The Buffalo Bills signed wide receiver Joshua Palmer to a three-year, $29 million contract early in free agency. The rumor mill hasn’t stopped spinning, however, and now it sounds like general manager Brandon Beane may be trying to land another high-profile offensive playmaker.
Matt Parrino of New York Upstate reported it’s “possible” the Bills make a trade “before or during” the 2025 NFL draft, which begins April 24. Parrino added the names to “monitor” include a pair of wideouts: the New Orleans Saints‘ Chris Olave and Minnesota Vikings‘ Jordan Addison.
If acquired, one of those stars would join Palmer, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Curtis Samuel to give Buffalo one of the league’s deepest receiver groups.
Bills Rumors: Chris Olave, Jordan Addison Headline Trade Targets
The Case For Chris Olave
Olave was on the fast track to superstardom after the Saints selected him with the 11th overall pick in the 2022 draft. The Ohio State product recorded 159 catches for 2,165 yards and nine touchdowns in 31 appearances across his first two NFL seasons.
His concussion history has created uncertainty about his future, though. The receiver suffered a concussion in both 2022 and 2023. He then suffered two more within the first nine weeks of the 2024 campaign. The second one kept him sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Olave explained in his season-ending press conference that he’s felt “regular” since his most recent concussion. That said, he decided to err on the side of caution by remaining sidelined for the second half of 2024 to focus on his “long-term health.”
“No symptoms, as far as concussions symptoms since I’ve been hurt,” the 24-year-old California native told reporters in January.
When healthy, Olave is one of the NFL’s most effective receivers on short and intermediate routes. He’s a high-end route runner with plenty of tricks in his bag to keep opposing cornerbacks off balance. It’s an intriguing skill set for a Bills passing game that has struggled at times against man coverage.
Just a reminder that Chris Olave is that guy.
https://t.co/KlYFEtTVGF pic.twitter.com/oTXrYivsMS
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) March 27, 2025
Meanwhile, moving to an offense where he wouldn’t be expected to handle nearly 140 targets, as he did for New Orleans in 2023, would aid in his quest to stay healthy moving forward.
The Case For Jordan Addison
Like Olave, Addison quickly made a major impact after the Vikes drafted him in the first round two years ago. He’s tallied 133 receptions for 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns in 32 career appearances. Those numbers are more impressive when you consider he typically shares the field with Justin Jefferson, perhaps the league’s best wideout.
Jefferson’s presence is also why Addison could be available for trade. Jefferson is already under contract through 2028 as part of a $140 million deal. Soon, his fellow Minnesota playmaker will be in the market for a new deal. He’ll probably be looking for No. 1 receiver money, too.
Is Jordan Addison the best WR2 in the league?
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) March 22, 2025
The Vikings are coming off a 14-3 regular season. Yet, they were blown out by the Los Angeles Rams in the opening round of the playoffs. It was a loss that highlighted the roster’s weaknesses, which extend behind quarterback.
Addison would command a king’s ransom on the trade market. Minnesota features a list of needs that includes cornerback, offensive line, safety and linebacker, and that’s not even factoring in the uncertainty around the return of quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Filling multiple needs with one deal is attractive.
In turn, contenders like Buffalo should be in constant contact with the Vikings. Getting a receiver who can create separation at every level would be a welcome addition to any offense. That’s particularly true for one with an MVP quarterback like Josh Allen.
Final Verdict: Better Fit in Buffalo Amid Bills Rumors?
Olave and Addison would both be upgrades for the Bills’ aerial attack. Buffalo’s pass-catching group is already deep, but it lacks a true No. 1 option. Either trade target is capable of filling that void.
That said, Addison feels like a better fit if forced to choose between the pair. That’s mostly because of his field-stretching ability. It’s an area the led-Allen unit has struggled over the past couple years. The addition of Palmer did nothing to change that outlook.
The question is whether Beane is willing to pay a premium price for another receiver. It seems unlikely given the Bills still have multiple needs to fill in the draft, led by cornerback and defensive tackle.
Brandon Beane breaks down the Bills’ draft strategy on Centered on Buffalo with @EWood70 : ‘It’s all about letting the board guide us—whether that means trading up for a star or stacking picks where the talent runs deep. Flexibility is key.’ #BillsMafia #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/38whTgA8RB
— Centered on Buffalo (@thebuffalopod) March 28, 2025
Addison would probably cost Buffalo a roster player or two along with multiple draft picks. His talent is undeniable, but that’s a lot for a championship hopeful who already finished second in scoring last season at 30.9 points per game. They’d have to offer him a lucrative extension in the coming years, as well.
More likely, the Bills will use one of their draft selections in the middle rounds to bring in a speedy wideout to provide that vertical element.
Realities aside, the prospect of Addison getting to catch passes from Allen is enticing. He’s posted terrific numbers while typically operating as a No. 2 receiver without an elite quarterback. The sky’s the limit if he was a No. 1 target with a top-tier signal-caller.
The Bills should unquestionably be part of the conversation if he’s truly available, even if the asking price is too rich in the end.
Main Image: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
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