Bills Trade for Josh Jacobs? Buffalo Listed as 'Logical' Landing Spot

If you're the Buffalo Bills - who have made it clear they're not done monitoring available running backs - why not just swing for the fences instead of settling for a backup veteran on a one-year deal?

The Buffalo Bills have already addressed their running back room this offseason, but news on Wednesday made it clear that they're not done.

Buffalo reportedly visited with veteran running back Latavius Murray, potentially making him a candidate to add more depth to the offense.

But if you're the Bills in this situation, why not just swing for the fences instead of settling for a backup veteran on a one-year deal?

CBS Sports released its updated list of "big-name" players that could be traded and has the Bills labeled as a "logical landing spot" via trade for Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, who led the NFL in rushing (1,653 yards) this past season.

Jacobs showed out for Vegas in a contract year, but was placed on the franchise tag this offseason. He seems primed to earn some big-time money regardless of where he signs next offseason, as an extension with the Raiders is trending toward being highly unlikely.

If the Raiders trade Jacobs - potentially in a draft-day deal to give themselves some picks - his contract future would become the Bills' problem. Maintaining a Super Bowl-or-bust approach, Buffalo would have to decide whether to give the 25-year-old Jacobs a new deal next offseason or watch him walk away after being a one-year rental. The risk could be worth it.

With running back Devin Singletary out the door already, the Bills signed veteran Damien Harris from the New England Patriots and still have second-year ball-carrier James Cook growing into his own. The priority of taking some heat off of quarterback Josh Allen as a dual-threat option seems to have already been fulfilled by bolstering the running back room with more talent.

But Jacobs would give the Bills the elite running back they've been missing for the past few seasons. Sure, Harris and Cook are likely headed for a productive season, but Jacobs would be a certified workhorse in an offense that needs one either flanking or behind Allen.

Buffalo hasn't had a 1,000-yard rusher since LeSean McCoy in 2017, and it's safe to say that the team is long overdue to get another one.

Here's what CBS Sports had to say about Jacobs' trade likelihood.:

Technically he's locked in for 2023 under the franchise tag, but that doesn't mean the Raiders wouldn't field -- or solicit -- interest in the event a future long-term deal is unlikely. Coach Josh McDaniels, remember, hails from the Patriots system that deploys multiple backs, even if he did lean heavily on Jacobs in 2022. And the veteran teased dissatisfaction with the current regime after Darren Waller's exit this offseason. Moving the 25-year-old workhorse would instantly save Vegas $10M.

Trading for Jacobs is a move that the Bills should at least take time to consider if they truly want to avoid another season of failing to meet championship expectations.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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