The Buffalo Bills are heading into the 2025 season without a clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver for the second year in a row. Once again, there isn’t a proven 1,000-yard pass-catcher on the roster.
Khalil Shakir, who had a career-best 821 receiving yards last year, could see his role increase again from the slot. However, Buffalo still lacks a true top-tier outside threat, and Shakir has yet to prove himself as a reliable red zone option, with just seven touchdowns in his career.
Josh Allen’s top red zone target from 2024, Mack Hollins, is now with division rival New England. The Bills’ most notable addition at receiver, Josh Palmer, found the end zone just once last season and has only 10 touchdowns over four years.
Meanwhile, Jameson Williams has been the subject of trade speculation since last year. Although the Detroit Lions may be hesitant to move him after a 15-2 season, they could consider offers to avoid a future payday for the young playmaker.
Anthony Palacios of Last Word on Sports suggests the Bills should pursue a deal for Williams to inject more speed on the outside. “Buffalo still needs another wideout to support Shakir and Keon Coleman,” Palacios wrote. “Williams could emerge as a long-term weapon for Allen, especially after losing Hollins in free agency.”
After a slow start to his career, the former Alabama standout broke out in 2024 with 58 catches for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns across 15 games. As Detroit’s primary deep threat, Williams helped form a dangerous receiving tandem alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Despite finishing third in receptions on a loaded Lions offense, Williams proved his big-play ability by averaging 17.3 yards per catch. In Buffalo, he could take on a lead role and become the primary target for Josh Allen’s rocket arm—potentially unlocking even greater production.
Bills add more speed to wide receiver room in latest 2026 NFL mock draft
We haven’t even reached training camp yet, but it’s already time to start looking ahead to the next wave of college football talent that could declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. Unlike the 2025 class, which was lighter on quarterback depth, the 2026 group has the potential to be more quarterback-heavy and overall more balanced. Of course, nothing is set in stone until players officially declare.
The NFL Draft is always an exciting time for fans—regardless of whether their team is picking in the top 10 or waiting until the late first round. For the Buffalo Bills, the backend of the first round has been their home in recent years. Sometimes that’s paid off with quality picks like Greg Rousseau, while other times it hasn’t worked out as hoped, such as with Kaiir Elam.
The dream scenario for Buffalo fans? That the Bills will be making the 32nd pick next year as reigning Super Bowl champions, with Commissioner Roger Goodell announcing them live from Pittsburgh. While that would be a moment to remember, it also opens the door to imagine how Buffalo could use that pick to maintain their championship-level roster.
One major storyline from this offseason is that the Bills added just one legitimate burner to their wide receiver group—Elijah Moore, who signed a one-year deal. Prior to that move, GM Brandon Beane made waves during an appearance on WGR550, pushing back hard against critics who continued to question Buffalo’s wide receiver situation. Simply put, Beane made it clear the team knows it needs talent at that position for 2025 and beyond.
That’s why it’s no surprise that in CBS Sports’ latest 2026 NFL mock draft, analyst Ryan Wilson projects the Bills to continue investing in speed on the perimeter. If they do so, it would be a logical step toward giving Josh Allen the explosive weapons he needs—and keeping Buffalo’s Super Bowl window wide open.
2026 mock draft has Bills adding a speed option for Josh Allen
In Ryan Wilson’s latest mock draft for CBS Sports, the Buffalo Bills are projected to pick at No. 30 and select wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr., a Georgia Tech transfer now at Auburn. Wilson had high praise for Singleton’s game, writing:
“Next-level athleticism, Singleton can contort his body into any form to position himself for the catch, and he plays with a big catch radius for his size. He has track speed out of the blocks and into the second and third levels and hits top end in 1-2 steps. Explosive is the best way to describe his game — he can stress defenses at all three levels.”
— Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
While Brandon Beane has publicly expressed confidence in the Bills’ current receiving corps heading into the 2025 season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Buffalo invest in more speed next offseason. Adding a dynamic athlete like Singleton on a rookie contract could be a smart long-term move.
The Bills already have their bigger-bodied receivers in Keon Coleman and Josh Palmer, and Khalil Shakir has carved out a valuable role as a reliable option in the middle of the field. For 2025, the team will also count on Elijah Moore to stretch defenses with his speed.
However, with Moore signed only through this season, drafting someone like Singleton would help ensure the Bills maintain that vertical threat going forward. His elite speed and explosive ability could open up the offense even more for Josh Allen and help keep Buffalo’s aerial attack among the most dangerous in the league.
