Plausible X/#1 receiver trade candidates — are there any?

[Taro Nimbus]

Would really love it if the Bills could grab Waddle from the dolphins.  

[Low Positive]

1 hour ago, Maynard said:

Yeah thanks, was seeing it all over TickTock yesterday. More than likely complete BS, as I haven’t seen that reported anywhere reputable.

He posted a picture to his Instagram of him in Highmark with a Bills logo in the background. Because he NEVER posts to IG, it seemed to signify something and the influencers ran with it. 

[NoSaint]

1 minute ago, Low Positive said:

He posted a picture to his Instagram of him in Highmark with a Bills logo in the background. Because he NEVER posts to IG, it seemed to signify something and the influencers ran with it. 

in perspective it’s his first non-paid ad post in years 

 

but it’s a little bit of a stretch still 

 

heck, I’m skeptical he even has the login to the account or any idea what’s on it, right? More likely his agency flubbed this one a bit just not being super aware of current context 

[starrymessenger]

7 minutes ago, Taro Nimbus said:

Would really love it if the Bills could grab Waddle from the dolphins.  

If you look at this and next years cap you have to wonder whether the Bills could even afford Waddle. He got paid. Some, surprisingly to me, question whether the Bills might balk at Olave's 15 bucks next year. Waddle's average annual is like twice that. When at year's end Shaheen becomes a free agent he too will get paid. He doesn't have Waddle's resume but he will get 20 for sure at least.
Real #1 receivers are extremely expensive, and for a reason. Having always declined to bite that bullet (except with Diggs) Beane may have dug himself a hole too deep to climb out of at this time. And if he does go there it would require a significant and fundamental change to the strategy underlying the roster, possibly on both sides of the ball. I don't know if Beane and Sean are even capable of that. They have paid inadequate attention to an important position group, having gone all in on their trust in Josh. 
 

[HappyDays]

3 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

He must recognize the issue (even if he honestly thought it was fine in August). If he doesn’t, fire him now. He’s not competent if that’s the case.

 

Certain Bills podcasters have already started running with the narrative that "WR isn't the problem." It's not inconceivable to me that Beane will convince himself of the same. Hey all we need is for the QB and the OC to be perfect in every single game. No big deal.

 

3 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

If he admits the issue is he self-identifying as a huge part of the problem? Will that put him on a hotter seat than he’s presumably on?  What does Terry think of all this?

 

I find myself thinking about this more and more. Allen's legacy is going to be determined by the whims of a billionaire. I don't get the sense that there is any pressure on McDermott and Beane at all. The WGR rant which should have been an absolute embarrassment to the organization was instead featured as a triumph in official Bills social media posts.

 

The coaching and roster management in this 2nd window of Allen's career has been so horrifically bad that I'm now firmly in the camp of there is a 0.0% chance we will win a Super Bowl under this regime. I think Allen is still in his prime of course but he is past the absolute peak of his prime when he could shake any tackle and stiff arm LBs. We are now on the downslope of his career and while I don't expect it to be a steep slope it is clear to me that the clock is ticking.

 

But I don't think Pegula thinks about this stuff nearly as much as some of the people on here. To him what McDermott and Beane have done is a rousing success. They sell season tickets, they sell merchandise, they fill the stadium deep into January. The only graph he cares about is on a perpetual incline. To the fans that have grown hopeless about this regime there is zero risk of a change. To Pegula there is a very real risk and very little upside - how much more money could a change really earn him? So short of Allen personally walking into his office or sales dropping off a cliff he has no incentive to make a change. We're stuck with them for the foreseeable future.

[muppy]

4 hours ago, RoscoeParrish said:

On a purely human level, do we think Beane is at all worried about the optics of trading for a WR?

 

I have to imagine Terry knows about the WGR appearance and Beane’s crash out over WRs. He may not be the most plugged in owner, but that was a big offseason story. 
 

