One Trade, One Signing: How the Buffalo Bills Can Improve Their WR Room
The Buffalo Bills don't need another blockbuster deal this offseason for an offensive weapon after making the move for D.J. Moore before the Draft this spring.
They don't need to mortgage future draft picks. They don't need to overreact before Week 1. What they do need is to make the wide receiver room fit what Joe Brady wants this offense to be. They need to do it before training camp starts, before a potential injury sidelines a player who can’t stay healthy, and give a hungry player who feels he has something to prove another opportunity. That starts with finding a trade partner for Joshua Palmer and bringing back Brandin Cooks. Before you say, “No chance, not going to happen.” Worse contracts have been moved, so it's not as far-fetched as one would think.
Joshua Palmer Never Became the Answer
When Brandon Beane signed Palmer, the idea made sense. He was entering his prime, had flashed with the Chargers, and looked like someone who could thrive opposite Khalil Shakir.
Instead, injuries and inconsistent production kept Palmer from ever establishing himself as a reliable target for Josh Allen in the offense. He finished last season with just 22 receptions for 303 yards and failed to score a touchdown. The Bills were relying on Gabe Davis, Tyrell Shavers, and Brandin Cooks down the stretch.
Now, entering training camp, Palmer isn't even guaranteed the WR3 job. Keon Coleman, rookie Skyler Bell, and Palmer are expected to battle for snaps behind DJ Moore and Khalil Shakir.
If he's fighting just to be the third or fourth receiver, Buffalo should ask an important question: Can another team value Palmer more than the Bills currently do? A reset may be best for both sides at this point.
Brandin Cooks Fits
Unlike Palmer, Cooks already knows the offense, knows the locker room, and understands exactly what his role would be. He's not coming in expecting to be WR1. He brought a verticality to the offense that hasn’t existed since 2020-2021, when John Brown was on the roster, and the offense was explosive.
Perhaps most importantly, Cooks has publicly expressed interest in returning to Buffalo, and recent reports indicate that the two sides have been in contact. Getting this done before training camp would benefit all parties.
Cooks’ brief time in Buffalo last fall was a positive experience that ended on a sour note. He sounds like a player with a chip on his shoulder who would like to rectify it.
Trade Market Exists
Palmer will turn 27 when the season begins and still possesses traits that NFL teams covet. He’s a good route runner, has reliable hands, and has experience in multiple offensive systems, with an affordable contract (2-years/$20 million remaining on deal)
Receiver-needy teams that miss out during training camp or suffer an injury in the preseason could view Palmer as a worthwhile addition. Buffalo doesn’t need to receive more than a late-round draft pick, but even a Day 3 selection is valuable if Palmer isn't expected to play a significant role. They need to move the contract via a trade rather than an outright release, which I will get into later for cap purposes.
The Bills have already shown they're willing to move on quickly when a player no longer fits their long-term vision. This feels like another opportunity to do exactly that.
Potential Suitors
The three teams that I believe would be the top trade partners for a Palmer move are in Sharp Football Analysis bottom 5 for WR and TE rankings and were in the bottom 7 in ESPN’s WR, TE, and RB groups for 2026.
Las Vegas Raiders - Vegas has a new HC and the No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza. Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor are the top WRs there, so they have a need at the position and an asset they need to build around. Vegas currently has $24 million in cap space, so they can take on Palmer’s contract.
Miami Dolphins - I don't think Malik Willis planned for his top three wide receivers to be Tutu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert, and Malik Washington when he signed his FA deal in Miami this offseason. After the Dolphins traded away Jaylen Waddle and left the receiver room ranked last in the NFL, Miami needs to add someone to give some relief.
Washington Commanders - the Commanders were linked to Brandon Aiyuk if the 49ers released or traded him, and every day that passes leads me to believe he will never see a football field again with his social media activity, so they have become a potential landing spot in a Palmer deal now too. After Terry McLaurin, it’s a very young and inexperienced group that Jayden Daniels is throwing to. They need to bolster their offense to help the third-year QB bounce back to his rookie form.
Other possible teams: Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans
There's Plenty of NFL Precedent for This Move
I am not saying Palmer is the same as these players, but the deals are similar in structure to what I would expect if the Bills are to trade Palmer this summer.
2025 - Panthers trade Adam Thielen (1yr/$8.5 million contract) to Vikings with a conditional 2026 7th-round pick and 2027 5th-round pick for a 2026 5th-round pick and 2027 4th-round pick
2024 - Steelers trade Diontae Johnson (1 yr/$18.35 million remaining on contract) and a 2024 7th-round pick to the Panthers for Donte Jackson and a 2024 6th-round pick.
2023 - Rams trade Allen Robinson (2 yrs/$31 million remaining on contract) to Steelers in a swap of 2023 7th-round draft picks. The contract was reworked as part of the deal, with the Rams paying $10 million of the 2023 salary and Robinson lowering his 2024 salary from $15 million to $10 million.
2022 - Rams trade Robert Woods (2 yrs/$32.5 million remaining on contract) to Titans for a 2023 6th-round pick
2022 - Cowboys trade Amari Cooper (3 yrs/$60 million remaining on contract) to the Browns for a 2022 5th-round pick and a swap of 2022 6th-round picks.
Why Now?
Palmer is probably the healthiest he will be this season, right now. He didn’t fully participate in the early OTAs, but did so in the mandatory minicamp. "I'm starting to feel a lot more like myself close to pre-injury,” Palmer relayed during minicamp.
It also allows a clean break and gives Palmer a chance with a team in training camp. It would allow Cooks a chance to come in and build on the chemistry he showed with Allen at the end of last season. I also don’t see how they can coexist on the roster.
Neither can play special teams, so having both on the roster competing for a depth WR role isn’t ideal. The other piece it is now past June 1st. If the Bills are able to trade Palmer now, they would save $10.15 million in cap space compared to the $2.31 million in a release.
I was optimistic when the Bills signed Palmer that he could thrive with Allen because of his route-running ability, but it never happened last year, and I don’t want to see what happened with Curtis Samuel happen again. I feel that, at this point, it’s probably better to cut their losses if they’re able to find a trade partner.
Trade Package Scenarios
Bills Receive: 2027 6th Round Pick (possible contract restructure to pay more money before trade)
Team X Receives: Joshua Palmer on a reworked deal and the Bills’ 2027 7th Round Pick
Bills Receive: 2027 7th Round Pick
Team X Receives: Joshua Palmer on original contract and the Bills’ 2027 7th Round Pick
