Buffalo Bills 2022 Free Agency Grade: Marquel Lee

For the second year in a row, the Buffalo Bills have signed linebacker Marquel Lee to a one-year deal. Let’s take a look at the player and the contract to determine a final grade for this move.

What does Marquel Lee bring to the Buffalo Bills?

Marquel Lee originally was a fifth round draft pick by the Raiders in 2017 and would start 16 games over his first two seasons. He would have 93 total tackles, five tackles for a loss and three passes defended during that stretch.

However, Lee has struggled to stay healthy and has not been able to return to being a starter after appearing in only five games in 2019 due to injuries, and then injuries would force him to miss the entire 2020 season.

This past season, Lee signed with the Buffalo Bills but was released prior to the season when the Bills were cutting down the roster. He would return to the Raiders and play 11 games this past season.

While he does have starting experience, Lee’s best chance to make the Buffalo Bills roster will be on special teams. Last year, with the Raiders he played 80% of the special teams snaps and for his career has 375 special teams snaps.

Contract

According to Spotrac, the Buffalo Bills signed Marquel Lee to a one-year deal worth $1,047,500 with a dead cap of $252,500. Lee’s cap hit in 2022 ranks 41st among inside linebackers in the NFL.

Final Grade: B-

Marquel Lee will be entering the offseason competing for one of the final linebacker spots with players like Joe Giles-Harris, Andre Smith and Tyrel Dodson. The fact that he does have some starting experience at linebacker gives him a slight edge over those other players and he could be a veteran backup to Tremaine Edmunds.

However, as mentioned previously he will need to show he can be a key contributor on special teams to hopefully earn that roster spot on the 53-man roster this year.