The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m.

The Bills roster is arguably the deepest and most well rounded of any in the league, but there is always room for improvement.

I think the last few games have uncovered a few little areas that could benefit from a boost and a trade could be the way to go to do that.

Of course, there are a few factors that go into making a deal happen.

First and foremost is money. The Bills currently have $2,667,820 in cap space according to Spotrac, so things are tight.

Second, you need a partner to dance with.

The positions I think the Bills could most use an upgrade would be guard and pass rusher.

Others have feelings about RB and CB, but I am not nearly as hot on that trail.

I'll identify some names that Brandon Beane could look to bring in, while also adding a few the Bills GM could move out.

TRADE FOR

Jaguars G Andrew Norwell

​Jacksonville is as bad as most expected. They're 1-6 with a score differential of -80. It's full rebuild mode by the Jags and the 30-year-old Norwell is a big price tag to keep onboard for that. He carries a $16 million cap hit this season and next. The Bills would have to shift things to fit that money, but is a former All-Pro (2017) that was picked up by Carolina as a UDFA in 2014 with Beane in the Panthers front office at the time. Jacksonville has already shipped out C.J. Henderson, Gardner Minshew, Sidney Jones, and others for picks this season. Norwell a solid candidate to be the next.

WFT G Brandon Scherff

This has been an underachieving season for the WFT. They sit 2-6, don't have a franchise QB, and their defense full of first round picks has regressed. Scherff carries a cap hit of over $18M and will be a UFA after the season. His resume is impressive with 4 Pro Bowl and one All-Pro selection. He'll turn 30 in late December and has been out recently with a knee injury, but is expected to return to action within the next week or so. Just like Norwell, the Bills would need to get creative to fit that type of money, but Scherff would definitely be an upgrade at guard.

Eagles DE Derek Barnett

​The Bills have 16 sacks on the season. Six of those came in the week 2 win against the Dolphins. So 10 sacks over 6 games. 

Barnett was the 14th overall pick in 2017. He's on the final year of his deal, making about $2.8 million. Production has been modest to this point this season, with just one sack, 3 TFL, 8 QB hits, and 13 pressures. However, Barnett had 6.5 sacks in 2019 and 5.5 in 2020. While it is understandable to not want to bring another cook into the kitchen for an already crowded DE group, the price would likely be low to land the 25-year-old with potential upside inside the McDermott/Frazier system.

Bears DT Akiem Hicks

​The interior of the Bills DL has been good, but has not been getting to the quarterback. Star Lotulelei and Ed Oliver will remain at the top and Justin Zimmer has really elevated himself into the mix, Harrison Phillips and Vernon Butler have both found themselves healthy scratches at points this season. Hicks can really push things up the middle, with 29 pressures last season to go with 3.5 sacks. He has 1.5 sacks this season, along with 3 TFL, 5 QB hits, and 7 pressures. The soon-to-be 32 year old carries a $12M cap hit and will be a UFA after the season.

Falcons RB Cordarrelle Patterson

Truth be told, I don't think the Bills need to address RB, but Patterson is much more than an RB. The former WR is very proficient both carrying and catching the football. This season Patterson has rushed for 268 yards and 2 TDs as well as caught 32 passes for 333 yards and 5 TDs. He's also a 4-time All-Pro kick returner. While his special teams prowess might not be necessary as Isaiah McKenzie's 4th in the NFL at 25.5 YPR, the diverse skillset of Patterson could add just another layer to this Bills offense. He carries a $3M cap hit and is a UFA after this season.

TRADE AWAY

G Cody Ford

​The writing appeared on the wall already, then Ford couldn't push his way back into the starting line-up against the Dolphins with a major shift that included Jon Feliciano flipping back over to right guard and Ike Boettger coming in to play left guard. It looked like earlier in the season that Ford had finally settled into his own after landing at right guard. Then he was benched after week 3 and has seen the field for 14 total snaps the next four games. Boettger's start Sunday makes it clear that Ford is 4th on the depth chart.

With a year left on his contract at just under $2.4 million, Ford could be an affordable option for another team to roll the dice on. While his value my seem low, a team could look at the improvement by Wyatt Teller and Quinton Spain after they found a new home recently and feel the same could happen with the former 2nd round pick. I wouldn't make the move unless the return was a 4th round pick or higher. Jamil Douglas is currently on the roster and could be the internal choice for added guard depth.

DE Mario Addison

I've heard some people lump Jerry Hughes and Addison into the same boat when it comes to a potential move. Hughes is a captain and longest-tenured player on the Bills. Trading him would be a major ripple in the locker room and I just don't see it happening. We can readdress the future of Hughes with the Bills after the season when he is a UFA.

As for Addison, he too has a strong leadership presence on the team that should not be overlooked. He also has a decent cap hit that could be used to clear space to bring in another larger contract. I think Addison's done well in a reduced role this season, registering 2 sacks, 3 QB hits, and a FF in just 45% of the defensive snaps. That's down from 61% in 2020. However, Addison's seen a bump to 53% and 58% the last two games. I think clearing out a DE to make room for consistent action for AJ Epenesa and Boogie Basham is the way to go now rather than waiting for next year. A trade of Addison would clear over $4.4M in cap space. He is set to become a UFA after this season following a contract restructure this past offseason.

Once again, the NFL trade deadline is set for 4 p.m. Tuesday.