Bills Pay Heavily to Land Pro Bowl Defensive Back at Deadline

WHO:

Heavy NFL - The Buffalo Bills pursued Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates before acquiring Amani Hooker.

Buffalo Rumblings - The Bills, referred to as “One Bills Drive,” made a “very strong push” for Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker, according to a trade-deadline report by Jordan Schultz.

Pro Football Network - The Buffalo Bills acquired Tennessee Titans defensive back Amani Hooker.

WHAT:

Heavy NFL - A separate report described the Titans safety trade as a $76 million deal and said Buffalo paid a “hefty price.”

Heavy NFL - Buffalo acquired safety Amari Hooker for a Day 2 draft pick, according to the article.

Heavy NFL - The trade prompted Buffalo to decide what role veteran safety Damar Hamlin would have.

Heavy NFL - Buffalo added secondary help by trading for Amani Hooker after missing out on Jessie Bates.

Heavy NFL - The Bills’ pass defense ranked 29th in the league, allowing 238.8 passing yards per game.

Pro Football Network - The Bills traded for Hooker at the trade deadline to bolster their defense; the article described him as a “$40.5M DB.”

Pro Football Network - The NFL world reacted to the Hooker acquisition with comments including “A Massive Addition” and “Gave Up a Lot.”

Buffalo Rumblings - Buffalo eventually completed a deal with Tennessee after pursuing Baker.

Buffalo Rumblings - Hooker can play safety and, when needed, nickel cornerback.

Buffalo Rumblings - Hooker’s coverage over the top should allow Bishop to continue playing closer to the line of scrimmage, according to Capaccio.

WHERE:

Heavy NFL - The Bills faced the Minnesota Vikings in a game mentioned in the report.

Buffalo Rumblings - Budda Baker plays for the Arizona Cardinals; Amani Hooker was acquired from the Tennessee Titans.

WHEN:

Heavy NFL - The Bills’ secondary search and Hooker acquisition were reported in connection with a Tuesday and the trade deadline.

Heavy NFL - The pass-defense ranking was reported after Buffalo’s win over Minnesota on Monday night.

WHY:

Heavy NFL - The Hooker trade was intended to address Buffalo’s struggling secondary.

Heavy NFL - Buffalo sought secondary help while its pass defense ranked 29th, allowing 238.8 yards per game.

Buffalo Rumblings - Arizona reportedly gave the impression that it did not want to trade “a franchise icon” despite a “lost season,” referring to Baker.

HOW:

Buffalo Rumblings - Buffalo pursued Baker but completed a trade with Tennessee for Hooker instead.

Buffalo Rumblings - Hooker’s versatility includes playing nickel cornerback as needed.

Buffalo acquired safety Amani Hooker from Tennessee, bolstering its struggling secondary. The Bills pursued Arizona’s Budda Baker but couldn’t complete a deal. Buffalo’s pass defense ranks 29th, allowing 238.8 yards per game.