1 trade Bill must make in the final week before the 2026 NFL trade deadline

The Buffalo Bills are increasingly looking like legitimate Super Bowl contenders. However, even a 6-1 team shouldn’t be complacent when the trade deadline approaches. Josh Allen has been amazing. James Cook III continues to give opposing defenses headaches. Buffalo’s receiving corps has delivered enough production to keep the offense among the AFC’s most dangerous. However, there is one lingering concern that can be particularly costly: the lack of reliable perimeter receiving depth. Brandon Beane should take advantage of the last week before the deadline to address that weakness.

AFC heavyweights

Buffalo’s 2026 campaign opened like an emphatic statement of intent. The Bills opened the year with three straight dominant victories before stumbling to a disappointing divisional loss at New England in Week 4. Buffalo responded by holding off the Rams in a Monday Night Football overtime epic. They followed it up with a disciplined victory on the road against the Raiders. Emerging from their Week 7 bye refreshed, the Bills dismantled the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8. Now, riding high, the Bills have established themselves as juggernauts. However, their long-standing offensive ceiling needs one final reinforcement before the November window closes.

Reliable perimeter receiver

Despite its impressive offensive production, Buffalo’s receiving situation deserves closer examination. DJ Moore’s return from his shoulder injury is encouraging. That said, counting on him to stay fully healthy throughout the rest of the season is a big gamble.

Joshua Palmer also struggled to establish consistent availability and production. This left Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir with significant responsibilities. Coleman offers an intriguing contested outside threat. Meanwhile, Shakir has become a valuable weapon who primarily operates from the slot. Both have important roles, but Buffalo could benefit from another receiver capable of consistently winning one-on-one matchups.

Allen’s improvisational ability makes him one of football’s most dangerous quarterbacks. However, the Bills shouldn’t make him make every explosive play with extended scrambles and off-script throws. A slick route-runner will make this offense harder to defend.

Ideal trade target

The most intriguing solution is Cleveland’s Jerry Jeudy. The veteran receiver still offers an enticing combination of route running ability, isolation skills and experience. Jeudy showed his big upside in the 2024 season. He then recorded 90 receptions for 1,229 yards and four touchdowns. However, his production has declined since then. Through eight games in 2026, he has made just 16 receptions for 171 yards with no touchdowns.

Cleveland’s crowded receiving rotation also complicated his chances. However, Jeudy has shown recently that he can still contribute meaningful plays. His ability to operate on the outside or from the slot will give Buffalo added flexibility in its offensive formations.

There is an important complication, though. Browns head coach Todd Monken has publicly defended Jeudy’s value. For Monken, Cleveland is better with him than without him. That means Buffalo shouldn’t expect the Browns to just give away a skilled receiver.

Still, a 2027 fourth-round selection and conditional 2028 sixth-rounder, with a seventh-round pick going back to Buffalo, is a reasonable opening proposition. Cleveland will receive additional draft capital, while Jeudy will get a chance to contribute to a legitimate championship contender.

Make finances work

The biggest obstacle to completing this transaction is Buffalo’s financial flexibility. The Bills have about $3.9 million in available salary-cap space. That makes any meaningful acquisition a complex exercise. Jeudy also has a large 2026 cap charge. As such, Beane will need to review accurately prorated salary obligations and explore restructuring existing contracts as necessary.

That financial constraint should not automatically end discussions. Buffalo could explore contract adjustments and negotiate with Cleveland about the structure of a potential transaction. However, Beane must avoid sacrificing valuable future flexibility just to add another receiver.

Another weapon

The Bills don’t need a complete offensive overhaul. They already have an elite quarterback and enough receiving talent to challenge almost any defense. What they need is insurance and another reliable option when opponents inevitably focus their coverage on Moore, Coleman, and Shakir. Jeudy can certainly provide that.

Beane must explore the opportunity before the deadline passes. If Cleveland is willing to negotiate a financially viable deal, Buffalo should be aggressive. The Bills are championship contenders. However, adding another proven route-runner could make Allen’s offense more dangerous when the plays matter most.