The Tennessee Titans traded safety Amani Hooker to the Buffalo Bills at Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, giving up one of their best defensive players in exchange for a 2027 second-round draft pick, Yahoo Sports reported.
The Bills announced they are sending the Titans their 2027 second-round pick and will also receive Tennessee's 2027 fifth-round pick in the deal. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Buffalo had also asked about Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker before landing Hooker.
For Buffalo, the move is about fixing a weakness. Yahoo noted the Bills rank 29th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game, even with one of the league's best offenses led by quarterback Josh Allen. Hooker is expected to step in as a starter right away.
Hooker, 28, is tied for the league lead with five interceptions, matching his career high in just seven games, and has six passes defended. He has also been solid against the run, ranking second on the Titans this season with 52 total tackles. For his career, he has 17 interceptions and 45 passes defended.
Hooker has spent his entire NFL career in Tennessee since the Titans drafted him in the fourth round in 2019 out of Iowa. He was in his eighth season with the team.
For the Titans, losing a veteran leader hurts, but Yahoo said Hooker is best suited to a team ready to win now, and at 1-7, Tennessee is not that team. The second-round pick gives the Titans another valuable asset as they rebuild around second-year quarterback Cam Ward.
The trade came less than two weeks after the Titans sent All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears for two first-round picks and a fourth-rounder. Both Simmons and Hooker were part of the Titans' 2019 draft class.
The Titans come out of their bye week to host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
Sources: Yahoo Sports; Buffalo Bills; Tennessee Titans