Buffalo Bills: Three Free Agents Worth A Look

There’s no hiding it.

The Buffalo Bills have salary cap problems.

While there won’t be any big free-agent splashes this year, unlike last off-season, the Bills can still make a couple of moves that will help solidify certain areas on the roster.

Here are three players the Bills should target when free agency starts Wednesday at 4 p.m.:

James Laurinaitis, 29, Inside Linebacker

The former St. Louis Rams linebacker was all over the field early on in his seven-year NFL career, but has seen his production drop over the last two seasons.

However, Laurinaitis is only four years removed from a pair of 142-tackle seasons, in 2012 and 2011. Still under the age of 30, Laurinaitis should have plenty of gas left in the tank to provide the Bills a spark at the inside linebacker position. And if anyone can get it out of him, it’s Rex Ryan.

With Nigel Bradaham being courted by the Philadelphia Eagles it looks like he’ll have a new home in 2016, making the inside linebacker position an even bigger need this off-season.

Antonio Cromartie, 31, Defensive Back

 Yes, Cromartie is on the decline, but he would be a valuable piece for the Bills.

Cromartie has familiarity with Rex Ryan’s defense and has run it well in the past. Considering many players doubted Ryan’s system last year it wouldn’t hurt to have a player on the roster who can say, “Listen, I’ve played for Rex, had success with Rex. This thing works. Trust the system.”

The former New York Jet would also provide some good depth at cornerback and safety.

With Leodis McKelvin gone, there isn’t much of a depth chart behind Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby. Cromartie could also transition nicely into a safety role, and with Aaron Williams coming off of a scary neck injury the extra depth won’t hurt.

Plus, Cromartie can cover punts, something Buffalo is lacking.

Robert Griffin III, 26, Quarterback

While the future looks bright with Tyrod Taylor, there’s no denying the fact that the Bills don’t have a quarterback on the roster that’s locked up past the upcoming season.

At the very least, Griffin would provide an upgrade over EJ Manuel as the backup quarterback, and if contract talks fall apart between Taylor and the front office down the line, Buffalo will have a talented quarterback on the roster.

Griffin also makes sense because he seems like a logical fit to offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s offense. The former No. 2 overall selection offers mobility, the ability the run the spread and zone read offense and has a nice deep ball.

While the market may carry Griffin out of Buffalo’s price range, he’s worth a look.