Bills Get Definitive Answer on 7,400-Yard WR Trade Target
The Buffalo Bills are expected to seek some help in their wide receiving corps ahead of the upcoming NFL trade deadline, but one home run target may now be out of the question.
The Bills have been connected to every top receiver on the market, and none have been bigger than Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown. The veteran pass-catcher has hinted at discontentment with the team and how he’s being utilized, leading to trade speculation, but a new report is putting the rumors to rest.
Eagles Plan to Keep A.J. Brown
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Saturday that the Eagles are willing to entertain offers for Brown, but would only part with him if it were a “blockbuster.” As Schefter noted, that level of offer “is not expected to be forthcoming.”
“The Philadelphia Eagles are not expected to trade star wide receiver A.J. Brown before the NFL’s Nov. 4 deadline, sources told ESPN,” Schefter wrote. “Teams still are eyeing Brown as the deadline approaches, according to sources, but the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles are not looking to move the three-time Pro Bowler.”
Brown would be one of the most accomplished receivers on the market, with 475 career receptions for 7,421 yards and 52 touchdowns. Several analysts predicted he would be a good fit for the Bills, giving quarterback Josh Allen the true No. 1 receiver the team has been lacking since trading Stefon Diggs prior to the 2024 season.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay suggested the Bills could land Brown for a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2027 conditional third-round draft pick — well below the blockbuster that Schefter reported the Eagles were seeking.
“The Buffalo Bills make for an intriguing landing spot,” Kay wrote. “They boast the same 4-1 record as Philadelphia and have an MVP quarterback in Josh Allen leading their offense, but the team still lacks a true No. 1 wideout who can take the passing game to another level.
“If the Bills are willing to kick over an early Day 2 pick and a conditional 2027 pick to sweeten the pot, it may just be enough to get the Eagles to consider moving on from the pass-catcher.”
Bills May Have Lost Another Target
The Bills could have another trade target off the table in addition to Brown. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that the New Orleans Saints are planning to hold onto receiver Chris Olave, with designs to lock him down for the long term.
“Barring an unforeseen change, the Saints are not expected to move WR Chris Olave despite interested suitors. Last week, I reported that the two sides are discussing an extension,” Russini reported on Saturday.”
The Bills were seen as a good fit for Olave, but could also seek another Saints receiver — Rashid Shaheed. He has also been seen as potential trade bait and could offer help both in the receiving and return games for the Bills. Buffalo has struggled to land on a kick returner, going through several options after benching Brandon Codrington.
The Bills could also turn to other positions, with Russini reporting that they are also looking for help at safety after losing Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin to injuries.
Lions Make Historic Amon-Ra St. Brown Announcement
The Detroit Lions are riding high after their definitive win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on Sunday, October 19, which ended in a 24-9 final score. Now, the Lions have a record of 5-2 going into their bye week and are being talked about as one of the top teams in the NFL.
Looking at NFL Week 8 Power Rankings, ESPN has the Lions at No. 1, and so does NFL’s official website. In a piece published on Tuesday, October 21, Eric Edholm of the NFL’s site says of the Lions, “Jared Goff‘s pick before halftime helped gift the Buccaneers points, but the Lions’ offense responded with a touchdown on its first drive of the third quarter and the defense played incredibly well all night, especially considering the circumstances.”
He adds, “The Lions might have taken the Chiefs’ best punch in Week 6, but they took out their frustrations on a good Bucs team that they might see again in January.”
So, experts agree that the Detroit Lions are on top. As it turns out, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown made some history during Sunday’s game, and the Lions gave him the spotlight during the bye week.
Detroit Lions Wide Receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown Makes History
On Tuesday, October 21, the Lions shared a post on X and their other socials saying, “Primetime players make primetime plays,” and noting that St. Brown was the first player in franchise history to have touchdown receptions in four-straight Monday Night Football games. That’s a huge accomplishment, and it’s fantastic to see him get some recognition.
Running back Jahmyr Gibbs, of course, also had a massive game. He clocked 218 yards and two rushing touchdowns, according to ESPN. The Lions are now 13-4 following a loss since the start of the 2022 season, which is the second-best record in NFL over that timespan after the Kansas City Chiefs (11-2), according to ESPN Research.
“Gibbs broke free up the middle for the longest run of his NFL career with a 78-yard touchdown with 5:51 left in the first half,” Eric Woodyard of ESPN said in a Tuesday, October 21 story. “Gibbs’ top speed was 22.2 mph, the fastest rushing TD by an offensive ball carrier this season, per Next Gen Stats. He is the only player over the past three seasons to reach 22 mph on a rushing touchdown, and he has done it twice now, including on a 70-yard touchdown versus the Titans in 2024.”
Detroit Lions at the Top (Again)
We already talked about the Lions topping ESPN and the NFL’s Week 8 Power Rankings. Well, Fox Sports also has the Lions at No. 1. In a piece out Tuesday, October 21, Ralph Vacchiano says of the Lions, “The Lions sure bounced back nicely from their loss in Kansas City with a win over the Bucs. They aren’t perfect, but they can do it all and may be the most complete team in the NFL.”
Alternative Fix Sports also has the Lions at No. 1 on their power rankings, with Amber Reed noting, “the secondary was thin, injuries were mounting — but the Lions responded anyway.”
So, the Lions are the team to beat. Their next game is against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, November 2.