Does Beane care about admitting to egg on his face to the owner? At a turning point of the season? Trading for a WR is a tacit admission he was wrong this offseason and is a bit embarrassing personally. Does Beane worry that may affect his job status?

 

It wouldn’t be the first team in the NFL GM’s do some short-sighted things to make themselves look good for their bosses.

yes. I think so. This would be the time to set aside his ego and do the right thing for his football team. Unless he is content to stand pat.  

 

Its the million dollar question.

 

we'll know after the trade deadline. Or before if a deal is struck.

 

Optics be damned Beane. do the Right Thing for the Team

[Kirby Jackson]

1 minute ago, HappyDays said:

 

Certain Bills podcasters have already started running with the narrative that "WR isn't the problem." It's not inconceivable to me that Beane will convince himself of the same. Hey all we need is for the QB and the OC to be perfect in every single game. No big deal.

 

 

I find myself thinking about this more and more. Allen's legacy is going to be determined by the whims of a billionaire. I don't get the sense that there is any pressure on McDermott and Beane at all. The WGR rant which should have been an absolute embarrassment to the organization was instead featured as a triumph in official Bills social media posts.

 

The coaching and roster management in this 2nd window of Allen's career has been so horrifically bad that I'm now firmly in the camp of there is a 0.0% chance we will win a Super Bowl under this regime. I think Allen is still in his prime of course but he is past the absolute peak of his prime when he could shake any tackle and stiff arm LBs. We are now on the downslope of his career and while I don't expect it to be a steep slope it is clear to me that the clock is ticking.

 

But I don't think Pegula thinks about this stuff nearly as much as some of the people on here. To him what McDermott and Beane have done is a rousing success. They sell season tickets, they sell merchandise, they fill the stadium deep into January. The only graph he cares about is on a perpetual incline. To the fans that have grown hopeless about this regime there is zero risk of a change. To Pegula there is a very real risk and very little upside - how much more money could a change really earn him? So short of Allen personally walking into his office or sales dropping off a cliff he has no incentive to make a change. We're stuck with them for the foreseeable future.

That’s exactly why I lumped Josh into the Pegula conversation. He has virtually equal power to Pegula and way more than Beane and/or McDermott. If Josh says, “hey Terry it’s an issue” something happens. That’s the whole thread about Josh exerting leverage or whatever we called it. It isn’t demanding a trade publicly. It’s holding the organization’s feet to the fire. I said it elsewhere but it’s the LeBron situation.

[3rdand12]

16 hours ago, BigDingus said:

 

Better than what Beane would spend the pick on. 

 

I'd trade a 1st + more picks for any legit WR. I have no desire to waste another season & hope Beane figures it out next draft, only for us to need another couple years to see if that pick ever materializes into something good.

 

Look no further than who they've evaluated taken vs who they've passed on. We literally gave the Chiefs a weapon that helps transform the look of their entire offense, while we took a project that can't separate & scares nobody. 

 

As I've said before, the best draft picks Beane & McDermott have ever used outside of Allen were the 1st, 4th, 5th & 6th to get Diggs. Nobody else has been as impactful

 

Better to go that route again then sit around & do nothing. Even just having someone as good as Waddle could change the whole dynamic of this offense. Maybe then Coleman could even look as good as ol Gabe David used to playing opposite of Diggs.

I am in this camp as well !

 trade the picks and borrow the money.

 Not likely but , what I would do if I had a shot at Olave or Waddle

5 hours ago, RoscoeParrish said:

On a purely human level, do we think Beane is at all worried about the optics of trading for a WR?

 

I have to imagine Terry knows about the WGR appearance and Beane’s crash out over WRs. He may not be the most plugged in owner, but that was a big offseason story. 
 

Does Beane care about admitting to egg on his face to the owner? At a turning point of the season? Trading for a WR is a tacit admission he was wrong this offseason and is a bit embarrassing personally. Does Beane worry that may affect his job status?

