Typically, the Buffalo Bills are active at the trade deadline, making moves to repair their roster ahead of a deep playoff run- 2025 should be no exception. The team is in desperate need of some help in their beleaguered secondary.
Things could be trending up at cornerback with the announcement of first-round pick Maxwell Hairston returning to practice, but the team is far from settled. There are several CB trades they could make, or corners they could sign. The biggest problem is unfortunately at safety, where Buffalo seems overrun.
There are some free agent safeties out there with the ability to help somewhat, but the great players the Bills truly need are already rostered on other teams. There's a simple solution. Find the miserable franchise that won't be seeing much January football, make them an offer they shouldn't refuse. These safeties are all up for grabs, so go get them, and patch the biggest hole the Buffalo Bills have left.
3 safeties that Bills should be looking to trade for ahead of deadline
Budda Baker - Arizona Cardinals
Perhaps its a pipedream, perhaps not. Budda Baker is a top notch safety, now in his 9th season, and would elevate the Bills significantly. They've been missing a player like Baker for a long time- Insecurity has wracked the back line of the defense since Micah Hyde's fading prime. Bringing him in puts the cornerbacks in good position, and frees the linebackers to make plays knowing they have backup. Baker was Second-Team All-Pro in 2024, and is worthwhile. Truly, Baker is the best safety that Buffalo could hope to get, and it's plausible.
The Arizona Cardinals are 2-5, sitting in the basement of the NFC West behind three contenders at 2-5 apiece. It won't be getting better this season, and the Cardinals need to think about the future. They signed Budda Baker to a three-year extension in 2024 worth $56m, which he has just begun to play on. For a struggling franchise with a safety who is beginning to age out, that's too much money. The Cardinals need a rebuild, and they could get a premium draft pick out of the deal.
The biggest obstacle is the money. Baker is owed $19.2m on the salary cap for 2026. Some of that could be worked down in a trade, but the Bills will take a hit next season to make this trade happen. For a player like Baker, it's worth it. With a natural exit built into the contract after 2026, Buffalo could commit to Baker for a season and a half, and maintain their championship window.
Projected Cost: 2nd + 6th Round picks
Xavier Woods - Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans should be huge sellers ahead of the deadline Their brand-new first round QB is playing so poorly that they're 1-6, the brand new head coach is already fired after less than two seasons, and there's nothing tying the team together for the remainder of the year.
They will not be galvanized, nor have 'something to build off'. When Xavier Woods signed his two-year $8m deal this offseason, it certainly wasn't with this in mind. Buffalo trading for him would be as kind as getting a pet from a rescue shelter. The lad needs a home.
The Buffalo Bills are not selfless; Xavier Woods would offer notable improvements to their safety room, both as a possible starter and certainly as a depth option. His contract is affordable, keeping him an option for the Bills into next season as they make major decisions about their back seven. He's already racked up an interception, a sack, and two passes defended.
Woods is a solid veteran player who bring meaningful snaps to Buffalo. A sure tackler with good coverage instincts, he would be a welcome addition.
Projected Cost: 6th Round pick
Justin Reid - New Orleans Saints
Justin Reid has done his fair share of damage to Buffalo, but he'd jump at the chance to build there now. Much like the rest of the safeties we list here, Reid's team is at the bottom of the heap, and needs to rethink things. Perhaps Reid does too. He inked a three-year contract worth $31.5m with the New Orleans Saints in March, and would likely relish the chance to actually compete again.
New Orleans is struggling in major ways, and this contract doesn't help them rebuild. In his eighth season, Justin Reid is a competitive free safety who can put the cap on a defense. He reacts well, and reads the QBs eyes to shut down half the field on any given play. Avoiding hyperbole, he's a great addition on an affordable deal for the Bills. His contract has an out for the offseason of 2026, making him either a two or three season player in Buffalo, ideal for the team's current contract schedule.
Everything we like about Budda Baker, but substantially cheaper, without the elite upside. As far as middle ground goes, Reid is an option that the Buffalo Bills could be thrilled with.