The NFL Trade Deadline Rules
The NFL’s trade deadline is upon us, and as usual, there are a lot of rumors swirling around about which teams will be buyers and which will be sellers.
The Buffalo Bills are one team that could potentially be active at the deadline. They’re currently sitting at 4-2 and in first place in the AFC East, and they definitely have some areas of need on their roster.
So what do the Bills need to do to make a trade happen? Let’s take a look at the NFL’s trade deadline rules to find out.
What is The NFL Trade Deadline?
The NFL trade deadline is the day on which NFL teams must finalize their rosters for the remainder of the season. After this date, teams are not allowed to make any trades or sign any free agents. The deadline for the current season is November 3rd.
What this means for the Bills is that they will have to decide by then if they want to add any players via trade or free agency. They also may need to make some roster moves in order to free up space for these new additions.
Keep in mind that the Bills are not allowed to trade away any players until after the completion of the fourth week of the season. This rule is in place to prevent teams from trading away players who have just suffered an injury.
How do The NFL Trade Deadline Rules Work?
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, October 29th, at 4:00 PM ET. That’s the date and time when all trades in the NFL must be completed. After that date and time, no trades can be made for the rest of the season.
The NFL trade deadline is different than other leagues because there is no “trade window.” In other words, teams can’t agree to a trade and then wait to complete it later. Once the deadline passes, all trades are off.
There are a few other things to know about the NFL trade deadline:
– Trades can only involve players, not draft picks. So if a team wants to trade for a player, they have to give up another player (or players) in return.
– Teams can’t trade players who are on injured reserve. So if a player is hurt and put on IR, they can’t be traded until they’re healthy again.
– There’s no such thing as a “conditional” trade in the NFL. In other words, all trades have to be completed immediately and can’t be contingent on anything else happening (such as a player passing a physical).
Who are The Buffalo Bills?
The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area. The Bills compete in the National Football League (NFL), as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The team plays their home games at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills are the only NFL team that plays its home games in the state of New York.
NFL Trade Deadline Primer Buffalo Bills Could be Buyers
The Bills have been one of the surprise teams in the NFL this season, starting the year 6-2. They currently sit atop the AFC East standings, and appear to be legitimate contenders for a playoff spot.
One factor that could help them in their quest for a postseason berth is making a move or two at the NFL trade deadline. The deadline is Tuesday, October 29th at 4:00 p.m. ET, and there have been some rumblings that the Bills could be active buyers.
So why might the Bills be looking to make a trade? Here are a few reasons:
1) They have an extra first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Bills acquired an extra first-round pick in this year’s draft by trading wide receiver Sammy Watkins to the Los Angeles Rams prior to the start of the season. They also have an extra second-round pick, which they got from Kansas City in last year’s draft Day trade that sent linebacker Reggie Ragland to the Chiefs.
Having those extra picks gives them some flexibility to make a deal without having to sacrifice too much from their current roster.
2) They have needs on both sides of the ball.
While the Bills have been one of the more pleasantly surprising teams in 2019, they still have needs on both sides of the ball that could be addressed via trade.
On offense, they could use another weapon for quarterback Josh Allen. The passing game has been somewhat inconsistent this season, and adding another receiving threat would certainly help. They’ve also been linked to Baltimore Ravens’ running back Kenneth Dixon, who could provide a boost to their rushing attack.
On defense, they could use some help in the secondary, particularly at cornerback. Tre’Davious White has been excellent for them this season, but they don’t have much depth behind him. If they can add another quality cornerback, it would go a long way toward solidifying their defense for the stretch run of the season.
3) They’re in win-now mode with Josh Allen as their quarterback.
The biggest reason why the Bills might be active at the trade deadline is because they believe they’re close to being a contending team with Josh Allen as their franchise quarterback. Allen took a big step forward in his development last season, and he’s continued to progress this year as well.
What Other Teams Might be Buyers at The NFL Trade Deadline?
In addition to the Bills, there are a few other teams that could be buyers leading up to the NFL trade deadline. The New England Patriots have been linked to a number of marquee names, including Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis. The Patriots are also said to be interested in Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and Detroit Lions defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.
The Seattle Seahawks, who are off to a slow start this season, could also be active at the trade deadline. The Seahawks have been linked to Fitzgerald and Davis, as well as New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
The Green Bay Packers, who lost wide receiver Jordy Nelson to a season-ending knee injury in the preseason, could also be in the market for a wide receiver. The Packers have been linked to Marshall and Jeffrey, as well as Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Markus Wheaton.
What Players Could The Buffalo Bills Target at The NFL Trade Deadline?
The NFL trade deadline is approaching and the Buffalo Bills could be active. Here’s a look at some of the players they could target.
The NFL trade deadline is October 29th at 4:00 p.m. EST. That’s just over a week away, and the Buffalo Bills could be active. They’re currently 4-2 and in first place in the AFC East, but they have some areas of concern on their roster.
One area of need is at wide receiver. The Bills don’t have a true number one receiver and they could use someone to take pressure off of John Brown and Cole Beasley. Another area of need is on the defensive line. The Bills have been solid against the run, but they could use another pass rusher to help take care of business against the pass-happy teams in the AFC East like the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins.
So, with that being said, who are some players that the Bills could target? Let’s take a look at a few names.
1) WR DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins
Parker has been rumored to be on the trade block for a while now and it seems like he could be had for the right price. He’s a big body receiver (6’3″, 216 lbs) with good speed (4.45 40-yard dash) and good hands. He would be an instant upgrade for the Bills’ receiving corps and would give Josh Allen another big target to throw to outside of John Brown.
2) DE Emmanuel Ogbah, Cleveland Browns
Ogbah is an interesting name because he was actually drafted by the current regime in Buffalo back in 2016 when they were with the Browns. He’s 6’4″, 275 lbs and can play both defensive end and outside linebacker. He would give the Bills another pass rushing option outside of Jerry Hughes and Shaq Lawson.
3) CB Eli Apple, New Orleans Saints
Apple is a former first-round pick who has struggled at times during his career, but he still has good size (6’1″, 199 lbs) and speed (4.40 40-yard dash). He would give the Bills another option at corner opposite Tre’Davious White and would provide good depth behind him as well