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

[CEN-CAL17]

9 minutes ago, Sojourner said:

So are Olave and Brown even uo for trade after today’s showings?

 

😕

Everyone is available….. but to your point, both those WRs would take probably a 2026 round 1 pick AND a round 3 pick in 2027. Maybe more… Bills won’t do that.

 

 

[starrymessenger]

1 hour ago, GoBills808 said:

Don't trust Brady to integrate a guy like Olave tbh

 

The only can't fail solution is a top tier guy like AJ Brown

AJ Brown is a stud but the reason he might be available is that he doesn't feel that he's getting enuf targets and its creating friction with his QB and OC. With Saquon they feel they are best served as a run first team in spite of having pro bowl calibre wideouts and a good O-line. If he's not happy in Philly I don't think he'd be happy working within Brady's current system. We have Cook and we too are a run first team. Somehow I don't think that is changing. Diggs was a casualty of that approach. Having to part ways with him didn't stop them from going there.
Brown in a Bills uniform could just be a repeat of the Diggs drama. Top end receivers usually dont want to play small ball.

[Jalan81]

1 hour ago, Pete said:

Olave is a #1 WR.  Olave and Josh will be great.  Josh would have a WR who can most always get a basket, when needed.  Not even Joe Brady could ***** up that combination.  

I wouldn’t be so certain of that. Brady is clueless in a downfield passing game.

[TheBeaneBandit]

4 minutes ago, Jalan81 said:

I wouldn’t be so certain of that. Brady is clueless in a downfield passing game.

Exactly....you may wanna slow your roll on that Pete. Don't get me wrong.....I'm on the train too I'm just not sold on the conductor .

[BuffaloBillyG]

Here's the real issue no one wants to talk about. In the last couple days it's been reported the the Saints aren't interested in trading Olave, the Eagles aren't moving Brown, the Dolphins have zero interest in moving Waddle as they see him as a cog for their future and Hills bleak future, the Jets aren't moving Wilson. Perhaps some of that is team speak to drive up price. I'm thinking not. And even if it is there are far more than just us looking for WR help.

 

That leaves us with second and third tier guys. Maybe a guy like Jerry Jeudy. I still think the Steelers end up with an Allen Lazard type. But the high end guys just aren't there this year. 

[BillsFanForever19]

35 minutes ago, Sojourner said:

So are Olave and Brown even uo for trade after today’s showings?

 

😕

 

Brown was never available. On top of the Eagles being a 5-2 team that isn't looking to sell parts (like the Saints). On top of them saying they aren't interested in moving him. They'd take on over 45m in Dead Cap moving him, after signing him to a 96m deal just last season. 

 

As for Olave's showing, the Saints are 1-6. Him looking great today doesn't make him less likely to move. It all boils down to whether or not he's interested in being a Saint or not after 2026. Reportedly, they want to extend him. If he's open to that, he's not going anywhere. If he's telling them he wants to go to Free Agency after Year 5 and is rebuffing their overtures, then they'd be dumb not to move him now.

Edited 20 hours ago by BillsFanForever19

[5ths the charm]

Why are we talking about a receiver when we can't stop anyone. We wouldn't have to score 30 points if we could hold opponents to less than 21 points.

[BuffaloBillyG]

9 minutes ago, 5ths the charm said:

Why are we talking about a receiver when we can't stop anyone. We wouldn't have to score 30 points if we could hold opponents to less than 21 points.

Well, this is a league built on offense. There really aren't teams holding opponents to 21 or under week in and week out. And we are IMO quite a few upgrades away with multiple players needed (and better coaching) away from that. 

 

Now a top level #1? That opens a lot up and makes scoring 30 much more logical.

[Maine-iac]

4 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

Well, this is a league built on offense. There really aren't teams holding opponents to 21 or under week in and week out. And we are IMO quite a few upgrades away with multiple players needed (and better coaching) away from that. 

 

Now a top level #1? That opens a lot up and makes scoring 30 much more logical.

What if we already score 30?

[Dr. Who]

22 minutes ago, 5ths the charm said:

Why are we talking about a receiver when we can't stop anyone. We wouldn't have to score 30 points if we could hold opponents to less than 21 points.