 

It wouldn’t be the first team in the NFL GM’s do some short-sighted things to make themselves look good for their bosses.

OR

 It could be , Beane could not get a deal done off season . Not for lack of trying.

If a new window of opportunity opens , it would be more foolish to let ego make the call 😋

[Nihilarian]

While I would love to see Tee Higgins and JaMarr Chase in Bills uniforms, it simply isn't fiscally reasonable at this point. Besides, didn't the Bills have the #1 scoring team in the NFL last season with a bunch of JAGS at WR? This offseason, the WR room did improve. Currently, the Bills have a top 5 offense again, only with one of the best run attacks in the NFL.

 

This team at the bye week looks like a real MASH unit with so many injured on both sides of the ball. They get Oliver back, only to lose DQ in pregame warmups. I'm pretty sure the offseason plan was not to have Jordan Poyer play, or Tre White, for that matter. The Bills drafted 3 DBs with the expectation that the #1 pick would probably start, and yet all three are injured, along with the #2 pick at DT. I mean W...T...F!!!! 

 

Kincade is out injured, and Palmer starts to get the ball more, but he goes out with an injury. Hamlin, Milano, and Samuel are all out. It's completely ridiculous.

 

QB Josh Allen looked shell-shocked in that Falcons game while under so much pressure and hasn't looked that bad since 2019 against the Ravens. Nowhere to go with the ball, and Brady is not utilizing Cook as much as he should. Two superstars on the offense, and Joe Brady allowed his QB to flounder like a fish out of water. I put this last loss on Joe Brady. 

 

Anyway, if we look back to 2024, didn't Josh Allen have one of his worst games in week 5 against the Texans? The Bills brought in Amri Cooper, and things changed. Beane might bring in someone, and he might not. In my view, the larger glaring problem is at CB-S. Hairston might come off the injury report, but how long with it take him to get up to speed? That secondary just allowed a washed Diggs to have a field day, and Falcons Drake London 158 yards and a TD, not to mention Bijan Robinson to have 170 yards rushing with most in the first half. 

 

While all of you are talking offense, I'm far more concerned about the Buffalo defense, which is near 20th in both points and yards allowed. Defense wins Championships...right? Perhaps Beane/McD are waiting to see how the team recovers from all the freakin injuries. Like I said, I'm far more concerned with the defensive side of the ball. 

[No_Matter_What]

On 10/15/2025 at 5:56 PM, The Jokeman said:

Checkout Ja'Lynn Polk's stats taken 37th overall. FYI Coleman has more yards receiving in his career than the guy taken 28th (Worthy), 31st (Pearsall) and 32nd (Legette). But I know people don't want to talk about that.

This is spot on.

 

I'd add Adonai Mitchell who has done nothing in Indy though they are steamrolling teams as some here love to say. And let's not forget about local hero Troy Franklin.

 

There is so much revisionist history here. Yeah I do know many here wanted McConkey and many wanted Worthy (who has about same stats as Keon), but as many people also  wanted Mitchell, Franklin or Leggete and are quiet now, or pretend that they always loved McConkey.

[BuffaloRebound]

9 minutes ago, No_Matter_What said:

This is spot on.

 

I'd add Adonai Mitchell who has done nothing in Indy though they are steamrolling teams as some here love to say. And let's not forget about local hero Troy Franklin.

 

There is so much revisionist history here. Yeah I do know many here wanted McConkey and many wanted Worthy (who has about same stats as Keon), but as many people also  wanted Mitchell, Franklin or Leggete and are quiet now, or pretend that they always loved McConkey.

The draft is a crap shoot.  I don’t have a problem with Beane’s drafting.  The problem has always been mcdermott’s defense folds like a cheap suit when it matters and he’s not a good decision maker in the heat of battle.  Beane has given McDermott everything he’s needed on both sides of the ball within the restrictions of the salary cap.  Pegula isn’t a meddling owner and writes every check they want.  McDermott’s time is up.  

