With the start of the new league year on the horizon, the Buffalo Bills and general manager Brandon Beane have a lot of work to do. Once again, what should have been a contending team fell short, in large part because of clear inadequacies at the receiver position.
What the plan for the position looks like remains to be seen, but there are a number of potential trade scenarios being floated about. A.J. Brown’s name keeps being mentioned, but there is another veteran receiver who would make a lot more sense for the Bills: D.J. Moore.
The Problem(s) with A.J. Brown
A.J. Brown has been a big-time producer for years, especially since joining the Philadelphia Eagles. But there is more to it than simple numbers when it comes to acquiring someone of Brown’s stature.
His Contract is Untenable
The Bills are in a bit of a cap crunch already. Brown’s contract, which is signed through the 2029 season, comes with a plethora of void years as well. Nevermind the fact that he will carry a cap hit of $23.93 million in 2026. The Bills simply do not have the flexibility to add that kind of contract to their books, especially when the defense needs an overhaul.
The Cost to Acquire Him Would be Exorbitant
Early reports have suggested that Eagles general manager Howie Roseman could be expected to be a lot more than a first-round pick in return for his disgruntled receiver. The Bills have somewhat limited draft capital to work with, even with a perfect player. Giving up that kind of bounty, especially with the other holes the Bills have, presents even greater issues.
He Has a Reputation
Perhaps above all else, it doesn’t make sense to bring in a receiver with a history of being an issue. Brown was no stranger to cryptic tweets while playing for the defending Super Bowl champions. Not only that, but there have also been consistent rumors swirling about his relationship with quarterback Jalen Hurts. Josh Allen is a different beast, but a diva receiver isn’t something this team needs.
Why Moore Makes More Sense
Though Moore doesn’t have the peaks that Brown has, he has a few more factors in his corner that make him the superior fit. Let’s break it down:
Big Play Fit
Moore has shown big-play potential in the past with far inferior quarterbacks at the helm. His 1,364-yard season in year 1 of the Caleb Williams era shows what kind of threat he can be. Pair him with an all-world quarterback like Allen, and the possibilities can be enticing.
Moore has the speed, separation, and route running that would immediately make him the No.1 option for the Bills. In a receiver draft class that is good, not great, Moore makes a great deal more sense schematically than drafting someone in the first round.
His Contract is More Navigable
Though he has a cap hit of $24.5 million for 2026, a simple restructure could get them down under the $8 million mark without having to add void years. On top of that, the Bills would have a few options to get out from under his contract each year without having to incur additional dead cap money.
For a team strapped for flexibility from a salary cap perspective, this is the perfect option. They get a legitimate No.1 receiver for a bargain and can move on if he doesn’t pan out.
The Cost to Land Him is More Than Reasonable
Those two factors would have been more than enough to justify trading for Moore. When you factor in what it will cost, especially when compared to acquiring Brown, it makes the move a slam dunk.
Landing Moore would likely take a middle-round pick, something in the third- or fourth-round, this season, and an additional sixth-round pick to get the job done. Though the Bills are short on draft capital, this is the kind of move that makes the entire offense better and is more ideal than hoping to land an impactful starter that late in the draft.
This is a Move Beane Must Make
The pressure is on Beane to make an impactful move. While a big splash in free agency may be what fans desire, trading for Moore makes sense for a litany of reasons. It is the kind of potential home run swing that Beane can make without doing damage to the franchise down the line.
Even if it costs a premium asset like a second-round pick, it would be worth it for a player that could have an impact two-three years down the line playing with Allen. It is the kind of move that Beane should not wait long to make.