The Buffalo Bills, after trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans, still need to fill the massive void left behind by the playmaking wide receiver’s presence in quarterback Josh Allen‘s arsenal.
During the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, Bills general manager Brandon Beane could look to aggressively move up the board to stop the slide of one of the top three receivers in this year’s class, who just might be an upgrade over what Diggs gave Buffalo down the stretch last season.
After all, Diggs failed to reach the end zone after Week 13 last season.
Armed with ten selections in this year’s draft, don’t be surprised if Beane moves up, in order to ensure Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, and Mack Hollins aren’t the top three receivers on the depth chart when the 2024 campaign begins.
Buffalo Bills’ Proposed Rome Odunze Blockbuster NFL Draft Trade
If University of Washington standout Rome Odunze slides to the bottom of the top-10 picks during the first round, Pro Football Focus suggests Beane and the Bills could go up to get him.
“They could stick their 28th overall selection and draft a second-tier receiver from a deep class,” Gordon McGuinness writes for PFF. “But Rome Odunze would give them a new true No. 1 receiver for quarterback Josh Allen, and that’s an appealing enough proposition to trade up.
“If Odunze falls to No. 8 or 9, where the Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears pick, the Bills might be able to get them to swap first-rounders by adding in a second-rounder and a first-rounder next year. The Bears may like that deal, given that they come into this draft with just four picks. Chicago would add another top-70 selection, while Buffalo would land a receiver who ranks fourth in the draft class with an 89.5 PFF receiving grade.”
Given Odunze’s skill-set combined with his 6-foot-3 and 216-pound frame, the University of Washington standout might be a perfect fit for Allen’s propensity for pushing the ball deep vertically in Buffalo’s offense.
Across four seasons at the University of Washington, Odunze caught 214 passes for 3,272 yards with 24 touchdowns, while averaging an explosive 15.3 yards per reception.
Why the Chicago Bears Make Sense as Bills Trade Partner
If Odunze slides to the No. 9 pick, the Bears could be an ideal trade partner for Beane and the Bills to go up to get Odunze.
Given that Chicago will likely select Caleb Williams No. 1 overall, and already traded for Keenan Allen this offseason, the only true pressing needs the Bears would need to prioritize in Round 1 would be offensive tackle or upgrading the edge presence opposite Montez Sweat.
However, neither the top edge rushers or offensive tackles in this class might prove more valuable than adding a second-round pick and future selection in a trade with a team such as the Bills.
There is also a feeling inside the NFL that the Bears would likely pass on Odunze if he’s on the board.
“I’m not sold they will even take Odunze if he’s on the board,” a veteran NFL evaluator told me. recently. “I think they trade down and take an edge rusher. They only have one pass rusher on the roster, and that’s Montez Sweat.”
If Odunze is sitting there at nine, the Bills and Bears could be trade partners to watch on Thursday night.
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