Edited 17 hours ago by BuffaloRebound

[starrymessenger]

4 minutes ago, Nihilarian said:

While I would love to see Tee Higgins and JaMarr Chase in Bills uniforms, it simply isn't fiscally reasonable at this point. Besides, didn't the Bills have the #1 scoring team in the NFL last season with a bunch of JAGS at WR? This offseason, the WR room did improve. Currently, the Bills have a top 5 offense again, only with one of the best run attacks in the NFL.

 

This team at the bye week looks like a real MASH unit with so many injured on both sides of the ball. They get Oliver back, only to lose DQ in pregame warmups. I'm pretty sure the offseason plan was not to have Jordan Poyer play, or Tre White, for that matter. The Bills drafted 3 DBs with the expectation that the #1 pick would probably start, and yet all three are injured, along with the #2 pick at DT. I mean W...T...F!!!! 

 

Kincade is out injured, and Palmer starts to get the ball more, but he goes out with an injury. Hamlin, Milano, and Samuel are all out. It's completely ridiculous.

 

QB Josh Allen looked shell-shocked in that Falcons game while under so much pressure and hasn't looked that bad since 2019 against the Ravens. Nowhere to go with the ball, and Brady is not utilizing Cook as much as he should. Two superstars on the offense, and Joe Brady allowed his QB to flounder like a fish out of water. I put this last loss on Joe Brady. 

 

Anyway, if we look back to 2024, didn't Josh Allen have one of his worst games in week 5 against the Texans? The Bills brought in Amri Cooper, and things changed. Beane might bring in someone, and he might not. In my view, the larger glaring problem is at CB-S. Hairston might come off the injury report, but how long with it take him to get up to speed? That secondary just allowed a washed Diggs to have a field day, and Falcons Drake London 158 yards and a TD, not to mention Bijan Robinson to have 170 yards rushing with most in the first half. 

 

While all of you are talking offense, I'm far more concerned about the Buffalo defense, which is near 20th in both points and yards allowed. Defense wins Championships...right? Perhaps Beane/McD are waiting to see how the team recovers from all the freakin injuries. Like I said, I'm far more concerned with the defensive side of the ball. 

Though the defence has fared badly I remain more concerned about the offence. You've provided a good explanation for why the D has underperformed. Injuries to key personnel, suspensions etc...and I would add the fact that they are totally retooling it, that it is partly in transition. I'm pretty confident that when the bodies are back they will likely start again performing at an acceptable level. They held the Falcons to 3 points in the second half. If the DC isn't up to it McD will be more involved.

The Bills win when they score 30 or more points. When they score less their record is I think negative and they are at serious risk of defeat. So I think the best bet would be to increase the margin of victory. A (healty) Olave for example would transform the passing game and the offence in general. We need to go with our best shot considering what we have under center. It's also going to get more difficult. I think opposing DCs are starting to figure some things out.

[Low Positive]

5 minutes ago, BuffaloRebound said:

The draft is a crap shoot.  I don’t have a problem with Beane’s drafting.  The problem has always been mcdermott’s defense folds like a cheap suit when it matters and he’s not a good decision maker in the heat of battle.  

As to your last point, the current consensus "king of offensive geniuses" and "best coach in the NFL" used to have a reputation for losing big games and horrible clock management. 

 

https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/09/05/nfl-clock-management-andy-reid-homer-smith

 

https://phillyinfluencer.com/2016/01/here-are-some-of-andy-reids-all-time-top-clock-management-screw-ups/

 

https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2019/1/18/18185839/andy-reid-kansas-city-chiefs-clock-mismanagement-timeouts

[Pete]

2 hours ago, Taro Nimbus said:

Would really love it if the Bills could grab Waddle from the dolphins.  

That’s the best scenerio.  Waddle is just the type of player the Bills need.  Great WR.

