Buffalo Bills top-5 cost-effective veteran contracts

1. Jordan Poyer – S

Contract: $13 million over four years, signed in 2017

Cap hit in 2019: $4.3 million

Many didn’t think much of the Bills signing former Browns spot-starter and special-teamer Jordan Poyer to a four-year, $13 million contract in the 2017 off-season. At the time, he was viewed as a high-level backup, worth the team-friendly deal. He blew away expectations; making an already affordable contract that much better.

Poyer found the home he had been looking for in the Bills’ secondary. He quickly established himself as the starting free safety alongside Micah Hyde. In his first season, Poyer started 15 games and tallied 95 total tackles, 13 pass deflections, and five interceptions. In his second, he started 16 and racked up 100 total tackles, six pass deflections, and four interceptions. Many viewed him as a Pro-Bowl caliber player, but he received no such nods both seasons.

Now entering the third year of his contract, the 28-year-old Poyer is a bonafide starter and leader of a stout defense. He patrols the middle of the field like it’s nobody’s business — providing big hits, sideline-to-sideline range, and the versatility to switch spots with Hyde. He’s simply outplayed a contract fit for a backup and will assuredly be paid handsomely when he enters the open market.

For now, he’s not on the open market. He has two years left on his deal and will be paid $4.3 million in 2019. Like the Hyde deal, that value is absurd. The Bills have a starting free safety in the prime of his career. Many consider Poyer to be a future star and worthy of a massive contract, yet, he’s the 32nd highest paid safety in the league. Brandon Beane, you’re a wizard.