The Buffalo Bills made notable changes to their receiving corps during the 2024 offseason, parting ways with long-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs and dependable option Gabriel Davis. In their place, the team brought in a mix of promising but unproven talent, including Dalton Kincaid, Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, and Khalil Shakir, in an effort to diversify their offensive output. While a few of these new additions have shown potential, others have underperformed or failed to make an impact. Shakir’s absence in Buffalo’s Week 5 loss to the Houston Texans, coupled with a lack of production from the rest of the receiving group, highlights a serious concern for the Bills. If they hope to remain contenders this season, general manager Brandon Beane may need to address this issue quickly.
In the Week 5 defeat, with Shakir sidelined, Buffalo’s wide receivers were targeted 18 times by quarterback Josh Allen but managed to haul in only four receptions for a total of 76 yards. Coleman was the only receiver to score a touchdown, but the overall performance was far below expectations. Even though Allen had an uncharacteristically poor game, the wide receiving corps was a major disappointment. Shakir’s return will likely boost their performance, but it’s clear that the group lacks the firepower to contend at a high level consistently.
The Bills are in need of a major upgrade at wide receiver, and Davante Adams, one of the league’s top wideouts, is reportedly available on the trade market. Buffalo has expressed interest, and although Adams’ contract carries a hefty $17 million base salary while the Bills have just over $3 million in salary cap space, there are ways to make the deal work. With 10 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, including extra selections in the second and fourth rounds, the Bills have the assets to offer Las Vegas. By negotiating a deal where the Raiders take on part of Adams’ salary, Buffalo could give Allen a premier target for the remainder of the season and beyond.
There are other wide receiver options available, such as Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns and Romeo Doubs from the Green Bay Packers. These players would be more affordable both in terms of salary and draft capital, but neither is on the same level as Adams. Beane has a history of pulling off bold moves when he believes it will enhance his team’s chances of success, as seen with the 2020 trade for Diggs and the 2022 signing of Von Miller. Acquiring Adams would be another step in that direction.
Adding a star like Davante Adams would also benefit the development of rookie Keon Coleman, who has shown flashes of brilliance but remains inconsistent. Having Adams in the lineup would shift defensive focus away from Coleman and provide the young receiver with a veteran mentor to emulate on and off the field.
The Bills need a veteran playmaker to elevate their receiving corps from a collection of solid contributors to a truly formidable unit. With the trade deadline approaching on November 5, making a move sooner rather than later could give Buffalo the boost they need to stay in the championship race.
