The Buffalo Bills currently hold the number four seed in the AFC Playoffs Race. They won four straight games following a narrow Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Most recently defeated by the Tennesee Titans on Monday Night Football, the group headed into their bye week one game up in the win column in the AFC East. Home to one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL, the Bills have once again enjoyed an MVP caliber season from star quarterback Josh Allen.
Along with this, after signing with the team in the offseason, Emmanuel Sanders has been a revelation for the franchise as their number two wideout behind Stefon Diggs. Making major strides on the defensive side of the ball after a down year in 2020, Buffalo’s defense ranks in the top five across the league in nearly every major category. With little needs across one of the deepest rosters in football, here are three names general manager Brandon Beane could look to target at the trade deadline.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Trade Deadline Previews.
The Bills’ Current Status
Current Record: 4-2
Division Standings: First in the AFC East
In the Playoff Picture: Yes
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
Current NFL Draft Slot: 22nd Overall
Potential Trade #1: 2022 third-round Pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Andrew Norwell
Shuffling around their offensive line early on in the season, third-year man Cody Ford was benched. Replaced by tackle Daryl Williams, rookie Spencer Brown slid into the right tackle spot. Still thin at the guard position, Jon Feliciano has also spent time on the injured list with a concussion, leaving little room for continuity among the unit. Enter Norwell, who at 29 years old is still playing some of the best football of his eight-year pro career.
Playing over 90 percent of the Jaguar’s offensive snaps through seven weeks, he has committed just five penalties while earning a grade of 67.9, according to Pro Football Focus. Familiar with Beane after he brought in the guard as an undrafted free agent in Carolina, moving off him would allow Jacksonville to recoup a high pick for the veteran. On the flip side, it would provide a massive boost for a thin interior of the Bills offensive line.
Potential Trade #2: 2022 fifth-round Pick to the Atlanta Falcons for Hayden Hurst
Buffalo received troubling news early on in the week. It was revealed tight end Dawson Knox would miss time with a broken hand. In the midst of a breakout season in his third year in the league, the Ole Miss product was becoming an integral part of the team’s passing attack. Needing to find a short-term upgrade over backup Tommy Sweeney, Hurst would provide an ideal target.
Becoming the odd man out in Atlanta with fourth overall pick Kyle Pitts dominating the snaps for the team, Hurst has started just three games while playing 53 percent of the team’s snaps. In addition to being only one year removed from a career-high 571 yards in 2020. Acquiring Hurst would provide the Bills with an upgrade in the tight end room while also giving Allen another weapon in the passing game.
Potential Trade #3: 2022 fourth-round Pick to the Denver Broncos for Kyle Fuller
Reportedly examining the cornerback market before the start of their 2021 campaign, the Bills have been looking to upgrade their second spot opposite Tre’Davious White. Trying out multiple options over their first six games, the team has used Levi Wallace and Dane Jackson. With their sights set on getting back to the Super Bowl after disappointingly losing in the AFC title game a year ago, Fuller would provide an upgrade to their position room. Remaining just two years from an All-Pro season with the Chicago Bears in 2018, he has become the odd man out during his lone season with the Denver Broncos.
The Virginia Tech alumn played just two snaps in Week 6. He also did not play a single snap on Thursday Night Football against the Cleveland Browns despite being dressed. Home to one of the deepest positional rooms across the league with rookie Patrick Surtain II, Ronald Darby, and Bryce Callahan, the Broncos have reportedly begun to shop Fuller before the trade deadline. With an asking price of a third or fourth-round pick before the start of the year, shipping the 29-year-old to Buffalo would be good business for both franchises.
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