There has been some talk about this year’s NFL Draft not being very good in terms of wide receivers, but I do think this year’s class is relatively deep. There may not be a Justin Jefferson or Ja’marr Chase in this draft but there is some real talent. The Buffalo Bills might be looking to add some of that talent by the time the 2023 NFL Draft concludes.
The Bills just signed wide receivers Deonte Harty and Trent Sherfield via free agency and Isaiah McKenzie recently signed on with the Indianapolis Colts. I do like these two new signings, but I don’t think the Bills are done adding more receivers to their roster; however, at this point, I don’t think that will come in the way of a trade and I don’t think it comes high in the draft either.
The Bills have been busy adding some pieces to their offense this free agency but not so much on the defensive side of the ball, outside of signing their own, such as re-signing Jordan Poyer and Dane Jackson, among others.
My gut feeling is the Bills are going to go heavy with the defense in this year’s NFL draft, but I also see them grabbing a receiver in the later rounds. Someone that could come in, learn and develop, while not being expected to contribute right away. Gabe Davis is on a contract year, Diggs isn’t getting any younger and we have no idea if Cole Beasley or Jamison Crowder will re-sign with the Bills.
So who are some wide receivers the Bills could target later in the draft? I’ve put together three guys here who are all projected as fifth or sixth-rounders, with some potential and upside.
Jalen Moreno-Cropper recorded 164 receptions for 1,952 yards while adding 16 touchdowns over the last two seasons at Fresno State. That’s some solid production and he played in 42 total games over his four-year collegiate career.
Moreno-Cropper is a smaller receiver at 5’11” and weighs 172 pounds but he brings a 4.40 to the field. The Bills seem to be trying to add some speed to their receiver corps with the additions of both Harty and Sherfield.
Moreno-Cropper is projected as a solid backup or special teamer and according to ESPN’s Next Gen Stats, his production score comes in at a 70 and his athleticism score a 73, both of which fall into the “good” range, borderline average.
He’s about the same weight as Deonte Hardy and if Harty doesn’t work out, the Bills could potentially move on from him after the 2023 season and insert Moreno-Cooper into that same role, if he’s ready and able.
With that kind of speed though, the team could certainly kick the tires by drafting him in the fifth or sixth round, have him as a camp body at the very least and see if he can earn a spot on the roster.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton is one of my favorite late-round wide receivers. He’s a bigger receiver at 6’4″ (or 6’3″ depending on the scouting report) and over 220 pounds but still blazing fast speed with a 4.38. He added a vertical of 41″, tops among the receivers at the combine.
His athleticism is through the roof and his combine performance showed that. Some have compared his physical talents to DK Metcalf; however, he’s projected as a sixth-round pick. Just check out his numbers over at nfldraftbuzz.com. Absolute freak of an athlete! With his combine numbers, some teams may be higher on him and move him up their draft boards.
Throughout his time at West Virginia, he put up fair numbers but never had a season of more than 62 receptions or 675 yards, both of which came last season, but he played in 46 games, so there is a lot of experience there. He also added seven touchdowns in his senior year.
Ford-Wheaton is a terrific receiver in traffic, which is something the Bills badly need on this roster. I would love to see this guy on the Bills roster come training camp and see what he can do. Possible diamond in the rough.
Elijah Higgins is another bigger, more physical receiver. He is 6’3″ and weighed in at 235 pounds at the combine. He’s not as fast as Bryce Ford-Wheaton, clocking in the 40 at 4.54. Next Gen stats rated his athleticism with a score of 76. He is also another one that could be had in the sixth round but with lots of upside.
Higgins doesn’t have as many games played as the other two but still has 37 collegiate games under his belt. His junior and senior years were his best. In his junior year, he recorded 44 receptions for 502 yards and four touchdowns. He had career highs in his senior year, with 59 catches and 704 yards, adding in two touchdowns.
Higgins has the ability and height to high-point balls but yet struggles with contested catches. When looking at his career numbers, 118 receptions, and only six touchdowns, it’s a little concerning, given his height and size. He should be a great red zone weapon, but the numbers don’t validate that potential.
Is it possible to transition Higgins to play tight end? He has the height but would likely need to put on at least another 10 pounds but there are a few examples of tight ends in the NFL that weigh less than Higgins’ 235 pounds. Maybe that’s a project the Bills would be willing to take on.