Free agency has mostly come and gone as teams have gobbled up the best players available.
The Buffalo Bills made more of a splash than expected. General manager Brandon Beane added three new pieces to Buffalo’s defensive line in Joey Bosa, Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi. The Bills also spent a good chunk on new outside receiver Joshua Palmer.
With the NFL Draft less than a month away, we asked “SHOUT!” Insiders for their biggest Bills questions heading into the final weeks before the picks start flying. Want to become an Insider? Follow the link below.
1. Are you expecting a needle-moving trade anytime soon? If yes who are a few realistic names that come to mind?
- “SHOUT!” Insider Dave in Norcal
Matt: I think a trade of some kind before or during the draft is possible. The Bills did a good job filling a few holes during free agency, but there’s still needs at both defensive game wrecker and speedy outside receiver.
Beane could opt to zero in on a target in the draft who fits this category. A player like Texas receiver Matthew Golden, Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant or Marshall edge rusher Mike Green are a few potential options. Those picks will most likely require Beane to make a decent trade up the draft board into the low 20s or even the late teens.
A trade for an established playmaker is the more sure-fire approach. The problem with a trade for one of these players will require a big-money contract. Cincinnati edge rusher Trey Hendrickson would be a home run addition to Buffalo’s defensive line. He’d truly allow the Bills to play Bosa less than 20 snaps a game in the regular season before unleashing him, Hendrickson and Greg Rousseau in the playoffs. The draft is more stocked with talent at defensive tackle and the Bills could trade for Hendrickson and then go hunting for tackles in late April.
The Bengals are reportedly trying to come to terms on a contract extension for Hendrickson, who posted 17.5 sacks last season. If the Bills can’t lure him away, maybe they look on the offensive side of the ball. I doubt the New York Jets would consider trading receiver Garrett Wilson to an AFC East rival, but that would be a fun addition.
Two other names to monitor are New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave, who does come with a concerning concussion history, and maybe Minnesota receiver Jordan Addison. The Vikings just gave All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson a monster new deal and Addison will be extension eligible after the 2025 season. The Bills and Vikings have pulled off a trade in the past for a big-time receiver and Beane should look into Addison’s availability. From the outside looking in, Addison seems to have played his best ball when Jefferson was out of the lineup in 2023. He’s a vertical threat who can win at all three levels. I think he’d be a fun addition to the Bills offense.
2. Say we move up in the draft this year: What would make a bigger impact?
A) The Bills landing a lockdown corner to pair with Benford
B) The Bills landing a game-changing WR 1 (like Brian Thomas Jr. from last year) to pair with Shakir and Kincaid
- SHOUT!“ insider Jack
Matt: Jack, I’m still sour about the Bills not trading up for Thomas Jr. That was the perfect archetype of receiver for what’s currently lacking in the Bills offense. This year’s closest version of that is Golden, I think, but it’s likely going to take a huge trade up to land him. Golden went at No. 12 in NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock draft.
Moving up for a cornerback makes sense in theory because of the need but the question is whether there’s a perfect fit. Jeremiah has six cornerbacks going off the board before the Bills pick at No. 30. Almost every one of the cornerbacks get dinged for their tackling ability. I don’t see Beane trading up for a cornerback with any concerns in that department.
The Golden idea is so fun. He ran a 4.29 40-yard dash at the combine and NFL.com compares his game to Olave. Here’s the line from his scouting report that has to get you excited if the Bills land him: “Meets the moment with big plays in big games.”
If the Bills do end up trading up, I think it would be for a pass rusher - on the edge or inside at tackle. Grant and Boston College edge Donovan Ezeiruaku are fun ideas.
3. Do you think fans will boo Stefon Diggs more than former Sabre Jack Eichel when returning to Buffalo?
- “SHOUT!” Insider Josh Dulmus
Matt: This is an interesting one. I think my first thought was that Diggs will get booed relentlessly. The way the departure happened at the time - remember the infamous “Are you sure?” tweet - and then him joining the hated rival Patriots, of all teams.
But the more I sit with it the more I’ve liked how former Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick framed it:
I think there will be a smattering of boos, but Diggs’ contributions and role in helping to unlock Josh Allen should yield a lot of good memories. I also wonder if Diggs will even play in the game. If the schedule has the Patriots headed to Orchard Park in September or October, he may not be ready to play by then coming off the torn ACL.
4. If you are the Bills GM picking at #30 and there is an elite DT on the board who could finally put some backbone in the middle of the D-line and there is an elite WR who can take top off the D and open up the field for Josh and the other skill players, which do you pick?
- “SHOUT!” Insider Ebird
Matt: I love this question, Ebird. I think the Bills could be in a situation to make this decision if they sit and wait at pick No. 30. The receiver class is a little strange this season. There’s no bonafide Top 10 player outside of Travis Hunter, and some teams may have him play cornerback.
I think the hit rate on wide receivers in the second and third rounds the past few years has been higher than defensive pass rushers. Those game wreckers tend to get picked long before the No. 30 range. If a Grant or Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon are on the board, I think that has to be the pick. I also think if one of the top edge rushers falls the Bills should consider a trade up for somebody they have high marks on.