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

[Nihilarian]

I seem to be in the minority here, but I feel that when Buffalo had that #1 WR in Diggs, and Joe Brady didn't utilize him like Brian Daboll or even Ken Dorsey. 

(rushing doesn't account for the QB runs)

 

In 2020, almost 600 passing attempts vs 400 rushing attempts. A 1500-yard receiver vs a 700-yard rusher, Diggs' success catch rate was 65.1 %. record 13-3.

 

In 2021, 655 passing, 461 rushing. 1225 yards receiving, 870 yards rushing. Diggs' success catch rating is 55.9%. Record 11-6.

 

In 2022, 574 passing attempts, 430 rushing attempts. 1429 yards receiving, 819 yards rushing. Diggs' success catch rating is 66.3%. Record 13-3.

 

I already listed what happened in 2023.

 

My point here is that while so many are clamoring for a new #1 WR, like Chris Olave. Even if that player is a Justin Jefferson or a Ja'Mar Chase type that Josh Allen can depend on every pass play, I don't think it would matter in the way this OC schemes his offense. It sure didn't matter with Diggs.

 

The Buffalo Bills have utilized the very same scheme that the New England Patriots used with Tom Brady, you know, the guy who won all those Super Bowls.

 

Offensive Scheme: Erhardt-Perkins. Brian Daboll used this same playbook to build a crazy good passing offense.

 

 

[Nihilarian]

1 hour ago, Pete said:

It’s a week to week league.  It doesn’t matter Jack what happened last year.  We are trying to win a Super Bowl.

 

Brady targeted RB last season- did he suffer amnesia is 2025?

 

Palmer, Coleman, and Samuel could be deep threats if schemed smartly- not in Joes skill set imo

 

Josh great last year against blitz- 2025 he’s getting battered by blitz, and Joe Brady has no answers.  It’s a copycat league, and Ds are going to continue to overload one side and pummel Josh.  Cage rush, and cover middle- Joe Brady has no answers 

 

creative wise- in earlier prime time game- Bills were going for 2.  Chris Collinsworth said “right now, you are going to see the Buffalo Bills best play.  They’ve practiced this play more than any other play, they have it down.  Watch this”.  And it was stupid ass play design that had no chance of working.

 

So in 2025- Joe is incapable of beating blitz, going deep, short yardage, efficiency (losing turnover battles), running backs receiving the ball, yards yada things that are in a Offensive Coordinators job description 

I honestly don't know what's up with Joe Brady, but I do know that if he can't get it together, there are a zillion OCs out there that would love the chance to coach Josh Allen. McD has shown that he isn't afraid to make a change. 

 

We all recall that 4th quarter against the Ravens in week one with Josh and 200+ yards passing in one quarter, along with his receivers making big plays.

We ALL want that! 

[NewEra]

1 hour ago, Pete said:

It’s a week to week league.  It doesn’t matter Jack what happened last year.  We are trying to win a Super Bowl.

 

Brady targeted RB last season- did he suffer amnesia is 2025?

 

Palmer, Coleman, and Samuel could be deep threats if schemed smartly- not in Joes skill set imo

 

Josh great last year against blitz- 2025 he’s getting battered by blitz, and Joe Brady has no answers.  It’s a copycat league, and Ds are going to continue to overload one side and pummel Josh.  Cage rush, and cover middle- Joe Brady has no answers 

 

creative wise- in earlier prime time game- Bills were going for 2.  Chris Collinsworth said “right now, you are going to see the Buffalo Bills best play.  They’ve practiced this play more than any other play, they have it down.  Watch this”.  And it was stupid ass play design that had no chance of working.

