The NFL trade deadline is just three weeks away and the Buffalo Bills are once again buyers at the deadline. In 2024, the Bills made just one move at the deadline and that was to acquire wide receiver Amari Cooper. However, coming off two straight losses it appears Buffalo may need a little more help this time around.
Their path to the Super Bowl has not gotten any easier, with starting safety Damar Hamlin being placed on injured reserve just last week. The team elevated long time contributor Jordan Poyer from the practice squad to fill the void, but the safety position is seriously lacking in the depth department.
With seven selections in next year’s draft, here are two players the Bills can target to sure up a growing weakness.
Geno Stone Cincinnati Bengals
Geno Stone is a player that did not expect to be going anywhere this season. Playing for the Bengals, Stone saw his Super Bowl aspirations go down with the ship as Joe Burrow had his season potentially ended in Week 2.
Now Stone has an opportunity to go play for another contender as the Bengals prepare to potentially hold a full blown fire sale after four straight losses.
“Since inking a two-year, $14 million deal to join the Bengals, Stone’s play has taken an unimaginable spiral,” reads a Pro Football Focus article. “Among safeties to play 1,000 or more snaps over the last two seasons, Stone’s 56.6 overall PFF grade is the eighth-lowest. However, there have been some reasons for optimism this year, including his 76.2 PFF run-defense grade and 7.7% missed tackle rate.”
When you consider the fact that nobody has been run on more effectively than the Buffalo Bills this season, you understand why bringing in the 26-year-old thumper makes more sense.
Taylor Rapp has lost a step. The Bills need a third level presence in the run game.
Jamal Adams Las Vegas Raiders
This acquisiton seems to fit what the Bills do better. Last season, we saw them take a chance on veteran Amari Cooper. This year, they got veteran Joey Bosa. Why not add another long time NFL vet to bring his experience to a young defense.
Jamal Adams was once a top safety in the National Football League. A series of unfortunate career missteps landed him on the Las Vegas Raiders. But after a 2-4 start, Adams has surprisingly been a bright spot for this Las Vegas defense.
Moreover, PFF believes Buffalo is the number one fit for the former New York Jet.
“Amid the Raiders’ floundering start, Adams has surprisingly enjoyed a career resurgence. Now playing mostly as a linebacker, the former Jets star has earned an 80.0 overall PFF grade on 132 snaps. He’s flourished in coverage with a 78.7 PFF coverage grade and only 47 yards allowed on 70 coverage snaps, plus has contributed eight stops,” PFF writes.
“Playing 23 or more snaps in the box, slot or along the defensive line, Adams is a versatile asset who could boost teams looking for linebacker or safety help. The Bills jump to mind with needs at both, especially with their intra-division familiarity playing against Adams.”
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