Report: Buffalo Bills have scanned safety pool before NFL trade deadline

Buffalo Rumblings reported that the Bills have scanned the safety trade market in the aftermath of the Jacksonville Jaguars' deal to acquire Jessie Bates from the Atlanta Falcons. The outlet noted Buffalo has "plenty of bodies — and upside" at safety but could use a veteran upgrade following the release of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who was carrying the worst missed tackle rate among qualifying NFL safeties at the time of his departure.

ProFootballRumors.com added that Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker is interested in joining a contender and that the Bills are checking on the safety market. The report highlighted two coaching connections: Bills wide receivers coach Drew Terrell and special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers both worked with Baker in Arizona for multiple seasons.

Buffalo Rumblings analyzed Baker's profile, describing him as a 30-year-old "rather expensive, box defender - free safety hybrid" who averages 90 tackles, six pass breakups, and one interception per season. The outlet noted Baker has taken a clear step backward in coverage for a second consecutive season, though he is more reliable as a tackler than Gardner-Johnson was. Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard emphasized tackling this offseason.

Yahoo Sports confirmed the Bills are "scanning" the trade pool for specific defensive help. The Buffalo News and Democrat and Chronicle published mailbag and trade-target discussions around the same time, with the Democrat and Chronicle citing ESPN's suggestion that Buffalo should be aggressive at the deadline.

The Bills have not announced any trade, and the deadline approaches with Buffalo evaluating whether to pursue Baker or go in a different direction at safety or another position.