As the 2025 NFL season looms, the Buffalo Bills are stirring the pot with a surprising move that has the league buzzing. With the final preseason game on the horizon and the August 26 roster cut deadline fast approaching, the Bills appear to be open to shaking up their defensive line. NFL Media’s Eric Edholm recently spotlighted Buffalo’s 2024 third-round pick, defensive lineman DeWayne Carter, as a potential trade candidate, signaling what could be the start of an unexpected fire sale in Orchard Park.
A Crowded Depth Chart Sparks Trade Rumors
Edholm’s analysis points to a logjam at the defensive tackle position for the Bills. Carter, who was expected to carve out a role after being drafted in 2024, found himself playing deep into the Bills’ preseason game against the Chicago Bears, trailing behind fellow rookie defensive tackles T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker. This could indicate a lower spot on the depth chart for the 24-year-old, raising eyebrows about his immediate future with the team.
Adding fuel to the speculation, veteran defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi’s six-week suspension to start the season—and his uncertain status on the final 53-man roster—further complicates Buffalo’s plans. Edholm suggests that the Bills might be willing to trade Carter to a defensive line-needy team, such as the San Francisco 49ers, to clear space and gain assets in return. “If the Bills could get something in return for Carter, perhaps from a DL-needy team, they might be willing to loosen up the logjam at the position a bit,” Edholm noted.
Why Trading Carter Might Be Premature
While the idea of trading Carter has surfaced, moving on from a third-round pick after just one season seems hasty. Carter’s rookie year may not have lived up to expectations, but at 24, he still possesses significant upside. His experience, albeit limited, offers more certainty than relying solely on rookies Sanders and Walker to fill critical roles, especially with Ogunjobi’s absence looming. Trading Carter would place significant pressure on Buffalo’s younger, unproven players to step up immediately—a risky proposition for a team with playoff aspirations.
Carter’s potential trade also comes at a time when the Bills’ defensive front is under scrutiny. With Ogunjobi’s roster spot in question, dealing Carter could leave Buffalo thin at a position where depth is crucial. The Bills’ coaching staff, led by Sean McDermott, has historically valued versatility and experience on the defensive line, making Carter’s potential departure a puzzling consideration.
The Bigger Picture: A Strategic Shift?
The whispers of a Carter trade could signal a broader strategy for the Bills as they approach the roster cutdown. With the NFL trade market heating up—evidenced by Wednesday’s flurry of deals across the league—Buffalo may be looking to capitalize on their depth to acquire assets for other areas of need. Teams like the 49ers, desperate for defensive line help, could offer draft capital or a player in return, allowing the Bills to address weaknesses elsewhere, such as the secondary or offensive line.
However, parting ways with a player of Carter’s pedigree so early in his career could backfire. The Bills invested a third-round pick in him for a reason, and his youth and athleticism suggest he could still develop into a key contributor. If Buffalo is indeed initiating a fire sale, they’ll need to weigh the immediate benefits of a trade against the long-term potential Carter brings to the table.
What’s Next for Buffalo?
As the Bills prepare for their final preseason game and the impending roster cuts, all eyes will be on how they handle their defensive line surplus. Trading Carter could open opportunities to acquire assets or create cap flexibility, but it also risks depleting a position group that may need depth early in the season. For now, the league is on notice: Buffalo is open for business, and no player—not even a recent third-round pick—is untouchable.
Will the Bills pull the trigger on a Carter trade, or will they hold firm, betting on his growth? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the NFL’s trade market is heating up, and Buffalo is poised to make waves.