Tuesday, November 5 will be a defining day in the history of the United States, a 24-hour period in which individuals across the country are poised to make critical decisions that will have immediate – and potentially lasting – ramifications.

Of course, we’re referring to the NFL trade deadline, which is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday at 4 p.m. The Buffalo Bills, who sit with a 7-2 record and a healthy lead in the AFC East heading into the deadline, could be set to make a move or two before the trade window closes with the general manager. Brandon Beane has expressed his willingness to make additional trades multiple times since acquiring wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns in mid-October.

Although Buffalo is currently the No. 1 seed. 2 in the AFC, his roster isn’t perfect or without areas for improvement; There are positions on the team that could use additional talent, and there are potentially players available around the league who could be acquired at an affordable price. With that, here are three positions that laws should consider addressing before the clock strikes 4pm on November 5th.

If there was one position the Buffalo faithful would be picketing outside of Beane’s office about, it would be defensive tackle. The interior of the Bills defensive line has been extremely disappointing in the first half of the season, struggling against both the run and the pass.

Buffalo’s defense has allowed 1,111 rushing yards through the first nine games of the season, which in itself isn’t necessarily egregious; what’s concerning is the team’s average yards per carry allowed of 4.8, which is tied for the sixth-worst rate in the league. The middle of the line had a weak strong game against the run, but they were largely handled at the point of attack, with opposing quarterbacks often having big holes to run through in the heart of the defense. The Bills’ linebackers were misguided against the run, with the safeties having to make more plays in support of the run in Week 9, especially; That said, their responsibilities in that regard would be lessened some with the improved play of the defensive tackles.

Buffalo also hasn’t received a consistent pass rush from the group, with its defensive tackles combining for just three sacks in nine games. Ed Oliver, while injured for part of the year and showing flashes, has been generally disappointing following his breakout 2023 campaign, tallying just one sack and 17 pressures so far, per PFF. Combine the group’s disappointing play with the injury to rookie DeWayne Carter (which is set to keep him out for at least three games), and it’s clear the Bills could use help at the position.

Adding another defensive tackle, potentially Tennessee Titans linebacker Sebastian Joseph-Day or Miami Dolphins veteran Calais Campbell, would not only raise the unit’s floor in both run defense and pass rush, but also reduce the burden on the overall defense . A better game against the run would take pressure off the linebackers and safeties. Defensive tackles that eat blocks more efficiently would allow edge rushers to get home more often. More pressure from the middle of the line would benefit the entire unit.

The Bills could probably survive the rest of the season with the defensive tackles currently available, but if there was a “pressing need” on the roster right now, it’s probably at inside linebacker. If Beane is going to make a move before the deadline, it will likely be in this position.

Related: What Bills QB Josh Allen had to say about WR Keon Coleman after the INT loss

Buffalo’s roster is generally deep outside of defensive tackle, and so it’s difficult to find additional positions to circle, as Beane should be looking to improve. The Bills could upgrade at safety, although Taylor Rapp has played well, Damar Hamlin has looked rather pedestrian and could probably be improved.

That said, the Bills have options further down the depth chart that they can turn to before looking outside the organization. The team just invested a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft in Utah linebacker Cole Bishop, and while he hasn’t looked great on the job, they still consider him a long-term starter; beginning his acclimatization to the starting lineup may be the wisest long-term decision if Buffalo feels a change is needed at safety. The Bills also employ two-time Super Bowl champion Mike Edwards, who they signed to a one-year deal in the offseason; was a consistent idler and is looks like she’s open to a tradebut he could also provide a spark off the bench if needed.

Still, neither Bishop nor Edwards are clear upgrades over Hamlin at this point, and if that’s what the team wants, they may need to look outside the organization. Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Andre Cisco is a player whose name has been thrown around in trade talks recently, but with a base salary of over $3 million this season, he could be too expensive for the Bills without cash.

Related: Did the Bills miss out on signing WR Curtis Samuel?

The play of Buffalo’s receiving crop has ebbed and flowed throughout the season, mostly looking strong after the acquisition of Amari Cooper in mid-October. Five-time Pro Bowler Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir are a solid top three and are a more than suitable trio for Josh Allen to find success with; that’s what he said Cooper missed Week 9 with a wrist injuryand Coleman suffered a sprained wrist in the 30-27 win over the Miami Dolphins.

Wide receiver is a position of need contingent on the availability of Cooper and Coleman; if none of their injuries are a long-term problem, then the team’s air attack will likely be fine to finish the season. If these are ailments that could cause either player to miss time or affect their game, then an additional move at wideout could be right for the Bills. Mack Hollins is fine in a niche offensive role and Curtis Samuel hasn’t been used to his full potential; That said, neither are the players the team should feel confident placing in a more prominent role should either Cooper or Coleman miss time.

Darius Slayton could be a target for the struggling New York Giants given Beane’s relationship with the New York front office, but the shortstop was hurt in Week 9. it would be nice to have.

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