Going into this year's NFL trade deadline, the Buffalo Bills will show us whether or not they are truly ready to go all-in on a Super Bowl. For the past few years, Bills Mafia has been wondering when the big move was going to come.
It has to be this year. In some way, shape or form, Brandon Beane and the Bills have to do something that screams, "We're all in."
Enter: the New Orleans Saints, who are clear sellers at this year's November 4 deadline. If the Bills wanted an end-all, be-all move, this is the one.
Bills should do everything they can to land Saints WR Chris Olave in a traded
In one of Adam Schefter's latest updates, he acknowledges that he believes the Saints will trade one of Chris Olave or Rashid Shaheed before the deadline, but he leans Shaheed over Olave. But, if the Bills make the right offer, why wouldn't the Saints sell Olave?
In this proposed deal, the Bills give up a second-round pick next year, a third rounder in 2027 and a seventh-round pick in 2026 as well. The biggies are the second and third, of course, which could be tough to swallow giving up.
But, Olave is a legitimate no. 1 wide receiver. He just hasn't had the benefit of a quarterback like Josh Allen. Getting Olave would take attention off of guys like Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman, in addition to the tight end tandem of Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox.
Then, think about how much more room the run game would have with James Cook and Allen. Olave would command plenty of attention. At that point, it becomes a "pick your poison" situation for opposing defenses.
Would the Bills be able to offer Olave a long-term deal, though, after his fifth-year option in 2026? That's a huge question, especially knowing Buffalo already paid Shakir.
For this season, it would make a ton of sense. This season, the Bills very well could compete for a Super Bowl after a trade like this.
From New Orleans' perspective, they get a pair of Day 2 draft picks to pocket. Mickey Loomis has made a habit of putting together absurd contracts over the years that have put their franchise in a tough spot. Now, it's about acquiring draft capital to rebuild the roster.
Olave might end up being worth a first-round pick, in which case the Bills should still be interested. But, if Buffalo gave that up, then the Saints can forget about the additional third rounder and instead, it might be a pair of fourth-round picks to go with.
In any event, Buffalo should do (almost) whatever it takes to get this type of deal done.