Bills Eye $52 Million Cornerback in Trade Proposal to Bolster Secondary

The Buffalo Bills are entering the 2025 season with a major gap in their secondary after losing a key starting cornerback. With no clear replacement lined up, one NFL analyst suggests the team could turn to the trade market to fill the void.

Bills Exploring Veteran CB Trade Option

NFL analyst Moe Moton of Bleacher Report believes the Bills could target Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean, who may be available after an underwhelming stint in Tampa. Moton’s proposal suggests Buffalo could acquire the veteran defensive back for a 2025 fifth-round pick, a relatively low cost for a player who signed a four-year, $52 million extension in 2023.

Over the last two seasons, Dean has recorded 11 pass breakups and one interception while allowing a passer rating of 111 in 2023 and 91.2 in 2024. Injuries have also been a factor, as he missed nine games during that span. The Buccaneers, who ranked among the league’s worst in passing yards allowed despite a strong pass rush, could be looking to shake up their secondary, making Dean a potential trade candidate if they prioritize drafting a cornerback.

“If Tampa Bay targets a cornerback early in the upcoming draft, Dean may be available for a Super Bowl-contending squad looking to fill a need,” Moton wrote.

Bills Addressing Secondary Needs

Buffalo has already made some moves to improve their depth in the secondary, re-signing former cornerback Dane Jackson, who previously spent four seasons with the team before leaving in free agency. While Jackson provides valuable depth, he’s unlikely to be the direct replacement for Rasul Douglas, who started 15 games last season before hitting free agency.

Jackson’s return also coincides with the departure of former first-round pick Kaiir Elam, who struggled in Buffalo and was recently traded to the Dallas Cowboys.

Meanwhile, the Bills are also weighing a long-term contract extension for standout cornerback Christian Benford. A sixth-round pick in 2022, Benford emerged as a top-tier defender and surpassed Elam on the depth chart. General manager Brandon Beane has confirmed ongoing discussions for an extension, emphasizing the team’s philosophy of drafting, developing, and retaining talent.

“If you could draw up what I want ideally for this team, it’s draft, develop—when I say develop, that’s on and off the field, the full person, the player—and re-sign,” Beane said, via Buffalo Rumblings. “Sometimes the business gets in the way, and we’ve had to let guys go because we knew we just couldn’t afford them or we weren’t on the same page where their market was.”

Bills’ Recent Roster Investments

Buffalo has already secured long-term deals for key homegrown talents, including defensive end Greg Rousseau, who signed a four-year, $80 million contract extension. The team also locked down franchise quarterback Josh Allen with a record-breaking deal through 2030, worth $330 million with $250 million guaranteed.

With the Bills remaining in win-now mode, acquiring a veteran cornerback like Dean could provide the stability needed in the secondary. Whether Buffalo pursues this trade or opts for another route remains to be seen, but securing a reliable defensive back will be a top priority before the season begins.