In due time, the Buffalo Bills will have to work their way down to a 53-man roster. There is still plenty of time before then and the preseason is just gearing up.
During the exhibition season, most observers will be looking at the limited time the Bills will put their starters out there. Some will also use the rest of the time to predict who on the roster bubble will stand out enough to make the final cut.
But in certain scenarios, how about some players that the Bills could potentially trade in the end?
With that, here are six players the Bills might consider dealing for 2023 NFL draft picks during the preseason:
WR Marquez Stevenson
Bills wide receiver Marquez Stevenson (5)Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Stevenson hasn’t done a ton for the Bills since he was a sixth-round pick of the team in 2021. His first two seasons have been plagued by injuries.
While Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott praised him at training camp, his team has a steady supply of talent at wide receiver. Because Stevenson is young, has punt returning ability–and most importantly–is fast, he could land a replacement Round 6 or 7 selection.
WR Jamison Crowder
Bills wide receiver Jamison Crowder (80) Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Another wideout that has been banged up. Crowder has had a few solid practices at training camp as of late, but he missed extended time early. During his spell on the sideline, both Isaiah McKenzie and rookie Khalil Shakir flashed during practice.
There’s easily a world where the Bills keep all three. But if they opt not to, Buffalo’s best return in a trade might come from Crowder.
P Matt Haack
Buffalo Bills punter Matt Haack (3). (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Haack and rookie Matt Araiza appear to be pretty close in the battle to be the Bills punter. Even if Araiza is the favorite and winner in the end, teams still need punters and might take a flier on someone like Haack. He has game experience and is a lefty, which is something some teams (such as the Bills) like to have.
LB Tyler Matakevich
Bills inside linebacker Tyler Matakevich (44) Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Matakevich has featured a lot as a special teamer with the Bills. However, on the team’s first depth chart released this offseason he’s pretty far down the linebacker pecking order behind the likes of Tyrel Dodson, rookie Terrel Bernard, and others.
According to Spotrac, if Matakevich is traded Buffalo would save approximately $2.5 million against the salary cap. If the Bills can get a late-round pick for him, it might happen.
However, those same savings can be found by just cutting him as well. Other clubs will know that.
OL Cody Ford
Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Cody Ford (70) . (AP Photo/John Munson)
Ford is a bit of a floater on the roster bubble. While he has been a bust as a second-round pick, he’s still on his rookie contract which means he’d be an affordable backup for Buffalo in 2022.
Despite that, if Ford plays well, a future draft pick might be a worthwhile trade for the Bills.
OL Greg Mancz
Bills center Mitch Morse (right) and Greg Mancz (USAT photo)
Mancz appears to be the most likely candidate to be Mitch Morse’s backup at center. That could very well still hold true.
Buffalo could decide to ship him out, though. In the past, the Bills have been known to use a starting guard in Jon Feliciano as their Morse backup instead of having someone on the bench being the designated player. With Feliciano gone, Ryan Bates could be that new option.
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