In early free agency, the Buffalo Bills signed wide receiver Joshua Palmer to a three-year, $29 million contract. The rumor mill hasn’t stopped spinning, and it appears that general manager Brandon Beane may be looking to sign another high-profile offensive playmaker.
Matt Parrino of New York Upstate stated it’s “possible” the Bills make a deal “before or during” the 2025 NFL draft, which begins April 24. Parrino noted the names to “monitor” include a pair of wideouts: the New Orleans Saints‘ Chris Olave and Minnesota Vikings‘ Jordan Addison.
If one of these stars is acquired, he will join Palmer, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Curtis Samuel to form one of the league’s most talented receiver groups.
Bills Rumors: Chris Olave, Jordan Addison Headline Trade Targets
The Case For Chris Olave
After being selected 11th overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 2022 NFL Draft, Chris Olave quickly emerged as a rising star. The Ohio State product amassed 159 receptions for 2,165 yards and nine touchdowns over 31 games in his first two seasons.
However, concerns about his future have surfaced due to his history of concussions. Olave sustained concussions in both 2022 and 2023 before suffering two more within the first nine weeks of the 2024 season. The second concussion forced him to miss the remainder of the year.
In his season-ending press conference, Olave shared that he has felt “regular” since his most recent concussion. Nonetheless, he opted to prioritize his long-term health by sitting out the second half of the 2024 season.
“I haven’t experienced any concussion symptoms since I got hurt,” the 24-year-old California native told reporters in January.
When fully healthy, Olave is among the NFL’s most effective receivers on short and intermediate routes. His exceptional route-running skills and ability to keep defenders off balance make him a valuable asset. This makes him an intriguing fit for a Bills passing attack that has struggled at times against man coverage.
Additionally, joining an offense where he wouldn’t need to handle nearly 140 targets, as he did with New Orleans in 2023, could help him maintain his health moving forward.
The Case For Jordan Addison
Like Olave, Addison made an immediate impression after the Vikings chose him in the first round two years ago. He has 133 receptions for 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns in 32 career games. Those numbers are even more impressive when you consider that he frequently shares the field with Justin Jefferson, perhaps the league’s best wideout.
Jefferson’s presence also explains why Addison may be available for trade. Jefferson is already under contract through 2028 as part of a $140 million deal. Soon, his fellow Minnesota playmaker will be in the market for a new deal. He’ll probably be looking for No. 1 receiver money, too.
The Vikings wrapped up an impressive 14-3 regular season but were quickly humbled in the opening round of the playoffs with a lopsided loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The defeat exposed several roster flaws beyond the quarterback position.
Wide receiver Addison would fetch a hefty price on the trade market. Meanwhile, Minnesota faces several pressing needs, including cornerback, offensive line, safety, and linebacker — not to mention the uncertainty surrounding quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s return. Addressing multiple holes through a single trade is an appealing strategy.
As a result, contenders like the Buffalo Bills should maintain active dialogue with the Vikings. Adding a receiver who excels at creating separation at all levels of the field would be a significant boost to any offense, especially one led by MVP-caliber quarterback Josh Allen.
Final Verdict: Better Fit in Buffalo Amid Bills Rumors?
Olave and Addison would both enhance the Bills’ passing game. While Buffalo boasts a deep group of pass-catchers, they lack a definitive No. 1 target. Either player could step in and fill that void.
However, if forced to choose, Addison seems like the better fit due to his ability to stretch the field — an area where Josh Allen and the offense have struggled in recent years. The addition of Palmer didn’t significantly improve that aspect.
The real question is whether GM Brandon Beane is willing to pay a steep price for another receiver. Given Buffalo’s other draft needs, particularly at cornerback and defensive tackle, it feels unlikely. Acquiring Addison could require multiple draft picks and possibly a roster player or two. While his talent is undeniable, it’s a hefty price for a team that already averaged 30.9 points per game last season. On top of that, they’d need to commit to a lucrative extension down the road.
A more realistic approach might be targeting a speedy wide receiver in the middle rounds of the draft to add a vertical threat.
That said, the idea of Addison catching passes from Allen is exciting. He has put up impressive numbers as a No. 2 option without an elite quarterback. With a top-tier signal-caller, his potential could skyrocket.
If Addison is genuinely available, the Bills should at least be part of the conversation — even if the cost proves too high in the end.