This is the point in time where things start to heat up, rumors are flowing and the 2023 NFL Draft anticipation is at an all-time high. For the Buffalo Bills, the rumor mill has definitely been stirring a bit more over the last couple of days.
One move that still might happen is for Buffalo to end up with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, at least if you were to ask Von Miller.
Adding Hopkins would end up coming as a surprise, too, considering the Bills were apparently out on any Hopkins deal weeks ago. But, there’s still a possibility the Cardinals cut the 3-time All Pro.
Should Hopkins land, then things get interesting. The Bills might have to pull off a few more surprise moves during the draft in order to get this roster Super Bowl primed.
Surprise trades the Buffalo Bills could make during 2023 NFL Draft: A move up for the draft’s top running back
With that no. 20 pick the Bills received from the Seahawks, you guessed it: it’s Bijan Robinson time in Buffalo.
While no one knows whether the Bills will trade up or trade back, we’ve heard both rumors over the last couple of weeks. In this instance, they go up and get one of the best overall prospects in the draft at pick no. 20.
The reason Bijan Robinson will fall that far? He plays the one position which teams are no longer investing heavily in. That’s it.
Otherwise, he is one of the most talented players in this class, and a top-10 type of talent in most eyes. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing a rock-solid 215 pounds, Robinson has the size, speed, strength and vision that you want in a workhorse running back. He can catch the football, shed tacklers and has that next gear type of burst when in the open field.
Rumors have stated the Bills would only move up for an offensive playmaker or lineman, and that rumor comes to fruition here. Now, the Bills’ offense features one more elite playmaker to go along with Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs and Dawson Knox.
Surprise trades the Buffalo Bills could make during 2023 NFL Draft: Dealing RB James Cook
After trading up and drafting Bijan Robinson, the Bills now move on from last year’s second-round pick, James Cook, because he will otherwise see a major reduction in playing time. Buffalo can’t afford to keep him around when there is value to be had if they were to trade him, so that’s what they do here.
Of all teams the Bills could make this move with, of course it’s the Cincinnati Bengals. But, the explanation makes a lot of sense.
For a few days now, there have been reports suggesting the Bengals could end up cutting starting running back Joe Mixon if the veteran doesn’t agree to a pay cut. In addition to those reports, Mixon has also found his name in some off-field trouble, as well.
Mixon’s cap hit this season is over $12 million, but if Cincinnati cuts him, they would save $7 million. A deal like this makes a lot of sense, because the Bengals don’t have another option at running back who could step in and be their guy. Cook is young and a multi-talented back who could offer the team three more years on a rookie deal with plenty of potential to break out.
Surprise trades the Buffalo Bills could make during 2023 NFL Draft: Moving veteran guard Ryan Bates
Let’s say at pick no. 27, the Bills end up going with Florida’s O’Cyrus Torrence or TCU’s Steve Avila. If either one of them are the pick, then Ryan Bates immediately gets relegated to the bench just a year after signing a 4-year extension with Buffalo.
Last offseason, Bates was the subject of a hot free agency battle between the Bills and Chicago Bears. With Chicago having plenty of money still, and an offensive line that could use more work, a deal to the Windy City makes a ton of sense.
On the Bears’ end, they could cut Bates next year with only $1 million in dead cap, so this is a deal well-worth making, especially if it’s only for a fifth-round pick, while netting a sixth rounder in return as well.
The Bills now have no controversy at guard, allowing Bates to go compete for a starting job on a team that’s rebuilding and could use a younger offensive lineman like himself.