 

So in 2025- Joe is incapable of beating blitz, going deep, short yardage, efficiency (losing turnover battles), running backs receiving the ball, yards yada things that are in a Offensive Coordinators job description 

lol.  No.  So far in 2025 he hasn’t been capable. He shown capable of doing all of the above except for going deep.  I agree that he needs to throw the ball to cook (and the RBs) more.  Cook should also be on the field for more 3rd downs.   Kincaid should be the focal point of the passing game for the remainder of the season (unless we trade for a WR1 type of course).  I don’t expect everything to remain the same going forward.  Is he able to dial up a
 

listen- I haven’t been a fan of his play calling the last 3 games and he’s on the hot seat for 2026 (he’s not getting fired this season), but let’s not act like he’s just an awful OC that isn’t capable of doing anything that you’ve mentioned.  We scored 30+ the first 4 games.  We missed our best 2 route runners last week. Having shavers and Hawes out there instead of Palmer and Kincaid has an effect on play calling.  I would’ve thought we would then pass to the rbs…we threw 4, none to our best RB. Sigh.  
 

The pressure is on for Brady.  He needs to improve, but the players also have to make plays.  Players taking penalties, fumbling, throwing picks and not making the proper reads impacts the game equally if not more so.  At the end of the day, it’s on the coordinator but everyone has to take accountability and resolve their mistakes. 

[NoSaint]

29 minutes ago, Nihilarian said:

I seem to be in the minority here, but I feel that when Buffalo had that #1 WR in Diggs, and Joe Brady didn't utilize him like Brian Daboll or even Ken Dorsey. 

(rushing doesn't account for the QB runs)

 

In 2020, almost 600 passing attempts vs 400 rushing attempts. A 1500-yard receiver vs a 700-yard rusher, Diggs' success catch rate was 65.1 %. record 13-3.

 

In 2021, 655 passing, 461 rushing. 1225 yards receiving, 870 yards rushing. Diggs' success catch rating is 55.9%. Record 11-6.

 

In 2022, 574 passing attempts, 430 rushing attempts. 1429 yards receiving, 819 yards rushing. Diggs' success catch rating is 66.3%. Record 13-3.

 

I already listed what happened in 2023.

 

My point here is that while so many are clamoring for a new #1 WR, like Chris Olave. Even if that player is a Justin Jefferson or a Ja'Mar Chase type that Josh Allen can depend on every pass play, I don't think it would matter in the way this OC schemes his offense. It sure didn't matter with Diggs.

 

The Buffalo Bills have utilized the very same scheme that the New England Patriots used with Tom Brady, you know, the guy who won all those Super Bowls.

 

Offensive Scheme: Erhardt-Perkins. Brian Daboll used this same playbook to build a crazy good passing offense.

 

 

I think many of us do not believe the Brady diggs overlap is indicative of future possibilities 

[Pete]

32 minutes ago, NewEra said:

lol.  No.  So far in 2025 he hasn’t been capable. He shown capable of doing all of the above except for going deep.  I agree that he needs to throw the ball to cook (and the RBs) more.  Cook should also be on the field for more 3rd downs.   Kincaid should be the focal point of the passing game for the remainder of the season (unless we trade for a WR1 type of course).  I don’t expect everything to remain the same going forward.  Is he able to dial up a
 

listen- I haven’t been a fan of his play calling the last 3 games and he’s on the hot seat for 2026 (he’s not getting fired this season), but let’s not act like he’s just an awful OC that isn’t capable of doing anything that you’ve mentioned.  We scored 30+ the first 4 games.  We missed our best 2 route runners last week. Having shavers and Hawes out there instead of Palmer and Kincaid has an effect on play calling.  I would’ve thought we would then pass to the rbs…we threw 4, none to our best RB. Sigh.  
 

The pressure is on for Brady.  He needs to improve, but the players also have to make plays.  Players taking penalties, fumbling, throwing picks and not making the proper reads impacts the game equally if not more so.  At the end of the day, it’s on the coordinator but everyone has to take accountability and resolve their mistakes. 

Bill’s penalties are sickening.  The pre-snap penalties is bull####.  Who’s coaching?  Players- Fundamentals!

 

Players all need to be better- starting with Josh.  Help him succeed Brady.  Defense needs to tackle better, defend passes better, stay in lanes, be  more opportunistic, more stout against the run, less penalties, more aggression.

