Bold Bills free agency idea would give Josh Allen the receiver he’s missing

This offseason, wide receiver is a hot-button topic for Buffalo Bills fans. The Mafia wants to see general manager Brandon Beane bring in competent options for quarterback Josh Allen in the hopes that it can help him and the franchise finally get over their postseason hump.

But how they fill that need is where you’ll find the debates in every comment section across the internet. The free agency class isn’t strong, the best trade options come with hefty baggage, and the team can’t exactly afford the patience to let a first-round receiver grow into a reliable target to avoid the free agent and trade routes.

So, what are the Bills’ best options for addressing the team’s biggest offensive concern? Well, finding players who fit what Buffalo needs now and adding from multiple sources might be the play. And if that’s the case, ESPN’s Matt Bowen knows where the Bills should start.

Bucs WR Mike Evans fits Bills' win-now window with Josh Allen perfectly

Bowen recently published what he believes are the best fits for the top 50 projected free agents across the NFL this offseason, in which he urged the Bills to re-sign center Connor McGovern and pursue Tampa Bay Buccaneers veteran wideout Mike Evans.

Some in Bills Mafia might scoff at the idea of signing a long-in-the-tooth veteran like Evans, who turns 33 next August, but there’s no denying the value the former Super Bowl champion can bring to a team like Buffalo.

“Under new coach Joe Brady, Evans could be that boundary X target for Allen and create matchups in the low red zone,” Bowen wrote on Tuesday. “I like the idea of Buffalo getting aggressive to add a proven and reliable target who had topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark in 11 straight seasons before injuries derailed his 2025 campaign.”

Evans would instantly be the No. 1 receiver in the offense, regardless of what other moves Buffalo made at the position. Then, Beane would have the ability to focus on defense first in the draft and clean up with a mid-round receiver to flesh out the room. That rookie and Keon Coleman can then take some learning from Evans as he chases a ring with Allen at the top of the depth chart.

Over The Cap’s free agent valuation for Evans sits at just $2.59 million per year, though the likely Canton-bound receiver might be worth more, considering his long run of success in the NFL. After all, Evans will likely only entertain playing for championship contenders like the Bills at this stage of his career, so Buffalo would be bidding against other top teams in the league.

So, Evans fills the vacancy at the top of the Bills’ receiving depth chart, isn’t overwhelmingly expensive, can offer veteran leadership on and off the field, and has championship experience, having won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay just five years ago. All of that, and he doesn’t come with the ‘diva’ baggage like A.J. Brown or George Pickens would. What’s not to love for Bills Mafia?