If there’s one thing that’s become crystal clear for the Buffalo Bills this offseason, it’s that they need to get Josh Allen a true No. 1 wide receiver. Not a solid complementary piece.
Not a mid-tier free agent. A bona fide game-changer.
We’ve seen what Allen can do with elite weapons-think back to the early days of his connection with Stefon Diggs. But as that partnership has cooled and the supporting cast has leaned more on role players like Curtis Samuel or Joshua Palmer-type options, the offense has lacked that extra gear. The kind of gear you need when the playoffs roll around and defenses tighten up.
So, who could fill that WR1 void in Buffalo?
One name that keeps surfacing: A.J. Brown.
Yes, that A.J. Brown-the physical, explosive wideout from Philadelphia who’s built like a linebacker and moves like a track star.
On paper, it might not seem like the cleanest cultural fit with offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s “everybody eats” philosophy. Brown is known for wanting his touches, and he’s not shy about expressing it when they don’t come.
But talent like his doesn’t hit the trade market often, and if the price is truly as low as a second-round pick, the Bills have to be seriously thinking about it.
Let’s break this down.
Brown is one of the few receivers in the league who can take over a game on his own. He’s a nightmare in one-on-one coverage, a bully after the catch, and a red-zone threat every time he steps on the field. Pairing him with Allen-who isn’t afraid to throw into tight windows and give his receivers a shot-could unlock something we haven’t seen in Buffalo’s offense since its peak in 2020.
And let’s be honest: the Bills are in win-now mode. Allen is in his prime.
The AFC isn’t getting any easier. Last season was a golden opportunity with no Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, or Joe Burrow standing in their way, and they couldn’t capitalize.
That window won’t stay open forever.
Sure, there are some locker room dynamics to consider. Brown’s passion can spill over when he’s not getting the ball.
But that’s where leadership-both from Allen and the coaching staff-comes into play. If they can get buy-in from Brown and make him feel like a true focal point, the payoff could be massive.
This isn’t about making a splashy move just to make headlines. It’s about giving one of the league’s most talented quarterbacks a weapon who can tilt the field. If Buffalo can land Brown for a second-rounder, it’s the kind of move that could shift the balance of power in the AFC.
Imagine a 2026 Bills offense with Allen slinging it to Brown, with Dalton Kincaid working underneath, James Cook out of the backfield, and Brady dialing up mismatches. That’s not just dangerous-that’s championship-caliber.
If the opportunity’s there, Buffalo has to take the shot.