Buffalo Bills Could Trade Up in Draft, Move Three Veterans to Meet Financial Rules
With the 2025 NFL Draft just days away, the Buffalo Bills are weighing a potential trade-up on Day 2 to secure a promising edge rusher. However, to remain compliant with NFL club financial rules—particularly those governing the salary cap—the team may need to shed veteran contracts to make room for rookie deals and maintain a sustainable payroll.
According to Syracuse.com‘s Matt Parrino, the Bills are projected to move up to the 46th overall pick to target Arkansas pass rusher Landon Jackson, an explosive 6-foot-6 edge with elite athleticism. Other potential targets include Adisa Isaac (Penn State) and Marshawn Kneeland (Western Michigan)—high-upside defenders who offer affordable rookie contracts under the NFL’s structured wage scale.
To execute a trade-up and create financial flexibility, the Bills could look to move three veteran players, each with a sizable cap hit:
1. Tre’Davious White – CB
Once the centerpiece of Buffalo’s secondary, White is recovering from a second major injury and carries a cap hit north of $16 million. Trading or designating him as a post-June 1 cut could save the team over $10 million in cap space, helping them meet league cap compliance while planning for future roster turnover.
2. Dawson Knox – TE
With Dalton Kincaid emerging as the top pass-catching tight end, Knox’s $13 million+ cap number becomes difficult to justify. Moving Knox could free up roughly $7 million in cap space. Under financial rules aimed at promoting long-term roster health, this move would allow Buffalo to prioritize younger, lower-cost contributors.
3. Nyheim Hines – RB/KR
Hines missed all of 2024 due to a non-football injury, yet remains on the books with a notable cap hit. With depth in the backfield and special teams, the Bills could save nearly $5 million by trading or releasing Hines, helping them stay under the salary cap while optimizing positional spending.
NFL financial rules require teams to not only stay under the annual salary cap but also to maintain balanced spending across the roster. By trading veterans with high salaries, Buffalo can meet these standards and create room for multiple cost-controlled rookie contracts—an essential move for any team trying to compete while managing long-term cap health.
Strategically combining a draft trade-up with veteran departures helps the Bills both stay financially compliant and build a competitive, younger core for the future.