 

 

Palmer and Dalton have been great route runners.  Moore and Sanders should be.  If not- get better WR depth and talent- that’s on you Beane!!!!

 

Pressure should be way up on Brady.  I think Brady was defiant when he doubled down on “cute plays” in high leverage situations.

 

Bills have injuries.  So does every NFL team.  How does the 49ers beat the Rams with Matt friggin Jones and backups?  49ers had an exceptional gameplan.  Imagine a gameplan of similar quality for Josh!

 

Bills roster is not good enough right now- Beane needs to fix it yesterday.  Times a ticking, make it happen.

 

Brady is failing as offensive coordinator in 2025 imo.  Once Josh has great offensive coordinator- watch his #s jump.

 

So I put it at:

60% BRADY

25% Beane

15% Players

[KOKBILLS]

8 minutes ago, Pete said:

Bill’s penalties are sickening.  The pre-snap penalties is bull####.  Who’s coaching?  Players- Fundamentals!

 

Players all need to be better- starting with Josh.  Help him succeed Brady.  Defense needs to tackle better, defend passes better, stay in lanes, be  more opportunistic, more stout against the run, less penalties, more aggression.

 

 

Palmer and Dalton have been great route runners.  Moore and Sanders should be.  If not- get better WR depth and talent- that’s on you Beane!!!!

 

Pressure should be way up on Brady.  I think Brady was defiant when he doubled down on “cute plays” in high leverage situations.

 

Bills have injuries.  So does every NFL team.  How does the 49ers beat the Rams with Matt friggin Jones and backups?  49ers had an exceptional gameplan.  Imagine a gameplan of similar quality for Josh!

 

Bills roster is not good enough right now- Beane needs to fix it yesterday.  Times a ticking, make it happen.

 

Brady is failing as offensive coordinator in 2025 imo.  Once Josh has great offensive coordinator- watch his #s jump.

 

So I put it at:

60% BRADY

25% Beane

15% Players

 

I was always in the "just get Josh a decent running game and we'll be unstoppable" group. But I hade these visions of a great running game, similar to what we have now, and this crazy play-action and attack-style passing game that just gave teams fits because no matter what you guess you're always wrong...

I thought Brady would get there, but now... I don't think he's interested in all that. This is all general philosophy and strategy comments...But I feel like they are being dictated by the Defense more often than not. I feel like they go into games and don't take advantage of what teams give them.

 

In the NE game he runs into base Defense 12 out of 14 times...In the Atlanta game... If he dials up one or two plays specifically to burn their blitz...and that's his job vs the team that blitzes most in the NFL...that takes Atlanta out of everything they want to do. But instead they looked surprised and unprepared. No sneaky screen plays with Cook or Ty... The TD pass to Davis showed how easy it was to get that D on a well designed play... there's just not enough of it... I don't know... 

[billsfan89]

1 hour ago, Nihilarian said:

I seem to be in the minority here, but I feel that when Buffalo had that #1 WR in Diggs, and Joe Brady didn't utilize him like Brian Daboll or even Ken Dorsey. 

(rushing doesn't account for the QB runs)

 

In 2020, almost 600 passing attempts vs 400 rushing attempts. A 1500-yard receiver vs a 700-yard rusher, Diggs' success catch rate was 65.1 %. record 13-3.

 

In 2021, 655 passing, 461 rushing. 1225 yards receiving, 870 yards rushing. Diggs' success catch rating is 55.9%. Record 11-6.

 

In 2022, 574 passing attempts, 430 rushing attempts. 1429 yards receiving, 819 yards rushing. Diggs' success catch rating is 66.3%. Record 13-3.

 

I already listed what happened in 2023.

 

My point here is that while so many are clamoring for a new #1 WR, like Chris Olave. Even if that player is a Justin Jefferson or a Ja'Mar Chase type that Josh Allen can depend on every pass play, I don't think it would matter in the way this OC schemes his offense. It sure didn't matter with Diggs.

