Trade Deadline Activity Revealed for the Buffalo Bills

As the NFL’s trade deadline passed, the Buffalo Bills made headlines with a series of calculated moves designed to strengthen their roster for a deep playoff run—avoiding splashy, high-risk trades while addressing critical areas of need. Trade Deadline Activity Revealed for the Buffalo Bills breaks down the Bills’ key acquisitions, the players they chose to hold onto, and the strategic thinking that guided their decisions, offering insight into how general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott are balancing short-term competitiveness with long-term roster stability. For the Bills, this deadline wasn’t about overhauling their core; it was about adding pieces that fit their system, fill gaps, and give them a better chance to outlast AFC powerhouses like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens.

Trade Deadline Activity Revealed for the Buffalo Bills begins with the team’s most impactful acquisition: a trade with the Arizona Cardinals to land defensive end Zaven Collins. A former first-round pick (2021), Collins has emerged as a versatile defender who can play edge rusher, defensive tackle, and even linebacker—exactly the kind of flexibility the Bills needed to bolster their pass rush and run defense. In exchange for Collins, the Bills sent a 2025 third-round draft pick and a 2026 fifth-round pick to Arizona—a modest price for a 25-year-old player with three years left on his rookie contract. Collins has recorded 4 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, and 2 forced fumbles this season, and his ability to line up in multiple spots will let defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier mix up pass-rush packages and confuse opposing offensive lines. “Zaven is a player we’ve scouted for years,” Beane said during a post-deadline press conference. “He fits our defense perfectly—he’s physical, he’s smart, and he can contribute in multiple roles. Adding him gives us more depth and more options, which is crucial in the playoffs.” For the Bills, Collins isn’t just a rental; he’s a long-term piece that can grow with their defense, making the trade a win-win for both immediate and future success.

A key part of Trade Deadline Activity Revealed for the Buffalo Bills is the team’s focus on upgrading their secondary with the acquisition of cornerback Donte Jackson from the Carolina Panthers. Jackson, a 28-year-old veteran, was made available after the Panthers fell out of playoff contention, and the Bills landed him for a 2025 fourth-round pick. Jackson has struggled with injuries in recent seasons but has been healthy in 2023, recording 1 interception, 6 pass breakups, and 33 tackles. He’ll slot in as the Bills’ third cornerback, behind starters Tre’Davious White and Kaiir Elam, providing much-needed depth after backup cornerback Christian Benford suffered a knee injury in Week 10. Jackson’s speed (he ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the 2018 NFL Combine) makes him ideal for covering fast wide receivers like the Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill or the Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle—something the Bills struggled with earlier in the season. “Donte brings experience and speed to our secondary,” Frazier said. “When you’re in the AFC, you face elite wideouts every week, so having a third cornerback you can trust is essential. He’ll let us play more man coverage and free up our safeties to blitz or help in run support.” The trade for Jackson reflects the Bills’ commitment to fixing a secondary that had allowed 18 passing touchdowns in the first 10 weeks—tied for the 10th-most in the NFL.

Trade Deadline Activity Revealed for the Buffalo Bills also includes the team’s decision to hold onto key veterans, rejecting trade offers for players like defensive tackle Ed Oliver and wide receiver Gabe Davis. Oliver, a 2019 first-round pick, had drawn interest from the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys, who offered mid-round draft picks in exchange for the 26-year-old pass rusher. But Beane chose to keep Oliver, who has 5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss this season, citing his importance to the Bills’ defensive line and his status as a “core player” for the future. Davis, meanwhile, was rumored to be a target for the Philadelphia Eagles, who needed help at wide receiver after DeVonta Smith’s injury. But the Bills refused to part with Davis, who has 35 catches for 580 yards and 6 touchdowns this season, as he’s a critical deep threat opposite Stefon Diggs and a favorite target of Josh Allen in the red zone. “We had some offers for key players, but we never seriously considered moving them,” Beane said. “Ed and Gabe are part of what makes our team successful, and trading them would have weakened our core. Our goal is to win now, but we also don’t want to sacrifice our future to do it.” For the Buffalo Bills, keeping Oliver and Davis ensures their offense and defense remain intact—something that will be critical in a loaded AFC where every play matters.

Another layer of Trade Deadline Activity Revealed for the Buffalo Bills is the team’s decision to add depth at running back with the signing of free agent Damien Harris, who was released by the New England Patriots just before the trade deadline. While not a trade, Harris’ addition is part of the Bills’ deadline-week activity, as they sought to backup starter James Cook after Latavius Murray suffered a hamstring injury. Harris, a 26-year-old former Patriot, has rushed for 2,228 yards and 20 touchdowns in his career, and his physical running style (he averages 4.3 yards per carry) complements Cook’s speed and agility. He’ll likely serve as the Bills’ short-yardage back and spell Cook on early downs, reducing the workload on the 24-year-old starter and keeping him fresh for the playoffs. “Damien is a proven runner in this league,” offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said. “He’s tough, he’s reliable, and he knows how to get yards in short-yardage situations. Adding him gives us more balance in our running game and lets us keep James fresh, which is important down the stretch.” For the Buffalo Bills, Harris’ signing is a low-risk, high-reward move that addresses an immediate need without giving up any draft capital—exactly the kind of pragmatic decision that has defined Beane’s tenure as GM.

Looking ahead, Trade Deadline Activity Revealed for the Buffalo Bills positions the team as a serious Super Bowl contender, with a roster that’s deeper, more versatile, and better equipped to handle the rigors of the playoffs. The additions of Collins and Jackson fix two of the Bills’ biggest weaknesses (pass-rush depth and secondary depth), while keeping Oliver and Davis ensures their core remains strong. Harris’ signing, meanwhile, gives them a reliable backup running back who can step in if Cook gets injured. “We’re happy with the moves we made—and the moves we didn’t make,” McDermott said. “We stayed true to our plan, we addressed our needs, and we kept our core intact. Now it’s up to us to go out there and execute.” For the Buffalo Bills, the trade deadline wasn’t the end of their roster-building process; it was a step toward their ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl. Trade Deadline Activity Revealed for the Buffalo Bills isn’t just about the players they added or kept—it’s about a team that knows what it takes to win, that makes smart, disciplined decisions, and that’s ready to compete with the best in the NFL. As the regular season winds down, the Bills have put themselves in position to make a run at the AFC title—and with their upgraded roster, they have a real chance to bring a Super Bowl trophy back to Buffalo.