The Buffalo Bills often came close to a Super Bowl appearance under Sean McDermott. Unlocking Josh Allen's elite level of performance as NFL MVP certainly helped. Yet, despite seven consecutive playoff appearances, the Bills were not able to reach the promised berth, leading to McDermott's dismissal after nine seasons as head coach.
Now the Bills are moving forward with a new leadership group, starting with recently promoted Brandon Beane and first-year head coach Joe Brady, who was promoted from offensive coordinator. One of the top items on Buffalo's agenda should be strengthening the team's receiving corps, which was clearly something McDermott would love to see as well.
Recently, ESPN's NFL analysts Dan Graziano and Ben Solak came up with a list of the best 15 players who could hit the trade block this offseason. In doing so, he named Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. as a potential trade candidate. Nevertheless, when listing teams for which Thomas could be suited, he also listed the Bills in addition to the Patriots, Steelers and Raiders.
" Selected in the first round two years ago by the previous Jaguars administration, Thomas struggled so much during his second season that the team needed to trade Jakobi Meyers at the deadline and then sign him to a long-term deal. The Jaguars also got an impressive season from Parker Washington. And while the new plan for Travis Hunter may be to focus on the cornerback position, Jacksonville still hopes he'll make some contributions as a wide receiver.
There has been no indication that the Jaguars are planning on trading Thomas, but there are teams monitoring the situation, with the front office considering a move if the hypertalented LSU product falls far enough down the Jacksonville depth chart.
Brian Thomas on ESPN
If the Bills are willing to part with some valuable draft picks (possibly no less than a second-round pick plus change), perhaps they could pry Thomas out of Jacksonville. He appears to be an ideal fit for the receiver the Bills were looking for when they selected Keon Coleman with the 33rd overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Coleman is 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, but the 22-year-old has compiled only 67 receptions for 960 yards and 8 touchdowns in two seasons in Buffalo. Meanwhile, Thomas is 6-foot-2, 209 pounds and the 23-year-old has compiled 135 receptions for 1,989 yards and 12 touchdowns since becoming the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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