The Buffalo Bills were able to get a win on Thursday night over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and now go into a "mini-bye" with 10 days to rest before they are back on primetime. That game will be against the Cincinnati Bengals, the team that ended their season last year and could have playoff implications this season.
This extended break couldn't come at a better time as it gives the Bills a chance to reassess after three weeks where they struggled and had to figure out ways to replace key players on their defense due to injuries, like Matt Milano, Tre'Davious White and DaQuan Jones.
Before their next game, the NFL has the trade deadline on October 31st and it should be noted that the Buffalo Bills did clear some cap space last week by restructuring Dion Dawkins' contract. This could be an indication they are looking to make a move and if they do, it would make sense to be on the defensive side of the ball.
These are four players who could be available that would be good options for the Buffalo Bills to target before the trade deadline.
Aaron Donald
There is no question that if Aaron Donald is available, then he is one player that the Buffalo Bills should pull out all the stops to acquire. He is one of the best ever to play defensive tackle and even at this stage of his career, is still a game changer for any defense.
The Buffalo Bills are closer to a Lombardi Trophy than the Los Angeles Rams and if Donald wants the chance at one more Super Bowl run before he calls it a career, then this could be a good fit.
The Bills also have enough at the position that he wouldn't be asked to play roughly 75% of the defensive snaps like he is now. The rotation they have at the position could help Donald manage the workload and be more effective later in the season.
However, for a trade to be pulled off the Bills would need to convince Donald to waive his no-trade clause. Fortunately, they have two former teammates who could sell the former Defensive Player of the Year on coming to Western New York in Von Miller and Leonard Floyd.
It may not be a long-term solution but there is no reason to not offer multiple Day 2 picks to add Aaron Donald if he is available for the Buffalo Bills.
Harrison Phillips
It is pretty unlikely that the Buffalo Bills could pull off a trade for Aaron Donald and a more realistic option if they want to address defensive tackle would be Harrison Phillips. He was a third round pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2018 and started 11 games over the final two seasons in Buffalo.
That 2021 season was by far his best and he had 51 total tackles, four tackles for a loss, and one sack. He would sign a 3-year deal worth 19.5 million with the Minnesota Vikings after that season.
However, the contract is pretty reasonable from this point and adding a player like Phillips makes a lot of sense for Buffalo. He already knows this defense and could be a pretty seamless addition to the rotation.
The biggest question is whether or not the Vikings are ready to be sellers or if they will still push for a playoff spot. Last week, the Vikings beat the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night football are now 3-4 with a divisional matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
If they win that game and move to 4-4, they might not be looking to trade but if they fall to 3-5, then general manager Brandon Beane may want to pick up the phone.
Jordan Hicks
Harrison Phillips shouldn't be the only Vikings defender who would be of interest to the Buffalo Bills. Another player is linebacker Jordan Hicks, who is in the final year of his contract with the Vikings and doesn't seem likely to return to Minnesota next season.
Hicks has started all seven games for the Vikings this season and has 61 total tackles, three passes defended and two fumble recoveries this season. He is a veteran linebacker who has 113 career starts between his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals and the Vikings.
This is a trade that makes sense for the Buffalo Bills after losing Matt Milano for what appears to be the entire season. The team has given both Dorian Williams and Tyrel Dodson chances to replace Milano and neither have really impressed to this point.
The addition of Hicks gives the defense a veteran linebacker to play alongside Terrel Bernard and help solidify the position.
Levi Wallace
The cornerback position is another one that the Buffalo Bills might consider addressing after the loss of Tre'Davious White. However, the Bills don't necessarily need a long-term solution so cornerbacks like Patrick Surtain II or Jaylon Johnson don't make much sense.
If the Buffalo Bills are just looking for a veteran cornerback who has the potential to start and bring stability to the position, then Levi Wallace would make a great deal of sense. He was an undrafted free agent signing by the Bills in 2018 and quickly stepped into a starting role with 52 starts over four seasons.
He would leave in free agency in 2022 and sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers and has started 14 games over the past two seasons. However, the Steelers are in a position where they could trade Wallace to create an opportunity for Joey Porter Jr., their first round pick this year, to step in as the starter.