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The Buffalo Bills received positive news ahead of their Week 8 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver has been cleared to return, and wide receiver DJ Moore is reportedly expected to play despite being listed as questionable. Both developments could bolster the 5-1 team as they aim to strengthen their position in the AFC East, especially with Josh Allen gearing up for another challenging divisional race.
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With limited salary-cap flexibility, Buffalo may need to evaluate its own roster before making any significant acquisitions. Several veterans have seen their roles diminish this season, and trading the right player could provide draft compensation or help facilitate another transaction without weakening the team’s key positions.
Three players particularly warrant attention, although their trade value and importance to Buffalo’s immediate plans vary significantly.
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Mike Danna’s first season with the Buffalo Bills has been quite different from the role he played throughout most of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Danna joined the Bills in May on a one-year contract after spending six seasons in Kansas City, where he became a reliable rotational defender and contributed to multiple championship runs. His experience has been particularly valuable, as he knows how to operate within different defensive packages and can provide depth against both the run and the pass. In his strongest season in 2023, Danna recorded 6.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits. While he was never the most prominent defender on Kansas City’s roster, his ability to contribute consistently made him a useful part of their successful defensive rotation.
The Bills hoped to benefit from Danna’s experience while implementing a new defensive system under coordinator Jim Leonhard. However, they also signed several other outside linebackers, creating a competitive environment for playing time that has left Danna with limited opportunities to establish himself. He has appeared in only a few games this season with minimal defensive participation. In October, Buffalo briefly released him before bringing him back to the active roster, highlighting the uncertainty of his role within the team. This instability could attract other organizations in search of an experienced edge defender before the trade deadline. Danna would not command significant compensation, especially given his limited production this season, but teams dealing with injuries along their defensive line might appreciate having a player familiar with the demands of playoff football.
Additionally, there’s a practical reason to keep him: defensive depth becomes increasingly important during the second half of the season, and trading away an experienced reserve could leave the Bills vulnerable if injuries occur among their primary pass rushers. Danna remains a plausible candidate for a trade due to his diminished role, but any transaction would likely depend on another team explicitly needing his experience rather than Buffalo actively seeking a buyer.
Ty Johnson’s situation highlights the significant changes in Buffalo’s offensive backfield, particularly with James Cook emerging as one of the NFL’s most productive running backs.
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Johnson has spent several seasons providing valuable depth for the Bills, contributing as a receiver, occasional runner, and reliable option in passing situations. His versatility allowed him to maintain a meaningful offensive role in previous seasons. In 2025, he recorded 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns, along with 263 receiving yards and two additional scores. These contributions explain why Buffalo continued to trust him, even with younger running backs available, but the 2026 season has seen a considerable decline in Johnson’s rushing responsibilities. Through four games, he has only received two carries, gaining six yards, while primarily contributing in the passing game. He has caught 12 passes for 155 yards, highlighted by a 72-yard receiving performance against the Los Angeles Rams earlier this month. This production indicates that he can still be a valuable asset to an offense, even with limited opportunities.
This ability could make Johnson appealing to teams seeking an experienced receiving back. Buffalo has increasingly centered its rushing attack around Cook, whose development has lessened the need to share carries among multiple players. Ray Davis also serves as a younger alternative, giving the coaching staff another option when Cook needs a break. Trading Johnson could allow the Bills to recoup some compensation for a veteran whose role has become more specialized.
A late-round draft pick could be a reasonable expectation, particularly if a team is looking for someone who can contribute immediately in passing situations, but such a decision would impact Buffalo’s offensive flexibility. Johnson has built a strong rapport with quarterback Josh Allen during crucial moments, and his receiving production suggests he is more than just an expendable reserve. His ability to recognize pressure and serve as an outlet for the quarterback becomes essential against aggressive defenses.
Nonetheless, a more enticing offer could provide General Manager Brandon Beane the chance to bolster another area without significantly changing the team’s offensive identity.
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Joshua Palmer is the most likely candidate to leave Buffalo before the trade deadline, as both his playing time and production have declined despite the team’s significant financial investment in him. The Bills signed Palmer to a three-year, $30 million contract in March 2025, anticipating that the former Chargers receiver would provide added size and experience to quarterback Josh Allen’s receiving corps.
In his first season with Buffalo, Palmer recorded only 22 receptions for 303 yards and did not score a touchdown in 12 games, failing to meet the offensive impact the organization had envisioned. The situation has worsened in 2026, with Palmer managing just four catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns through five games, and his limited involvement indicates a receiving rotation that has evolved around other targets.
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Although Palmer’s average of 29.3 yards per reception shows he can still make explosive plays, his few targets make it difficult to view him as a key part of Buffalo’s weekly offensive strategy. In Week 6 against Las Vegas, he participated in only 17 offensive snaps, finishing with one reception for 37 yards, even with fellow receiver Moore absent. This limited role raises further questions about Palmer’s standing in the coaching staff’s plans. Moore’s arrival from Chicago has complicated matters. Buffalo invested a second-round pick to acquire the veteran receiver, making him a significant part of their offensive strategy when healthy. Meanwhile, Khalil Shakir continues to offer reliable receiving, while Keon Coleman remains a developmental player with the potential for a larger role.
So, the Bills will need to carefully consider the financial implications of trading Palmer, as doing so would not absolve them of their existing contractual obligations. The acquiring team would also need to be willing to take on his remaining salary and future contractual commitments, which may limit the number of interested teams. However, Buffalo could become more open to offers if another team proposes a reasonable trade or addresses an immediate defensive need. Palmer’s availability will also depend on Moore’s health. With the injury issues the Bills are facing at receiver, trading away experienced depth before the situation stabilizes could leave Allen with fewer reliable options during a critical part of the season.
Despite his diminished role, Palmer still possesses enough talent to attract interest from other organizations, while Buffalo increasingly finds ways to produce offensively without relying heavily on him. For general manager Brandon Beane, the upcoming trade deadline presents an opportunity to assess whether Palmer’s remaining value lies in being an occasional contributor or in a trade that could enhance a weaker position.
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They have little incentive to pursue multiple outgoing trades while competing for an AFC championship, and their primary focus should be on protecting Allen, maintaining offensive depth, and seeking defensive improvements that could support a potential postseason run.
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