The Buffalo Bills have been desperately searching for a true No. 1 wide receiver since Stefon Diggs in 2023. This year, they may have found that player when they acquired D.J. Moore and a 2026 5th-round pick from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2026 2nd-round pick.
While Josh Allen and D.J. Moore have been developing chemistry in training camp, it will be interesting to see how the duo progresses as they play more games together in the future. Let's take a look at how Moore's impact can help him and Allen take the next step.
D.J. Moore brings his game-changing talents
D.J. Moore is a special talent as a wide receiver, and the Bills could use his versatility and physicality to build team schemes. At 6-foot, 213 pounds, Moore is big enough to be able to block in the running game, besides making those clutch catches when the game is on the line. He is also fast enough to be used as a gadget player, especially on WR reverses and jet sweeps.
With his strong character and willingness to be a team player whenever called upon, he does whatever the coaches ask to help the team win games. He also likes to mentor the younger receivers, as Keon Coleman and Skyler Bell could learn a lot from the seasoned receiver.
A key beneficiary of Moore's availability would be fellow Bills receiver Khalil Shakir. Throughout his career, Shakir has been known for his effectiveness at creating space and yards after the catch, especially in the screen game.
The primary blocker in the screen game was Coleman, but this year it may actually be Moore taking over as the blocking receiver. Both Moore and Shakir bring talent, character, and a family-first attitude to the team, and both have really meshed well with Joe Brady in the past and even now.
Also, if he stays healthy, Joshua Palmer's skills as a route runner and a physical target could make the tough, contested catches over the middle more dependable, encouraging confidence in his future capabilities. Palmer showed promise early last season, but then he suffered a long-term injury in Week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons, and he wasn't the same for the rest of the season.
How QB/WR duo compares to others in NFL?
The duo of Allen and Moore could be a replica of the Dallas Cowboys' duo between Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. When fans watch the Cowboys play every weekend, they notice that Lamb is the No. 1 go-to guy on deep passes and intermediate routes that Prescott puts right in Lamb's hands, showing their immediate connection and highlighting their key roles in the offense.
They also use Lamb as a gadget play on wide receiver jet sweeps and reverses.
If the Bills can replicate this, fans will feel a sense of gratification and thrill watching Allen and Moore excel, as they can see Allen throw to Moore as the go-to guy and call jet sweeps and reverses to him. It will be unbelievable to watch the Bills copy what another team does in the NFL because Brady paid attention to the rest of the NFL and realized that this actually works and could do the same for the Bills too.
Who can benefit most from Moore's addition?
Besides the receivers being the beneficiaries of Moore, tight end Dalton Kincaid could be an additional beneficiary as a receiving-type tight end. Kincaid has shown flashes of success since his career-high 73 catches as a rookie in 2023. But injuries to his PCL, collarbone, and hamstring have forced Brady to load-manage him, and they're confident that in 2026, he will stay healthy for all 17 games.
Kincaid is also improving on his blocking, especially in 11, 12, and 13 personnel groupings, which they also want Moore to focus on if he wants his fair share of targets this season.
Look for Allen to target Kincaid with Moore's presence on the field.
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