Analysis
3/12/22
3 min read
Buffalo Bills Free Agency Outlook
The Buffalo Bills are fresh off two straight AFC East titles. The last time they did this was from 1988-1991 with Bill Polian as their General Manager. The Bills have one of the more complete rosters in the NFL, plus a defense that ranked 1st in points allowed in 2021, and a superstar quarterback. Josh Allen has continued to make strides as a player and solidified himself as a top-tier quarterback in the NFL.
They enter this offseason with $440,821 below the cap, a figure that ranks 23rd in the NFL. They have nine total picks in the 2022 draft, three of which are inside the top 100. A coin flip away from making the conference championship, with key needs at few, Buffalo has the opportunity to make a few additions this offseason that could solidify them as the top team in the AFC.Â
Buffalo’s Impending Free Agents:
- EDGE Jerry Hughes (UFA)
- EDGE Mario Addison (UFA)
- LB A.J. Klein (SFA) - Was ReleasedÂ
- WR Emmanuel Sanders (UFA)
- IDL Vernon Butler (UFA)
- QB Mitchell Tribusky (UFA)
- RG Ike Boettger (UFA)
- RB Taiwan Jones (UFA)
- CB Levi Wallace (UFA)
- EDGE Efe Obada (UFA)
- WR Isaiah McKenzie (UFA)
- RB Matt Breida (UFA)
- RT Bobby Hart (UFA)
- EDGE Bryan Cox Jr. (UFA)
- IDL Justin Zimmer (RFA)
- IDL Harrison Phillips (UFA)
- LT Ryan Bates (RFA)
Buffalo’s current cap situation will make it hard for them to re-sign many of these players on expiring deals. However, a name to watch for them to re-sign is Mario Addison to a short term extension. Addison, who is currently 34 years old, led Buffalo in sacks this past season with seven and did so without starting a single game. As he nears the end of his career, staying in Buffalo on a 1 or 2 year deal with a small salary cap charge. Buffalo is likely his best opportunity to pursue a Super Bowl. Guard Ike Boettger is another player Buffalo should look to re-sign. He was arguably their best offensive guard last season in pass protection (18 pressures allowed on 636 total snaps) but he struggled as a run blocker. He earned a 51.3 run blocking grade per PFF. Buffalo needs to prioritize protecting Josh Allen and re-signing Boettger would help them do so.Â
Franchise Tag:
- Not used
Top Team Needs:
- Offensive Guard
- Defensive Tackle
- Running back
Buffalo’s top priority this offseason should be at offensive guard. Ike Boettger played well in pass protection, allowing a team low 18 total pressures (among those who played 500+ snaps for Buffalo). They allowed the T-10th most pressures in 2021 (217) and T-9th most QB hits (40). Defensive tackle is the next need for Buffalo. They currently have rising star Ed Oliver and the aging Star Lotulelei but lack sufficient depth outside of those two. Adding a rotational defensive linemen to their 4-3 defense should be a priority to help sure-up the interior of their defensive line. Running back is their last team need and it’s a nitpicked one. Devin Singletary and Zack Moss have been effective players when healthy and when given the t
