Where the Buffalo Bills could go next in free agency – Buffalo Bills Blog

BUFFALO, N.Y. — It took simply two days after the 2022 season got here to an in depth for Buffalo Bills common supervisor Brandon Beane to say a splashy free agent addition shouldn’t be anticipated.

After splurging on pass-rusher Von Miller with a $120 million deal final 12 months, the Payments needed to work to get beneath the cap this 12 months. Additionally they needed to keep away from turning over their roster to do it, just like the Los Angeles Rams have accomplished in eliminating cornerback Jalen Ramsey and different foundational gamers. The outcome for the Payments was a comparatively quiet begin to free company.

“Coming off the cap happening with COVID, we’re making an attempt to work our means out in order that we do not have only a teardown, and also you see that occur from a crew right here,” Beane mentioned. “Identical to, ‘Man, we won’t do anymore. We gotta eliminate a few of these large salaries,’ and the one approach to do it’s both attempt to kick it additional down the street, making it tougher, or begin buying and selling, releasing, and taking these hits. So, we’re making an attempt not to try this.”

The Payments are hoping so as to add to a roster that is received three straight division titles whereas the remainder of the AFC East provides firepower round them. The place does that depart them now with the primary wave of free company over and what’s subsequent?

What the Payments have accomplished

Throughout the first week of free company, the Payments signed a possible starter in guard Connor McGovern, added pace to the receiver room with Deonte Harty, introduced in backup quarterback Kyle Allen and re-signed security Jordan Poyer on a team-friendly two-year, $12.5 million take care of a most worth of $14.5 million.

Their strikes don’t soar off the web page in a broadly thought of down free company 12 months, however all addressed areas of want — particularly bringing again Poyer on a short-term deal. Poyer’s age — he turns 32 subsequent month — and number of accidents in 2022 softened his free agent market. However having him again for an additional season to pair with security Micah Hyde is a win for the Payments.

McGovern is the main candidate to take Rodger Saffold’s spot at left guard. Signing quarterback Josh Allen’s shut pal, Kyle Allen, reveals the Payments’ confidence in Josh Allen’s growth that they do not really feel the necessity to pair him with an skilled veteran.

“[Last year we said] we don’t really feel it’s bought to be a 30-some year-old [backup quarterback],” Beane mentioned. “[Josh] is aware of what he is aware of, he sees it.”

Beane mentioned the Payments could have about $9 million in cap area as soon as the whole lot is processed with a few of that needing to be reserved for issues just like the observe squad (about $3.5 million final 12 months), the crew’s 2023 draft picks, and prices for potential accidents.

In different phrases, the Payments do not have a lot to work with except they restructure extra contracts, like cornerback Tre’Davious White’s (2023 cap worth of $16.2 million). It is one thing Beane mentioned he’s not in opposition to doing “however the extra you do, then the larger that avalanche will get years down the road.” So, what’s the strategy?

“We’re making an attempt to be sensible, discover gamers that match, and we’ll proceed trying,” Beane mentioned. “We’re not essentially accomplished. There’s nonetheless a variety of free brokers on the market, we’re having conversations and there may even be extra cap casualties [on other teams] as guys are added.”

The place the Payments may add subsequent

Huge receiver: Buying Harty doesn’t remedy the Bills’ problems at No. 2 wide receiver, however he might help fill the position vacated by huge receiver Isaiah McKenzie, who was launched Friday. Whereas Beane has expressed confidence in Gabe Davis, who’s getting into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie deal, the truth is that Buffalo wants so as to add extra at receiver for the long-term.

What about Odell Beckham Jr.? The Payments hosted him on a go to final 12 months, despatched senior personnel government Matt Bazirgan to the huge receiver’s exercise previous to the beginning of the league 12 months and employed Adam Henry — who labored with Beckham at LSU, the Giants and the Browns — because the crew’s new huge receivers coach.

“Thought [Beckham] did job [at the workout], confirmed, clearly you see his arms, if you happen to’ve seen some of the video that he nonetheless can pluck that factor one-handed,” Beane mentioned. “And I believe he is, like something, he is in all probability slightly rusty. He hasn’t performed soccer, so it will take him a while to work again in.”

Whereas the fee could be a precedence right here, Beckham additionally wouldn’t remedy the crew’s long-term must have moderately priced huge receiver expertise — 2024 may even be a tricky cap 12 months for the Payments — and there aren’t many nice candidates on the place out there in free company. It could make sense to get assist right here early within the draft.

Working again: The one working backs beneath contract for the Payments are Nyheim Hines, James Cook and veteran Duke Johnson, who was on the observe squad final 12 months. Devin Singletary stays a free agent and Buffalo has stayed in contact, however the crew will doubtless add an even bigger working again in some unspecified time in the future. Each Hines and Cook dinner are beneath 200-pounds and the Payments may use a participant with extra dimension to do the powerful working and within the pink zone.

Former Cowboys again Ezekiel Elliott could be an intriguing match however is coming off one of many worst statistical seasons of his profession (3.8 yards per try) and has handled accidents the previous two years. Kareem Hunt (Browns) and Leonard Fournette (Buccaneers) may additionally match what they’re on the lookout for.

Tight finish: Including a good finish to pair with Dawson Knox, because the crew tried to do final 12 months with O.J. Howard, stays one thing to keep watch over, though the draft is also the most effective avenue for the Payments to fill that gap. There are some big-name choices nonetheless out there in free company, like former Cowboys tight finish Dalton Schultz, however the Payments received’t wish to strike out once more like they did with Howard, who did not make it to the common season.

Center linebacker: When requested in regards to the future at center linebacker after dropping Tremaine Edmunds to the Bears, Beane mentioned the reply may probably be on the roster already, naming Tyrel Dodson and 2022 draft picks Terrel Bernard and Baylon Spector as candidates to compete. Signing a sure-fire starter could not occur this offseason as Beane mentioned, “We’ll proceed to look, whether or not that is cap casualties, free companies, if there is a participant within the draft, it will be competitors.”