The Buffalo Bills suddenly have a void to fill at wide receiver after trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans.
While a blockbuster acquisition of a veteran receiver is always possible, prioritizing the position in the NFL Draft might be the more realistic course for general manager Brandon Beane and the resource-strapped Bills.
Given Josh Allen‘s propensity for pushing the ball deep downfield in the vertical passing game, the Buffalo Bills would be wise to add a prolific deep-threat who can command similar attention from opposing secondaries as Diggs did during his time in Buffalo.
There is some thought that the Buffalo Bills could put together a sizeable package to trade up into the top-10 picks of the NFL Draft to target the likes of Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, that could prove a difficult proposition and an ideal fit could be on the board at No. 28.
Adonai Mitchell Named Buffalo Bills’ Perfect Fit
If the Bills stand pat in the first round, Adonai Mitchell could be a name to watch.
ESPN names the University of Texas wide receiver a perfect fit for the Bills in this year’s NFL Draft class.
“With the Bills trading away No. 1 wideout Stefon Diggs to the Texans earlier this week,” ESPN’s Matt Bowen writes. “The club can get younger at the position here with Mitchell, an explosive-play target with high-end traits. In Buffalo’s offense, Mitchell can be set up as a vertical option for quarterback Josh Allen, using his 4.34-second 40-yard dash speed, 39.5-inch vertical and ball skills to win down the field. Plus, he has the toughness to produce after the catch on middle-of-the-field play-action throws, which will allow Allen to rip the ball between the numbers on in-breakers.
“In his final season at Texas, Mitchell posted 11 explosive play receptions (catches of 20 or more yards), and he averaged 15.4 yards per catch. The arrow is pointing up on Mitchell, who can develop his route skills in a pro offense.”
Adonai Mitchell NFL Draft Scouting Report
At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Mitchell has the game-breaking speed to make up for some of the explosiveness lost with Diggs’ departure.
“Ascending prospect with size, speed and ball skills to become a very good NFL receiver,” NFL media’s Lance Zierlein writes of Mitchell. “But he’s still in the process of bridging those traits. Mitchell can beat press and has the speed to take the battle to the third level but he’s still learning the art of bullying the catch space in tight quarters and jump-ball battles.”
Across three seasons at the University of Georgia and Texas, Mitchell caught 93 passes for 1,405 yards and 18 touchdowns, while averaging an electrifying 15.1 yards per reception.
Pro Football Focus points out Mitchell only dropped one pass during the 2023 campaign, while posing a strong 16 yards depth of target last season.
A playmaker with the ball in his hands, and a reliable target, Mitchell could immediately ascend to the top of the Bills’ depth chart soften some of the blow from losing Diggs.
Optimism That Bills Will Be Better Off Without Stefon Diggs
Conventional wisdom suggests the Bills’ offense, and Allen’s arsenal will take a step back following Stefon Diggs’ departure.
However, not everyone inside the NFL shares that belief.
“I think it will be a net positive for Buffalo,” a rival AFC East executive tells me. “I think Josh Allen is that good. They will draft a receiver, they’ll sign another, maybe even use some of that extra draft capital to pull off a trade of their own to get a veteran wideout.
“Here’s the thing, Diggs turned on them, and didn’t do much at all down the stretch last season when they needed him most.”
Given that Diggs didn’t score a touchdown after Week 12 last season, and his discontent with the front office, if the Bills are able to replace the veteran with a young and affordable prospect with upside, such as Mitchell, Buffalo’s offense might be able to stay the course in 2024 and beyond.
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