 

The Buffalo Bills have utilized the very same scheme that the New England Patriots used with Tom Brady, you know, the guy who won all those Super Bowls.

 

Offensive Scheme: Erhardt-Perkins. Brian Daboll used this same playbook to build a crazy good passing offense.

 

 

 

I don't think Bills need a guy that's going to demand/command 10-12 targets a game at minimum. They need someone that can consistently win 1v1 man to man matchups on the boundary so that teams don't stack the box and overload the middle zones. Right now the Bills offense can be stopped by teams just "giving" the offense boundary matchups 1v1 then just stack the box by playing 3 LB's and a safety jammed in with a single safety over the top. 

 

I kind of agree that the offense doesn't need a 2020 Diggs type but getting someone that can consistently burn you in 1v1 on the outside would open things up for everyone on the offense. 

[Pete]

13 minutes ago, KOKBILLS said:

 

I was always in the "just get Josh a decent running game and we'll be unstoppable" group. But I hade these visions of a great running game, similar to what we have now, and this crazy play-action and attack-style passing game that just gave teams fits because no matter what you guess you're always wrong...

I thought Brady would get there, but now... I don't think he's interested in all that. This is all general philosophy and strategy comments...But I feel like they are being dictated by the Defense more often than not. I feel like they go into games and don't take advantage of what teams give them.

 

In the NE game he runs into base Defense 12 out of 14 times...In the Atlanta game... If he dials up one or two plays specifically to burn their blitz...and that's his job vs the team that blitzes most in the NFL...that takes Atlanta out of everything they want to do. But instead they looked surprised and unprepared. No sneaky screen plays with Cook or Ty... The TD pass to Davis showed how easy it was to get that D on a well designed play... there's just not enough of it... I don't know... 

it’s mind blowing and super obvious to use play action often when you have such a good running game.  We should be running play action 25+% if the time.

 

Why the hell doesn’t Brady realize this?  
 

2nd and short is perfect time for play action and go deep.  Most every time Brady runs *yawn* a running play.

 

Brady has Josh Allen and James Cook, and everything looks so difficult  on offense, no matter the opponent 

[3rdand12]

1 hour ago, Nihilarian said:

I honestly don't know what's up with Joe Brady, but I do know that if he can't get it together, there are a zillion OCs out there that would love the chance to coach Josh Allen. McD has shown that he isn't afraid to make a change. 

 

We all recall that 4th quarter against the Ravens in week one with Josh and 200+ yards passing in one quarter, along with his receivers making big plays.

We ALL want that! 

But wasn't that also Brady ?

 I think he stumbled last few weeks overthinking something or another. Over confident ??

 

[Nihilarian]

17 minutes ago, 3rdand12 said:

But wasn't that also Brady ?

 I think he stumbled last few weeks overthinking something or another. Over confident ??

It was Brady!  But was it also Josh going full bore in the passing game and just letting loose? Finding the open receiver and hitting them, and this was when the Ravens defense was at full strength. They have four #1 picks in their starting secondary. 

 

I agree with some here that the entire Buffalo team has looked like an undisciplined mess at times. Offensive and defensive penalties, and against that Falcons pass rush, it's like the Bills didn't game plan whatsoever. It reminded me of Daboll calling nothing but pass plays when they weren't working and Josh was under heavy duress. 

 

I feel the Bills have enough talent on offense to get the job done if the plays are properly schemed. WR Gabe Davis is waiting in the wings. BTW, while James Cook has a success catch percentage rate of only 35.7%. He has a catch percentage of targets by 85.7% which is better than any of the Buffalo WRs. No idea why he isn't being used in the passing game more. In my view, this is all mostly on Joe Brady. 

 

 

The defense, however, could have everybody back healthy with the suspended players in the lineup, and that Buffalo secondary will still have major issues. Missed tackles, missed assignments.  Rapp, Benford, and White stink this year, with all the injuries to the rookies / secondary, it gives me pause to think this current defense might never be good enough this season.