The Buffalo Bills are in complete command of the AFC East after a thrilling 30-27 victory over the rival Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Yet, despite the team’s four-game division lead, trade rumors remain prominent ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
Although the Bills’ roster is one of the NFL’s best on paper, they’ve been plagued by injuries dating back to training camp. They still haven’t fielded their best lineup because linebacker Matt Milano has been sidelined all season by a bicep injury. Last week’s injury report featured 19 players (35.8 percent of the 53-man roster).
In turn, general manager Brandon Beane should be active seeking battle-tested reserves ahead of the deadline, especially on the defensive side of the ball. A trade or two isn’t a necessity for Buffalo to remain a Super Bowl contender, but it would give the franchise a much-needed depth boost.
Bills Trade Rumors: Latest Talk Before Tuesday’s NFL Deadline
Buffalo Safety Mike Edwards Seeks Trade
Edwards was signed in free agency to compete for a starting role at safety. The 2019 third-round pick suffered a hamstring injury early in camp, however. He lost out on valuable preseason snaps and never recovered in the competition, which was won by Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin.
The two-time Super Bowl champion has appeared in just three games for the Bills. He’s played 20 total snaps (seven on defense and 13 on special teams). That’s a far cry from playing in all 17 games for the Kansas City Chiefs last season.
In turn, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported Saturday it’s ‘no surprise” Edwards is “available” for trade. She didn’t list any teams with potential interest, though.
Buffalo will likely do everything in its power to find Edwards a new home by Tuesday. He doesn’t have a path to consistent playing time since rookie Cole Bishop has served as the No. 3 safety, and there would be no impact on the team’s 2025 salary-cap outlook.
Trading S Mike Edwards
New Team Acquires
2024: $860,000 ($620k gtd)
2025: UFA#Bills Dead Cap
2024: $1,790,000Edwards has been inactive for 6 of Buffalo's 9 weeks this season.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) November 4, 2024
The Bills also have two safeties on their practice squad: Kareem Jackson and Lewis Cine. So, there aren’t any depth concerns if Edwards is dealt for a late-round draft pick.
Bills Could Otherwise Be Quiet at Deadline?
Although the Bills have been linked to some high-profile defenders, including edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney and linebacker Robert Spillane, it doesn’t sound like another trade is guaranteed. Buffalo already made one blockbuster move to acquire wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns.
Russini reported the Bills are among the teams that probably won’t be “buyers or sellers.” It’s a group that also includes Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints.
It wouldn’t be a shock if Buffalo stands pat. That said, after the Cooper trade in mid-October, Beane made it clear on The Pat McAfee Show (via Kyle Silagyi of Sports Illustrated) he’d remain busy leading up to the deadline.
“We’re still all-in,” Beane said. “If this didn’t happen, if Cleveland was not ready to do it, we were going to continue to monitor. Listen, we’ve still got a few weeks for the deadline. If we feel there’s something else that we need or can help us get over the top, we have been all-in all along.”
The Bills are unlikely to reel in another big fish before Tuesday afternoon. Don’t expect someone like All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett to land in Orchard Park. A few smaller depth moves shouldn’t be ruled out, though.
What Should Bills Target Amid Trade Rumors
Do the Bills absolutely need to make a trade? No. They are on cruise control toward the playoffs and it’s possible their injury fortune improves in the coming weeks. Yet, one position stands out above the rest as an area of need: linebacker.
Milano’s timetable put him on track for a December return. The problem with that, however, is it leaves him one setback from potentially being ruled out for the season. His level of play, even if he does make it back, is a mystery since he hasn’t played since Oct. 8, 2023.
In addition, fellow starting linebacker Terrel Bernard has been banged up all season. He’s missed three games with pectoral and ankle injuries. He played in Sunday’s win over Miami but wasn’t overly effective. It’s a sign the cumulative toll of the ailments could be a problem moving forward.
The Bills’ reserve linebackers have struggled mightily. Neither Dorian Williams (60.9 Pro Football Focus grade) nor Baylon Spector (40.0 PFF grade) are starter-level NFL players. Buffalo can’t risk going into a playoff game with them patrolling the middle of its defense.
Along with the aforementioned Spillane, who’s mostly a downhill punisher, another intriguing option is the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Devin Lloyd. He’s more of a sideline-to-sideline playmaker in the mold of Milano and Bernard, albeit not at the same game-changer level.
All told Bills trade rumors may be limited over the next 24 hours, but even one modest addition could really bolster the team’s already strong roster.
Main Image: Gregory Fisher – USA Today Sports
