During this offseason, the Buffalo Bills face a significant challenge: replacing both of their top wide receivers from the previous season. Gabe Davis departed in free agency, and Stefon Diggs was traded to the Houston Texans in a major deal. While there’s a possibility of acquiring another veteran through free agency, the prime opportunity to find a game-changing receiver might lie in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Max Chadwick from Pro Football Focus anticipates the Bills will address this need by selecting a talented yet relatively inexperienced wide receiver in the first round. He suggests that Adonai Mitchell from Texas could be their target, describing him as one of the most athletically gifted prospects in this year’s draft class. Chadwick believes Mitchell could complement Bills quarterback Josh Allen well but acknowledges that Mitchell needs to refine his skills to reach his full potential.
NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein views Mitchell as a player on the rise but points out areas in his game that require improvement, particularly his route running. Nevertheless, Zierlein highlights Mitchell’s strengths in agility and after-catch ability, suggesting that his future success could hinge on his dedication to refining his craft.
Despite speculation about the Bills prioritizing a wide receiver in the first round, General Manager Brandon Beane emphasizes that they won’t reach for a player if better options are available. Beane asserts that they’ll prioritize selecting quality football players, even if it means addressing positions other than wide receiver. He also mentions the possibility of acquiring a veteran through free agency if they can’t find the right fit in the draft.
In the absence of a clear-cut replacement, the Bills may lean on third-year receiver Khalil Shakir, who showed promise in his second season with notable improvements in his performance.
