Assessing the Bills' options at WR following Stefon Diggs trade

After four seasons rife with playoff heartbreak and drama, the Buffalo Bills are finally parting ways with star wide receiver Stefon Diggs. On Wednesday, the Bills traded the four-time Pro Bowler and two draft choices to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick.

Considering Diggs' decline in production during the second half of last season and Gabe Davis' departure in free agency, Buffalo was likely already going to address the wide receiver position early in this month's draft. However, now that the need has intensified, it'll be intriguing to see whether GM Brandon Beane changes his approach to addressing the issue.

With that in mind, here are four routes the Bills could take to replace Diggs, along with several potential candidates they could pursue.

Option No. 1: Trade up in the first round to land a blue-chip prospect

Potential targets: Rome Odunze, Washington; Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

The Bills hold the 28th overall pick in the first round but own 10 2024 draft choices. Having acquired an additional 2025 second-rounder on Wednesday, Buffalo is well-positioned to offer a hefty package to move up from pick 28 and draft a new star wide receiver.

In all likelihood, a team within range of selecting Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. or LSU's Malik Nabers won't be interested in moving down to pick 28. That leaves Odunze, the nation's leading receiver in 2023 (1,640 yards), as the most likely elite wideout prospect that Buffalo could theoretically trade up for.

Nevertheless, if the Bills can't land the projected top 10 pick, Odunze, it would be wise to move up to the middle of the first round to select Thomas. The 6-foot-3, 209-pounder was a popular pick for Buffalo in mock drafts earlier this offseason, though his stock has since risen due to a standout performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. Buffalo needs an outside wide receiver capable of being a dynamic deep threat, and the freakish athlete Thomas, the FBS leader in receiving touchdowns this past season (17), fits the bill. 

Option No. 2: Select a wide receiver at pick 28

Potential targets: Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy, Texas; Keon Coleman, Florida State

Even if Buffalo stands pat in the first round, it must still choose between several promising talents. Texas' Mitchell is the most complete receiver mentioned above in this section, though his former Longhorns teammate Worthy's blazing speed would be fascinating to watch with Bills QB Josh Allen throwing him the ball. Still, adding a receiver with more size, such as Coleman, would likely benefit Buffalo the most, especially after losing Davis.

Option No. 3: Spend a second-round pick on a wideout

Potential targets: Xavier Legette, South Carolina; Troy Franklin, Oregon

The Bills could take advantage of this year's class being so deep at the position and select a receiver in round two if they miss out on wideouts they're comfortable drafting in the first round. While Legette and Franklin, both field stretchers, might not be available at pick 60, Beane has plenty of ammo to move up to secure one of them.

In 2023, Legette reeled in 71 passes for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns, whereas Franklin ranked sixth in the FBS in receiving yards (1,383) and third in touchdowns (14). 

Option No. 4: Trade for an established player

Potential targets: Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers; Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals 

If Buffalo ultimately can't land a viable replacement for Diggs through the draft, it could always turn its attention to the trade market, with promising youngsters Higgins and Aiyuk being potential targets.

Higgins, who was franchise-tagged after racking up a career-low 656 receiving yards in an injury-riddled 2023 season, has already requested a trade. Aiyuk, on the other hand, could eventually be made available since he and the 49ers are "not close" to reaching an agreement on a contract extension, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Shelling out draft picks and a massive extension for a player might not be the best option for the Bills, considering they had to make several cuts earlier this offseason to manage their difficult salary cap situation.

Even so, if Buffalo is willing to pay the price, Aiyuk should be its top target. He's produced like a No. 1 option despite playing on one of the NFL's deepest rosters. The 26-year-old is probably a more realistic option than Higgins anyway, as Cincinnati would likely be less inclined to help out a fellow AFC contender.