The NFL trade market has already been busy, and the Bills are very much in the mix of teams watching it all unfold. Interior defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, guard Quenton Nelson, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., offensive lineman Cam Jurgens and others have already been moved, and Buffalo has reason to pay close attention.
That urgency starts with the standings. The Bills are 5-1, sitting in first place in the AFC East and tied for first in the AFC, which puts the spotlight on president of football operations/general manager Brandon Beane to find help before the deadline. Beane has never been shy about making a move, having dealt before the deadline in three of the last four regular seasons.
The trade deadline arrives at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 10, and Buffalo has spent the bye week looking at what might actually be available.
Josh Allen and the offense continue to lead the league in scoring, but the defense has been the concern, especially against the pass, on third down, and late in games. The Bills are giving up 28.5 points per game, which ranks 30th, and 386.8 yards per game, which ranks 31st.
That’s why the discussion around Buffalo’s needs has centered on defense, with safety, edge rusher, inside linebacker, and interior defensive line standing out as the top priorities. One name that comes up in that conversation is Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun.
The challenge, though, is money. Buffalo currently has just $4.5 million in available cap space, according to Spotrac, which ranks 27th in the league.
That makes it difficult to add a player with a base salary that would count on this year’s cap. The Bills can create more room if they need to, but Beane’s flexibility is limited if he wants to make a major swing.
There’s also plenty more going on around the roster. The latest practice updates include injury news on starting right tackle Spencer Brown, nickel cornerback Dee Alford and others.
Elsewhere, kicker Tyler Bass has talked about falling back in love with the game after missing all of last year with injuries, and there’s also a look at how not having safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson could help Buffalo’s struggling defense.
The bye week has also been a strong one in another sense: the Bills have won their last 11 games coming off the bye, and there’s been a closer look at whether Josh Allen has been even better in those games immediately after the break. On offense, the focus also turns to identifying the most disappointing player so far.
In Other News...
James Cook Faces A Huge Bills Test Against Baltimore
Buffalos ground game has been one of the biggest reasons the offense has stayed on schedule, with James Cook carrying the load and giving the Bills a steady threat between the tackles and on the edges. He has piled up 627 rushing yards and six touchdowns, production that has helped make the run game a real part of Buffalos identity rather than just a changeup.
The next test is a serious one, though, because Baltimore brings a top-10 run defense into the matchup and will force the Bills to prove their rushing attack can travel against a sturdier front. For Buffalo, that puts extra weight on Cooks role, especially with offensive coordinator Joe Brady already zeroing in on ball security as a point of emphasis. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Could Be Headed For A Maxx Crosby Deadline Debate
The trade deadline chatter around Maxx Crosby is starting to feel like the kind of conversation that could follow the Bills right up to Nov. 10. Buffalo has been mentioned alongside the Lions and Cowboys as a possible landing spot for the Raiders edge rusher, a reminder that teams looking to sharpen their defenses are keeping a close eye on the market for difference-makers, especially with the price of star defenders climbing into the multiple first-round-pick range.
For the Bills, the appeal is obvious even without the full mechanics of a deal coming into view. Crosby would fit the profile of a player who can change the tone of a defense in a hurry, and Buffalo is the sort of contender that has to at least weigh whether a swing of that size is worth it. The bigger question is whether the market gets even more complicated from here, because once a player of Crosbys stature starts drawing this much attention, the deadline can turn into a bidding war fast. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Head Into Ravens Game With Key Roles Still In Doubt
The Bills are heading into their matchup with the Ravens with a handful of important roles still unsettled after the final practice of the week. Joe Brady confirmed six players are listed as questionable, including DJ Moore and Dalton Kincaid, while the team has not officially ruled anyone out as it prepares for one of its biggest tests of the early season.
Greg Gaines was added to the injury report late after tweaking his lower body during Friday practice, adding another layer of uncertainty to Buffalos depth chart. On the back end, Damar Hamlin is set to start at safety with C.J. Gardner-Johnson serving a suspension, giving the Bills at least one clear answer as they sort through the rest of the roster before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]