BREAKING: Blockbuster Bills Trade Proposal Adds WR Talent to Buffalo
The Buffalo Bills require a premier receiver following the departure of Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. One observer proposes they might secure one via another significant trade. According to a mock draft released on April 16 by Rob Maaddi of The Associated Press, the Bills could potentially climb up to the No. 4 overall pick by trading with the Arizona Cardinals, aiming to snag wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Although Maaddi recognizes this trade could come at a high cost, he argues that the Bills’ desire to compete for a Super Bowl title could drive them to pursue such a move.
Bills Make Bold Move to Extend Super Bowl Window
Harrison is widely regarded as the top receiving prospect and one of the most talented players in this year’s draft, with the consensus among analysts being that he’ll likely be chosen within the top five picks. While other mock drafts have suggested that the Bills might trade up to the latter half of the top 10 or beyond to secure one of the other top receivers, Maaddi believes they could aim for the best option available.
“Maaddi wrote, “Harrison, who is the son of Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison, showcased his skills as the premier wideout on the field last season. Despite a slight dip in his stock due to skipping offseason workouts, his performance tape speaks volumes. With the pressure on the Bills to clinch a Super Bowl victory, acquiring a top-tier wide receiver after parting ways with Stefon Diggs becomes paramount.”
The Arizona Cardinals want 3 First Round Picks for the 4th overall pick, their plan is reportedly to select Marvin Harrison Jr. pic.twitter.com/OkAlcTMkS7
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) April 9, 2024
According to Maaddi’s prediction, the Bills would need to offer a substantial package of draft picks to make such a significant move up the draft board. This would involve exchanging their current No. 28 overall pick, as well as their second-round (No. 60), fourth-round (No. 128), and fifth-round (No. 160) picks for this year, along with their first- and second-round selections in 2025. In return, the Bills would also receive a fourth-round pick.
Fortunately, the Bills possess a wealth of draft capital heading into the draft, boasting a total of 11 picks overall. Even after parting with a bundle of picks in the proposed trade with the Cardinals, the Bills would still retain nine selections to address other areas of their roster.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane has demonstrated a willingness to maneuver in the first round, having made smaller moves up the draft board in 2022 to acquire cornerback Kaiir Elam and again last season to secure tight end Dalton Kincaid. However, the Bills haven’t executed such a substantial move since 2014, when they traded up to the No. 4 overall pick to select wide receiver Sammy Watkins.
Cardinals Could Hold Onto Pick
There’s a possibility that the Bills won’t have the chance to draft Harrison. Albert Breer, an insider for SI.com, pointed out that Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort might opt to keep their fourth overall pick and select Harrison, who could swiftly become a cornerstone of the team’s rebuilding efforts.
Breer noted, “Arizona’s position is distinctive in that, despite picking fourth, they’re likely to have the opportunity to select the top non-quarterback in this year’s draft class.” He added, “What a few people have mentioned to me in recent months is that Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. would be an ideal pick for Ossenfort, similar to how Harrison’s former teammate Paris Johnson Jr. was in 2023.”
Breer continued by saying that the Cardinals would probably need a 2025 first-round pick as part of the deal if they were to consider trade proposals for the No. 4 pick.