The hype of free agency has come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 16th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s talk about the Buffalo Bills.
Buffalo Bills
Key acquisitions: OLB Von Miller, G Rodger Saffold, TE O.J. Howard, DT Jordan Phillips, DT DaQuan Jones, DT Tim Settle, WR Jamison Crowder, RB Duke Johnson, DE Shaq Lawson, QB Case Keenum, LB Marquel Lee, QB Matt Barkley, G Greg Mancz
Re-signed: WR Isaiah McKenzie, G Ike Boettger, CB Siran Neal, G Ryan Bates, RB Taiwan Jones, WR Jake Kumerow
Departures: WR Cole Beasley, G Jon Feliciano (Giants), OT Daryl Williams, CB Levi Wallace (Steelers), QB Mitchell Trubisky (Steelers), DT Harrison Phillips (Vikings), DT Vernon Butler (Raiders), DT Star Lotulelei, LB A.J. Klein, RB Matt Breida (Giants)
Remaining free agents: DE Mario Addison, DE Jerry Hughes, WR Emmanuel Sanders
Analysis: The Bills continue to be one of the smartest and well-built teams in the NFL, and continued to re-tool their team. Despite their success, GM Brandon Beane recognizes where they need improvements and aren’t afraid of turnover.
Their biggest acquisition in free agency was future hall of fame pass rusher Von Miller, who signed a six-year, $120 million contract, but it looks more like a three-year deal as the contract is fairly front-loaded with signing and roster bonuses, then peters off after that with a lower dead cap. Coming off a Super Bowl win after being traded midseason, Miller adds to a young pass rushing group featuring top draft picks A.J. Epenesa and Gregory Rousseau. Bills also brought back Shaq Lawson, a 2016 first-round pick of Buffalo. He also adds a veteran presence that is lost from Mario Addison and Jerry Hughes, who are still free agents.
Also added along the defensive line are Jordan Phillips, DaQuan Jones, and Tim Settle. Phillips had a breakout year in 2019 with Buffalo before signing a big deal with the Cardinals in 2020. He was released before free agency and was brought back. DaQuan Jones isn’t a household name, but he’s been an every game starter since 2015 with the Titans after coming in as a 2014 fourth-round pick. He spent the 2021 season with the Panthers. Another non-household name is Tim Settle, who wasn’t a starter in Washington because of all the names in front of him, but he’s been a very good rotational player. These guys will join forces with Ed Oliver in a much improved interior line, replacing Harrison Phillips, who was a starter but started losing playing time, Vernon Butler and Star Lotulelei, both starters.
On offense, the Bills really focused on reworking their offensive line. After releasing starters Jon Feliciano and Daryl Williams, they brought in former Titans and Rams longtime starting guard Rodger Saffold. He slides in to replace Feliciano at left guard, who had missed time due to injury. They also brought back Ike Boettger, who replaced Feliciano last season. Buffalo has plenty of other in-house options for all their spots, with really only left tackle (Dion Dawkins) and center (Mitch Morse) cemented. They seem to like Spencer Brown, a rookie last year, at right tackle as he was a starter there when Williams had to play right guard in place of a struggling Cody Ford, who may still be in the mix, but the former second-round pick hasn’t proven to be a starter at guard or tackle. So one guard will be Saffold, while the other is a battle between Boettger, Ford, and Ryan Bates, who was brought back on a four-year deal.
Added to the offensive skill positions are TE O.J. Howard, WR Jamison Crowder, and RB Duke Johnson.
Howard is a former first-round pick of the Bucs who hasn’t lived up to the billing while in a crowded Tampa tight end group. He gets a chance to play alongside emerging star Dawson Knox.
Crowder has been around, but is still a very good slot receiver, so he and recently extended Isaiah McKenzie, who aided in the decision to cut Cole Beasley, will round out the depth chart. I legit thought Crowder was like 32 years old…he’s only 28, feels like he’s been in the league for 10 years.
Duke Johnson is the passing back the Bills wanted and refuse to give to Devin Singletary. He wasn’t their top option though, as Buffalo agreed to a deal with J.D. McKissic before he turned back to return to Washington.
Conclusion: The Bills aren’t afraid of roster turnover and replaced guys at positions where they felt needed a change, and appeared to upgrade.
Where they lacked this offseason was at cornerback, losing starter Levi Wallace to the Steelers when they struggled with depth last season after losing Tre’Davious White early to injury. They extended slot corner Taron Johnson and special teamer Siran Neal, but they need help. There are plenty of veterans still available, like Stephon Gilmore, Joe Haden, Steven Nelson, Jason Verrett, Kyle Fuller, Xavier Rhodes among other names.
The Buffalo Bills are still a top team in the NFL, and the stability of this front office and coaching staff is key to their success. Once again, it’s Super Bowl or bust in Buffalo, can they do it?
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