The news on Monday that cornerback Darius Slay is on the trade block should interest the Buffalo Bills. The question is what cost makes sense?
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted out news that should be of interest to the Buffalo Bills as he noted that Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay is available for trade and that multiple teams have already inquired.
The cornerback position is one the Bills should be looking to address this offseason as they try to solidify the position opposite Tre’Davious White. This past season the team used Levi Wallace and Kevin Johnson but Brandon Beane has a chance to find a long term answer and this is why adding a player like Darius Slay makes sense.
Lions have spoken with multiple teams about a potential trade for Pro Bowl CB Darius Slay, per sources. Any team that trades for Slay would have to compensate Detroit and Slay with a new deal. Other teams believe Slay will be traded this off-season, but Lions adamant on value.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 17, 2020
Slay has developed into one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL with three trips to the Pro Bowl the past three seasons and was selected to the first-team All-Pro team in 2017. That was also the year he was tied for the league lead in interceptions with eight. He has had at least two interceptions in each of the past six seasons.
The question, and this will determine the Bills interest, is what it would cost to add a player like Slay. He is entering his final year of his deal and any team that trades for him will have to negotiate a new deal, which will have to be taken into account.
If Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post is correct, the asking price may not be too steep. He tweeted that a trade would only cost a second or third round pick, in addition to Slay’s extension.
League executive on what it would take for #Broncos to acquire CB Darius Slay from Lions: "Second or third rounder and $15 million-ish per year," via extension.
— Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) February 17, 2020
The Buffalo Bills have had one of the top pass defenses in the league the past few years. However, that cornerback spot opposite Tre’Davious White was always the weak link. If the Bills were able to add a talent like Slay, it would address one of the top needs for this team this offseason.