Bills and Chiefs rookie WRs, connected by draft day trade, meet after Week 11

It’s been a topic of conversation since the first night of the 2024 NFL Draft: “How did the Buffalo Bills let the Kansas City Chiefs get Xavier Worthy?”

Buffalo entered night one with the 28th overall selection and a dire need for an impactful pass-catcher after parting ways with both Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis earlier in the offseason. When the Bills came on the clock late Thursday night, general manager Brandon Beane opted to trade the pick to the Kansas City Chiefs, the team that has eliminated Buffalo from the playoffs in three of the past four seasons. The Bills received a third-round draft pick for falling back a few slots, while the Chiefs got the chance to select Worthy, a speedster from Texas who had just broken the record for the fastest 40-yard dash in NFL history Scout Combine.

Related: ESPN expert crowns Bills star Josh Allen as the NFL’s best QB after win over Chiefs

Buffalo would ultimately trade out of the first round entirely before selecting Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman in the second round, using the third-round pick acquired from Kansas City over the Duke defensive tackle , DeWayne Carter. And while there has been discussion about Worthy and Coleman since the Bills’ in-draft maneuvers, it’s safe to say both teams got what they were looking for in the deal, as both Worthy and Coleman look like real offensive contributors at the long term for their respective clubs. Carter’s value cannot be understated either.

While fans will always talk about Worthy and Coleman in the same conversation, the “animosity” doesn’t extend to the rookies themselves, as Worthy gave the Buffalo pass-catcher his autographed jersey after the Bills’ Week 11 win over the Chiefs; Coleman did not play due to a wrist injury.

This was Coleman’s second consecutive missed game due to his wrist injury, and the team is crossing its fingers that he can return after the bye week. The 21-year-old currently ranks second on the Bills in receiving yards with 417, putting that total at 22 receptions with three touchdowns. Worthy, for his part, has 25 receptions for 307 yards and four touchdowns through 10 games; however, he has another 44 yards rushing and two more touchdowns. He contributed four receptions, 61 yards and a touchdown in the Bills 30-21 win.

The draft day trade will forever link Coleman and Worthy, regardless of whether the connection is fair or not, as there is no evidence to suggest that Buffalo chosen Coleman on Worthy or whether the Longhorns receiver was even on the radar. Fans of both teams will continue to debate the merits of the deal, who won and who lost. However, the players respect each other and do not engage in the same level of fan discussion among themselves. It’s okay to like both players and understand that both the Bills and Chiefs made the selections they felt were best for them in the short and long term.

And both selections have paid off so far; Kansas City is 9-1, while the Bills enter their Week 12 bye with a 9-2 record, their best start since 1992. The bye also comes at a good time, with the Bills dealing with a few injuries to key players, Coleman. among them. Head coach Sean McDermott told reporters last week that the team is not considering placing the rookie on injured reserve, meaning he could be in line to return shortly after their bye week.

— Enjoy free Buffalo Bills Bills coverage on SI —