 

 It would be hard to convince Miami.  But they will go full rebuild mode I’m guessing, and will stock up with picks.  We need WR and DBs.  So does every team.  

[Low Positive]

1 minute ago, Pete said:

That’s the best scenerio.  Waddle is just the type of player the Bills need.  Great WR.

 

 It would be hard to convince Miami.  But they will go full rebuild mode I’m guessing, and will stock up with picks.  We need WR and DBs.  So does every team.  

The problem is that the Steelers also are shopping for a WR and are currently in a one-year SB window with A-Aron and will go all in. If the offers were at all comparable, the Fins would take the non-divisional opponent. So we would have to offer so much that the Steelers wouldn't match. I don't know what that would look like, but it probably would be a lot. 

[Pete]

42 minutes ago, No_Matter_What said:

This is spot on.

 

I'd add Adonai Mitchell who has done nothing in Indy though they are steamrolling teams as some here love to say. And let's not forget about local hero Troy Franklin.

 

There is so much revisionist history here. Yeah I do know many here wanted McConkey and many wanted Worthy (who has about same stats as Keon), but as many people also  wanted Mitchell, Franklin or Leggete and are quiet now, or pretend that they always loved McConkey.

I like Mitchell and McConkey, but I preferred Cooper DeJean.  I hated the Coleman pick and the Troy Franklin Gauntlet.  Leggete maybe in later rounds.  I’m not sure what Mitchell’s deal is.  Great player when he wants to be.  Speed is speed.  The way he slipped on draft day, with his tape and combine, I though something was up 

1 minute ago, Low Positive said:

The problem is that the Steelers also are shopping for a WR and are currently in a one-year SB window with A-Aron and will go all in. If the offers were at all comparable, the Fins would take the non-divisional opponent. So we would have to offer so much that the Steelers wouldn't match. I don't know what that would look like, but it probably would be a lot. 

First and Keon.

 

 

[NewEra]

38 minutes ago, Nihilarian said:

While I would love to see Tee Higgins and JaMarr Chase in Bills uniforms, it simply isn't fiscally reasonable at this point. Besides, didn't the Bills have the #1 scoring team in the NFL last season with a bunch of JAGS at WR? This offseason, the WR room did improve. Currently, the Bills have a top 5 offense again, only with one of the best run attacks in the NFL.

 

This team at the bye week looks like a real MASH unit with so many injured on both sides of the ball. They get Oliver back, only to lose DQ in pregame warmups. I'm pretty sure the offseason plan was not to have Jordan Poyer play, or Tre White, for that matter. The Bills drafted 3 DBs with the expectation that the #1 pick would probably start, and yet all three are injured, along with the #2 pick at DT. I mean W...T...F!!!! 

 

Kincade is out injured, and Palmer starts to get the ball more, but he goes out with an injury. Hamlin, Milano, and Samuel are all out. It's completely ridiculous.

 

QB Josh Allen looked shell-shocked in that Falcons game while under so much pressure and hasn't looked that bad since 2019 against the Ravens. Nowhere to go with the ball, and Brady is not utilizing Cook as much as he should. Two superstars on the offense, and Joe Brady allowed his QB to flounder like a fish out of water. I put this last loss on Joe Brady. 

 

Anyway, if we look back to 2024, didn't Josh Allen have one of his worst games in week 5 against the Texans? The Bills brought in Amri Cooper, and things changed. Beane might bring in someone, and he might not. In my view, the larger glaring problem is at CB-S. Hairston might come off the injury report, but how long with it take him to get up to speed? That secondary just allowed a washed Diggs to have a field day, and Falcons Drake London 158 yards and a TD, not to mention Bijan Robinson to have 170 yards rushing with most in the first half. 

 

While all of you are talking offense, I'm far more concerned about the Buffalo defense, which is near 20th in both points and yards allowed. Defense wins Championships...right? Perhaps Beane/McD are waiting to see how the team recovers from all the freakin injuries. Like I said, I'm far more concerned with the defensive side of the ball. 

