Brandon Beane
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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 08: General Manager Brandon Beane of the Buffalo Bills looks on prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Highmark Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
The Buffalo Bills have some significant decisions to tackle this offseason, one of which is determining how to pursue a top-notch wide receiver.
Buffalo could target a No. 1 wide receiver during the 2026 NFL Draft. Still, it might be wiser for the team to pursue a veteran receiver who has already established themselves as a top player in the league.
One name that’s come up as a possible option is Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown. However, for the Bills to acquire him, they would need to trade assets. That’s why pursuing a free agent wide receiver makes sense; Buffalo wouldn’t have to give up anything in the process.
Bills Could Look to Bring in Mike Evans
A few free agents that the Bills could pursue are Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed. NBC Sports NFL reporter Matthew Berrymentioned after the NFL scouting combine last week that the Bills might show interest in both of these wide receivers, hoping to land one.
“One team that definitely needs a wide receiver is Buffalo. Issue is their cap space,” Berry wrote on Monday. “So depends on cost, but two names I heard for them were either Rashid Shaheed or Mike Evans.
“Speaking of Mike Evans, I truly believe he’ll be in a new uniform next year. The Buccaneers love him, but given the commitment they made to Chris Godwin last year and a deep young WR room, Tampa Bay is okay letting him go elsewhere. I heard Buffalo as a potential landing spot for Evans and possibly Philly if the Eagles decide to move A.J. Brown.”
The Bills should target Evans, as he could provide Josh Allen with the top wide receiver he has been seeking since Buffalo traded Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans in 2024.
Evans has been a standout player in the NFL since 2014, making his mark in 176 games with 866 receptions for 13,052 yards and 108 touchdowns. Unfortunately, he only played in eight games last season due to a broken collarbone.
Positive and Negatives of Signing Evans
One significant advantage that Evans could bring to the Bills is his Super Bowl experience. During the 2020-21 season, Evans played a crucial role in helping the Buccaneers secure the Super Bowl — something the Bills have been striving for since Allen emerged as a star during that same season.
One interesting aspect of the Bills potentially signing Evans is that he could attract significant interest and command a substantial salary. Spotrac estimated Evans’ market value at $13.3 million per season and believes he could secure a two-year deal worth $26 million during this offseason.
The Bills may have to outbid some teams for Evans, but it might not be worth breaking the bank for a player who will turn 33 before the regular season starts.
Buffalo needs to carefully consider which veteran wide receiver it wants to bring onto the roster this offseason and how much financial flexibility it’s willing to sacrifice to make that happen.