5 WR prospects the Bills could target in the 2023 NFL Draft 

Throughout the 2022 season, the Buffalo Bills discovered a need at the wide receiver position. Aside from Stefon Diggs, they lacked reliability from a lot of their wide receivers. WR 2 and slot receiver are currently the biggest needs in the Bills wide receiving corps. Gabe Davis struggled to catch the ball consistently this season, as he was tied for the most drops in the league, and in the slot, Isaiah McKenzie struggled with consistency as a pass catcher. McKenzie’s PFF receiving grade dropped over six points from last year.

The wide receiver prospects below could help the Bills offense in a variety of ways, but most importantly, they could give quarterback Josh Allen some reliable playmakers to throw the ball to.

Zay Flowers 

Zay Flowers out of Boston College is one of the top rated receivers in this year’s NFL Draft and for very good reasons. Flowers is an elite athlete who can do almost anything out on the football field. He is great in the open field and is great at getting behind blocks downfield for additional yardage.

Flowers stands at 5’ 10” and weighs 172 pounds, making him a small, shifty receiver. He played four seasons with Boston College. In 2022, he had 78 receptions for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

The Bills’ receiving corps needs some electricity and Zay Flowers can give them just that. Flowers can take a large workload off of Josh Allen and can be a reliable catch and run target. Bills fans saw how much pressure Allen was under this season and having a guy like Zay Flowers be able to get open and use his quickness after the catch could relieve some pressure.

NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah has Flowers going 29th overall to the Saints in his latest mock draft, saying, “He’d be a lock for the top 15 if he were two inches taller.”

If he’s on the board at pick No. 27, it may be too enticing for Buffalo to pass up.

Josh Downs 

Josh Downs out of North Carolina is one of the best receiver prospects in this year’s NFL Draft and a great deep threat target. The Bills could possibly take Downs 27th overall in this year’s NFL draft if he’s available. He is a speedy receiver with great footwork who has been great in the red zone over his entire collegiate career. He could help Josh Allen fix his struggles in the red zone. 

Downs stands at 5’ 10” and weighs 175 pounds, making him a nimble slot receiver. He played three seasons with the Tar Heels and in 2022 racked up 94 receptions for 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

The Bills struggled to find consistency in the slot without Cole Beasley and have failed to produce when it mattered most in games. Downs could surely elevate the Bills slot position with great speed that can be used in a variety of different ways such as screens, jet sweeps, and a variety of routes. He is currently projected as a late first rounder.

Parker Washington 

Parker Washington out of Penn State is one of the most enjoyable prospects to watch on tape. Washington isn’t the tallest receiver in this draft by any means but he has shown that he can go up and get the ball.

According to PFF, Washington ranked second in the nation last year at contested catch percentage, trailing only Josh Downs.

Washington stands at 5’ 10” and weighs 215 pounds. He finished his 2022 college football season with 46 receptions for 611 yards and 2 touchdowns. 

Washington has good footwork in the slot and can make tacklers miss after the catch. Washington could be a great second round selection for the Bills if they don’t pick a receiver in round one.

Jalin Hyatt 

Jalin Hyatt out of Tennessee is the second tallest wide receiver prospect on this list, standing at 6’0”. Hyatt uses his height in order to catch in traffic, and his top-tier speed helps him make plays deep downfield. Hyatt adjusts his body very well when balls are thrown to his outside shoulder and has a wide catch radius.

Hyatt played three seasons with Tennessee and racked up 67 receptions in his 2022 season for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

The Bills could use Hyatt across from Stefon Diggs starting Week 1 if they choose to select him at the tail end of round one in April’s NFL Draft.

Rashee Rice 

Rashee Rice out of SMU is the tallest wide receiver prospect on this list standing at 6’2”. Rice is a playmaker and has the ability to rise up and high point the ball. He has great size and athleticism along with great ball skills. 

Rice, 6’ 2” 203 lbs, played four seasons at SMU and in the 2022 season racked up 96 receptions for 1,355 yards (third in receiving yards) and 10 touchdowns. 

Similar to Jalin Hyatt, the Bills could use Rice across from Stefon Diggs in a similar role Gabe Davis plays. Rice has the skill set to be a starting wide receiver for Buffalo and could help them spread the field. He is projected by most to be a second round selection.