Just a couple of weeks ago, it looked like the Buffalo Bills were going to make a move to acquire All Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Arizona Cardinals. Even after signing wideout Deonte Harty, Buffalo has to add talent.
However, recent reports state that the Bills are now out on a Hopkins deal.
With Buffalo still needing a concrete option next to Stefon Diggs, they have options. Whether they decide to sign a free agent, trade for a veteran or draft someone to take over the WR2 position, general manager Brandon Beane and the Bills have a lot of great opportunities.
Knowing Hopkins is a no-go, now, let’s look at five realistic options the Bills could have at making a move at wide receiver, starting in the draft.
The Buffalo Bills should draft wide receiver Zay Flowers
At pick no. 27 overall, the Bills could be in position to draft Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers. As one of the top wide receiver prospects in this year’s draft, Flowers is looked at as either a late-first rounder or early second-round prospect. More than likely, though, he’ll hear his name called on Day 1.
Flowers stands 5-foot-9 and is a bit undersized, but because of his size and skillset, he’s able to be a menace in the open field. When the ball is in his hands, Flowers is extremely dangerous, especially if he has room to run.
His play style is shifty, slippery and explosive. He has the ability to sneak past man coverage, especially on the outside, and beat his man deep. He’s also very good at getting up field after the catch.
Last year with Boston College, he caught 78 passes for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’d come in and be an explosive, exciting playmaker for a Bills offense that’s lacking in that area.
The Buffalo Bills should trade for wide receiver Mike Evans
Another option the Bills have is if they tried going after Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, whose cap hit is over $23 million this season. Tampa Bay has already parted with some veterans this offseason, in effort to somewhat direct their organization in a new direction as they prepare for life without Tom Brady.
Evans has gone over 1,000 yards in every single season of his pro career, therefore he is no stranger to consistency. He is one of the most solid, quietly-excellent wide receivers the NFL has ever seen. His 6-foot-5 frame makes it easy on quarterbacks to throw it up and allow him to use the ridiculous catch radius he has at his disposal, and make the play.
After coming to Buffalo, the Bills might be able to rework Evans’ deal into an extension, before he becomes a free agent next offseason. Evans’ cap hit is so big, and the fact that he’s out of contract next year, make it seem like the Bills could get him for a mid-round pick if they really wanted to.
Evans on the outside as the big play type, plus Diggs as the possession guy with the ability to also make the big play, would give Josh Allen one heck of a duo at wide receiver.
The Buffalo Bills should draft wide receiver Cedric Tillman
If Buffalo wanted to go after a rookie with size, instead of trading for a veteran like Evans, they could look at Tennessee’s Cedric Tillman. The 6-foot-3 Volunteer standout comes into the draft with less hype than his teammate, Jaylin Hyatt, but could wind up being an even better pro.
Tillman has decent speed, running a 4.54 in his 40-yard dash, and good enough athleticism everywhere else (a 37-inch vertical, 10-foot-8-inch broad jump). He is one of those prospects with good size and speed who does a lot of things well. He’s a very well-rounded rookie prospect, but what entices me most about him is his level of competitiveness.
This is a kid who wants to win every down, every route, no matter what. If he’s given the opportunity to make a big play, he relishes that. He comes up big when it matters most, as evidenced by his monstrous performances against both Alabama and Georgia (17 catches for 352 yards and two touchdowns).
Buffalo would be getting a rookie who plays with toughness, physicality and could come in right away and compete for the WR2 job. Most likely, he would win it.
The Buffalo Bills should sign wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
We’re pretty far into the offseason, and still, Odell Beckham Jr. has not found home. One of the top reasons why could be due to the fact that he is desiring an annual salary of $20 million. That seems a bit steep for a guy that’s not played in over a year and has had multiple serious injuries in the past.
Still, the 30-year-old looks like he can still play at a high level, assuming he’s healthy. In eight games after being traded to the Los Angeles Rams a season and a half ago, Beckham put up five touchdowns and was key to their Super Bowl run.
Of course, that came to an end after an ACL tear in the big game. But, he’s worked hard at his rehab and wants a chance to contribute going forward. If the Bills were able to get their hands on a healthy Odell Beckham, there’s no telling what this offense could become. Both he and Diggs are similar in the fact that they’re great possession guys, and Beckham still has that speed.
Assuming Buffalo could talk him down from $20 million (or they wait for the market to do that instead) and could sign him for anywhere from $12-$14 million annually, they should do it in a heartbeat. Potentially, some escalators could allow Beckham to make more, and would be a fair compromise.
The Buffalo Bills should draft wide receiver Rashee Rice
Lastly, the Bills could look at drafting a rookie like SMU’s Rashee Rice. Right now, Rice is projected to go anywhere from the second to fourth round, so his draft stock is somewhat wide open. He has prototypical size at 6-foot-1, weighing 204 pounds.
Rice has excellent acceleration and straight-line speed, allowing him to beat defensive backs deep and make the big plays. He has strong body control and a knack for showing off impressive ball skills. On the other hand, he has struggled to impress on the less-flashy, more intermediate routes. If he can prove that he’ll put forth the same effort on those short and mid-level routes, as he does with the long ones, Rice will be just fine.
One other trait that Josh Allen will, specifically, like is his ability to help his quarterback out on scrambles. When Allen gets flushed, Rice will work with him to get open and find a spot to move the chains. He also tracks the ball well when thrown deep, which we all know Allen loves to do often.
Any of these five wide receivers would put fans at ease in terms of solidifying the wide receiver position. It’s just a matter of which route Beane wants to go.