Four Wide Receiver Trades The Buffalo Bills Could Actually Make

Following a performance by the Buffalo Bills receivers that was offensive in all the wrong ways, the Bills may make a move to raise the talent level in their WR room. Fans can speculate all they like about the potential for a Davante Adams trade, but there are a number of effective, more realistic options in play to help Josh Allen.

The Bills' current available cap space sits somewhere between $3-3.4M, per OverTheCap and Spotrac. Any contract assumed in a trade must fit within that bracket, so pricier players are implausible, barring a corresponding move or assumption of payment by the other team. In the case of Davante Adams, it's unlikely Raiders owner Mark Davis would ever pay that money, with his track record of skimping on the bill. Let's instead check out some middle-of-the-road options who can contribute in a meaningful way this season, and potentially beyond.

Brandon Beane has made moves at the trade deadline in each of the last two seasons. With a glaring need, he may do so again.

Romeo Doubs - Green Bay Packers

Doubs isn't the name expected to be seen on this list. Frankly, few thought he'd be available, as the Green Bay Packers are playing well and Doubs offers quality receiver play, but there are reasons for his sudden interest in the trade market. Doubs expressed his frustration with the role given to him on offense, and skipped two days of practice as a result. He was suspended by the team, and missed their Week 5 matchup against the L.A. Rams. Now, they claim to be willing to move forward, but they'll be getting calls over the coming weeks as the November 5th trade deadline fast approaches.

Doubs has 12 catches for 169 yards through four games this season, in the role that left him frustrated with his franchise. His speed and ability to stretch passing windows is valuable as a depth contributor and role player. Last season, he picked up 59 catches for 674 yards and 8 touchdowns for the Packers. Doubs is playing in the third year of his rookie contract, and would be negligible against the salary cap for this season and the next, with an average cap hit of $1.2M, and limited dead cap if cut.

Amari Cooper - Cleveland Browns

Death, taxes, watching the Browns collapse. There is little better catharsis that this, and no greater certainty. The 1-4 Cleveland Browns will be selling the farm by the deadline, so Brandon Beane should make his phone call now. As Deshaun Watson and his roster crumbles, the Buffalo Bills can pick apart the carcass and take Amari Cooper off their hands.

Cooper has been very good for Cleveland. Over the last two seasons he's hauled in 150 catches for 2410 yards and 14 touchdowns, the lone bright spot on offense not named Nick Chubb. For a likely mid-round pick, he could be Buffalo's for the remainder of this season, with no commitment beyond that, unless they want him back.

When he agreed to a restructured deal instead of holding out in 2024, many were shocked. Cooper hit 30 years old, and was at the crossroads of his final multi-year extension, but opted to hit the market in 2025 instead. That restructure guaranteed him $20m from the Browns, and served as a fat pay raise. Now, he's due a pittance in remaining salary, and the Browns can finally wave the white and brown flag as they send him away, recouping something, anything, to start their inevitable rebuild. Moving him saves them no money, but keeping him just withholds whatever draft capital they could get in exchange. The Browns' season is over; without a trade, so is Amari Cooper's.

Tee Higgins - Cincinatti Bengals

Playing on the franchise tag, awaiting free agency to pursue his own deal, Tee Higgins is being paid entirely against the salary cap by the Cincinatti Bengals. In trading him, the Bengals have nearly $10M in cap space to assume cost and get better return for the stud wideout. Buffalo would give up more, but they'd be getting possibly the best affordable candidate on the market.

Higgins hauled in 275 catches in 61 games, for a whopping 3866 yards and 26 TDs. At 6'4, 220lbs, Higgins is a one-for-one fit to replace Marquez-Valdez Scantling, and seriously elevate the floor of this receiving core. A proven player with a future, it'll likely take an early Day 2 draft pick to secure him for Buffalo.

As the Bengals let yet another game slip away against the Ravens in overtime, their need for an elite WR2 in 2024 dwindles. They couldn't get a deal done before, and the price has gone up. Now, he could be on the Buffalo Bills as a one-year rental before he hits the open market, where he may headline the free agency frenzy.

Diontae Johnson - Carolina Panthers

The former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout was traded away to the Carolina Panthers earlier this season, but rumours about his availability are abound once more. As the DaVante Adams sweepstakes accelerate, those on the outs have a fine option in Diontae Johnson. It would be a tight fit financially for the Buffalo Bills, as Johnson's base salary of $7m would be a factor, but much of his money is paid already.

So, why do it? He's having a rough year in Carolina, getting poor quality targets that have lowered his catch rate, but his track record precedes him. For his first five seasons, he was very good for the Steelers. Over those seasons, he hauled in 391 catches for 4363 yards and 25 touchdowns. His solid 11.2 yards per catch during that time is something he's maintained this season, and his skillset is a natural fit with what Buffalo needs on offense.

For 2025, he's an unrestricted free agent due no money. With zero future commitment and the Carolina Panthers ready for the season to end already, a late Day 2/early Day 3 draft pick should be enough to secure Johnson through the end of the year.

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