The Buffalo Bills could turn to an unproven rookie at wide receiver as they prepare for a Monday night road game against the Los Angeles Rams.
SI.com reporter Josh Green suggested the team bench veteran Joshua Palmer in favor of fourth-round pick Skyler Bell. Green outlined the move as one of several roster steps worth considering before the matchup in Los Angeles.
Palmer has yet to lock down a consistent role since joining Buffalo ahead of the 2025 season. Injuries limited him early, and production has stayed modest even when he has been available.
Through four games in 2026, Palmer has three receptions on nine targets for 80 yards. Those catches include touchdowns of 43 and 34 yards.
“Simply put, considering Palmer has only ever produced one season of more than 584 receiving yards between either college or the NFL since he was a freshman at the University of Tennessee, the former Volunteer and Los Angeles Charger just doesn’t seem to be that much of a playmaker,” Green wrote.
The former Los Angeles Charger posted 72 catches for 769 yards in 2022, his clear career high. He followed with 38 receptions for 581 yards in 2023 and 39 for 584 in 2024.
His first year in Buffalo brought 22 catches for 303 yards and no touchdowns across 12 games. He has not started in 2026.
Green wrote that “the potential that Bell possesses seems to be too intriguing to pass up at this point given that Palmer has just three receptions on nine targets in 2026.”
Bell, selected 125th overall out of UConn, has been a healthy scratch in each of the first four games. He dealt with a groin issue in August but finished the preseason with seven catches for 49 yards and a 28-yard rushing touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In his final college season, Bell caught 101 passes for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns. He ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash at the combine.
The Bills may face added pressure at the position after DJ Moore aggravated a shoulder injury during Sunday’s 29-26 loss to the New England Patriots. Moore missed the second half and did not practice Thursday.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on X: “Bills WR D.J. Moore aggravated his shoulder injury during today’s loss to the Patriots, per source. It is not considered ‘a long term issue as of right now.’”
Coach Joe Brady has indicated Moore could play Monday if he feels able to perform. The same shoulder was first injured in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions.
Buffalo sits at 3-1 and ranks among the league’s higher-scoring offenses. The team travels to face the Rams on Monday at 8:15 p.m. Eastern.
Palmer’s two scores this season came on deep throws, though his target share remains low behind Moore and others. Bell has yet to appear in a regular-season game.
Any change would mark the first NFL action for the rookie. The Bills have until kickoff to settle the wide receiver group.
