The Buffalo Bills are searching for a top receiver after trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans, and one analyst proposes they could secure one through another significant trade.
In a mock draft on April 16, Rob Maaddi from The Associated Press projected the Bills trading up to the No. 4 overall pick, swapping with the Arizona Cardinals to draft wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Maaddi noted the trade would be costly, but believes the desire to win a Super Bowl would drive the Bills to make the deal.
Bills Make Aggressive Move to Extend Super Bowl Window
Harrison is regarded as the best receiving prospect and one of the top overall players in this year’s draft, with most experts predicting he’ll be picked within the top five. While other mock drafts suggest the Bills could trade up later in the top 10 for another top receiver, Maaddi believes they could aim for the best.
“Harrison, son of Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison, was the best wide receiver on the field last season,” Maaddi wrote. “Although he skipped offseason workouts, his performance on tape speaks for itself. The Bills are under pressure to win a Super Bowl and need a top receiver after trading Stefon Diggs.”
Maaddi predicted the Bills would need to give up a substantial amount of draft picks to move up in the draft, including their No. 28 overall pick, second-round pick (No. 60), fourth-round pick (No. 128), and fifth-round pick (No. 160) this year, as well as first- and second-round picks in 2025. The Bills would receive a fourth-round pick in return.
The Bills have a total of 11 draft picks, allowing them the flexibility to make such a move. Even after trading a set of picks to the Cardinals, the Bills would still have nine remaining to fill other roster gaps.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane has a history of making first-round moves, including smaller trades up the board in 2022 for cornerback Kaiir Elam and last season for tight end Dalton Kincaid. However, the Bills have not made a major trade since 2014 when they moved up to No. 4 overall to pick wide receiver Sammy Watkins.
Cardinals May Keep Their Pick
The Bills may not have a chance to draft Harrison, as SI.com insider Albert Breer noted that Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort might keep the No. 4 pick and select Harrison, making him a key part of the team’s rebuild.
Breer mentioned that the Cardinals, despite picking fourth, would likely have the chance to choose the top non-quarterback player in this year’s draft. Breer added that Harrison would be an ideal choice for Ossenfort, similar to his former teammate Paris Johnson Jr. in 2023.
Breer continued by suggesting that if the Cardinals did consider offers for the No. 4 pick, they would likely demand a 2025 first-round pick as part of the deal.
