The Buffalo Bills made a surprising move in the 2025 NFL Draft, choosing not to address one of their most pressing needs: wide receiver. Instead, the team prioritized bolstering a defense that struggled last season, ranking 17th overall and surrendering 32 points to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.
However, while shoring up the defense, Buffalo waited until the final round to draft a receiver. They used the 240th overall pick to select Kaden Prather, a promising Maryland prospect-but one unlikely to make an immediate impact on offense.
Meanwhile, veteran receiver Amari Cooper remains unsigned, leaving the Bills with an experienced playmaker ready to contribute. Despite this, the front office may prefer to test its latest acquisitions before admitting its draft strategy was flawed.
Could Cooper still return?
Buffalo’s front office failed to reach an agreement with Cooper at the end of last season. However, general manager Brandon Beane has repeatedly emphasized that the team can still sign additional players before the regular season begins in four months.
Considering the Bills’ draft selections, some analysts speculate that Cooper could return to the roster on a team-friendly contract. The nine-year veteran faces a challenging market, making a Buffalo comeback appear to be a mutually beneficial move.
After arriving from the Cleveland Browns in 2024, Cooper underperformed in Buffalo, recording 297 receiving yards on 20 receptions. Despite his modest stats, he remained a defensive distraction and seemed to fit well within head coach Sean McDermott’s offensive scheme.
Do the Bills even need another receiver?
The Bills lost Mack Hollis in free agency but signed Joshua Palmer, giving Josh Allen four notable receiving targets: Palmer, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Curtis Samuel. Additionally, rookie Prather could prove to be an unexpected asset when the season begins.
These factors could complicate Cooper’s return, especially since Beane has expressed confidence in the current receiving corps. As he pointed out:
“No one scored more points than the Buffalo Bills [last season], including the Super Bowl champions.”
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