With more draft capital after trading away their star receiver, it makes sense if the Buffalo Bills want to secure their potential top target. Buffalo currently has pick 28 in the first round but has an additional second-round pick next year from their most recent trade. The 2025 second-rounder originally belonged to the Minnesota Vikings before the Houston Texans sent it away. Using those picks, plus the 60th overall pick in the second round this year, could net the Bills a higher first round in a draft day trade-up scenario.
If Buffalo were to trade up, which wide receivers would they attempt to take, and how high would they have to trade up for either of them?
Rome Odunze to the Buffalo Bills Fit
If the Bills want Washington’s Rome Odunze, a projected top-three receiver in this class, along with Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and LSU’s Malik Nabers, they must get into the top ten.
The ninth overall pick with the Bears is the clear landing spot for Odunze, but Chicago may be tempted to trade down with limited draft capital this year. Although the Bears could use another receiver, they traded for Keenan Allen this offseason. Their need for a top target is not as dire as Buffalo’s after they traded away Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans.
Odunze could be the deep target and contested catch artist the Buffalo Bills currently don’t have on the roster. It would complement their two starting projected receivers very well, Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir, although they all would.
Samuel, their free agent signing at wide receiver, is penciled in the slot, while Shakir can play on the outside. Veteran signing Mack Hollins and former rookie Justin Shorter are their other projected wide receivers.
Brian Thomas Jr. Joining Buffalo Bills Receivers
Buffalo’s more realistic target could be Brian Thomas Jr. from LSU, the second fastest 40-yard-dash from the NFL Scouting Combine. His production does warrant him a top-five receiver in this class, as he is more than a workout warrior.
Thomas Jr. was one of the most productive deep threats in college this past season, with Nabers and Jayden Daniels throwing him the ball a ton in Brian Kelly’s system. He would give the Bills size and deadly speed on the outside that can threaten NFL defenses with Josh Allen.
The Buffalo Bills must trade up to the Colts pick or the Jaguars to get him. Indianapolis picks at 15 and Jacksonville at 17.
Somewhere in that range, he is more commonly mocked in the mid-teens of this draft. The only other team inside the top 20 that could take a receiver are the New York Jets at pick ten or the Cincinnati Bengals at pick 18.
They could take an offensive tackle, but both teams are wildcards in this draft. Brock Bowers could be in play for both teams, but both could use another receiver. Tee Higgins on the franchise tag could be a trade candidate, and the Jets could use another weapon next to Mike Williams, who they signed this offseason.
Adonai Mitchell Texas To Buffalo Bills?
Adonai Mitchell was the other Texas receiver who raised his draft stock at the NFL Scouting Combine with his testing. Besides Xavier Worthy and Xavier Legette, Mitchell stood out in terms of height, weight, and speed profile. He had the third fastest 40-yard-dash, right behind Thomas Jr. and Worthy.
Mitchell is more polarizing than Thomas Jr., so his draft range is a bit wider, but I would still expect him to be a first-rounder. Depending where the third and fourth receivers go in this draft may dictate where the Bills would have to trade up for him.
Mitchell should be available in the early to mid-20s range, but a trade-up may be necessary to secure him. His potential run could start with pick 20, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Unless another team trades up before the 28th pick, the Texas former Georgia transfer should still be there by the time Buffalo Bills picks if they stick there.
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