The Buffalo Bills have already gone to work overhauling an underperforming wide receiver room, and could have the chance to make another very big addition soon.
Reporter Lance Lysowski of the Buffalo News suggested the Bills will invest an early draft pick in a new wide receiver, one with some great physical tools and athleticism, but plenty of room to grow.
Bills Opt for ‘Raw’ Talent at Wide Receiver
In his mock draft, Lysowski predicted the Bills would take an edge rusher in the first round before addressing their wide receiver room with their next pick.
“With the 61st pick of the NFL draft, the Buffalo Bills select Georgia State receiver Ted Hurst, who’s tall (6-foot-5) and fast (4.4-second 40-yard dash),” Lysowski wrote. “Hurst totaled 1,004 yards and six touchdowns in 2025, while 70.9% of his catches were a first down or touchdown.”
Lysowski added that Hurst has the ability to grow into a No. 1 receiver, but said the Bills could take a “gamble” on his raw potential.
“No one else in the Bills’ receiving corps has his skill set,” Lysowski wrote. “Hurst is raw. He ran a limited route tree. His technique as a blocker needs extensive work. But the skill set is tantalizing enough for this to be a worthwhile gamble.”
The Bills don’t have another receiver with the combination of Hurst’s size and speed, and have lacked a go-to receiver in third-down situations. Hurst’s skill at converting first downs and scoring touchdowns could be a big boost to the team.
The Bills have not taken a wide receiver in the first round in more than a decade, dating back to 2014 when they traded up to land Sammy Watkins early in the round. The team did land Keon Coleman with the first pick of the second round in 2024, but have not invested heavily in wide receiver through the draft recently.
Bills Could Make More Additions
The Bills have already made some changes to their wide receiver room, parting ways with veteran Curtis Samuel and adding field-stretching DJ Moore in a trade with the Chicago Bears.
They could have more room to add, with one of last year’s top targets still on the open market. The Bills snatched veteran Brandin Cooks off waivers late last season, then watched him immediately grow into Allen’s top downfield target for the final stretch of the season and playoffs.
SI.com’s Alex Brasky suggested last month that the Bills would be keen on bringing Cooks back into the fold for next year.
“Finally, a familiar face, as Cooks remains available after he offered a reasonable deep threat during his time in Buffalo a season ago,” Brasky wrote. “At 32 years old, it’s fair to question what Cooks has left in the tank, but what he put on display during the 2025 season leaves room for optimism as far as what he could provide on a bargain one-year deal.”
The Bills could also bring back veteran Gabe Davis, who suffered a knee injury in the team’s playoff win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Bills Predicted to ‘Gamble’ on 6-Foot-5 WR as Help For Josh Allen