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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 13: Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills looks on prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 13, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Bills may be considering trading a few players this offseason, and Alex Ballentine from Bleacher Report identified some candidates that Buffalo could let go.
Bills Could Trade Dion Dawkins
One of the players Ballentine named is star left tackle Dion Dawkins.
“The Bills came up short in the playoffs yet again and there have already been major changes as a result Ballentine wrote on Wednesday. “Firing Sean McDermott was a major shakeup that signals a shift in the Josh Allen era. We’ll see just how extreme that shift will be. Dion Dawkins and Dawson Knox have been mainstays in the offense, but they are both expensive players to keep around.
“Dawkins would be incredibly difficult to replace. He’s still one of the top pass-blocking tackles in the league. But they would likely get multiple valuable picks in return and they need inexpensive pieces to re-tool the roster.”
Dawkins has been a key player for the Bills since 2017 and has made five consecutive Pro Bowl appearances since 2021. He is currently under a three-year, $60 million contract. However, there’s a catch: if the Bills decide to trade Dawkins before June 1, they won’t save much on their cap space, as it would result in a $26 million dead cap hit in 2026.
The Bills shouldn’t even consider trading Dawkins, as finding a top-tier left tackle is incredibly challenging. Securing a good left tackle is akin to discovering a franchise quarterback; there aren’t many available. When you’ve got one, you hold onto them tightly.
It Wouldn’t Be Smart to Trade Dawkins
The Bills could explore various ways to cut costs, but if they’re aiming to gain more draft capital for higher picks, trading Dawkins could likely be their best option.
With the Bills hiring Joe Brady as their new head coach, there’s a decent chance he will want to retain most of the offensive players from last season, only letting go of a few who had lesser roles. It wouldn’t bode well for the Bills to give Brady the head coaching position and then make a big offseason move by trading away one of the best left tackles in the NFL. Such a decision would also send the wrong message to the team and to Josh Allen, who has played behind him since he entered the league in 2018.
Buffalo Should Look to Make a Big Move
The Bills have been in win-now mode for the past six seasons, and after their divisional-round playoff loss last season, the AFC is more competitive than ever. Buffalo should focus on bringing in key veteran players to strengthen its roster rather than trading them away.
Buffalo should consider trading for a star wide receiver to enhance its offense, or it might pursue a top-notch pass rusher to strengthen its defense. It could be easier to acquire a receiver, as many are traded during the offseason. However, the Bills need to make a significant move for a star player this offseason. If that means parting with a first-round pick, then they should do it.
Danny Fisher Is a football journalist covering the Buffalo Bills for Heavy.com. He has covered the NFL for Gridiron Heroics, focusing on the AFC and Penn State football for Nittany Central. More about Danny Fisher
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