[jwplayer wclxJvAM-ThvAeFxT]
The Buffalo Bills are in the driver’s seat of the AFC East after six games. That’s right, folks. The world is actually not ending after two losses for the team.
Because of this and the time of the year we’re in, we’re going to start hearing more and more about how Buffalo could be buyers at the upcoming NFL trade deadline on Oct. 29. That’s how it typically goes with teams on top of their division.
But in order to buy, could the Bills sell, too? Bleacher Report acknowledged the idea that the Bills could be more inclined to add than subtract at the trade deadline, but in an effort to name one player each team in the NFL could ship out of town at the deadline, defensive end Trent Murphy was the selection.
Here’s part of the breakdown:
There was more than a little speculation before the season that defensive end Trent Murphy wouldn’t even make the Bills’ 53-man roster. The 29-year-old not only made the cut, but he also remains Buffalo’s starter at strong-side defensive end.
Murphy is a pro’s pro and a very good player. More than a few NFL teams with depth or injury issues up front would be interested in bringing him in. His nine tackles and one sack this year aren’t gaudy numbers, but they also don’t tell the whole story of his impact on the field.
Murphy is also set to hit the open market in 2021, and after the Bills drafted Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa in 2020, it’s highly unlikely the veteran will be back in Western New York next year.
In Epenesa, Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison, the Bills have the depth at defensive end to absorb the hit.
There’s certainly reason to move Murphy, but in doing so, the Bills would have to swallow a massive pill. This front office led by general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott don’t exactly like to do that. Think most notably quarterback Nathan Peterman. Perhaps more recently, Cody Ford on the offensive line. Ford’s had his fare share of struggles and as a second-round pick, the Bills have moved him around to at least three different positions in the trenches to find a fit.
But if there’s a late-round pick in store for the Bills? Maybe Beane would covet adding another one of those for Murphy. The only way that could happen is if there’s some huge belief in depth guys such as Epenesa, Bryan Cox Jr., and Darryl Johnson Jr.
[lawrence-related id=71936,71931,71895,71914]