Since the NFL offseason started, it’s been clear that the Buffalo Bills have been looking for ways to improve their wide receiver room. On Thursday, they finally did that, trading with the Chicago Bears for veteran receiver D.J. Moore. Josh Allen and the Bills offense now have a no. 1 receiver, as they start a new era under head coach Joe Brady.
Buffalo’s search for a wideout this offseason has cast a negative light on their young receiver Keon Coleman, whom the Bills took at the top of the second round of the 2024 Draft. He was drafted with the expectation of eventually developing into a No. 1 for Buffalo, but his first two years in the league have been extremely disappointing.
While a case can be made that the Bills’ acquisition of Moore is a sign that they’re giving up on Coleman, the young wideout having the opportunity to play alongside Moore could end up being exactly what he needs.
Keon Coleman will have the opportunity to reach his potential playing with DJ Moore
Coleman emerged as one of the primary topics of the Bills' offseason after team owner Terry Pegula essentially threw former head coach Sean McDermott under the bus for wanting to draft the young receiver. Still, general manager Brandon Beane and new head coach Joe Brady have remained committed to Coleman and believe they can help him reach his potential.
D.J. Moore is now a part of that equation as well. In addition to all the things Coleman can learn by sharing a room with a wideout who is entering his ninth season, his third team, and has 8,213 career receiving yards under his belt, Moore’s presence on the offense can do wonders for the 2024 second-rounder.
For starters, DJ Moore will remove expectations from the young receiver; Coleman is no longer supposed to be the Bills’ no. 1. That, alone, could be a big deal, as Coleman could potentially play freer. Additionally, Moore will be the primary receiving focus for the Bills' offense and opposing defenses. That will allow Coleman to develop in the shadows and possibly exploit mismatches.
If Coleman can commit to handling business on and off the field, he should be able to take advantage of this huge opportunity and restore the promise for his career.