If you want a recap/motivation on the last two games read our coverage here. However something is clear that a change is needed and a few options have opened up for the Bills with teams becoming sellers very early in the season after some disappointing openings. Teams that could be sellers are: Jets, Giants, Washington, Texans, Chargers, Bengals, Jags, and Falcons. While there aren’t a ton of options on those teams there are still some tasty treats to quote Doug “the thug” Glatt to pick off the carcasses of the teams in the hunt for Trevor Lawerence.
Desmond King NCB/Special Teams Ace
Credit to Joe Buscaglia for advocating on this trade since last May where he had this to say “Chargers defensive back Desmond King isn’t a prototypical fit to the big nickel, though he excels at exploding at the quarterback as a blitzer. The Chargers are likely looking to move King (25 years old) ahead of the final year of his rookie deal. King could also compete with Taron Johnson for the usual nickel role.” Joe nailed this on the head and has since talked about it and honestly I loved the fit when he was coming out of Iowa where he was a ballhawking under sized corner with a nose for run defending.” Another trait not listed above is that he is a stalwart on special teams snaps for Chargers acting as a gunner and a returner and doing well at both. King is good in man coverage and brings the turnover mentality that that the Bills covet and so desperately need. While Taron Johnson has had his moments I think they need to bring in some serious competition if not an upgrade for him which is what King II would represent. King is also in the final year of his rookie contract which means he’s affordable and The Bills wouldn’t be left holding a big contract if his performance drops.
Compensation: conditional 6th round pick 2022
Evan Engram Joker TE
Evan Engram has a couple things in common with his Ole Miss teammate Dawson Knox they have untapped athletic potential, they have never seemed to live up to the expectations for their athletic ability, and they can at times have a bad case of easycatchdropitis. However combining the two would give the Bills the best TE combo since Gronk was pounding monsters and a monster was to quote Wayne Brady on Chappelle Show “getting wet”. Engram has amazing hands and vertical ability to press Linebackers into bad mismatches are a threat for any offense particularly one with a bevy of already existing weapons. While the Giants are technically still in contention in the NFC East (then again a team lead by a bloated deer carcass would have an equal shot at winning the NFC East). The Giants seems like they want to shed some of the mistakes that were made by past regimes with Engram being one of them. So far Engram has had an abysmal 20 catches for 170 yards and 0 TDs but that is more of a symptom of the G-men’s offense rather than the player himself. However, his ball skills and downfield break away ability would lend himself perfectly to the Bills offense. The Bills would be on the hook for his 5th year option however it’s a paltry 6 mil cap hit which isn’t huge for a big athletic field stretching TE which he could be under Daboll. This would add some extra firepower to the offense for a lower asking price than would be expected for such a dynamic pass catcher.
Compensation: 4th round pick and Tyler Kroft
Ryan Kerrigan Edge Rusher
Ryan Kerrigan is one of the bigger cap hits to take on in a trade who is likely available however that makes his price a little easier to swallow in compensation area and would likely need the Bills to either cap dump a player or get creative with his salary. To be fair I have very little to no understanding how salary cap works in the NFL like 99.9% of people who are in and around Football but if anyone could do it it would be Brandon Beane and Jim Overdorff. Also with this being Kerrigan’s last year of his deal if he ends up not resigning with the Buffalo Bills his next contract would count for compensation picks. It seems that Kerrigan is in the twilight of his career with only 3 sacks so far this season and only one game started however if there is a little juice left to be squeezed out of the Purdue product then Leslie Frazier and Sean McDermott may be able to get it. With the Bills pass rush being atrocious this year (outside of Jerry Hughes) the need for one more big name who can move around the line and play multiple positions including OLB is a must for Brandon Beane to go get. Kerrigan has a relentless motor and when he is at his best is one of the top power rushers in the NFL. Kerrigan would allow the Bills to move Mario Addison to Edge pair 2 and allow AJ Epenesa to spend more time developing off the field. The Bills could also clean a little money off the books as the WFT needs some offensive line help desperately in steps Quinton Spain. It is a logical trade and one that adds depth and talent for both teams. Add in the connections with riverboat Ron and the McBeane and you have a surefire trade that benefits both clubs.
Compensation: Quinton Spain and 6th round 2023(salary retention compensation)
*disclaimer these last two are insane but to quote Burt Macklin “just crazy enough to work”
Melvin Ingram Edge & Desmond King II NCB
This one may be a bit difficult to swing however if they could make it work it would definitely help the front four immediately. Ingram is a speed rusher with serious pop and was recently activated off the IR and looking like he’s fully healthy. I already wrote about King above so I won’t go over it again, Ingram is looking for a new contract and although the Bills most likely won’t be able to swing that they could however give him the assurance to try to give him either more immediate money to lower cap hit or start negotiations to give him a short term high money deal for the next year and then hit free agency with a couple of money earning years left. Ingram would be able to step in across from Jerry Hughes and give an immediate upgrade to the Edge Rusher position that the Bills desperately need. This would take focus off of Hughes and add some more fireworks to defensive line unit that is in desperate need of it. Ingrams cap hit of 16 mil maybe the one thing that holds this up but a swapping of a player to the chargers plus a high pick would most likely get this deal done.
Compensation: conditional 3rd round pick and Trent Murphy
JJ Watt Defensive Tackle/Edge
Just hear me out on this there is precedent for this type of deal and it would make a lot of sense for both parties. The Texans are in desperate need for draft pick capital with a new coach and General Manager coming into a nightmare scenario. The Bills need a jolt in their defensive line and to be honest they need a vocal leader who can come in and have the instant respect that someone like JJ Watt brings. Watt would also bring a pass rush expertise and run defense that the Bills are lacking and could be a mentor to two high draft picks the Bills have in this unit in Ed Oliver and AJ Epenesa the later drew comparisons of JJ coming out of college. Imagine a pass rush with Watt, Oliver, Hughes, and Jefferson who has been providing some severe pressure up the middle so far this season. Watt would be another feather in the cap of Beane trading portfolio and the Cornelius Bennett aka the final piece for the Bills. While Watt is getting up there in age he still has the game breaking ability he demonstrated against the Bills in the wildcard last year. This move would cement the authenticity of Buffalo’s defense and would put Watt on a playoff contender something that the Texans do not like they will be for the foreseeable future.
Compensation: Conditional 2nd round pick and Trent Murphy. (Conditions hit if the Bills make the AFC championship and JJ takes a snap the pick will convert to a 2021 1st. If JJ misses half or more of the remaining games it turns into a 3rd)
Draft House Sports 