Buffalo Bills make a rare in-division trade to acquire player that puts promising rookie's roster spot in question

The Buffalo Bills have been very busy right up to the roster deadline, and one of those moves saw them acquiring a player, not cutting one.

In a rare trade with the New York Jets, Buffalo acquired DB/KR specialist Brandon Codrington for a swap of late 2026 picks. Codrington has flashed his return abilities in a major way throughout this preseason.

Brandon Codrington muddies the water in the kick return game

Rookie CB Daequan Hardy looked like he had the kick return job all but locked up, showing tons of promise both in the return game and in coverage, despite his smaller size. Trading for Codrington though certainly puts his roster spot in question.

Hardy, who ran a 4.38 second 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, hasn't had any injury made available at this time, but speculation is swirling that he may be injured. If he is, this would make a lot more sense. If he isn't, then his roster spot is very much in question.

Codrington has has fielded six punts for 83 return yards and two kick returns for 75 yards this preseason, including this beauty.

In his eight total returns this preseason, Codrington forced 15 missed tackles, showcasing a slippery ability to get extra yards that would serve the Bills well.

Codrington is an undrafted free agent that played his college ball at North Carolina Central University, where he was their primary returner. In his college career, he fielded 69 kick returns for 1,359 yards (19.7 average) and one touchdown, while fielding 61 punts for 789 yards (12.9 average) and three touchdowns.

We will keep an eye on how the roster spots shake out for the Bills.

Related: Bills roster cuts tracker 2024: Here is every move Buffalo has made on their way to trim down to 53 players

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