We just spent the bulk of the most recent draft and free agency on the idea of improving the defense. It might be the system as well as lack of talent, but aside from that, the inability to stress the opposing defense because of what should be by now the obvious limitations of the existing receivers are having a negative effect at multiple levels. It's causing Josh Allen to regress to hero ball tendencies, it's not opening up the middle ot the field for the routes our OC prefers, and it's allowing the opposing D to bring more blitzes that stress the oline, because they have no fear of explosive plays.

 

In short, it absolutely makes sense to be taking about a receiver, though unfortunately the available talent is likely very slim.

 

 

Edited 20 hours ago by Dr. Who

[BuffaloBillyG]

5 minutes ago, Maine-iac said:

What if we already score 30?

It's been a few weeks since we accomplished that feat

[BillsFanForever19]

1 hour ago, 5ths the charm said:

Why are we talking about a receiver when we can't stop anyone. We wouldn't have to score 30 points if we could hold opponents to less than 21 points.

 

Bc there's not a lot that can be done to change that. Even if we got a CB2 and a Safety (or two) that were upgrades - the blueprint on how to beat McDermott's Zone Defense is on the desk of every Offensive Coordinator at this point. As soon as our initial coverage drops a guy for the next level man, get the ball out. Immediate completion, even if it's played perfectly - which it almost never is.

 

Also when it comes to Defense, we have guys like Hoecht and Ogunjobi coming in next week. Hairston will be having his Practice Window opened up soon. Milano and Bernard will be returning from injury. So we have reinforcements on the way already.

 

But again, it doesn't matter much when the league has diagnosed McDermott's scheme after over a decade of the same looks in the league. We're clearly in Rex Ryan territory with McDermott, wherein we have a once Defensive guru who's Defense has been figured out and they're incapable or unwilling to change. On top of that, even the league's best built Defenses don't stop the league's most high powered Offenses.

 

This is why so many of us disagreed with going all in on Defense this off-season thinking that alone would get us over the hump. You can build an amazing Defense. But if you don't have Offensive Playmakers who can separate for your QB, you're going to get outscored.

 

And just as the blueprint on how to topple McDermott's Defense is out there, so is the blueprint to stop our Offense. The first few weeks, teams respected our passing game more. This allowed Cook to run wild. Now teams know, Coleman hasn't taken a step. Palmer (who's also now down long term) isn't getting open enough. Shakir, while elite in YAC and shiftiness, also has difficulties separating beyond the line of scrimmage (which is why you see him get so many screens). And underneath them, the separation issue is even worse.

 

So now teams know - we want to beat you with Cook. So key in on him, play man on our pass catchers, and force Josh to beat us by going to guys who can't beat single coverage. If we can have one guy they fear, then that opens things up for other guys. And the Pass Game will open the Run Game back up.

 

Getting a guy at WR1 is more impactful than anything we can do on Defense. But I also don't think anyone is suggesting we shouldn't try and also get a CB or Safety as well.

Edited 19 hours ago by BillsFanForever19

[Sojourner]

28 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Brown was never available. On top of the Eagles being a 5-2 team that isn't looking to sell parts (like the Saints). On top of them saying they aren't interested in moving him. They'd take on over 45m in Dead Cap moving him, after signing him to a 96m deal just last season. 

 

As for Olave's showing, the Saints are 1-6. Him looking great today doesn't make him less likely to move. It all boils down to whether or not he's interested in being a Saint or not after 2026. Reportedly, they want to extend him. If he's open to that, he's not going anywhere. If he's telling them he wants to go to Free Agency after Year 5 and is rebuffing their overtures, then they'd be dumb not to move him now.

Well sure regarding Olave but the talk was that the Saints were trying an extension, not saying that makes him unavailable but the targets have been high (top 5?) and now the production is following suit. Seems like a vital player to keep around for Rattler or the next guy they put at the position. But like you said, the conversations Theyre having may be contingent in what happens. 

[Maine-iac]

1 minute ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

It's been a few weeks since we accomplished that feat

So we score 30 or more 13 out of the last 20 games Allen has started and averaging close to 30 but if we don't trade for a WR our offense isn't capable of winning?

[BuffaloBillyG]

6 minutes ago, Maine-iac said:

So we score 30 or more 13 out of the last 20 games Allen has started and averaging close to 30 but if we don't trade for a WR our offense isn't capable of winning?

