The defensive end position was one that the Buffalo Bills likely had near the top of their list of positions to improve this offseason. This past season, the group of Jerry Hughes, Mario Addison, Trent Murphy, A.J. Epenesa and Darryl Johnson combined for only 13.5 sacks.
This is a position that usually commands high salaries so it seemed unlikely that the Buffalo Bills would be able to add one of those players with the limited cap space. However, they were able to agree to a one-year deal with Efe Obada, that could end up being the best value at the position when considering production and salary.
Efe Obada has been a member of the Carolina Panthers since 2017 when he joined the team as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. He was on the practice squad for only one season before making his NFL debut in 2018.
He would play only 19% of the defensive snaps but had two sacks and seven QB hits that season. He saw his numbers dip in 2019 but rebound this past season with 5.5 sacks and 15 QB hits in only 39% of the defensive snaps. The sack and QB hit totals from this past season would have led the Bills in both categories.
When considering the deal is reportedly a one-year deal worth up to $2.2 million, according to Draft Diamond, this is a steal. Especially when considering players who signed comparable contracts, like Stephen Weatherly and Jihad Ward, have never had more than three sacks in a single season.
Final Grade: A
This could end up being the best free agent move the Buffalo Bills make this offseason when considering potential and salary. Obada is a player who is only 28 years old and is coming off his best season in the NFL. He is an ascending player that will have the chance to push for a starting job in 2021.