​The Buffalo Bills could consider trading some players before the 2026 NFL season begins. This offseason, Buffalo has upgraded its roster, bringing in additional depth that could lead to intriguing roster battles and, for some players, potential deals. The team has added more depth along both the offensive and defensive lines, which may prompt the front office to entertain trade options for certain players who don’t top the depth chart.
Ahead of training camp, NYUP.com insider Ryan Talbot highlighted several players who could become trade candidates depending on how the roster battles unfold this summer. He noted that the Bills have a few sneaky trade targets among their reserves. On the offensive line, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger and Lloyd Cushenberry are names to watch, with Buffalo re-signing Connor McGovern but leaving the backup role unsettled. “Whoever loses out between Van Pran-Granger and Cushenberry could be an attractive target for offensive line–needy teams,” Talbot wrote. He also indicated that the situation on the defensive line mirrors that dynamic: if Phidarian Mathis beats out DeWayne Carter, some clubs might be willing to part with a late third-day pick for the former second-day pick.
Van Pran-Granger was drafted to be the center of the future, but with McGovern back in the fold, his exact role remains unclear. Still, at only 24 years old, he could attract interest from teams willing to part with a Day 3 selection. As for Carter, his roster status is uncertain after he was taken in the 2024 NFL Draft’s third round. He has been beaten out by other players and, if he experiences another disappointing camp, could be moved for a Day 3 pick as well. Although Carter is someone the Bills could cut or trade, the front office remains hopeful about his potential.
In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bills did not address the nose tackle position, a gap that remains relevant heading into the season. Beane has indicated that Carter will be a factor in filling that role, noting that he has bulked up in the offseason while recovering from an injury. “No true nose tackle for the Bills in the draft. Bills GM Brandon Beane says DeWayne Carter has bulked up quite a bit this offseason as he’s rehabbed his injury. He’ll factor into the plan at that spot,” Parrino wrote on X after the draft. Carter missed the entire 2025 season due to injury; in his rookie year, he appeared in 11 games with 14 tackles but did not record a sack, a fact that could push him toward a trade or release if his camp performance does not improve.
As training camp approaches, the Bills and new head coach Joe Brady are under pressure, according to analysts. ESPN contributor Booger McFarland suggested Brady could be under the most scrutiny heading into the season. “Sean McDermott was a very good head coach. This was a very good football team for a long time. They fired him and said, ‘That’s not good enough.’ Now the ownership is signaling that what they accomplished in the past—12-5 and not reaching the Super Bowl—won’t suffice,” McFarland remarked on ESPN. The franchise faces heightened expectations as it begins the 2026 season with a renewed focus on performance and continuity.
All told, the Bills’ 2026 campaign could feature notable trades driven by roster evaluations and positional depth, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines. The outcome of training camp battles and Beane’s long-term plans for players like Van Pran-Granger, Cushenberry, and Carter will influence whether Buffalo pursues additional moves before the season opener. The Bills’ path toward a successful 2026 season may hinge on balancing development opportunities for young players with strategic trades that maximize the team’s competitive window.