The Buffalo Bills are heading into the 2026 NFL Draft with a glaring issue that won’t go away. Josh Allen still does not have a true No. 1 receiver, and the problem has stuck around since Stefon Diggs left town.
Buffalo has tried to patch things together, but none of it has really clicked. The trade market is an option, but using the draft makes more sense at this point.
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Buffalo holds the 26th overall pick, and that’s right in the range where they could grab a legitimate pass catcher. It would be a surprise if the team does not use that selection on a receiver. This year’s class has some talent that can make an impact right away.
In his latest mock draft for CBS Sports, Josh Edwards has the Bills selecting Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., a national champion, as the potential solution to Allen’s biggest problem.
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“Thinking back to the best versions of Buffalo, yes, they had a downfield threat like Stefon Diggs, but they also had a slot merchant like Cole Beasley. Omar Cooper Jr. is not afraid of contact and is also capable of creating yards after the catch,” Edwards wrote.
Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) runs against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the second half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Cooper was a big part of Indiana’s championship run in 2025. He finished with 937 yards on 69 receptions and 13 touchdowns, stepping into a bigger role when the team needed production.
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At 6-foot, 200 pounds, Cooper has the ability to separate from defenders, something Buffalo’s current receiver group has struggled with.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen calls a play during the first quarter of an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union
If the Bills take him, the expectations will be there from day one. Buffalo is not in rebuilding mode.
They are trying to compete for a Super Bowl, which means Cooper would need to contribute early and provide what Keon Coleman hasn’t been able to deliver yet.
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