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

[RoscoeParrish]

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.

We spent an entire offseason trying to figure out how to stop people. 90% of our picks and free agency dollars.

 

not sure a mid tier trade in the middle of the season is the missing piece.

[The Jokeman]

48 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

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.

If we're playing to outscore the opposition we're already playing from behind. 

[dave mcbride]

1 hour ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

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. 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6727307/2025/10/18/nfl-trade-rumors-news-baker-mayfield/

 

‘If it feels like NFL trade deadline season gets busier every year, with more names and more buzz, you’re not imagining it. A decade ago, just four trades were executed in October and November. Last week alone, three deals saw five players switch teams, including Joe Flacco and Odafe Oweh.

But don’t expect fireworks this time around.

Despite all the chatter and speculation, several league sources told me this week they don’t anticipate a frantic finish leading up to the Nov. 4 deadline.

“There are plenty of teams with needs,” one coach said. “Just not enough willing to give up good players.”

Many teams are still trying to figure out where they stand. The biggest challenge, as one high-ranking league source explained: “It’s easy to lie to yourself when there isn’t a clear understanding of who is good and who is bad in the league. Decision-makers have to be as honest as possible. Can we really win the Super Bowl this year? If not, let’s get ahead here and move players. It’s not an easy conversation. Even though it’s been pushed back, the trade deadline is still too early.”

Early or not, it’s coming.

While a lot can happen in 17 days, league and team sources have shared the following insights:

Bengals All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is drawing attention around the league, with the 49ers showing the most interest. Cincinnati isn’t shopping him, and after the Bengals’ Thursday night win, most do not expect him to get moved.

The Dolphins are getting lots of calls on pass rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips.

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 Jets are already getting calls on defensive end Jermaine Johnson and running back Breece Hall. They are making calls looking for a kick returner.

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.”

Despite Texans GM Nick Caserio’s reputation for aggressively making trades, teams haven’t received calls from Houston looking to add — at least not yet.

The Chargers are exploring running back and offensive line depth.

The Chiefs are shopping for defensive linemen — but not running backs.

Detroit is making calls, looking for an edge rusher.

The Colts are looking to bolster their defense, specifically at cornerback.

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.

The Jaguars are expected to get involved in some trades. They are searching for a defensive player.

The Cowboys have let the league know they are open for business. They are looking for defensive help, but one GM argued, “They actually should go get a running back.”

The Patriots are not making calls for a running back, but they have talked to teams about pass rushers. They’re fielding calls on several of their own players as well.

Despite the loss of Malik Nabers, the Giants aren’t aggressively working the phones to add talent at receiver right now.

Some of these teams might wind up doing nothing, of course, but there are enough possibilities to make for a fascinating two weeks.‘

[NewEra]

7 minutes ago, Maine-iac said:

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? 

We have the best QB in the league, a top RB and OL and our best downfield threats are Palmer and Kincaid.  Adding a primary threat on the outside would make our opponents play us honest.  While I think Palmer could serve the role, that’s just speculation, he hasn’t proven to be capable in 4+ years.  I’d rather get a difference maker which would allow Palmer to have advantages vs lesser cbs as the 2nd boundary guy.  
 

I don’t think our defense is going to be holding anyone in the afccg or Super Bowl to under 30 if we add a player or 2.   I hope to eat crow on that
 

But we might have to wait til next year to retool the D.  

[Maine-iac]

8 minutes ago, NewEra said:

We have the best QB in the league, a top RB and OL and our best downfield threats are Palmer and Kincaid.  Adding a primary threat on the outside would make our opponents play us honest.  While I think Palmer could serve the role, that’s just speculation, he hasn’t proven to be capable in 4+ years.  I’d rather get a difference maker which would allow Palmer to have advantages vs lesser cbs as the 2nd boundary guy.  
 

I don’t think our defense is going to be holding anyone in the afccg or Super Bowl to under 30 if we add a player or 2.   I hope to eat crow on that
 

But we might have to wait til next year to retool the D.  

Truth be told I wanted Mooney when he was a free agent.  Before he signed with the Falcons.  He seeemed like the route runner and field stretcher we could use.  I was hoping Cooper would play more like AJ Brown has in Philly.   There were flashes but over all I'm still not sure how interested our offense is in game planning the WR's open down the field.  I'd love a legit outside threat I'm just not sold that we value getting the ball out there.

[VW82]

4 hours ago, HappyDays said:

I don't worry about 2027. He's under contract this year and next year. After that Josh Allen will be 32 years old and it looks like the Patriots are going to be legit championship contenders by then. The time to push the chips in is now. Olave is not a trade where you have to figure out the extension at the same time.

 

 

Maybe I'm being naive here. Can you point me to a recent trade for a high profile guy in line for a big extension where the team traded significant capital to get him but didn't extend him? I assumed the extension is done almost as part of the trade. Player/agent are involved in the discussion to the point of having enough leverage to influence where he lands.

