The San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills have a lot of similarities this season. Both are top playoff contenders, but have a team in their division that's likely to run away with the division title. They've also both been dealt a brutal injury bug this season.
But that's not the only comparison the two have. Both teams are dealing with some drama about one of their top wide receivers. Brandon Aiyuk and Keon Coleman both now have uncertain futures after their off-the-field issues have come to fruition.
With their futures uncertain, the Bills and 49ers could both target a wide receiver in the upcoming NFL Draft. They will compete with one another for the top names in the draft, which Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic dove into.
49ers and Bills to contend for top WRs in 2026 NFL Draft after Keon Coleman, Brandon Aiyuk news
Aiyuk's off-the-field drama revolves around the 2026 season of his $120 million contract having its guarantees waived by the 49ers. Aiyuk isn't challenging it, paving the way for his release after the 2025 season.
Coleman has been a healthy inactive for two consecutive weeks due to missing meetings, similar to some of the complaints about Aiyuk. Coleman's future in Buffalo is uncertain, like Aiyuk, with both teams likely to target the 2026 NFL Draft for WR help.
"The two best receivers in this class are Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson and Ohio State's Carnell Tate." Baumgardner writes. "For teams picking in the back-half of the first round, look at either Louisville's Chris Bell or Washington's Denzel Boston."
While Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson would be great additions for the Bills or 49ers, the chances of either falling into the later picks of the first round seem slim, according to Baumgarnder.
There's always a chance, but fans of the Bills and 49ers, barring a second-half collapse and miss a playoff berth, should get familiar with Chris Bell, Denzel Boston, and others down the board.
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With both teams likely to be picking in the 20s and both needing wide receiver help, there could be some draft-day maneuvers to jump ahead of the other to land their ideal wide receiver down the board.
The Bills and 49ers might not be the only teams looking for wide receiver help in this draft, further complicating things for their front offices in the upcoming draft.
Both teams need a wide receiver badly after the recent drama surrounding Coleman and Aiyuk. Before the 49ers' Week 12 game, both teams are 7-4 and in Wild Card spots.
Picking back-to-back is a possibility, which could make for some draft day theatrics with both organizations looking for wide receiver help.
Baumgardner named four first-round receivers, and with Tate and Tyson likely going early, the Bills and 49ers will have to contend with one another for the second tier of receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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- 49ers' Kyle Shanahan provides injury update on Brandon Aiyuk after Week 11
- 49ers' Mac Jones expected to draw trade interest, according to NFL insider