The Buffalo Bills executed a shocker of a trade on Wednesday morning when they sent superstar receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick, according to a report from Dianna Russini. The Bills also sent a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round selection to Houston. The trade occurred one day after Diggs stirred quite the frenzy on Twitter by publicly questioning whether or not he's essential to Josh Allen's success. Diggs’ stunning departure creates a sizable hole at receiver for Buffalo.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane almost certainly has to target a receiver with the No. 28 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. An updated look at Buffalo’s depth chart indicates Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel sit atop the position group. In addition to Diggs, the Bills lost Gabe Davis to free agency. The pass-happy Bills must add playmakers to Allen's all-of-a-sudden-lackluster cast.
Following the Diggs blockbuster, we've identified three receivers the Bills could target at No. 28 overall.
KEON COLEMAN, FLORIDA STATE
Once considered a potential top-10 selection during the 2023 college football season, Keon Coleman has become a divisive prospect throughout the process. Coleman's long speed and ability to separate came into question at the NFL Combine after he ran a lackluster 4.64 40. Is Coleman a Tee Higgins-like playmaker, or does his profile resemble N'Keal Harry? That's the question analysts are asking.
It's impossible to argue with the production. Coleman recorded 50 receptions for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns this season while routinely mossing opposing defensive backs. Coleman is an extremely physical prospect that boasts rare outstanding size and strength. Coleman’s ability to dominate 50-50 balls would complement what Samuel and Shakir achieve in the short to intermediate portions.
BRIAN THOMAS JR., LSU
If Beane is targeting an explosive vertical playmaker, he should look no further than LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. The Tigers standout wins in different ways than Davis did. He's bigger and more explosive but would replace the downfield attention Davis often received from Allen. Davis averaged 16.7 yards per catch throughout four seasons in Buffalo.
Thomas Jr. ran a breathtaking 4.34 at 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, joining D.K. Metcalf on a short list of receivers to run that fast at that size. Thomas Jr. led the nation in receiving touchdowns this season with 17. Top-end speed and acceleration make Thomas Jr. a great fit for Allen’s gunslinger mentality.
XAVIER LEGETTE, SOUTH CAROLINA
I don't have "one-year wonder" concerns with Xavier Legette. Yes, it's accurate that Legette totaled 423 receiving yards from 2019-2022 before breaking out with 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023. It's worth acknowledging that Legette's ascension technically began during South Carolina's Taxslayer Gator Bowl game in 2022 when he recorded 7 catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns in a thrilling 45-38 defeat to Notre Dame.
That was offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains' first game in charge. Had Loggains overseen the offense throughout the entire 2022 campaign, I believe he would have featured Legette all season long. Legette is a rocked-up compact prospect who blends toughness with speed and athleticism.
