It has already been a busy offseason for the Buffalo Bills. The front office moved on from long-time head coach Sean McDermott, a choice that earned some ire from both the players and fanbase alike.
The team has since announced that it would be promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach, and the new head man has been busy. Among the moves, they’ve hired Jim Leonhard to be the defensive coordinator, Pete Carmichael Jr. to be offensive coordinator, and Jeff Rodgers for the special teams.
It has been talked about in-depth in this space, but the Bills need to make impactful moves on both sides of the ball. While they need to hit on their draft picks to find several starters, General Manager Brandon Beane can address one of their major holes – pass rusher and wide receiver – through trade. These four names make a lot of sense and definitely check off the “big move” box.
4 Potential blockbuster trades Bills GM Brandon Beane could explore this offseason
Maxx Crosby, DE, Las Vegas Raiders
Things went about as poorly as possible for the Raiders this past season and ended with a dispute between the team and its star player. Crosby was forced to sit out the final two games of the regular season and was very vocal about the matter.
With the Raiders heading into a complete rebuild, Crosby is without a doubt their best asset. A force off the edge, Crosby would be a fantastic fit in Buffalo’s new-look 3-4 defense as an outside linebacker/edge rusher.
Pass rusher has proven to be an Achilles heel for the Bills for years, and it is time to address it with a true impact player. Crosby is just 28 years old and coming off a “disappointing” season in which he had 10 sacks (which would have still led the Bills by three).
Crosby would be the first truly impactful pass rusher in a decade to come to Buffalo. At 28, this isn’t like the team acquiring a past-his-prime Von Miller. They would be getting an impact player that could stick around and be a force for at least three or four seasons.
A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
The biggest talking point surrounding the Bills this past season was the passing game. The offense managed to finish near the top of the league in nearly every metric, but the passing game struggled visibly at times due to a lackluster group that could not gain separation.
If the internal belief is that receiver is top priority, A.J. Brown would be a fantastic opportunity to take advantage of. He was notably unhappy throughout the season, posting cryptic tweets, and sometimes visibly pouting on the sideline. The Bills have proven they can handle somewhat dramatic receivers, having gotten the best years out of Stefon Diggs.
Even in a down season, Brown caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns. Brown would give Josh Allen and the Bills the truly elite, downfield receiving threat that can unlock the rest of the offense. He also has the kind of yards-after-catch ability to fit in well with Brady’s short yardage passing offense.
This is the kind of move that might not make sense for three years down the line, but the goal is to win a championship within the next two years. Using a first-round pick on a receiver may sound good but Brown is the kind of game-breaking wide receiver that can bring Allen back to his MVP level without having to don the Superman cape.
Jermaine Johnson, DE, New York Jets
Johnson is perhaps the most interesting name on the list. He lost nearly all of 2024 to an Achilles injury and dealt with ankle issues in 2025. That said, when he’s on the field, he has the kind of elite athleticism that makes defensive coordinators salivate.
Operating out of a base 3-4, Johnson could stand up and rush the passer. His 7.5 sacks and 16 pressures from 2023 showcase just how effective he can be. A full year and change removed from the Achilles injury, Johnson could be ready to break out in the right defense.
If the Bills want to take a swing at an impactful player without mortgaging the future, Johnson could fit the Bill. The Jets are in the middle of a full rebuild and will be looking for additional assets. A couple of picks could be enough to get the job done.
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
In 2024, Thomas looked like the next breakout receiving star in the NFL. The 23rd overall pick from LSU hauled in 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in his rookie season and seemed poised to take the leap forward in Year 2.
Thomas instead finished with a disappointing 48 catches for 707 and two touchdowns. He struggled with drops early in the season and seemed to fall behind Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers in terms of targets from quarterback Trevor Lawrence. With Travis Hunter returning from injury, it feels like the receiver room in Jacksonville is a little crowded.
The Jaguars aren’t going to be desperate to move Thomas Jr., so it will likely cost the Bills a pretty penny in terms of assets to land him. That said, he’s a young, highly touted receiver with one outstanding season to his resume. He’s on a rookie deal and would be in the fold for the foreseeable future, and would no doubt benefit from playing with someone of Allen’s caliber.
Now is the Time to Act
The Bills cannot simply sit back and hope to find an answer with their first-round pick. Under normal circumstances, they could stand pat and hope to find a solution there but the time for making a big move is now. That first-round pick – and next season’s, at least – should be used for a true difference-maker right now. Beane needs to prove himself and one of these four would quiet a lot of doubters.