractors will almost certainly point toward his underwhelming 4.61-second effort in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.
In doing so, they'll overlook what the 6'3", 213-pound target immediately provides to the Bills offense.
"Coleman offers a blend of size and contested-catch skills that are missing in Buffalo right now," Klassen said. "Though Coleman offers just average speed and hit-or-miss route-running ability, he is great at the catch point. That was especially true in 2022 at Michigan State.
"Additionally, Coleman is a powerful, explosive YAC threat, so much so that he returned punts for Florida State in 2023."
Josh Allen needs weapons since Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins are currently his top targets. Coleman helps create a larger margin for error as a downfield target with a ridiculous catch radius.
No. 28 – DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Could the Bills try and trade up to secure Brian Thomas Jr.? Sure, but there will be plenty of WR talent available in the second round. Here, at No. 28, Buffalo fills another huge need by selecting DeJean, the best corner the Big Ten had to offer this season. He also possesses top-end return ability.
TRADE No. 28 to RAMS for No. 19 – WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
The Bills may have to get a bit aggressive in Round 1 in order to find a potential replacement at WR1 – and that could be a move for Mitchell, who has Velcro hands and postseason bona fides. He's plenty big (6-2, 205) and exceptionally fast (4.34 40 time), a combo that should dovetail with Allen, who like to go deep but can benefit from a larger catch radius on intermediate throws. A Georgia transfer, Mitchell found the end zone 11 times during his only season with the Longhorns.
No. 28 – WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
The loss of Stefon Diggs obviously makes this a glaring need in Buffalo. There isn't an ideal Diggs replacement, but LSU's Brian Thomas Jr, Texas' Adonai Mitchell, and Oregon's Troy Franklin have the traits to step into Gabriel Davis' role as taller receivers who can stretch the field.
No. 28 – WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
Receiver's a glaring need in the wake of the Stefon Diggs trade. I would even flirt with the idea of climbing into the top 10 to try to draft one of the Big Three prospects at the position. I don't know if you have enough draft currency to do that -- because it'd be a huge climb -- but Worthy wouldn't be a bad fallback option. I don't believe he'll be a true WR1 in the NFL, but he can certainly run and would pair nicely with Josh Allen's cannon arm.
No. 28 – WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
The Bills desperately need to add viable pass catchers after trading Stefon Diggs to the Texans. Adonai Mitchell has a high ceiling as one of the most athletic receivers in the draft, though he has some work to do to reach his ceiling. There may be no better quarterback to help him do so than Josh Allen.
No. 28 – WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
It sort of felt like receiver might be the choice here even before the Bills traded Stefon Diggs. There is rawness to Mitchell's game, but he's an exceptional athlete with elite burst, second-level speed and general playmaking ability.
No. 28 – WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
No Stefon Diggs or Gabe Davis means wide receiver became an even bigger need for the Bills. Adonai Mitchell has the route-running, raw athleticism, and ball skills that Josh Allen would appreciate developing chemistry with.
No. 28 – EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
The Bills could stretch for a receiver here to help replace the recently traded Stefon Diggs, but Latu's value at No. 28 overall is too good to pass up. He'll pair nicely with Greg Rousseau, another bargain/late-first edge rusher already on Buffalo's roster (selected 30th overall in 2021). The neck injury Latu suffered at Washington early in his career could be a factor in his final draft position, regardless of his talent.
