With the off-season upon the NFL, the Buffalo Bills have 10 draft picks and over $80 million in cap space. The Bills wasted little time signing QB Matt Barkley to a two-year, $4 million contract on Dec. 21 and QB Derek Anderson to a one-year, $1.12 million contract on Dec. 31. These moves will keep the QB room together for at least one more season.
Since the season has ended the Bills have been working on re-signing their own players. On Jan. 16, they signed team captain and leader LB Lorenzo Alexander to a one-year, $3.75 million deal in what Alexander has said will be his final season. Buffalo also signed G Jeremiah Sirles to a one-year, $805,000 contract. To wrap up the month of January, the Bills re-signed LS Reid Ferguson to a three-year, $3.03 million deal.
The Bills have signed multiple reserve/future contracts with free agents, but most of these guys are cheap and just filler for OTAs and training camp. Key names to watch for would be CFL-standout WR Duke Williams and training camp WR Cam Phillips.
There are several moves the Bills should explore during free agency. These moves would improve the team in key areas and still keep them under the salary cap.
The Bills should look to resign DT Jordan Phillips. Looking at comps from last year’s free agency, a contract for him would look to be about three years and $12 million. Another Bill to resign would be Eddie Yarbrough, at a one-year $1 million contract so the team can cut him during or after training camp it doesn’t hurt that badly.
For their first interests in free agency, Buffalo should look to shore up the offensive line. That starts with signing RT Ja’wuan James ta a four year $37million contract. Another anchor could be C Matt Paradis, who would cost about $42 million over five years. He may be the best center in free agency this year, and Buffalo is devoid of talent and leadership at the position.
The Bills also need wideouts, but shouldn’t look to spend big dollars on them. Look to bring in a cheap option like WR Kevin White for one year and $2.75 million, he was a former first-round pick who has been injury prone but has shown talent.
Another signing might be TE Maxx Williams. He is a high draft pick like White but was often injured throughout his tenure in Baltimore. His contract would be in the ballpark of one year, $3.5 million.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Bills were very solid and are returning 10 of their 11 starters from last year. The Bills should try to find a corner opposite of Tre White. A target should be CB Bradley Roby, and Buffalo should give him a massive five-year, $60 million deal.
Levi Wallace played well last year, but a cornerback upgrade is never a bad thing in a pass-happy league. Wallace could turn into a slot corner that could play outside if something happens to White or Roby.
To round out the free agent class, the Bills should sign a player who has been a thorn in their side for the past 10 years. DE Cameron Wake could sign a two-year, $13 million contract to get the pass rush going in Orchard Park.
These moves would cost the Bills $55.15 million against the cap, leaving room for their upcoming draft picks and extensions with players currently under contract.
