One move each AFC East team should make before trade deadline

After six weeks of the season, most NFL teams know whether they’ll be buyers or sellers before the trade deadline. 

Here’s one move each team in the AFC East should make before the Nov. 5 trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET:

Buffalo Bills | Acquire Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker 

Buffalo has already made a significant trade, landing star WR Amari Cooper in a deal with the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday. Cooper’s addition gives the Bills the true No. 1 wideout they’ve lacked since trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans this past offseason, but GM Brandon Beane doesn’t appear to be done bolstering his roster just yet.

During an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of “The Pat McAfee Show,” Beane told host McAfee that he could still make additional moves should he feel there is a deal out there that can take Buffalo “over the top.”

“We’re still all in,” Beane said. “If [the Cooper trade] didn’t happen, if Cleveland was not ready to do it, we were going to continue to monitor. Listen, we’ve still got a few weeks before the deadline. If we feel there’s something else that we need or can help us get over the top, we have been all in all along.”

While Buffalo should consider trading for a new kicker to replace the struggling Tyler Bass, the team has arguably a greater need at safety. Despite being one of the most inspiring stories in NFL history, Damar Hamlin no longer a serviceable starter. The Pitt product has collected 38 tackles, four pass breakups and one interception this season while earning a 59.8 defense grade from Pro Football Focus, the fourth-worst among qualified safeties. 

Baker, who is slated to hit free agency this offseason, would be an intriguing rental for the Bills and could be a realistic option for the team should the Cardinals continue to struggle. Over the last five seasons, the six-time Pro Bowler has made 324 solo tackles (10th in the NFL), four sacks and seven interceptions. 

Miami Dolphins | Trade defensive lineman Calais Campbell

It’s unclear how the 2-3 Dolphins will approach the trade deadline, though the results of their next two games will surely determine their decision. If Miami manages to beat the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals, the team may add to its roster, especially given that QB Tua Tagovailoa may be able to return from his concussion in Week 8.

Still, there’s no guarantee the Dolphins will stay afloat and considering the current state of the team, it’s fair to say they’re closer to being sellers than buyers. Miami has a few potential trade chips, but Campbell — an impending free agent — may be the most desirable one even though he’s in his age-38 season.

In five games this season, Campbell has racked up 12 tackles (4.0 for loss) and two sacks (tied for the team lead). Additionally, the former All-Pro selection has generated 14 total pressures, the 20th-most among interior defenders. With the versatility and leadership he provides, Campbell would be a valuable addition to any team with Super Bowl aspirations. 

New York Jets | Trade wide receiver Mike Williams

Buffalo wasn’t the only team in the division to make a noteworthy trade for a wideout on Tuesday, as the Jets acquired six-time Pro Bowler Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders. With Adams added to the mix, the Jets wide receiver room is overcrowded and Williams — who missed Wednesday’s practice due to personal reasons — feels like the odd man out.

The 30-year-old receiver signed a one-year deal with the Jets this past offseason after spending the first seven seasons of his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers. Williams has struggled through his first six games with New York, catching just 10 of his 17 targets for 145 yards. During Monday’s home loss to Buffalo, Williams ran the wrong route on New York’s final offensive series of the game, leading to an Aaron Rodgers interception. That likely played a role in the team’s decision to acquire Adams.

Despite Williams’ lackluster production this season and extensive injury history, the 6-foot-4, 218-pounder should draw plenty of interest from wide receiver-needy contenders, perhaps enough to net the Jets a future fifth-round pick. The Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers should be at the top of the list of potential trade partners for New York. 

New England Patriots | Acquire Las Vegas Raiders left tackle Kolton Miller

Given their 1-5 start to the season, it seems inevitable that the rebuilding Patriots will trade away a few impending free agents ahead of the deadline to continue stockpiling assets. However, considering New England has nine picks in the 2025 NFL Draft at its disposal, it would be wise for vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf to spend some of those selections to improve the team’s long-term outlook.

New England’s offensive line has been disastrous to begin the season. The unit has allowed the second-most sacks among teams (23) while ranking 31st in pass block win rate and 29th in run block win rate. With rookie QB Drake Maye now the starter in New England, it makes sense to bolster the offensive line midseason to help with his development and improve his chances of success.

Although Miller, 29, has allowed six sacks this season, he remains one of the better players at his position and according to PFF ranks as the 19th-highest-graded tackle in the NFL. The 2018 first-rounder is under contract through next season, but it’s possible Las Vegas could be inclined to trade him in order to acquire additional selections so it can potentially move up for a quarterback in April’s draft.

Not only would trading for Miller give New England a much-needed quality starter on the O-line, but it would also allow the team to spend its 2025 first-round pick on a wide receiver to pair with Maye.