Following a disappointing first season with the team, ESPN’s Dan Fowler reports the Buffalo Bills could trade safety Mike Edwards in the next few days. A third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Edwards began his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Playing a rotational role on a crowded depth chart, the Hawaii product helped the team win a Super Bowl in 2020 by recording two interceptions and five passes defended in 16 games. After playing out his rookie contract, the defensive back signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs and won yet another title.
The Bills parted ways with high-priced veterans Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde in the offseason and signed Mike Edwards to minimize those losses. While the team has rebounded from losing the once-elite safety duo, Edwards himself hasn’t made much of an impact. The former third-round pick has appeared in just three games and recorded a single tackle. Buffalo will probably take whatever they can get in a trade, and the Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints could be interested in Mike Edwards.
Chargers, Saints Could Trade For Mike Edwards
The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the league’s best defenses, but this unit is not flawless. While former third-round pick Elijah Molden is thriving under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the other safeties aren’t playing up to their potential. Derwin James is having a down year, and Alohi Gilman is perhaps the only player who looked notably better under former head coach Brandon Staley. Mike Edwards wouldn’t singlehandedly displace either safety, but he could add some much-needed competition for a team that has enough talent to make some noise in the postseason.
After a slow start to the season, a now-healthy Justin Herbert is playing like a man possessed. While the wide receiver room remains a major question mark outside of second-round rookie Ladd McConkey, the present version of Herbert is good enough to elevate this passing attack. They might not be able to overtake the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West race, but they should play meaningful football beyond Week 18. Mike Edwards won’t singlehandedly win or lose postseason games, but he could fortify one of the few weaknesses on this talented defense.
The Saints Won’t Sell
Despite their 2-6 record, head coach Dennis Allen insists the New Orleans Saints are not in sell mode as they enter the trade deadline. This makes sense, as the team was 2-0 before an absurd run of injuries led to a six-game losing streak. Allen knows he probably won’t be back if he can’t guide this team to the playoffs, and the Saints could still win a weak NFC South. However, ownership probably won’t approve giving up significant draft capital for short-term rentals, so the team must bargain shop.
The Saints could use another safety, and Mike Edwards shouldn’t cost more than a conditional seventh-round pick in a trade. While he’s not a starting-caliber player, the Saints have more experience with Edwards than the Bills. Facing off against him twice a year for four seasons, Allen should be familiar with what the former third-round pick brings to the table. While he won’t usurp Tyrann Mathieu, he could provide valuable depth for a secondary that hasn’t played up to its talent in recent weeks.
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