The Buffalo Bills are heading into the 2023 season with championship aspirations. They have a deep, talented roster and are among the legitimate contenders in the AFC. But, even the best teams are always on the lookout for ways to improve their roster.
For Buffalo, this offseason was mostly focused on retaining talent. There were numerous key players hitting free agency but they didn’t suffer nearly as many defections as some analysts predicted. Their biggest loss was linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who signed a record-setting deal with the Chicago Bears in free agency.
Running back Devin Singletary and wide receivers Isaiah McKenzie and Jamison Crowder also departed, hurting their depth at the skill positions. Offensive guard Roger Saffold remains a free agent as well, but the team was able to bring in some reinforcements to fortify the roster.
If there is one thing that the Bills have yet to do this offseason it is bring in another impact player offensively. Despite being the No. 2 ranked offense in the NFL last season, Buffalo was on the prowl for an upgrade at their No. 2 receiver spot behind Stefon Diggs.
No move has materialized to fill that hole yet, but the team is extremely high on 2023 first-round pick, tight end Dalton Kincaid. Instead, the Bills could look to make that splash at the running back position instead.
A potential trade target is Austin Ekeler of the Los Angeles Rams. He was one of three suggested shocking trade ideas the Bills could consider before the season gets underway by Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report. It does make some sense as Buffalo was connected to running backs before the trade deadline and earlier this offseason that would be considered upgrades at the position.
What could a trade between the Bills and Chargers look like? Buffalo could offer Ed Oliver and a sixth-round pick to Los Angeles in exchange for Austin Ekeler. It would be a bold move that likely requires some salary cap shuffling by both teams, but each would get better.
The Chargers were steamrolled on the ground last season and are desperate for help on the interior of their defensive line. Oliver is heading into the last season of his rookie deal but is someone that could become a fixture for them long-term.
Trading Oliver would seemingly go against the all-in, win-now approach the Bills should be taking. However, his looming contract situation is something that could force Buffalo’s hand into making a deal. Ekeler does still help them in their pursuit of a Lombardi Trophy and he will be much cheaper to retain long-term than Oliver.
Ekeler is an elite pass catcher and doesn’t have the wear-and-tear other potential options, such as Derrick Henry or Dalvin Cook, present. He would be a huge upgrade for the Bills taking over a backfield that is currently made up of James Cook, Nyheim Hines, Damien Harris and Latavius Murray.
