The Bills Speed Problem: 5 Deep Threats Buffalo Should Target
The Buffalo Bills’ season ended the same way it has for years—with Josh Allen’s Super Bowl dreams dashed and questions swirling about what pieces are missing. But this time, the answer is crystal clear: speed.
The Vertical Threat Vacuum
When the Bills moved on from Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis after the 2023 season, they lost more than just production—they lost the fear factor. Defenses no longer have to respect the deep ball the way they once did. Even with Amari Cooper acquired mid-season, Buffalo lacked that true burner who could take the top off a defense and create one-on-one opportunities underneath.
Josh Allen’s arm strength is generational. His deep ball accuracy is elite. But without receivers who can consistently threaten vertically, defenses are sitting on intermediate routes and compressing the field. The result? An offense that, while efficient with its “Everybody Eats” philosophy, lacks the explosive element that separates good offenses from championship-caliber attacks.
The numbers tell the story. Allen’s average depth of target has decreased, and while the Bills still scored points, they couldn’t deliver the knockout blow when it mattered most. Against playoff-caliber defenses that can take away the easy stuff, Buffalo needs someone who can make the impossible catch 40 yards downfield.
Why This Matters NOW
The Bills’ championship window isn’t closed, but it’s not getting any wider. Allen is in his prime, the defense is elite, and the AFC is as competitive as ever. Standing pat while teams like Kansas City continue to reload would be organizational malpractice.
General Manager Brandon Beane has shown he’s not afraid to be aggressive. The Cooper trade proved that. But Cooper, while productive, isn’t a true speed demon who forces safeties to play honest. Buffalo needs a complementary piece—someone who can stretch the field vertically while Cooper works the intermediate game.
The Targets: From Realistic to Dream Scenario
TIER 1: The Realistic Options
Rashid Shaheed (New Orleans Saints)
If there’s a perfect fit sitting on a struggling team, it’s Shaheed. The Saints’ quarterback situation has been a disaster, and Spencer Rattler simply can’t utilize Shaheed’s elite vertical speed the way Allen could. The Saints may look to add draft capital if their rebuild accelerates.
What He Brings: Legitimate 4.3 speed, experience as a deep threat, affordable contract situation
The Cost: Mid-round pick (3rd or 4th), manageable salary
The Pitch: Shaheed is wasting away in New Orleans with no competent quarterback. In Buffalo, he’d immediately become Allen’s home-run weapon and could be the difference in January.
Darius Slayton (New York Giants)
The Giants are in full rebuild mode, and Slayton has been their most consistent deep threat for years. He’s a proven vertical weapon who’s hauled in plenty of 40+ yard touchdowns despite inconsistent quarterback play.
What He Brings: Track record of success, won’t break the bank, experience in the NFC East pressure cooker
The Cost: Day 3 pick, team-friendly deal
The Pitch: Slayton has done more with less in New York. Pair him with Allen and watch the chemistry ignite.
TIER 2: Worth the Investment
Jameson Williams (Detroit Lions)
This one’s tricky. Williams is buried on a loaded Lions roster, overshadowed by Detroit’s dominant run game. But his speed is undeniable, and the Lions might be willing to move him for the right price if they need cap flexibility or draft capital.
What He Brings: Elite speed, youth, massive upside
The Cost: 2nd round pick, some salary commitment
The Pitch: Williams needs a situation where he can be featured. Buffalo can offer him that role.
Christian Kirk (Jacksonville Jaguars)
If the Jaguars continue their downward spiral, Kirk could become available. He’s more than just a deep threat—he’s a complete receiver who can stretch the field and win at all three levels.
What He Brings: Versatility, playoff experience, contract that runs through 2026
The Cost: 2nd-3rd round pick range
The Pitch: Kirk would give the Bills the most complete receiver room in the AFC. He can play outside or slot, go vertical or work underneath. That flexibility would make Buffalo’s offense nearly impossible to game plan against.
TIER 3: The Dream Scenario
Hollywood Brown (Free Agency)
Brown has been linked to Buffalo for months, and for good reason. His speed and big-play ability are exactly what the Bills have been missing. After recovering from injury, Brown could be looking for a one-year prove-it deal or a team ready to contend.
What He Brings: Established NFL speed merchant, playoff experience, chemistry potential with Allen
The Cost: Multi-year deal, significant cap commitment
The Pitch: This is the big swing. Brown has been a WR1 before, and paired with Allen, he could rediscover that form. If Beane is serious about winning now, this is the move that screams “all-in.”
Tee Higgins (Cincinnati Bengals – Via Trade or Free Agency)
The nuclear option. Higgins will likely test free agency, and if the Bengals can’t keep both him and Ja’Marr Chase, Buffalo should be first in line. Yes, he’s more of a contested catch specialist than a burner, but his ability to win downfield is elite.
What He Brings: True WR1 potential, red zone weapon, AFC North toughness
The Cost: Massive contract, potential compensation pick
The Pitch: If you want to beat Kansas City, you need their level of talent. Higgins gives you that. This would be the boldest move in the Beane era.
The Counter-Argument: Why Buffalo Might Pass
There are legitimate reasons the Bills could stand pat. Keon Coleman showed flashes as a rookie, and the team clearly believes in his development. Dalton Kincaid’s emergence as a receiving threat gives Allen another weapon. And with limited cap space and draft capital, Buffalo might prioritize other positions.
But here’s the thing: those are good reasons, not great ones. Championship teams don’t wait for young players to develop when the window is open. They strike when iron is hot.
The Verdict
Buffalo needs to make a move, and it needs to be for someone with legitimate speed. Whether that’s the affordable option like Slayton or Shaheed, or a bigger swing for Williams or Brown, doing nothing isn’t an option.
The Bills have spent years building a roster around Josh Allen. They’ve invested in the offensive line, added weapons at tight end and running back, and constructed one of the NFL’s best defenses. But without a true deep threat, they’re asking Allen to win with one hand tied behind his back.
The Bold Prediction: Beane makes a play for Hollywood Brown in free agency and adds a complementary speed piece via trade. The Bills go all-in, finally give Allen the weapons he deserves, and position themselves as legitimate Super Bowl favorites.
If Buffalo wants to finally break through and win it all, they can’t keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. It’s time to add speed. It’s time to let Allen’s arm do what it was built to do. It’s time to stop settling for “good enough.”
The clock is ticking. The window is open. Make the call, Brandon Beane.
(Aspiring NFL Writer | Children’s Author | Chicago Bears Devotee in Chiefs Territory)