 

Also, Olave makes 15M next year. Who's left to restructure? We're already up against it after the deals this year. Even in your scenario with no deal I'm not sure it works.  Edit: I guess we could take a 1st for him as a rental and them trade him this off season, but again, I think player/agent wind up getting some say in this even if we think they shouldn't as most teams seem to operate that way when it comes to high profile trades.

Edited 4 hours ago by VW82

[Jalan81]

1 hour ago, Maine-iac said:

What if we already score 30?

Not the last two weeks 

[NewEra]

26 minutes ago, Maine-iac said:

Truth be told I wanted Mooney when he was a free agent.  Before he signed with the Falcons.  He seeemed like the route runner and field stretcher we could use.  I was hoping Cooper would play more like AJ Brown has in Philly.   There were flashes but over all I'm still not sure how interested our offense is in game planning the WR's open down the field.  I'd love a legit outside threat I'm just not sold that we value getting the ball out there.

Good points.  

[dave mcbride]

54 minutes ago, NewEra said:

We have the best QB in the league, a top RB and OL and our best downfield threats are Palmer and Kincaid.  Adding a primary threat on the outside would make our opponents play us honest.  While I think Palmer could serve the role, that’s just speculation, he hasn’t proven to be capable in 4+ years.  I’d rather get a difference maker which would allow Palmer to have advantages vs lesser cbs as the 2nd boundary guy.  
 

I don’t think our defense is going to be holding anyone in the afccg or Super Bowl to under 30 if we add a player or 2.   I hope to eat crow on that
 

But we might have to wait til next year to retool the D.  

Read the quotes from the Diane Russini piece from The Athletic above. Teams are just not willing to trade good receivers, it seems.

Edited 4 hours ago by dave mcbride

[BillsFanForever19]

2 hours ago, The Jokeman said:

If we're playing to outscore the opposition we're already playing from behind. 

 

That's just the reality of the situation though.

 

McDermott's Defense has been figured out. Improving talent in a couple spots can't hurt. But when the blueprint on how to beat his scheme is out, the opposing team is going to score a lot of points regardless. 

 

It just is what it is this season. We're stuck with McDermott and his broken Defense for at least this year. The only path to victory is a stronger Offense that can overcome it.

Edited 2 hours ago by BillsFanForever19

[NoSaint]

54 minutes ago, VW82 said:

 

Maybe I'm being naive here. Can you point me to a recent trade for a high profile guy in line for a big extension where the team traded significant capital to get him but didn't extend him? I assumed the extension is done almost as part of the trade. Player/agent are involved in the discussion to the point of having enough leverage to influence where he lands.

 

Also, Olave makes 15M next year. Who's left to restructure? We're already up against it after the deals this year. Even in your scenario with no deal I'm not sure it works.  Edit: I guess we could take a 1st for him as a rental and them trade him this off season, but again, I think player/agent wind up getting some say in this even if we think they shouldn't as most teams seem to operate that way when it comes to high profile trades.

as it turns out next year we could restructure several guys- including some we’ve already seen called 

 

the only bummer is the new big deals haven’t played out great so you may not be racing to do Bernard/rousseau

[Maine-iac]

13 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

That's just reality though.

 

McDermott's Defense has been figured out. Improving talent in a couple spots can't hurt. But when the blueprint on how to beat his scheme is out, the opposing team is going to score a lot of points regardless. 

 

It just is what it is this season. We're stuck with McDermott and his broken Defense for at least this year. The only path to victory is a stronger Offense that can overcome it.

Your writing a bunch of checks here that have an Amari Cooper's chance of being cashed.

[BillsFanForever19]

49 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

Read the quotes from the Diane Russini piece from The Athletic above. Teams are just not willing to trade good receivers, it seems.

 

That's always the case at this point. The Trade Deadine isn't for over two weeks. Every team is going to say "we don't want to trade (so and so)" right now. Even if they do, they're going to say that in an attempt to get teams to offer more.

 

That said, obviously there are teams who are telling the truth when they say that about certain players. But there is definitely a team or two that is putting that out there as posturing to get better compensation from desperate teams.

 

10 minutes ago, Maine-iac said:

Your writing a bunch of checks here that have an Amari Cooper's chance of being cashed.

 

As in, what exactly? 

 

If you're alleging that it's unlikely we make a move, i'd agree that it's more likely we don't than we will. Doesn't mean it's not the right decision to make one, if you can.

Edited 3 hours ago by BillsFanForever19

[NewEra]

1 hour ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

That's just reality though.

 

McDermott's Defense has been figured out. Improving talent in a couple spots can't hurt. But when the blueprint on how to beat his scheme is out, the opposing team is going to score a lot of points regardless. 

 

It just is what it is this season. We're stuck with McDermott and his broken Defense for at least this year. The only path to victory is a stronger Offense that can overcome it.

💯 

[FireChans]

If we don’t trade for a massive talent infusion at WR, I fear this year is DOA