Buffalo Bills: 5 predictions heading into free agency

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 08: A general view of a helmet worn by a Buffalo Bills player before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at New Era Field on December 8, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Baltimore beats Buffalo 24 to 17. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 08: A general view of a helmet worn by a Buffalo Bills player before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at New Era Field on December 8, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Baltimore beats Buffalo 24 to 17. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 29: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 29: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Bills will not sign any big name tight ends or cornerbacks

The free agency market has a number of top name tight ends and cornerbacks with players like Austin Hooper, Eric Ebron, Byron Jones and James Bradberry. However, the Bills likely will not be in the market for any of those players.

The Bills entered this offseason with a potential need at cornerback opposite Tre’Davious White. Last year, they used a rotation of Levi Wallace and Kevin Johnson and while it was enough, they could have signed Jones or Bradberry and locked the position down long term.

However, they have likely already made their big move at cornerback with the signing of Josh Norman, who agreed to a one-year deal last week. This move, combined with Levi Wallace, gives the team a veteran option to compete with Wallace heading into 2020. They are likely going to add more depth, but that should come through the NFL Draft.

As for tight end, the Bills restructured Tyler Kroft’s deal and with the guaranteed dollars it doesn’t make sense to cut him and he should be on the roster in 2020. They also signed Jason Croom to a one-year deal over the weekend.

These two moves bring the total to five tight ends under contract, along with Lee Smith, Dawson Knox and Tommy Sweeney. It doesn’t make sense for them to pursue a Hooper or Ebron that could take snaps away from Knox, who showed flashes last year as a rookie.

These are two positions that are likely locked in heading into OTAs and training camp.

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