Buffalo Bills Trade Rumors: Tracking Brandon Beane’s Moves
As the NFL trade deadline approaches, the Buffalo Bills find themselves at a critical juncture. General manager Brandon Beane has a history of making impactful trades during this period, and all eyes are on the team’s potential moves.
Buffalo Bills’ Trade Deadline Situation
Heading into the deadline, the Bills have approximately $3 million in cap space, following the restructuring of cornerback Taron Johnson’s contract. This financial flexibility allows them to target new players, particularly given their current roster needs.
Current Needs
The Bills are actively seeking help in several key areas, including:
- Defensive tackle
- Wide receiver
Due to recent injuries, including that of Ed Oliver, they are especially in need of a defensive tackle. Meanwhile, their receiving corps is also under scrutiny as they look to enhance their offensive capabilities.
Trade Targets
In recent discussions, the Bills had their sights set on several potential acquisitions:
- Rashid Shaheed: Considered a primary target, he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks prior to the deadline.
- Jakobi Meyers: The Bills reportedly inquired about Meyers before he was dealt to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
- John Metchie: Another option was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the New York Jets recently.
Despite losing out on these key players, the Bills still have options. They are exploring trades for potential wide receivers from rebuilding teams, including possible deals for Chris Olave from the New Orleans Saints.
Creating Cap Space
To facilitate any potential trades, Beane could increase their cap space by:
- Trading existing players, which would free up additional funds.
- Restructuring contracts of players like Dawson Knox to adjust future cap hits.
- Releasing players with non-guaranteed contracts, such as KR Brandon Codrington.
Defensive Line Concerns
The injuries to key players like Michael Hoecht and Ed Oliver have severely impacted the Bills’ defensive line. They are searching for players who can step in immediately and provide depth.
Potential Defensive Targets
Possible trade targets include:
- Maliek Collins from the Cleveland Browns
- Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets
- Former Bills player Harrison Phillips
While some big names may be on the market, the team must weigh the potential costs against their current cap situation.
Recent Trades of Interest
Earlier trades have set a precedent for what the Bills might expect on the market:
- Ex-Bills receiver Amari Cooper was traded for third- and seventh-round picks.
- Rasul Douglas, a cornerback, was acquired for a third-round pick.
- Dean Marlowe was brought in for a future seventh-round pick bolstering safety depth.
As the deadline draws closer, the Bills aim to close any gaps in their roster. A deal could prove crucial in enhancing their playoff prospects.
With the clock ticking, Buffalo fans are eager to see how Brandon Beane will respond and whether he can make a move that will affect the team’s fortunes this season.
