Bills Trade Up to Snag Top WR Prospect from Browns

Cleveland loses out on highly-touted receiver in projected draft day deal

Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:34pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a football player in mid-catch, with their body and the ball broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in the colors of the Browns and Bills uniforms.The Bills' bold move to trade up and snatch a top receiver prospect leaves the Browns scrambling to fill a critical need in the upcoming NFL Draft.Cleveland Today

The Cleveland Browns were expected to use one of their two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft to address their need at wide receiver, but a reported trade between the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles has dashed those plans. According to league sources, the Bills will move up to select star wideout prospect Omar Cooper Jr. before the Browns can make their selection at No. 6 overall.

Why it matters

The Browns were counting on landing a top receiving threat to complement their young quarterback, Shedeur Sanders. Losing out on Cooper Jr., who many analysts project as a future Pro Bowler, is a significant blow to Cleveland's offensive plans for next season.

The details

In the reported trade, the Bills will send their first-round pick (No. 12 overall) and a 2027 third-rounder to the Eagles in exchange for the No. 6 overall selection. This will allow Buffalo to jump ahead of Cleveland and secure Cooper Jr., considered by many to be the best wide receiver available in this year's draft class.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26.
  • The trade between the Bills and Eagles is expected to be finalized in the days leading up to the draft.

The players

Shedeur Sanders

The starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.

Omar Cooper Jr.

A highly-touted wide receiver prospect projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Buffalo Bills

An NFL team based in Buffalo, New York that is looking to upgrade their receiving corps in the upcoming draft.

Philadelphia Eagles

An NFL team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that is willing to trade down from the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 draft.

Cleveland Browns

An NFL team based in Cleveland, Ohio that was hoping to land a top wide receiver prospect with one of their two first-round selections.

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What they’re saying

“Losing out on a talent like Cooper Jr. is a tough blow for the Browns. He's the type of playmaker that could have really elevated our passing game.”

— Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns Quarterback

What’s next

The Browns will now have to explore other options to address their need at wide receiver, either by trading up in the draft or targeting a different prospect at No. 24 overall.

The takeaway

This reported trade between the Bills and Eagles is a major setback for the Browns, who were counting on landing a top-tier wide receiver to pair with their young quarterback. Cleveland will now have to get creative to find an impact playmaker in this year's draft.