The Buffalo Bills came close to beating the Denver Broncos and advancing to the AFC title game. Had the Bills’ receiving corps come up with one more big play, they might have advanced.
Buffalo has an elite quarterback in Josh Allen, but it lacks a true go-to, No. 1 receiver. Pickens, who racked up 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns this past season, could fill that role extremely well.
Of course, there would be obstacles to obtaining the soon-to-be 25-year-old (on March 4) from Dallas. Working out a long-term deal with Pickens might be the biggest.
The franchise-tag value for wide receivers is projected to be just over $28 million this year. The Bills are projected to be $10.2 million over the salary cap. General manager Brandon Beane would have to clear space and work out a (likely backloaded) contract to make Pickens a long-term piece of the puzzle.
There’s the matter of trade compensation, too. Would the Cowboys really take a second-round pick for a Pro Bowl receiver just entering his prime? Maybe not, but one could easily argue that trading a first-round selection for Pickens would benefit the Bills more than adding an unproven rookie receiver with the 26th overall pick.
Adding Pickens might be just what Buffalo needs to get over the proverbial playoff hump.