Buffalo Reportedly Looking to Upgrade on Offense and Defense
With the NFL trade deadline just 11 days away, many expect the Buffalo Bills to make a move or two to upgrade at a few positions of need.
The team could use an infusion of talent at wide receiver, cornerback, and safety, and the Bills have been linked to several high-profile names on the trade market from varying insiders.
On Saturday, one of the most plugged-in reporters in the industry gave some insight into what the franchise is thinking with the trade deadline just around the corner, as The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that Buffalo is looking at acquiring players at two specific positions.
“The Bills are looking for help at safety and wide receiver,” Russini reported.
The need at safety is glaringly obvious.
Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin, and Wande Owens are all on injured reserve, leaving Cole Bishop, Cam Lewis, and Sam Franklin Jr. as the only healthy safeties on the roster. Buffalo also has former All-Pro Jordan Poyer, who’s currently on the practice squad but will be elevated to the 53-man roster ahead of Sunday’s Week 8 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
San Francisco’s Jordan Pinnock, New England’s Kyle Dugger, and New Orlean’s Justin Reid are three of the top safeties believed to be available (though it’s unlikely the Patriots would trade Dugger within the division).
A potential wide receiver trade is a little less of a no-brainer as the Bills have more healthy pass-catchers than defensive backs — and there’s more hope the players currently on the roster can eventually step up their game.
The bulk of Buffalo’s passing game has run through three receivers — Khalil Shakir (25 catches, 34 targets, 268 yards, two TDs), Keon Coleman (24 catches, 35 targets, 237 yards, two TDs), and Joshua Palmer (14 catches, 20 targets, 234 yards).
Three other WRs — Tyrell Shavers (five catches, 10 targets, 51 yards), Elijah Moore (four catches, seven targets, 64 yards), and Curtis Samuel (three catches, four targets, 35 yards, one TD) — have made small offensive contributions, but it’s clear the Bills don’t have that true, game-breaking receiver capable of taking over a game.
Of the WRs believed to be available for trade, Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr., Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown, Las Vegas’ Jakobi Meyers, and New Orlean’s Rashid Shaheed could be potential targets.