The Buffalo Bills shocked the NFL world when they agreed to trade Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick. While Houston goes all-in on the rookie window provided by their young quarterback, the Bills will need to get creative if they want to compete without their former All-Pro. While they’ll probably select a receiver early in the NFL Draft, they could use a veteran free agent like Odell Beckham as a short-term fill-in.
Last year, Stefon Diggs finished the season with 107 receptions for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns on 160 targets. While these numbers sound impressive, it’s worth noting that his production dipped with Joe Brady as his offensive coordinator. Over the final eight games of 2023, the wideout recorded just 37 receptions for 349 yards and one touchdown while the team went on an unlikely winning streak to take home the AFC East crown. So, this team doesn’t need a superstar and could get by with a decent free agent like Odell Beckham.
Free Agent Odell Beckham Could Replace Stefon Diggs
There was a time when Beckham was one of the best wide receivers in the league. While those days are clearly gone, Odell Beckham is probably the best free agent remaining on the open market. After missing the entirety of the 2022 season, the three-time Pro Bowler signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens. While it took some time for him to shake the rust off, he came alive in the back half of the season.
From Weeks 9 to 14, Odell Beckham recorded 17 receptions for 343 yards and three touchdowns, putting him on a 17-game pace of 58 receptions for 1,166 yards and 10 touchdowns. While he’s unlikely to maintain that pace in any environment, this stretch shows he can still play.
The Bills should be interested in Odell Beckham, but they won’t be the only ones hoping to sign the free agent. Just about every team in the league could use another reliable pass-catcher, and the following five franchises could go after the top available option.
Possible Fits
Kansas City Chiefs
There is a decent chance that the Kansas City Chiefs will not have Rashee Rice for a sizable portion of the season. As of this posting, nobody knows the legal ramifications of the receiver’s role in the car crash, but the NFL can and will hand out punishment regardless of whether or not any charges are pressed. Odell Beckham plays a similar role to Rice, and the free agent should be able to quickly adjust to Andy Reid’s receiver-friendly scheme.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers desperately need anybody who can catch a football. Quentin Johnston showed nothing as a rookie, and the rest of the depth chart is filled with special teamers and depth options. Even at his advanced age, Odell Beckham would be the best receiver on the roster if signed as a free agent. Regardless of whether or not Los Angeles selects a wide receiver early, this team could use a veteran like Beckham to provide a steady presence for quarterback Justin Herbert.
Carolina Panthers
The one good decision the Panthers made in 2023 was signing Adam Thielen in free agency. While he was on the older side, the longtime Viking was the only reliable option in Carolina’s passing attack last year. Fast-forward a year, and Odell Beckham can play the same role as a free agent. While the Panthers don’t have any star playmakers, they can easily get by with three good but not great options like Beckham, Thielen, and Diontae Johnson.
Main Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA Today Sports
