Following the departures of top wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, the Bills embraced a more balanced approach last season by distributing passes among a broader group of receivers. To support this shift, they signed veteran players and drafted Keon Coleman. However, some believe the team should still pursue another major receiving threat ahead of the 2025 season.
Chris Olave Emerges as a Potential Trade Target for the Bills
According to Alan Saunders of Steelers Now, the Pittsburgh Steelers have shown interest in acquiring New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave, who has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Saunders mentioned that discussions are in the very early stages.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers have discussed the possibility of trading for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave, a team source confirmed to Steelers Now, but that process remains at an extremely preliminary level,” Saunders reported.
While the report did not indicate how willing the Saints could be to deal their budding star, many suggested the Bills should get in the mix if they were serious about trading Olave.
While recent reports have only just suggested the Saints might be open to trade discussions, speculation about the Bills pursuing Chris Olave dates back further. In March, Matt Parrino of New York Upstate mentioned that Buffalo could have interest in the third-year receiver, who is entering the final year of his $19 million rookie deal.
“Two other names to keep an eye on are Chris Olave of the Saints, despite a concerning history of concussions, and possibly Jordan Addison from Minnesota,” Parrino wrote, referring to potential draft-day trade targets for the Bills.
Olave has accumulated 191 catches for 2,565 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first three NFL seasons. If acquired, he could potentially contend for the No. 1 receiver role in Buffalo.
Keon Coleman Poised for Bigger Role in 2025
There are also signs that the Bills may lean more heavily on second-year receiver Keon Coleman. After a promising rookie season in 2024 that was hampered by injuries, Coleman appears poised to take on a larger role. ESPN’s Ben Solak noted that the team is likely to expand his responsibilities, citing his size and refined route-running as key assets.
“The big-bodied, contested-catch expert from Florida State delivered just that in his rookie campaign — a playmaker who faced man coverage on 39 of his 57 targets,” Solak wrote. “While he often wins with strength, Coleman showed enough agility and post-catch ability to suggest he’s more than just a physical receiver. He’s expected to run a more diverse route tree in Year 2 and continue earning Josh Allen’s trust.”
The Bills made minimal moves at wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting only Kaden Prather in the seventh round with the 240th overall pick. They did, however, make some free-agent additions, including former Jets and Browns wideout Elijah Moore and potential return specialist Laviska Shenault Jr.
