In the aftermath of the Jaguars monster trade to acquire Falcons safety Jessie Bates, a report has surfaced about the Buffalo Bills and their interest in that same position.
Here’s what ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler tweet on the subject:
While the Bills have plenty of bodies — and upside — at safety, after the release of C.J. Gardner-Johnson they certainly could use a veteran upgrade at the position.
We did feature Baker in our trade-deadline candidate here at Rumblings, and it’s not exactly my favorite idea. Why? Because he’s a rather expensive, box defender – free safety hybrid who’s established his quality reputation mostly on tenacity as a tackler… not as a ball hawk. I’m of the belief they need better, more dynamic coverage players at the safety spot.
And this is the second-consecutive season Baker has taken a clear step backward in coverage.
Now, when Gardner-Johnson was let go, he was carrying the worst missed tackle rate among qualifying safeties in the NFL. Baker is much more reliable in that regard, Jim Leonhard made no mistake about his tackling emphasis this offseason.
Let’s see if the Bills’ swing is for the 30-year-old Baker, who averages 90 tackles, six pass breakups, and one pick per season, or if Buffalo goes in a different direction at safety (or another position).
*there are two coaching connections to Baker, as Bills WR coach Drew Terrell and special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers were both in Arizona with the safety for multiple seasons.
