The Buffalo Bills have spent years trying to find a true No. 1 receiver for Josh Allen, and D.J. Moore may be the latest swing at solving that problem. Buffalo brought Moore and a 2026 5th-round pick over from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2026 2nd-round pick, and the early signs in training camp suggest the pairing has real potential.
Allen and Moore have been building chemistry already, but the bigger question is what that connection looks like once the games start piling up. Moore gives Buffalo a different kind of threat - one that can stretch a defense, work the middle of the field and add layers to what the Bills can do on offense.
At 6-foot and 213 pounds, Moore has the size to contribute as a blocker in the run game and the hands to finish tough catches when the moment gets tight. He also has enough speed to be deployed in gadget looks, including WR reverses and jet sweeps. That versatility matters for a Bills offense that wants to keep defenses guessing.
There’s also the leadership side. Moore is described as a strong-character player who does what the coaches ask and is willing to help younger receivers along. That could matter for Keon Coleman and Skyler Bell, both of whom could pick up lessons from a veteran presence like Moore.
Khalil Shakir stands to gain too. His game has long been built around creating space and piling up yards after the catch, especially on screen plays.
Coleman handled much of the blocking work in that area before, but Moore could take over that role this season. Moore and Shakir are both said to fit well with Joe Brady, and both bring the kind of team-first attitude that helps an offense function smoothly.
Joshua Palmer is another name to watch if he stays healthy. His route-running and ability to be a physical target could make contested catches over the middle more reliable. Palmer flashed early last season, but a Week 5 injury against the Atlanta Falcons changed the course of his year.
The Moore-Allen pairing has even been compared to the Dallas Cowboys’ connection between Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. In that setup, Lamb serves as the top option on deep and intermediate throws, while also getting used on jet sweeps and reverses. If Buffalo can get similar production from Allen and Moore, the offense could look a lot more dangerous.
Dalton Kincaid could also benefit from Moore’s arrival. The receiving tight end has shown promise since posting a career-high 73 catches as a rookie in 2023, but injuries to his PCL, collarbone and hamstring have kept Buffalo cautious with him. The expectation is that in 2026, he can stay on the field for all 17 games.
Kincaid has also been improving as a blocker, especially in 11, 12 and 13 personnel groupings. The Bills want Moore to keep developing in that area too, while still earning his share of targets. With Moore drawing attention, Allen should have more chances to lean on Kincaid in the passing game.
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