I think most fans were surprised when the news broke about Stefon Diggs' trade to the Houston Texans, but here we are. Diggs posted another one of his random social media messages and the following day, the deal was done, sending Diggs to the Texans, along with a fifth in 2025 and a sixth-round pick in 2024, and the Bills get a 2025 second-round pick in return. Buffalo could take that extra pick next year and maybe a first this year and move up in the draft. The problem is, if they wanted to get high enough for Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, it would cost the team a ton of draft assets.
Buffalo would have to get to the top 10, and I don't think Beane would be willing to give up that much in draft picks to move that high. But then again, most of us didn't think he would trade Diggs given the dead cap hit. But for the sake of argument, let's look at the tenth overall pick, which is worth 1300 points. The Bills' total 2024 draft is worth 1,169 points, so they would have to give up their entire draft this year, plus a first or second next year. The alternative would be to include some players in a deal, but at this point, I don't know if the Bills have too many more players available in a trade. The other alternative is a combination of a few picks from this year and next, both most likely being the team's first-round pick.
This leaves us with options at 28, where the Bills currently pick. They could move up in this draft still, but I don't see them moving up high enough for one of the big three, who is the next tier of top wide receivers in this draft? There is one among this group that Buffalo will likely need to move up to get, but I think the others could fall to them at 28, or even trade back and double down at the wide receiver position. This is my hope for this draft. Grab a receiver with their first and second picks. This list includes two that I think Buffalo could get, so let's get to the list.
Five receiver prospects the Buffalo Bills could target in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Brian Thomas Jr - LSU
We've talked a ton about Brian Thomas Jr., and he's been mocked to the Bills on several occasions but after a stellar NFL Combine performance, Buffalo would likely need to execute a draft day trade to move up for Thomas. I'm not opposed to such a move, but given where the team is right now, I would prefer Buffalo stay put at 28, draft the best available receiver, or move back a few spots and still get a solid, potentially elite receiver.
This wide receiver class is exceptionally deep and I think that is part of why the Bills felt comfortable making this move now. They will have an opportunity to fill out the receiver room with excellent talent through the draft, whichday-one may not be as deep next year. But Thomas has outstanding athleticism, speed, and size. He could potentially step onto the field as a day one starter and fill that void, but despite the recent rookie success, it's still a lot to ask of a rookie from the start.
Adonai Mitchell - Texas
Adonai Mitchell is another receiver who has a ton of athleticism, speed, and size and he might be an option at pick 28. But he could also be someone the Bills would need to trade up for, depending on a potential run at the position, if other teams decide they want to stock up on some of the talent offered in this draft. Pro Football Focus has him listed as their 31st overall prospect and fifth-best receiver. If there is a run, I could see Mitchell being a part of that mid-round run.
Mitchell isn't one of my favorites though, given the questions about his work ethic and effort. But I'd be foolish to not mention him as a possible target, given that Josh Allen even named him as a receiver in that next tier. Also, maybe he'd develop that motor playing with the likes of Allen and motivation from other team leaders.
Ladd McConkey - Georgia
I've been standing on this hill for several weeks now and have no intentions of coming down. I am a huge fan of McConkey and think he would be an excellent addition to the Bills roster and even more so now with Diggs out of the picture. Some fans have questioned McConkey's ability as an outside receiver, calling him more of a fit for the slot, where Khalil Shakir is locked in. Naysayers have also said, his skill set is a redundant one, given what Diggs and Shakir are as receivers. Well, so much for that redundancy.
McConkey is one of the best route runners in this class and that ability translates to the NFL. He may not be as fast or tall as Thomas Jr. or Mitchell, but a 4.39, 40-time is still incredibly fast. Look, they said all the same stuff about Stefon Diggs coming out of college, doesn't fit the typical profile of an outside receiver, but that worked out. I'm not saying McConkey is the next Diggs, just saying it's more than possible a "slot" guy can become an excellent outside receiver.
Troy Franklin - Oregon
Troy Franklin didn't have as good of an NFL Combine as hoped, but he still has a solid 4.41, 40-time and he is also a taller receiver who projects as an outside receiver. I was bigger on Franklin pre-combine but his 10-yard split of 1.61 was significantly slower than many receiver prospects. These drills aren't the end-all, be-all, but we had hoped for more from him.
Still, he was ultra-productive at Oregon, catching 81 passes, 1,383 yards, and 14 touchdowns. He also set an Oregon record with 25 career touchdowns. There is no question the production is there, and while the athletic numbers could be better, he's still a legitimate athlete who could fit in with the Bills and what they might be looking for. The team also likely would not have to trade up for Franklin either, which is a plus in my book. They might even be able to trade back, pick up an extra pick, and still get Franklin.
Xavier Legette - South Carolina
Xavier Legette was getting all the praise early in this draft season from Bills fans, but then that tailed off a bit. Now it seems to be picking back up again. Weird on draft seasons work. Anyway, once again Legette is one of those bigger receivers and runs a 4.39. His 10-yard splits were better than Franklin's, coming in at 1.54 seconds. Legette seems to be a raw receiver with a lot of talent and could potentially be available when the Bills pick in the second round.
I mentioned earlier that I hope the Bills double down with back-to-back receivers in rounds one and two. Those two for me, are McConkey and Legette. If the Bills can make this happen, I think they will be in a good spot going forward, as they head into the 2024 season; however, I do hope and think they add another receiver weapon before the draft. Could be via a trade or remaining free agent, but if the Bills are done and begin next season with Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, Ladd McConkey, and Xavier Legette, what would your confidence level be?