Buffalo Bills top-5 cost-effective veteran contracts

3. Lorenzo Alexander – LB

Contract: $3.75 million over one year, signed in 2019

Cap hit in 2019: $3.75 million

Lorenzo Alexander has been a cost-effective option for the Bills since signing on in 2016. In his first year, on a contract worth $880 thousand, he was a Pro Bowler — starting all 16 games and recording 12.5 sacks. His 2016 season was enough to merit another contract worth $9 million over two years — again, he outplayed it — and resigned before the 2019 off-season for $3.75 million over the course of a year.

Despite being 36 years old, Alexander is still a constant in the Bills’ defense. He may not be a full-time starter, but he’s an exceptional rotational linebacker that can man the middle of the field or rush the passer. In 2018 — playing in a lesser role than before — Alexander tallied 74 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and a Pro Football Focus grade of 85.6, good for fifth in the NFL at his position.

Entering year four of his Buffalo tenure, Alexander continues to be that cost-effective player he was in 2016. Though he’s not on as cheap of a contract or even full-time starter anymore, Alexander is still a defensive team-captain and should continue to be consistent piece until he retires. As it currently stands, he’s the 15th highest paid player on the Bills, but his play far from resembles that.