Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) and quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrate a touchdown against the Titans at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Monday, Sept. 19. Syndication The Tennessean
Syndication: USA TODAY
The NFL trade deadline is one of the most hyped-up moments of the entire season. Underperforming teams are selling off players for draft capital, and good teams are looking to get better. The Buffalo Bills, who are arguably the best team in the NFL right now, did just that. They got better in their trades for running back Nyheim Hines and backup safety Dean Marlowe.
The Bills have been linked to trying to add a stud running back all the way back to the offseason. The Christian McCaffrey to Buffalo rumors were the talk of the town all summer. Those heated up again as the deadline drew closer, but ended when CMC was dealt to the 49’ers. The Bills were reportedly in on him though. Over the weekend, the Bills reportedly called the Saints with an offer for Alvin Kamara but, the Saints rejected it. Now an hour before the deadline hit, the Bills landed their desired veteran receiving back in the form of Nyheim Hines, from the Colts. The Bills traded one of their own backs in Zack Moss and a sixth-round pick to the Colts to get Hines.
Hines immediately steps into a high powered Bills offense, where his best skills will be utilized. Since entering the league in 2018, Hines has 1,725 receiving yards which ranks as the 5th most among running backs. He has the versatility to play receiver as well, which bolds well for a pass heavy Bills attack with Josh Allen at the helm. Last season, the Colts lined Hines up as a receiver on 124 snaps which totaled up to be 35% of his 352 total snaps. He had 63 receptions in two of his first three seasons and is on pace for 62 this year. Hines also in his career, owns a 78.3% catch percentage, 7 receiving touchdowns, 7.3 yards per catch and 91 receptions for first downs. He adds another dangerous piece to a prolific and super talented Bills offense. Josh Allen will love Hines in his backfield.
The Bills squeaked in another trade right as the deadline hit. They sent a seventh-round pick to the Falcons for an old friend. Veteran safety, Dean Marlowe. He was with the Bills for three seasons from 2018-2020. Marlowe appeared in 26 games, with 7 starts in that span. He filled in for injuries and played a part on special teams. With Micah Hyde out for the year and Jordan Poyer being nagged by injuries, adding an insurance policy was a great idea, and really a must. The Bills only had three rostered safeties in Poyer, Damar Hamlin and Jaquan Johnson. Marlowe brings trustworthy depth who knows the system, and is as good as it gets for adding depth to your team in early November.
