Four receiver prospects the Bills can target in the first round of the NFL Draft after trading Stefon Diggs
The Buffalo Bills made waves on Wednesday, deciding to trade star wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick. Along with Diggs, the Bills are also sending a a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick to Houston. Because of this move, the Bills now they have a giant […]
The Buffalo Bills made waves on Wednesday, deciding to trade star wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick. Along with Diggs, the Bills are also sending a a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick to Houston.
Because of this move, the Bills now they have a giant hole on the roster. So that seems to make their plans clean for the 2024 NFL Draft.
The front office will most likely make a play for a wide receiver during the draft and it seems that will happen during the first round, with the Bills currently holding the No. 28 overall pick.
With Diggs now headed to Houston, the Bills current receivers on the roster are Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins, Justin Shorter, KJ Hamler, Andy Isabella, Bryan Thompson, and Tyrell Shavers.
So in order to be competitive, they are going to need a top weapon on offense. Especially after losing Diggs, who has been crucial for Josh Allen's success.
Allen was drafted by the Bills in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and spent two seasons in Buffalo before Diggs was brought in.
In his first year, he had 169 completions for 2,074 passing yards and 10 passing touchdowns, followed by 271 completions for 3,089 passing yards and 20 passing touchdowns in his second year.
However, when Diggs came in from Minnesota, Allen's numbers skyrocketed.
Throughout the past four seasons, he has over 350 completions and is over 4,000 passing yards with more than 30 touchdowns each year (except for the 2023 season when he finished with 29 — so close enough).
And Diggs has had eight or more touchdowns each season, so it's clear he has certainly helped on that front.
So let's see who they look to bring in. The Bills could make a push to move up in the draft, but if they stay where they are, here are four options they can look at.
Here are four wide receivers the Bills can draft with the No. 28 overall pick
Xavier Worthy
Diggs can separate from the defenders and get open, relying on both his speed and skill for that. So if they want speed, University of Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy could be a their next star. He set a new record at the NFL Scouting Combine, running the fastest 40-yard dash in history in 4.21 seconds.
Prior to the combine, Worthy was being seen as a potential early round two draft pick, but his performance has certainly moved him up the boards.
And per A to Z Sports' Travis May, who released the Athletic Composite score for the top 10 wide receivers at the combine, Worthy was in the 92nd percentile.
Due to the Diggs trade, The Draft Network's Jamie Eisner also explains how the Bills are now the favorite to draft Worthy.
Adonai Mitchell
Adonai Mitchell knows what it takes to win. That's why he decided to attend the University of Georgia despite having offers from over a dozen schools. He knew that would give him the best chance to succeed, and he did just that, going on to win two College National Championships during his two seasons. He also amassed 38 receptions for 560 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 14.7 yards per reception during those two year.
He entered the transfer portal prior to the 2023 season, and went on to play for the University of Texas finishing the year with 19 targets and 15 receptions for 180 receiving yards and three touchdowns through four games.
Mitchell had was tied for the highest Athletic Composite score at the combine, finishing in the 99th percentile.
A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman further broke down what he can bring to a team.
"Mitchell is the prototypical size/speed threat at the "X" receiver position that NFL teams are looking for nowadays. He's got the ability to play physically at the catch point and box out smaller defensive backs, but he's also got a slick double move and adequate speed to beat man coverage deep down the field," he wrote.
Ladd McConkey
If you want a receiver who can run routes very well, show off his quickness, and track the ball as it flies through the air, University of Georgia's Ladd McConkey is your guy.
McConkey first ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash before recording an official 4.39-second 40 on his final attempt. He also finished with a 10-foot-4 broad jump and a 36-inch vertical jump.
On paper, his combine results are similar to that of New York Jets 2022 first round pick Garrett Wilson.
But ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit sees him more as this year's Puka Nacua.
So basically it seems that any team who lands him could be getting a real steal. Maybe it'll even be the Bills.
Brian Thomas
LSU's Brian Thomas has already caught the eye of the Bills quarterback. And while prospects such as Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, and Marvin Harrison Jr are at the top of his list, he is realistic that they probably won't still be available by the time the Bills are on the clock.
However, there are a few that will be available and that includes Thomas.
"Then you get to that second-ish tier, if you will, of Brian Thomas, Adonai Mitchell, I think Keon Coleman, Troy Franklin, Xavier Worthy are all there," Allen said on "The QB Room" in March. "To watch these guys at the Combine, [they're] big, tall, heavy fast dudes.
Thomas had the second highest Athletic Composite score at the combine, finishing in the 98th percentile.
Buffalo Bills trade wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans
The Bills now have a massive need at receiver
