Buffalo Bills have new safety to target after 3x Pro Bowler was waived by Titans

The Buffalo Bills could use more help at safety and there just so happens to be an experienced safety with three Pro Bowl nods available on waivers.

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott. | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

One of several needs the Buffalo Bills could've addressed at the trade deadline was safety.

With Taylor Rapp out for the season, Buffalo is left with a trio of Cole Bishop, Jordan Poyer and rookie Jordan Hancock, which isn't ideal given Bishop's and Hancock's lack of experience.

A new option has emerged for the Bills, though, as the Tennessee Titans waived safety Quandre Diggs on Friday. Because the move came after the trade deadline, Diggs will be subject to waivers, so he can't be signed outright.

SIGN UP: Get Bills OnSI straight to your inbox (for free)

On the surface, it does not look great that Diggs was cut loose by one of the worst teams in the NFL, but there is a logical possible explanation for such a move rather than Diggs being bad.

The Titans are clearly rebuilding and it's very possible they wanted to clear the way for their younger players by removing someone who wasn't going to be in the team's long-term plans.

Diggs' coverage numbers haven't been good this season, with the veteran giving up a completion rate of 69.2% and a passer rating of 148.4.

But Pro Football Focus lists Diggs with run defense and coverage grades of 64.7 and 64.4, respectively, so he hasn't been bad to the point that the Bills shouldn't consider putting in a claim for him.

Former Tennessee Titans safety Quandre Diggs. | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

To compare, Hancock has a worse coverage grade (60.4) than Diggs and is just one point better in run defense grade. Lewis sports better run defense and coverage grades than Diggs, however, he has also played less than half the snaps.

At worst, Diggs would amount to an excellent third safety in the rotation, and at best he could become a quality starter at safety for the Bills' banged-up defense that could use more experience on the back end.

RELATED: Bills' preseason WR investment closer to game shape but 'still working through it'

Diggs' contract is cheap, also, so finances shouldn't be an issue. Diggs entered the season with a $1.19 million cap number, according to Over the Cap, so the Bills can afford him.

With Super Bowl aspirations, the Bills shouldn't leave anything to chance and they won't get a much better safety option than Diggs at this point in the season. Put in a claim and hope for the best.

Oct 20, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis (22) runs with the ball for a touchdown against Tennessee Titans safety Quandre Diggs (28) | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

— Sign up for OnSI’s Free Buffalo Bills Newsletter —

More Buffalo Bills News:

• Kay Adams gushes over Bills attacking Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes

• Josh Allen, Cole Bishop, James Cook and other postgame observations from Bills' win

• Bills' safety Jordan Poyer relishes opportunity to 'run out of that tunnel'

• 3 weaknesses that could cost Bills postseason berth, but there are answers