These are the six positions that the Buffalo Bills should still look to address after the start of free agency
General manager Brandon Beane was certainly busy at the start of free agency by addressing a number of key roster needs. There was no signing bigger than defensive end Von Miller, who agreed to a six-year, $120 million contract, and helps drastically transform the pass rush for this defense.
However, that wasn’t the only move as the Bills also announced the additions of defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, offensive guard Rodger Saffold who should step in as a starter, and O.J. Howard gives the team much-needed depth at tight end. The Bills also reportedly agreed to terms with defensive tackle Tim Settle.
Even with all these moves, the Buffalo Bills still have a number of positions that need to be addressed over the next few weeks and months, either with veterans or in the NFL Draft.
Buffalo Bills Roster Need: Cornerback
The one position that should be at the top of the list for the Buffalo Bills is cornerback. The importance of upgrading this position was clear during the season last year after the team lost Tre’Davious White to a knee injury.
It still remains to be seen when White might be ready to return and if he will be available at the start of the season. On top of that uncertainty, Buffalo also saw Levi Wallace leave in free agency and sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This leaves Dane Jackson, who has eight career starts, at the top of the depth chart currently. This is one position that Buffalo may try to address both in free agency but also use an early pick on in the NFL Draft as they should be looking for a starter but also depth at the position.
Buffalo Bills Roster Need: Guard
While the Buffalo Bills did already add one free agent here with the addition of Rodger Saffold, they will still need to add another player or two. This was an area the Bills struggled to find quality production at during the year before seeing Ryan Bates and Daryl Williams help solidify it late in the season and into the playoffs.
While the Bills did tender Ryan Bates, according to Sal Capaccio of WGR550, there is no guarantee that he will return as he could still sign a contract with another team. Buffalo would have a chance to match but it may be too much based on their current cap situation.
They have also released Jon Feliciano and Daryl Williams, two veterans who at times have been a starter for this team, and hurts the depth at the position. If Bates does return to Buffalo, that will help but the Bills should still look to add another player or two this offseason who has the potential to start for this team.
Buffalo Bills Roster Need: Running Back
The Buffalo Bills thought they had addressed this earlier in the week when they agreed to terms with J.D. McKissic but the pass-catching running back elected to return to Washington on the same deal.
The Buffalo Bills must now go back to the drawing board as they look for a running back to compliment Devin Singletary. He finished the year great and considering Buffalo tried to sign a player who almost exclusively was picking up yards through the air should be an indication they are confident in Singletary continuing the level of play he showed last year into this upcoming season.
The Buffalo Bills are going to be looking for a specific type of player to fill this role and this is one that I believe they will try to address in free agency.
Buffalo Bills Roster Need: Quarterback
The Buffalo Bills have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Josh Allen but don’t have anyone else on the roster currently that plays the position. Their backup quarterback from last season was Mitchell Trubisky, who agreed to a two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers this week.
The front office could certainly look to the NFL Draft and try to find a quarterback in the later rounds that they could develop. However, this team has Super Bowl aspirations this season and having a rookie as Allen’s backup is probably too much risk to take at arguably the most important position on the field.
The good news is that there are a number of veteran quarterbacks available in free agency that could be good fits for this team that have starting experience, like Ryan Fitzpatrick or Jacoby Brissett.
Buffalo Bills Roster Need: Punter
Last offseason, the Buffalo Bills signed Matt Haack to a three-year deal and the first year with the team wasn’t great. Haack was near the bottom in most statistical categories and finished last in net yards per punt at 37.6 yards and had seven touchbacks, which was the second-most in the league, on only 52 punts.
There was a chance that Buffalo could cut Haack this offseason but instead elected to rework his contract and give him a chance to compete for the job. While it is somewhat uncommon for teams to draft kickers and punters, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Buffalo draft a punter. The Bills did it two years ago by drafting placekicker Tyler Bass and that has certainly worked out well.
When considering the NFL Draft is a likely option, this is one position Buffalo most likely doesn’t address until after the NFL Draft.
Buffalo Bills Roster Need: Wide Receiver
The final position isn’t so much a need as some of the other positions but I believe it is one that they are going to address. The team had three players at the position set to be free agents and have already re-signed two of them after agreeing to new deals with Jake Kumerow and Isaiah McKenzie.
This leaves Emmanuel Sanders as the final free agent but last month said he was going to take some time to think about whether to continue playing or to retire. The team could also trade or release Cole Beasley this offseason to free up some additional cap space.
The Buffalo Bills have enough depth at the position that they don’t necessarily need to look outside the franchise to address it with Isaiah McKenzie being able to replace Cole Beasley and Isaiah Hodgins potentially getting a chance to have a bigger role.
However, based on the moves Brandon Beane has made this offseason, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him remain aggressive and try to add another veteran receiver or even use a high draft pick on the position. There are a number of wide receivers in this year’s class that can bring speed to this offense and help stretch defenses vertically.