Predicting where 5 former Buffalo Bills will be playing in 2022
Ryan Bates
Prediction for 2022: New England Patriots
The final player is one that has been generating a great deal of interest and while Buffalo likely would want him back, he may find a better contract in free agency that the Bills can’t match. As Ryan Talbot at syracuse.com wrote there have been multiple teams interested in Ryan Bates including the Minnesota Vikings and the New England Patriots.
Ryan Bates joined the Bills in 2019 when the team traded for him with the Philadelphia Eagles. He remained primarily a backup until midway through last season when he got a chance to start with Buffalo dealing with a number of injuries at guard.
Bates played well and now looks to be in line for a starting job in 2022. Unfortunately, I believe that likely doesn’t happen in Buffalo and the Patriots seem like the favorite to land Bates.
The offensive line for the Patriots has a number of holes, particularly at guard after they traded Shaq Mason to the Bucs. The addition of Bates not only gives New England a player who could start at guard but also has experience at tackle and even center so that versatility would valuable to them.
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Since the Buffalo Bills did tender Ryan Bates, they are going to have the option to match any contract he receives from another team. However, with what is likely limited cap space this year the Bills may not be able to afford him.