The Buffalo Bills‘ need for wide receiver assistance this offseason became evident following the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.
Addressing this gap, the Bills utilized their first pick in the second round of Friday’s NFL draft (No. 33 overall) to select Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman, a move that garnered approval from both fans and pundits across social media platforms.
Despite earlier speculation surrounding a potential trade for San Francisco 49ers’ standout Deebo Samuel, reports from NFL insider Jordan Schultz deemed such rumors “highly unlikely,” prompting the Bills to shift their focus to the draft.
Now equipped with a receiving corps featuring Coleman, Curtis Samuel, and Khalil Shakir, alongside tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, quarterback Josh Allen faces a reconfigured offensive lineup. While not as formidable as last year’s group, which boasted Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowler, the addition of Coleman marks a promising start.
Regarded as a late first-round or early second-round prospect by the B/R NFL Scouting Department, Coleman earned a ranking of No. 22 overall in this year’s draft class. Described as a “throwback X receiver,” his physical presence and ability to assert himself during aerial plays make him a valuable asset, particularly in the red zone and across the middle of the field.
Heading into the draft, the Bills underwent a restructuring phase, shedding veteran players to alleviate salary-cap constraints. This strategic maneuver left significant gaps to fill, with the wide receiver position standing out as a primary concern. To bolster their resources, the Bills secured additional draft picks on Thursday night through two trading transactions.
The initial exchange involved the rival Kansas City Chiefs, with Buffalo relinquishing picks Nos. 28, 133, and 248 in return for Nos. 32, 95, and 221. Subsequently, they traded picks Nos. 32 and 200 to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for Nos. 33 and 141.
As the Bills aim to navigate this transitional period, the pressure is on to capitalize on their draft selections. Success in integrating prospects like Coleman into the roster could elevate general manager Brandon Beane’s status, positioning him as a strategic mastermind. Conversely, failure to capitalize on these acquisitions may result in discontent from quarterback Josh Allen, whose prime years remain a priority for the team.
