Bills Trade with Packers to Secure Promising CB Rasul Douglas: A Strong Boost to the Team’s Defense

The Green Bay Packers made a trade with the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday’s deadline, sending veteran cornerback Rasul Douglas in exchange for a 2024 third-round pick and a 2024 fifth-round pick.

Rasul Douglas has been one of the most vocal players on the Packers, expressing frustration over their 2-5 start. After Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Douglas said, “We’re saying s— but until we actually do the s—, it don’t really matter. I’m thinking about it like, bro, I’ve never been a loser in my life. These last two years have been f—ing loser. That s— ain’t me. I don’t think that s—‘s us. We’ve got to do something, you know what I mean?”

Douglas joined the Packers during the 2021 season and led the team with five interceptions in just over half a season. They signed him to a three-year, $21 million deal the following offseason.

This season, Douglas started every game and has one interception. With Eric Stokes on injured reserve, the Packers are likely to rely on rookie Carrington Valentine as the corner opposite Jaire Alexander.

The Bills, on the other hand, acquired Douglas to strengthen their cornerback room after losing Tre’Davious White for the season due to a torn right Achilles in Week 4. With White, the Bills had the best interceptions record in the league during the first four weeks of the season, along with the lowest total QBR and fewest passing yards allowed per game.

However, since then, the Bills have struggled in the cornerback position, with zero interceptions, a higher QBR allowed, and more passing yards conceded. Douglas, with his experience and success in zone coverage, is expected to provide valuable support. Over the past three seasons, he has recorded 10 interceptions and held a 59.8% completion percentage as the nearest defender in zone coverage.

The Bills have faced multiple challenges at outside cornerback due to injuries, with 2022 sixth-round pick Christian Benford as the top healthy option. Veteran Dane Jackson has started alongside him when available, but his performance has been inconsistent. He has allowed a high completion percentage as the nearest defender in coverage and has a quarterback rating of 118.6.

Kaiir Elam, the Bills’ 2022 first-round pick, has been a healthy scratch for five games this season, indicating a decline in his position on the depth chart. In Week 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, practice squad cornerback Josh Norman, 35, played on special teams ahead of Elam.

ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg contributed to this report.