Where Does Bills WR Group Rank Among NFL's Weakest After Stefon Diggs Trade?

The Buffalo Bills fully committed to rebuilding their receiving corps from the ground up when they traded All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans on Wednesday.

Earlier this offseason, Gabe Davis signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Though it was understandable why the Bills didn't keep him—especially at the price he commanded in free agency—Diggs and Davis have been Josh Allen's two leading wideouts during the last two years. Now, the Bills' depth chart is worryingly thin.

Buffalo did sign Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins in free agency, but neither of them are likely to replace the output of Diggs and Davis. The Bills could always bolster their receiving corps in the draft or revisit their remaining options in free-agency, but they suddenly have one of the worst pass-catching groups in the NFL.

These rankings are sure to change over the next few months, particularly after the 2024 NFL draft. But for now, let's see where Buffalo's receiving corps falls among the worst leaguewide.

9. Carolina Panthers

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Jonathan Mingo and Adam Thielen

Do the Carolina Panthers have a low-end, middle-tier receiving unit or a high-end, low-tier group? The answer is less important than understanding that the Panthers are on the fringe of being respectable.

However, the variables in this collection of wideouts are a legitimate concern.

Adam Thielen surpassed 1,000 yards last season in his first year with the Panthers, but he faded in the latter half of the campaign and will be 34 next season. Jonathan Mingo is a promising second-year player, although he didn't catch any touchdowns as a rookie.

New arrival Diontae Johnson could take pressure off both of them, but he had a few frustrating seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers in recent years. Meanwhile, Terrace Marshall Jr., a second-round selection in 2021, may find himself on the roster bubble after a quiet 2023 campaign.

Carolina's receiving core has clear upside, but we're in "see it to believe it" territory for now.

8. Denver Broncos

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Courtland Sutton

Courtland Sutton snagged a career-high 10 touchdowns last season and has eclipsed 700 receiving yards in all five of his healthy years. He might not be a star receiver or a true No. 1 target, but Sutton is a starting-caliber player.

That outsized role—however slight it may be for Sutton—is a common sight within the Denver Broncos' pass-catching unit.

After trading Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns this offseason, the Broncos need 2023 second-rounder Marvin Mims Jr. or recent free-agent signing Josh Reynolds to be their new No. 2 option. Mims had 22 catches as a rookie, and Reynolds' impact dwindled with the Detroit Lions last season.

The wild card is Tim Patrick, who notched 700-plus yards in both 2020 and 2021 but missed the last two years because of serious injuries. He might be able to bounce back this season if he stays healthy, but the Broncos shouldn't count on it.

7. Baltimore Ravens

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Zay Flowers

The Baltimore Ravens boast a star tight end Mark Andrews. He helps atone for the offense's lackluster depth at wide receiver.

But this group is unimpressive after Zay Flowers, who exploded onto the scene as a rookie last season with 77 catches for 858 yards and five touchdowns.

Rashod Bateman, a first-round pick in 2021, has totaled only 1,167 yards and four touchdowns in his three NFL seasons. Nelson Agholor mustered 381 yards last season, and 2021 fourth-rounder Tylan Wallace is a cut candidate since he's basically been nothing more than a special-teamer.

Unless the Ravens manage to bring back Odell Beckham Jr. on a cheaper deal, they're basically limited to drafting a receiver or taking a flier on a free agent.

6. New York Giants

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Wan'Dale Robinson

If the New York Giants' young receivers develop as hoped, their receiving corps legitimately isn't in bad shape. That also could have applied to any number of NFL teams in recent years—the Green Bay Packers in 2023, for example—but it still requires proof of concept.

Darius Slayton is a good complementary player with four 700-yard seasons in five years. What the Giants need is a star, which they could find with the No. 6 pick in this year's draft. Otherwise, they'll have to hope that 2022 third-round pick Wan'Dale Robinson or 2023 third-rounder Jalin Hyatt can become that go-to option.

Isaiah Hodgins and Isaiah McKenzie round out New York's depth but haven't yet been consistent full-year contributors.

