Bills’ “Perfect” First-Round Pick Revealed as Amari Cooper Replacement
By Adam Schultz | April 4, 2025
The Buffalo Bills boast one of the top offenses in the NFL, and they’ve added speed to their receiving corps with Josh Palmer, who brings explosive playmaking ability. However, with Amari Cooper and Mack Hollins departing via free agency, the Bills still have a vacancy at receiver. While Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, and Palmer provide depth, many feel it’s not enough to surround quarterback Josh Allen with the right talent. This has led to speculation that the Bills will target a wide receiver in the upcoming draft, although it’s unclear whether they’ll prioritize this or address their more pressing defensive needs.
According to NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, the “ideal” first-round pick for Buffalo is Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden. Reuter points out that the Bills traded down in the previous year’s draft, allowing the Chiefs to select the speedy Xavier Worthy, but this year, Buffalo could move to select Golden. His combination of blazing 4.29-second speed and the ability to make contested catches would help fill the void left by Hollins’ departure.
Though Golden’s numbers last season (987 yards and nine touchdowns) weren’t overwhelming, he demonstrated a knack for making big plays in crucial moments, especially with his ability to adjust to off-target throws. This skill is crucial, given Allen’s ability to extend plays. In addition to his speed, Golden’s physicality and ability to secure contested catches make him a well-rounded threat for the Bills’ offense. Adding him to Joe Brady’s system would give MVP Josh Allen another dynamic weapon to work with.
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