If you have been keeping up with NFL rumors, you would know that the talk of the league is a looming trade with star wide receiver, Deandre Hopkins. Although he is under contract with the Arizona Cardinals, it is clear he is going to be dealt to another team, and probably very soon. The biggest question, however, as it always is with trade rumors, is who will land the three-time first-team All-Pro? If it’s the Buffalo Bills who do so, should they trade Gabe Davis?
If you are a Buffalo Bills fan, then you have been ecstatic about the rumor mill as of late. It all started on Tuesday when NFL Insider, Ian Rapport, reported that trade talks among the teams interested in Hopkins were beginning to, “ramp up.”
As the status of #AZCardinals star WR DeAndre Hopkins comes into focus, talks are ramping up among the interested teams, sources say. Similar to Brandin Cooks, a trade would likely mean an altered contract.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 21, 2023
Where it gets good is when NFL Network’s, Daniel Jeremiah, created headlines by saying Buffalo is the number one potential landing spot, for the receiver known as “D-Hop.” Since then, things have only continued trending up for those who are hoping Hopkins lands in Buffalo. On Wednesday night, Hopkins posted on his Instagram story the song Buffalo Soldier, by Bob Marley. Within the same night, Josh Allen and Hopkins began following each other.
On Thursday, former NFL cornerback, Adam “Pacman” Jones, appeared on the Pat McAfee show continuing to stir the pot. He stated that the five teams that make the most sense for Hopkins according to his sources, are the Bills, Ravens, Falcons, Patriots, and Raiders. Then, NFL reporter, Aaron Wilson, reported that the Bills are the “headliners” for a potential Hopkins trade.
If the Buffalo Bills do in fact land Hopkins, they could potentially form an all-time offense. However, what would they do with the current number two receiver, Gabe Davis; would it make sense to trade him?
Why it would make sense for the Buffalo Bills to trade Gabe Davis
If you add Deandre Hopkins to the team, lining him up opposite Stefon Diggs automatically gives you one of, if not the best, receiving core in the league. Diggs and Hopkins are both receivers capable of commanding more than one-hundred targets a season. Simply put, the volume and targets would just not be there for Davis.
Since his rookie year, Davis has flashed loads of potential and made some incredible plays. Coming off a playoff game where we saw Davis explode for four touchdowns versus the Chiefs, the expectation was for Davis to continue playing at such a level. He did not and appeared to struggle at times as the team’s full-time wide receiver two. He was also plagued with drops, including a few that were game-changing.
The potential for the type of receiver Davis could become is still there though, and plenty of teams would surely come calling. If, (and it’s a big if) the Bills were to land Hopkins, trading Davis while his value is still high could be the smart move. With that four-touchdown game still fresh in general managers’ minds, and the one-handed touchdown catch on Steelers’ safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick, last season, it would help fetch a nice return for him.
If Hopkins becomes a Buffalo Bill, he is going to cost a lot. The team would immediately have to rework his contract just to make it work in terms of cap space this year. Davis is entering year four of his career and will need a new deal next year. If you trade for Hopkins, you give him Davis’ money and then some. Getting at least something for him, instead of watching him walk for free next off-season, makes too much sense.
The Buffalo Bills keeping Gabe Davis could actually be a good thing
Yes, trading Davis does seem like the obvious choice if you add Hopkins. However, imagine the Bills added Hopkins, and kept Davis. That would no doubt give star quarterback, Josh Allen, the best group of receivers to throw the ball to in the league.
Keeping Davis could allow Stefon Diggs to see more snaps in the slot. With Hopkins and Davis outside, Diggs could torch teams from inside. It could also, oddly enough, mean more production from Davis. Teams would have such a hard time covering Diggs and Hopkins, that Davis would likely be covered by a team’s lesser talented defensive back; as he would slide to the number three threat in the high-powered Bills’ offense.
Unfortunately, injuries are a huge part of the wonderful game we all love. The Bills, who have been rather healthy the past few years, got hit hard by the injury bug last year. Football is all about the next man up, and you can never have too much depth. Davis would be a top-notch insurance policy, should he have to be thrust into a larger role due to injuries.
Financially, it makes a ton of sense too. If the Bills view Hopkins as their, go-all-in to win a ring this year move, he could essentially be a one-year rental. The Bills are going to be strapped against the cap for years to come and next off-season Davis would likely only be half the price of Hopkins. The Bills’ staff loves him and he is still loaded with potential. In Davis’ first full season as the number two, he had 48 receptions, 836 yards, seven touchdowns, and averaged 55.7 yards a game. Keeping him in the fold this year while he’s still on his rookie deal, and on the brink of a breakout, is genius, financially.