Until the Giants find a clear-cut No. 1, they should be viewed as little more than a potential-driven receiving corps.

5. Buffalo Bills

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Khalil Shakir

Davis' departure led Buffalo to sign Curtis Samuel, who would've been a fine complement behind Diggs and next to Khalil Shakir. Instead, they're now the Bills' top receivers.

Samuel has been a steady, low-ceiling option for about a half-decade. Shakir made a valuable leap in his second NFL season, ascending from 161 yards as a rookie in 2022 to 611 yards last year.

Quarterback Josh Allen will pepper tight end Dalton Kincaid with targets and hope Dawson Knox has a bounce-back year, but Buffalo is otherwise thin on weapons at the moment. Mack Hollins has eclipsed 300 yards in only one of his six seasons, and 2023 fifth-rounder Justin Shorter missed his first NFL campaign with a hamstring injury.

The Bills' decision to trade Diggs in defensible, but his absence will likely be glaring in 2024.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

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George Pickens

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, the appeal of top receiver George Pickens is quickly lessened by their worrying depth. They traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers this offseason and appear to be going with a patchwork approach to replace him.

Van Jefferson was a recent starter for the Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons, while Quez Watkins held a regular role on the Philadelphia Eagles. Denzel Mims was a second-round pick of the New York Jets in 2020 as well.

However, that trifecta accounted for 46 catches, 537 yards and one touchdown last season.

Calvin Austin III had 170 receiving yards for Pittsburgh in 2023, but the Steelers desperately need a breakout receiver after Pickens.

3. New England Patriots

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Kendrick Bourne

In all likelihood, the New England Patriots will select a quarterback with the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft.

If they do, who will be catching passes from that new signal-caller?

It could be Demario Douglas, who paced the Pats with 561 yards as a rookie. Kendrick Bourne had an 800-yard season in 2021 before New England's offense imploded in recent years. JuJu Smith-Schuster neared 1,000 yards for Kansas City in 2022 but slumped to 260 with the Patriots last year.

Free-agent addition K.J. Osborn tallied three 500-yard campaigns with the Minnesota Vikings. Tyquan Thornton, a second-round pick in 2022, is still around New England as well.

Purely from a talent perspective, the Patriots aren't in dire shape. Recent results just have not been convincing.

2. Los Angeles Chargers

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Quentin Johnston

On the other hand, the Los Angeles Chargers have a talent concern at receiver.

New head coach Jim Harbaugh ignited a rebuild this offseason, releasing Mike Williams and trading Keenan Allen. Los Angeles is certain to add some receivers either via the draft or free agency, but its current outlook is bleak.

Quentin Johnston put together a forgettable rookie year, providing 50 yards in only three of the team's 17 games. He's either the No. 1 or No. 2 option depending on your opinion of Josh Palmer, who has 110 receptions for 1,350 yards over the last two seasons combined.

Beyond them, the Chargers have Derius Davis and Simi Fehoko. Davis reeled in 15 passes for 66 yards as a rookie, and Fehoko's lone reception was a nine-yard touchdown.

It's safe to say Los Angeles should be looking at wideouts during the 2024 NFL draft—and probably early.

1. Arizona Cardinals

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Michael Wilson

First, the bad news.

Marquise Brown left for Kansas City, and the Arizona Cardinals moved on from Rondale Moore in a trade to Atlanta. That leaves Michael Wilson, who posted 565 yards in his rookie year, as their leading target.

Greg Dortch turned a few heads with 467 receiving yards in 2022, but he slipped to 280 yards last season. Free-agent pickup Chris Moore had consecutive 400-yard seasons, but he has yet to top 548 yards or three touchdowns during his eight years in the NFL. Zach Pascal played only 22 percent of Arizona's offensive snaps and caught four passes last year.

Second, the good news.

The Cardinals hold the No. 4 overall selection in the draft, which should them a shot at the top receiver in the class. Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. is the consensus top receiving prospect, though LSU's Malik Nabers has a shot.

Regardless, the Cards should have a tremendous opportunity to bolster the receiving unit for Kyler Murray within the next few weeks. They need to take advantage of it.