The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs are not only familiar with each other on the football field. Their link runs deeper via the NFL Draft, where they were once again connected on Day 1 this past April. And for the Buffalo Bills, it seems that the narrative on this particular story isn’t what it was seven months ago.
Bills Swapped 1st Round Picks With Chiefs During 2024 NFL Draft
It was known that both teams were looking to add wide receiver talent. The Chiefs were of course reigning Super Bowl champions, but their lack of depth in their offensive pass catching options was perhaps their biggest weakness. The Bills needed to replace the production of both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, who had already found new homes away from Buffalo.
Looking back at the deal that landed Xavier Worthy in Kansas City and Keon Coleman in Buffalo ahead of Chiefs @ Bills on Sunday 🔄 https://t.co/sP9v2PVh5R pic.twitter.com/uB6ilGgIBN
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) November 13, 2024
Both were in great position. The wideout talent pool was deep for the Class of 2024, as there were 10 receivers selected within the first 37 picks of the draft. But only 3 of them were taken within the first 22 overall selections, and the Bills and Chiefs each had late-first round picks and eyes on the pass catching talent.
The Bills had the first crack at things, holding the 28th overall selection. But in a curious deal struck with the team that had been the ones keeping them from an elusive Super Bowl appearance, they made a trade with Kansas City. Six draft picks were traded in all, but it culminated with the two sides switching spots in the first round as the Bills moved down to #32.
The Chiefs went out and selected the fastest player from that year’s combine in Xavier Worthy. The Bills traded back even further and ended up selecting Keon Coleman, who had never topped 800 yards receiving in any single collegiate season.
Why would they do such a thing? Why would the Bills trade an asset in order to aid the team that has been the ultimate thorn in their side?
Worthy’s Production Has Been Low Despite Injuries To WRs
After the first 10 weeks of the 2024 NFL season, it looks like Buffalo’s decision may not have been such a poor one after all.
It is a small sample size, no doubt. But the early returns on Worthy haven’t exactly been as advertised in terms of turning the Chiefs into an explosive offense again. Injuries have ravaged the wide receiver position for Kansas City, as they’ve been without Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown for essentially the entire season, and Skyy Moore is on the injured list as well.
Worthy has mostly failed to fill the void. He has made seven starts this season, but has just 20 receptions on 43 total targets. He has gained 246 receiving yards so far for an average of under 30 yards per game, though he has scored a total of five touchdowns, two of them of the rushing variety. Due to the injuries and inconsistencies of their rookie, the Chiefs were forced to make a move by bringing in DeAndre Hopkins at the trade deadline.
Coleman Has Been Better, But Will Miss 2nd Straight Game
Coleman hasn’t been overly stellar in his own right, but he’s been far more productive in the passing game for Buffalo. He has fewer targets than Worthy but two more catches, and has gained roughly 170 more yards through the air. Coleman’s biggest game came on October 20th against the Titans, when he had four catches for 125 yards. Worthy’s season high is 73 yards.
Unfortunately for Buffalo, they will be without Keon Coleman for the big matchup between the teams on Sunday. The rookie will miss his second-straight contest while nursing a wrist injury, but hopes to return after the Bills enjoy their Week 12 bye. They’ll also be without tight end Dalton Kincaid, limiting the weapons that Josh Allen will have at his disposal.
