REPORT: Bills Trade Proposal Lands $52 Million CB to Replace Starter
The Buffalo Bills are entering the 2025 season with a gap in their secondary after losing a starting cornerback and still lacking a clear replacement plan.
An NFL analyst suggests they could address the issue through a trade, potentially acquiring an experienced cornerback seeking a new opportunity. With Rasul Douglas departing in free agency after starting 15 games in 2024, the Bills will likely need to add a starting-quality defensive back.
Bills Could Add Depth in Secondary
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton suggested that the Buffalo Bills could bolster their secondary by acquiring cornerback Jamel Dean from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at a reasonable cost. Moton proposed that the Bills trade a 2025 fifth-round pick for Dean, who has underperformed since signing a four-year, $52 million extension in 2023.
Over the past two seasons, the 28-year-old has tallied 11 pass breakups and one interception while allowing passer ratings of 111 in 2023 and 91.2 in 2024. He has also missed nine games during that span. Moton noted that the Buccaneers, despite having a strong pass rush, struggled defensively last season and may look to shake up their secondary.
“If Tampa Bay selects a cornerback early in the draft, Dean could become available for a Super Bowl contender in need of secondary help,” Moton wrote.
Bills Have More Moves Ahead
The Bills have made some adjustments in their secondary, including re-signing former cornerback Dane Jackson, who previously spent four seasons in Buffalo before departing in free agency last year. While Jackson adds valuable depth, he is not expected to compete for the starting role left vacant by Rasul Douglas.
Jackson will likely replace former first-round pick Kaiir Elam, who struggled with the Bills before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys earlier this month.
Meanwhile, the Bills face a key decision regarding standout cornerback Christian Benford. A sixth-round pick in 2022, Benford quickly surpassed Elam on the depth chart and has emerged as one of the league’s top players at his position. General manager Brandon Beane confirmed that the team is in contract extension talks with Benford but has not shared details. Beane emphasized that Buffalo’s long-term approach focuses on 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 SB Nation’s 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.”
Buffalo has already secured extensions for several homegrown players in recent weeks. Defensive end Greg Rousseau signed a team-friendly four-year, $80 million deal, while quarterback Josh Allen was locked in through the 2030 season with a record-setting $330 million contract, including $250 million guaranteed.