The Buffalo Bills are off to a strong start this season, winning their first four games. However, the defense needs to address some concerns.
Buffalo is dealing with cornerback issues, but there could be possible help on the way.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on X that the Seattle Seahawks could look to trade cornerback Rig Woolen.
With Seahawks star CB Devon Witherspoon returning on Thursday, teams are monitoring Pro Bowl CB Riq Woolen as a possible trade target by the deadline,” Rapoport wrote.
Woolen’s playing time has diminished, and in a contract year, teams believe he could be available.
Woolen is currently in his fifth NFL season and has made the Pro Bowl once in his career, but that came in his rookie season in 2022.
If Woolen is a serious trade candidate, the Bills should make a push to acquire him. Buffalo Bills SI writer Ronnie Eastham thinks the Bills should try to trade for Woolen if cornerback Dorian Strong doesn’t work out.
Bills Urged To Make Push For Woolen
The NFL trade deadline is November 4, so the Bills and general manager Brandon Beane have time to contemplate a potential move, but Witherspoon could be an answer if things don’t work out with Strong,” Eastham wrote Tuesday.
Strong was selected by the Bills in the sixth round this past April and has been called upon for the last four weeks due to injuries.
The Bills‘ first-round pick, cornerback Maxwell Hairston, hasn’t seen the field this year due to an LCL sprain he suffered during training camp. Additionally, cornerback Tre’Davious White was benched during the Bills’ 31-19 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Bills’ head coach Sean McDermott stated why he decided to bench White.
“Just looking at a young player,” McDermott said, via SI.com. “Giving him some experience and some valuable reps. It wasn’t anything that Tre didn’t do. That was the plan going into the game.”
It’s never a good sign when the head coach wants to get a look at younger players in a position group that is struggling.
Buffalo Needs Cornerback Help For The Playoffs
According to Pro Football Focus, the Bills have the 21st coverage grade among all 32 teams.
The Bills‘ window to win a Super Bowl is right now. If the team thinks Woolen could step in and help, they have to find a way to make a trade.
Buffalo can’t rely on Hairston to come back healthy because it’s uncertain how he will perform. First off, he’s trying to recover from an injury while playing in a league he’s never participated in before.
The Bills will face several strong quarterbacks in the playoffs, making experienced cornerbacks essential for shutting down opposing offenses.
Buffalo enhanced its pass rush this offseason by signing defensive end Joey Bosa and now needs to improve the back end of their defense.
Bosa has played well this season, recording two sacks in the first four games, but his ability to apply pressure to the quarterback won’t be effective if the secondary leaves guys wide open.
Bills Urged To Trade For Former Pro Bowl Cornerback To Boost Secondary