The Buffalo Bills will be running things back in 2023 with pretty much the same key players from 2022. They didn’t suffer nearly as many defections in free agency as many predicted they could, as linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, running back Devin Singletary and wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie were the only regulars who moved on.
Depth was improved across the board and the team was able to re-sign key contributors Dane Jackson, Jordan Poyer and Shaq Lawson. However, there are still a few areas on the roster that could use an upgrade.
Interestingly enough, both of those positions are on the offensive side of the ball. That will surprise some people, given the fact that Buffalo finished second in the NFL in points scored and yardage gained. But, the team went into the offseason with goals they haven’t yet accomplished.
Adding an impact wide receiver behind Stefon Diggs would go a long way to elevating this offense to another level. Upgrading at running back to take pressure off of Josh Allen would also be a good decision.
The trade market could produce exactly what the Bills are looking for, with these two veterans mentioned as the best players to target. To upgrade the passing game, DeAndre Hopkins of the Arizona Cardinals would make for an excellent upgrade.
The Cardinals reportedly wanted to move Hopkins earlier in the offseason, but now seem willing to bring him back into the fold. Buffalo is currently lacking a consistent second option behind Diggs as Gabriel Davis hasn’t quite developed beyond the boom-or-bust kind of production.
If they present Arizona with a strong offer, they could snag the former All-Pro in Hopkins. In the backfield, Davlin Cook of the Minnesota Vikings would make a lot of sense.
With Singletary moving on, the Bills’ depth chart is currently James Cook, Damien Harris, Latavius Murray and Nyheim Hines. Acquiring Cook from the Vikings would present the team with a major upgrade in the backfield, something they have sought previously.
Buffalo made an offer for Christian McCaffrey before the San Francisco 49ers acquired him from the Carolina Panthers. They were also linked to Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers earlier this offseason and a popular hypothetical landing spot for Saquon Barkley if he moved on from the New York Giants.
The Bills likely don’t have the means to acquire both players as they are on expensive contracts and would both cost draft picks. Either would help elevate the team’s performance on offense, but wide receiver has been made out as a bigger need than running back.