That's not what I said. However if our offense can't get to 30, the likelihood of winning drops significantly. We should do eve to make sure we have a better chance to hit that 

[Maine-iac]

1 minute ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

That's not what I said. However if our offense can't get to 30, the likelihood of winning drops significantly. We should do eve to make sure we have a better chance to hit that 

Despite seeming difficult on this subject it's not that I wouldn't like more of a verticle threat  at WR.  I guess I just think first and foremost this teams offensive philosophy QB play dictates the WR production.  Since Brady has taken over we've made the move to higher percentage throws as a first read and most of our WR routes seem more geared toward clearing coverage for a TE sail route or screen.  There are plenty of guys here who could run the Gabe Davis routes of the past and I bet they are there and open but it's probably the last read or turned down for a higher percentage throw almost every time.  I would certainly like to have the offense have more of a vertical push but despite everyone's push for a WR to get it done I'd argue that it starts with Brady and Allen.

[BillsFanForever19]

19 minutes ago, Sojourner said:

Well sure regarding Olave but the talk was that the Saints were trying an extension, not saying that makes him unavailable but the targets have been high (top 5?) and now the production is following suit. Seems like a vital player to keep around for Rattler or the next guy they put at the position. But like you said, the conversations Theyre having may be contingent in what happens. 

 

Again though, we know they *want* to extend him. But we don't know if Olave is being receptive to those overtures. If he has been, he isn't going anywhere. But if he's not interested, then they have the rest of this season which is already lost and next season, which will be Year 1 of a rebuild under a new QB. It's more valuable to get picks for the rebuild in that situation than have him for the next year and a half of turmoil.

 

Even if he isn't being receptive, they could still theoretically dig in their heels, keep him, and Franchise him after 2026. But I think most GM's would look at the situation and say it's better to move on now. Especially if the compensation is very good.

 

All that said, Olave isn't the only WR on the Saints that could help us. If they don't want to move Olave, Rashid Shaheed's speed and Deep threat ability would also serve to help open things up for us. 

 

If you can't pry Olave away, pivot to Shaheed.

[NewEra]

10 minutes ago, 5ths the charm said:

Why are we talking about a receiver when we can't stop anyone. We wouldn't have to score 30 points if we could hold opponents to less than 21 points.

And what makes you think we will be able to stop team after adding 1 or 2 players?  Especially vs the best teams in the playoffs. 
 

I’ve long been a staunch supporter of building to be strong in all 3 phases.  Watching our defensive scheme again this year, I don’t know if we can salvage the D by adding a player or 2. And more injuries are likely on the way.  I hope I’m wrong.

 

Outscoring the opponent in the 30’s might have to be our game plan in 2025. 

44 minutes ago, Dr. Who said:

We just spent the bulk of the most recent draft and free agency on the idea of improving the defense. It might be the system as well as lack of talent, but aside from that, the inability to stress the opposing defense because of what should be by now the obvious limitations of the existing receivers are having a negative effect at multiple levels. It's causing Josh Allen to regress to hero ball tendencies, it's not opening up the middle ot the field for the routes our OC prefers, and it's allowing the opposing D to bring more blitzes that stress the oline, because they have no fear of explosive plays.

 

In short, it absolutely makes sense to be taking about a receiver, though unfortunately the available talent is likely very slim.

 

 

Great post

[RoscoeParrish]

3 hours ago, GoBills808 said:

Don't trust Brady to integrate a guy like Olave tbh

 

The only can't fail solution is a top tier guy like AJ Brown

It would’ve been nice to let Brady try to get them installed over the offseason instead of jury rigging something mid season

[Maine-iac]

4 minutes ago, NewEra said:

And what makes you think we will be able to stop team after adding 1 or 2 players?  Especially vs the best teams in the playoffs. 
 

I’ve long been a staunch supporter of building to be strong in all 3 phases.  Watching our defensive scheme again this year, I don’t know if we can salvage the D by adding a player or 2. And more injuries are likely on the way.  I hope I’m wrong.

 

Outscoring the opponent in the 30’s might have to be our game plan in 2025. 

Great post

So let me get this right.  Adding players on offense works because it's not the coaching?  Our only problem on offense is that we don't have a better outside WR's?  Adding players on defense makes no sense because the only problem is coaching and not the players on the field?