
The Buffalo Bills once again fell short of the Super Bowl, this time losing 33-30 on the road in overtime against the Denver Broncos in the divisional round.
As a result, head coach Sean McDermott was fired and replaced by offensive coordinator Joe Brady. While this change was significant, the team still needs to tackle a major concern: they lack an elite wide receiver. Khalil Shakir led the team with only 719 receiving yards.
NFL.com's Gennaro Filice has the team addressing its problem. In his mock draft, he has Buffalo selecting Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston in the first round after he accumulated 1,700 yards during his college career.
"Josh Allen needs better weaponry in the passing game," Filice wrote. "The Bills haven’t spent a first-round pick on a wide receiver since they drafted Sammy Watkins fourth overall in 2014. They did take Keon Coleman at the top of Round 2 a couple of years ago, but that selection hasn’t worked out as planned. (Just ask the owner.) If the team’s still looking for a big-bodied ball winner, Boston could be a nice value at No. 26."
The immediate effect of drafting Boston would signal a philosophical shift for the Bills. After moving on from McDermott and elevating Brady, the organization appears committed to maximizing Allen’s prime. With Shakir leading the team with under 750 receiving yards, the need for a true No. 1 target has become increasingly evident.
From a roster-building standpoint, Buffalo has not spent a first-round pick on a receiver since selecting Watkins in 2014. While the team invested in Coleman early in the second round, the passing attack still lacks a consistent, big-bodied finisher who can win contested catches in January. Boston’s production at Washington and his physical profile could provide that missing dimension, particularly in high-leverage red-zone situations.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Buffalo’s overtime loss to the Broncos underscored how slim the margin is between contender and champion. Investing a first-round selection in premium receiving talent would reflect urgency, not patience. If the Bills truly want to push past divisional-round heartbreak, giving Allen elite weaponry may be the clearest path forward.
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