Gabe Davis, the No. 2 wide receiver, signed a $39 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars during the summer, which the wage cap-constrained Buffalo Bills were unable to retain.
Now, even if they have to trade up to get Stefon Diggs, the Bills may search for their new partner in the NFL Draft. According to Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports, the Bills will select one of the top receiving prospects in the first round for the third consecutive year, providing the offense with the missing pieces of size.
Bills Trade With Rams to Get Receiver at LSU
Trapasso projected that the Bills would move up nine spots in the first round and trade with the Los Angeles Rams to select LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with the No. 19 overall choice in a mock draft that was released on March 27.
Trapasso projected that general manager of the Buffalo Bills Brandon Beane would seize the opportunity to select Thomas because of his “premier” ability to gain yards after the catch.
“Brandon Beane is at an impasse right now. He moves when he notices Thomas is still on the board, according to Trapasso. “With the exception of recently signed journeyman Mack Hollins, the LSU product would give the Bills receiver group a size element it doesn’t have—and premier YAC capabilities along with rebounding skills down the field.”
Before, in 2022, Beane moved up to choose cornerback Kaiir Elam, and last season, he did the same to select tight end Dalton Kincaid. The Bills enter the draft with 11 total picks, so they have plenty of options this year.
Despite his often erratic play throughout his four seasons in Buffalo, Davis was a formidable deep threat and the team’s most productive pass-catcher behind Diggs. During his four seasons in Buffalo, Davis totaled 163 catches for 2,730 yards and 27 touchdowns.
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With Davis gone, the Bills lost their big-play ability, but Thomas might help make up for it. He was a reliable deep threat at LSU, according to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, and he has the potential to be one of the league’s best receivers in the future.
Early in his career, Zierlein said, “Thomas could be counted on as an NFL team’s designated deep guy because he rarely has issues generating separation deep.” “Thomas has potential to develop into a WR1/2 in the future, but he is not polished yet.”
Bills Include Veteran Recipient
The Bills added a quick veteran in free agency, addressing their receiver corps without waiting until the NFL Draft. On March 14, ESPN revealed that the Bills have acquired former Washington Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel for a $24 million, three-year contract.
From his entry into the league in 2017, Samuel has proven to be a multifaceted threat, adding 121 rushes with 29 touchdowns and 317 receptions for 4,098 yards. Sal Maiorana of the Democrat & Chronicle pointed out that Samuel’s best season occurred under the current offensive coordinator of the Bills.
When current Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady was calling plays for head coach Matt Rhule in 2020, Samuel was still with the Panthers, according to Maiorana. With 77 receptions on 97 targets for 851 yards and three touchdowns, the season marked Samuel’s greatest performance in his seven NFL seasons. He set career highs in yardage and reception totals as well as catch percentage (79.4%).
