Do the Buffalo Bills have a wide receiver problem this season? It depends on who you ask but if you're asking me, the answer is no. That said, Gabe Davis is in the final year of his contract, and we have yet to see if the Bills will extend him beyond 2023. Of course, he may not want to resign with Buffalo, maybe he wants to test free agency and if the money is right, he could choose to go elsewhere.
One problem I do think the Bills have a problem is too many slot receivers. The Bills need to reduce that number and allow one of the slot guys currently on the roster the opportunity to develop confidence and chemistry with Josh Allen. I think gaining trust from Allen is key and might be the most important thing for any of Allen's weapons, which is why we are seeing such a huge reliance on Stefon Diggs.
Okay, I've said my piece on the wide receiver situation currently in Buffalo but what about the future of the position? Should the Bills look to the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft to add more to the receiver room? I'd say yes, regardless if Gabe Davis sticks around or not. Stefon Diggs isn't getting any older and the Bills need depth at the outside receiver spot. Maybe the Bills decide to make a move for a receiver at the trade deadline too.
I will break down a few of the incoming wide receivers that might be available to the Bills in the latter part of the first round. Some of these players could be early day-two selections too, and if the Bills want to go receiver early, they could move back and still get one of these guys. Then again, maybe Brandon Beane decides he wants to move up for one, but that's going to be a different list depending on how high he wants to go. Let's get into it now.
Rome Odunze - Washington Huskies
Rome Odunze is projected as a late first-round pick, but as the season continues, he could climb up the boards. Odunze is one that the Bills might have to trade up to grab but would be well worth the move. Per NFLDraftBuzz.com, he's 6'3", weighs 201 pounds, and sports a 4.45, 40; however, his unofficial time is 4.37. He brings excellent height and has some room to put on a bit more mass on his frame, which would help him with the more physical corners in the NFL.
Has a junior last season, Odunze hauled in 70 receptions, with 1,088 yards and seven touchdowns. He had an impressive 15.5 yards per reception as well. He is incredibly athletic, showcasing elite speed, agility, and strength. He made Bruce Feldman's top 100 freak athletes, ranking number 58. So far in the 2023 season, he's recorded 40 receptions, 736 yards, and six touchdowns, with 18.4 yards per reception.
Xavier Legette - South Carolina Gamecocks
Xavier Legette is currently projected to be an early second-round pick but could easily be a late day-one selection, which is where we anticipate the Bills picking. Per NFLDraftBuzz.com, he is also 6'3" but weighs in at 227 pounds and ran a 4.29, 40. He's a bigger receiver and I think the Bills could do well adding some size to the receiver room. They have a few guys with height but lack size, outside of Justin Shorter. I hope to see Buffalo get bigger at the position.
We've heard for some time now that the Bills aren't good at gaining yards after the catch and I think some of that is due to the size of our guys. They don't have the physical body to break tackles, some are quick and can make moves, Diggs for example, but we need more size. Legette can certainly fill that role but also brings incredible speed.
Legette is a fifth-year senior, with over 1,200 career snaps but my one concern here is, despite the extensive snaps, he's never been a productive receiver until this season. During his first four seasons, he totaled only 42 receptions and five touchdowns; however, in 2023, he's already recorded 37 catches, 716 yards and three touchdowns. He's producing an eye-popping 19.4 yards per reception.
Malik Nabers - LSU Tigers
Malik Nabers has been compared to the likes of Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. According to NFLDraftBuzz.com, Nabers is 6'0" and weighs 195 pounds, more in line with Stefon Diggs too. He has 4.4, 40-time speed as well. I've said a few times that I would like to see the Bills get a little more size in the receiving room; however, Nabers has that Chase,/Jefferson/Diggs vibe, and with Diggs not getting any younger, Nabers' potential would be a great addition.
Nabers is projected to go in the mid-first round range and if the Bills wanted to get him, they will likely need to move up in the draft. Bruce Feldman's Freak List has Nabers coming in at number 33 and could climb higher on many draft boards. I think Nabers might be out of the Bills' reach, but he is currently listed number five on NFLDraftBuzz.com's top receivers. Plus, with the number of quarterbacks that we expect to go early in the first round, it could push Nabers further down on day one of the draft. This season, he's already got 52 receptions, 860 yards and seven touchdowns.
Johnny Wilson - Florida State Seminoles
Johnny Wilson is another of the receivers that is projected in the early second round but again, he could climb the ranks as well. The NFL is all about the receiver position and teams want to stack the position. The Bills should be no different in that thinking. NFLDraftBuzz.com has him listed at 6'7" and 235 pounds but can turn on the burners till and turn in a 4.42, 40. He is the tallest of these five receivers and when paired with that speed, his potential is through the roof.
Wilson started his college career at Arizona State but transferred his junior year to Florida State in 2022. Last season, he caught 43 passes for 897 yards and five touchdowns. This season, he's recorded 20 receptions and 357 yards, with two touchdowns. He has an incredible career yards per reception of 18.5. His numbers aren't off the charts, but he could be an elite receiver at the NFL level due to his elite size and speed.
Adonai Mitchell - Texas Longhorns
Adonai Mitchell began his career with the Georgia Bulldogs, where as a freshman, he produced 29 receptions, 426 yards, and four touchdowns. However, in 2021 he played in only six games and recorded nine receptions. He elected to transfer to Texas this season. Per NFLDraftBuzz.com, he is 6'4" but weighs only 190 pounds. He has the frame to put on some mass though. He was recorded with a 4.5, 40.
Mitchell is a junior and there is the possibility that he elects to stay with the Longhorns for his senior year; however, he's well on his way to having the best year of his collegiate career and is currently projected as an early second-round pick. This season with Texas, he has 25 receptions, 354 yards and four touchdowns.