The Buffalo Bills sit with a 4-1 record and the NFL’s most explosive offense. Buffalo leads the league in scoring at 32.8 points per game. Even so, head coach Joe Brady’s bunch still has some major questions to answer before the NFL trade deadline.

The biggest one is on defense. The Bills rank 28th in the NFL in scoring defense, giving up 28.2 points per game. They have mastered the art of winning shootouts so far. However, a deep playoff run or a Super Bowl win will require defensive coordinator Jim Leonard’s group to play a whole lot better.

Where the Bills defense is struggling

The pass defense has been the biggest problem for Buffalo. In five games, the Bills have allowed 1,402 passing yards and 13 touchdown passes while only picking off two passes. Those are not championship numbers.

It shouldn’t be a surprise if the secondary becomes a huge point of emphasis during the offseason. Additionally, a few intriguing defensive back options could be available ahead of the trade deadline. There is also an underrated position Buffalo might want to target, and that’s linebacker.

Dorian Williams and Terrel Bernard have taken the bulk of the reps on the second level. Both have done a good job against the run for the most part. Coverage from the linebacker spot, on the other hand, has been poor.

It would be fascinating to see whether Leonard and the defensive staff look for a true coverage linebacker. That kind of player could help Buffalo cover tight ends, close short zones, and limit big plays over the middle of the field.

A trade simulator deal with Jacksonville

Using the A to Z Sports trade simulator, I set out to find a linebacker who excels in coverage and fits what the Bills need. The result was a slightly controversial deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, one of the better teams in the AFC. According to the trade simulator, it was an even swap, and both teams filled a massive need.

Here is the deal:

– Bills receive: Linebacker Ventrell Miller – Jaguars receive: Offensive tackle Tylan Grable and a 2027 seventh-round pick

Miller has quietly developed into one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL. For a Buffalo defense that has struggled to take away the middle of the field, he would be an immediate upgrade on the second level.

On the other side, Jacksonville is dealing with a big injury to offensive tackle Anton Harrison. The Jaguars could use some depth at the position in general, too.

Why Tylan Grable is the right price

Grable has served as the swing tackle for the Bills. He recently stepped in when Spencer Brown went down with an injury during the game against the Los Angeles Rams.

He is still young and relatively unproven. Still, Grable is a talented player with extremely long arms and good overall movement skills. Buffalo has been pleased with his development inside the building, and that is exactly why he would carry value on the trade market.

You never want to give up a young asset at offensive tackle. At the same time, improving this defense is important for Buffalo, especially when the cost is a swing tackle rather than a starter. If you ask me, that is a price worth paying for a contender.

A win for both sides

One thing is very clear: this trade addresses a real need for each team.

Buffalo improves its pass defense and adds linebacker depth in the process. Meanwhile, Jacksonville lands a developmental offensive tackle who could help immediately, and it also gets back a seventh-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft.

In the end, this is about as easy a trade as you’re going to find. It makes sense for both sides, and I think the Bills would be a much tougher out in January with a player like Miller patrolling the middle of the field.