In a year where Josh Allen seems unstoppable, so does anyone facing the Buffalo Bills defense. If they intend to win by anything more than the skin of their teeth, something has to change.
They have seen some success on the defensive line, but the back seven have been trouble. Fortunately, the trade deadline approaches, and bold moves are there to be made at safety.
Indentifying the safety problem
Top safety Cole Bishop has still proven himself to be consistent. Unfortunately for him, the Bills have consistently underperformed at the other safety spot. Through a host of other players, not limited to Damar Hamlin, they haven't found the answer.
When C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected and suspended for spitting in Week 6, the general reaction from Bills fans was to be happy he was off the field. His absence even led to improved safety play by Jalon Kilgore later in the game. That doesn't bode well for the state of the roster.
The team needs more from it's safeties. The Bills only have 11 regular season games remaining to figure it out.
Bills safety trade candidates
Thankfully, there's plenty of talent out there, they simply have to go and get it. These safeties are on the trade market and perfect for the Buffalo Bills.
Budda Baker - Arizona Cardinals
If Buffalo wants to truly elevate the safety play, there are 3 major candidates. The first is Budda Baker. There's not many players on the market with Baker's depth of talent, track record of success, and prominent leadership. It's why he's so expensive on the dollar.
Budda Baker has one season left on his contract after 2026, and it's pricy. The veteran is owed almost $21 million next season, but only $3 million if cut. At that price, the decision is obvious, but he's still due just under $10 million for the remainder of this season. He becomes a high-performance one-year rental that truly elevates the Bills’ defense.
The argument is simply this: How do you free up the extra $3 million needed to pay him for 2026? Like sending a player back to Arizona in the deal, there are ways.
Expected Price: 2nd round pick
Jessie Bates III - Atlanta Falcons
If Budda Baker doesn't do it for you, then Jessie Bates III certainly should. The Falcons are in free fall, and could definitely use the assets a Bates trade would create for them. He's having a down year and gets them nothing this offseason if they don't move quickly. Buffalo, meanwhile, are in need.
Bates would be owed roughly $8m by the Buffalo Bills is they chose to acquire him this season. It's a steep number, but quality often pays for itself in the NFL. With an $8m difference between having C.J. Gardner-Johnson on the field in the playoffs or Jessie Bates III, that's confidence worth purchasing.
Expected Price: 3rd round pick
Nick Cross - Washington Commanders
An unexpected name, but not an unwelcome one. Nick Cross signed his first free agency deal this offseason, and it's not panning out quite yet. The Commanders are 1-4-1 and lost top WR Terry McLaurin for the season, making their uphill climb nearly-insurmountable. So, Cross could be available if the Commanders are looking to sell.
A highly-capable young safety with an easy-cut contract this offseason, he's ideal as a short-term solution for the Buffalo Bills. A trade for him costs only about $2.5m for this season, and give the Bills the option to keep him next season at $7.75m or cut him for only $1.5m on the salary cap.
Nick Cross would lift up the floor of this secondary more than raise it's ceiling, but that would be enough for the Bills.
Expected Price: 3rd round pick
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