Buffalo Bills Free Agency Analysis: Jordan Poyer
By Daniel Hahn
The Buffalo Bills are changing the culture of their team and it continued with free agency. In this piece, we will highlight one of the newest additions, Jordan Poyer.
The Buffalo Bills kicked off free agency by announcing two safety signings in Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. Hyde is the bigger ticket free agent and the more known player by fans. Hyde was on the Green Bay Packers his whole career, while Poyer was on the Cleveland Browns last year.
While a lesser known free agent to most fans, Poyer’s arrival signaled the end of two very well known Bills players. That result leads us to take a deeper dive into what exactly the Bills are getting with Jordan Poyer.
Contract Analysis
Poyer’s contract is for 4 yrs at $13 million according to Spotrac.com. What stands out most to me about his contract, is how similar the structure is to Hyde’s.
For the first two years the Bills would essentially lose money if they cut Poyer. Thus, his roster spot has some security built in based on the contract.
The signing of Poyer and Hyde collectively has allowed the Buffalo Bills to release Aaron Williams and Corey Graham. Those releases, while heartbreaking for some fans, open up much needed salary cap room to address other needs.
Between Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer and dead money from A. Williams & Graham, Bills have $9.85M @ safety. Previously $12.275 w/ Williams/Graham
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) March 13, 2017
Roster Analysis
Until the Bills add another safety to the mix, Hyde and Poyer bring the most NFL experience and playing ability to the roster. Poyer is listed more as a free safety, and a true safety compared to Hyde.
This means that you can expect Poyer when he starts to be the more ball hawking safety, or at least the one assisting help on double teams.
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Poyer has a special teams background while in the NFL, and that will bode well for his playing time. It does seem that this staff is pro-versatility within their signings. Even if Poyer has a setback with the playbook, or any other reason, he will not be wasted as a healthy scratch.
Final Analysis
The addition of Poyer was signaled with a lot of fans on social media scratching their heads on if this was an upgrade at safety. I will say, that the contract and experience of Poyer doesn’t promise anything in terms of starting at either safety spot.
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I like the addition because Jordan Poyer brings depth and competition to multiple roster spots. He will play on special teams no matter what, and my prediction is he will be the backup safety at some point by the end of the year.
His signing doesn’t prevent the Bills from adding an early round safety to come in and compete.
The 2017 NFL Draft is deep at the safety position, so before you start saying the Bills are ‘done’ at safety, I would caution you.
The Buffalo Bills have room to add at least 2 more safeties in this bloggers opinion.
Those addition(s) and Poyer will be in a good training camp competition for starting time.
Next: Buffalo Bills Free Agency Analysis - Micah Hyde
What are your thoughts on the Buffalo Bills signing Jordan Poyer this offseason? Leave your comments below!