I agree with all of this but the bolded I feel a little different this season after watching the defense play 6 games. I don’t know if it fixable.  I think it’s likely that we’ll give up 30+ when the seasons on the line and we’ll have to score 35+ every playoff game to have a chance. 

Hairston will need to start and play well come December for me to change my mind on this.  I do think that Hoecht and maybe Larry O) will make some plays and have a positive impact while also getting some improvement from sanders and walker.  
 

I don’t know if those factors will be able to make up for the play of the LBers and safeties.  Let’s be real, it’ll probably be Shaq and Dorian as our LBers come playoffs as Milano and Bernard are likely to be injured.  Rapp is the worst starter on the team and it’ll probably be Poyer or Hancock out there with bishop.  Will trading for a S or LB fix our D?  If Hairston isn’t ready, do we trade for a corner and hope that he will step in and make a difference?  Or is the biggest problem our drop coverage which hands the opposition first downs?

 

if there’s a burner X that can get open, I’d rather roll the dice in that direction to open up our offense.  While I do agree that losing Palmer and Kincaid had huge impact on our O last game, I think adding another outside separator would only enhance both guys.  Look to score 35+ every playoff game, this defense might not be able to get there unless we make a handful of improvements in scheme and talent 

[HappyDays]

Relevant notes for the WR conversation:

 

Quote

-The Titans are open for business on every player but QB Cam Ward and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. They are looking to stockpile future picks.

-The Eagles are in search of help at edge rusher and cornerback. They have received calls on A.J. Brown, and teams are being told, “We aren’t moving him now.”

-The Raiders are open to moving receiver Jakobi Meyers, while making calls on defensive linemen and corners.

-The Saints have been trying to work out a long-term contract for receiver Chris Olave despite his name being attached to teams looking for pass catchers.

 

So the most realistic names right now are Calvin Ridley and Jakobi Meyers. Not exactly the most inspiring options but both would represent upgrades.

 

The question is, is New Orleans serious about extending Olave? Or are they just putting this out there to try and drive up offers? We might have to wait right up until the trade deadline to acquire him. I don't know if we can afford to wait that long. No way we can beat KC with this WR room if Palmer is out. Carolina won't be a layup either.

 

If Beane is serious about winning this year he needs to make a trade offer that blows someone out of the water. Make an offer New Orleans can't refuse. We don't have the luxury of staying patient to try and "win" the value of the trade. If the trade makes the offense better in 2025 it's an automatic win. Next year's draft be damned.

[boyst]

3 hours ago, NoSaint said:

in perspective it’s his first non-paid ad post in years 

 

but it’s a little bit of a stretch still 

 

heck, I’m skeptical he even has the login to the account or any idea what’s on it, right? More likely his agency flubbed this one a bit just not being super aware of current context 

Over half of the pros I know across any league let someone else manage their social media. If nothing more than a wife or sibling they don't know what's going on at all. 

[VW82]

It feels like there are way more questions than answers re wr upgrades. For example…

 

How are we supposed to fit any theoretical upgrade under the cap unless the player is expiring and we pay extra so the trading team eats basically the entire salary? I feel like the Amari Cooper trade was both a bit of an anomaly and also what we should expect assuming we found another anomaly (i.e. a washed up player that we had to overpay for).

 

Cap issues aside, who are the available guys that we’re absolutely sure are better than Palmer?

 

Are you guys ready to give up on Keon? What makes you think McBeane are ready to give up on him six games into year 2? And yes, benching him at this point in favour of a mid-season theoretical upgrade via trade is defacto giving up on him. 
 

As much as I’d agree that boundary receiver is proving to be a problem (despite ample resources being committed the last two years), I just don’t see obvious answers here, and wouldn’t be surprised in the least if McBeane maintained status quo and hoped for improved production from within. 

Edited 16 hours ago by VW82