Drop-prone receiver at heart of Sean McDermott exit could hold key to unlocking blockbuster Bills trade

Josh Allen needs some help on offense.

The Buffalo Bills suffered yet more playoff heartbreak when they fell 33-30 in overtime to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round of the 2025 NFL playoffs.

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Without a standout No. 1 wide receiver – Khalil Shakir was the leading receiver with 719 yards and four touchdowns from 72 receptions – Allen used his legs more than he had done in the previous three seasons.

This also led to running back James Cook exploding for a career-high 1,621 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, on the other hand, have an abundance of talent for quarterback Trevor Lawrence to target at that position.

Arguably they have too much there, meaning some weapons are being somewhat under-utilized.

A player like Brian Thomas Jr. for example, who was a first-round pick in 2024 out of LSU, was the Jags’ second-leading receiver behind Parker Washington with 707 yards and two touchdowns.

However, Jacksonville also traded mid-season for Jakobi Meyers, who instantly made an impression on head coach Liam Coen, who recorded 483 yards and three scores in just nine outings in teal.

Then there’s the Travis Hunter conundrum.

The Jaguars gave up four draft picks to move up three spots in the 2025 NFL Draft to select the two-way star from Colorado, but he featured just seven times before suffering a season-ending injury.

Expected to be fully healthy to go in 2026, the Florida outfit still plan to use Hunter on offense – albeit sparingly – as they double down on their plans to make him a starting cornerback.

Regardless, Thomas Jr. hasn’t exactly emerged as a superstar talent in Jacksonville as many had perhaps expected he might and so a change of scenery could be something he could welcome.

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Potential Thomas Jr-Coleman swap proposed

With that in mind, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has identified Buffalo as a potential landing spot for a player of Thomas Jr’s talent.

“If the organization is still committed to giving Travis Hunter a two-way role, its wide receiver room would be very crowded,” Barnwell wrote.

“Jakobi Meyers signed an extension after impressing in half a year with the Jags. And Parker Washington was the team’s best wideout down the stretch and into the postseason.

“Thomas, on the other hand, never really seemed comfortable in Coen’s offense.

“After a massive rookie campaign, Thomas didn’t have a single 100-yard game in Year 2 and topped 70 receiving yards three times.

“There were drops and (perhaps overstated) concerns about Thomas’ unwillingness to make catches in tight spaces.

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Barnwell further goes on to argue that Hunter’s part-time role as a receiver could somewhat limit Thomas Jr’s production should he remain on the team in 2026.

“The Bills, on the other hand, desperately need an “X” receiver who can separate from man coverage and make plays at all three levels,” he continued.

Barnwell makes the case that the 24-year-old is a WR1-caliber talent, and would instantly earn that role in Buffalo.

“Thomas would immediately step in as Josh Allen‘s No. 1 receiver.

“For a team that’s $10 million over the projected cap before making adjustments this offseason, Thomas’ contract is a bargain for the next few years. 

For a trade to be pulled off, though, Barnwell names Keon Coleman to be the man that Buffalo offload, amid his fallout with the team during the season before owner Terry Pegula later admitted that he wasn’t keen on drafting the young wideout in the first place.

But other options, including that of Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Mike Evans could yet be on the table as the Bills bid to end their Super Bowl curse once and for all.

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