Buffalo Bills: This free agent linebacker would be perfect short-term rental

During the next couple of weeks, we could find out quite a bit about the Buffalo Bills’ plans for their offseason.

On March 16, NFL free agency officially begins. This opens the door for some key free agents to not only agree to terms with other teams, but also leave the Bills with some big shoes to fill.

A couple of Buffalo’s primary free agents include safety Jordan Poyer and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. In Edmunds, they would be losing a 24-year-old linebacker who has been the perfect fit for this defense over the last four years.

Edmunds is a candidate to receive the franchise tag, but that would also mean the Bills would have to figure out a way to afford a $20 million salary for their key linebacker in 2023. General manager Brandon Beane already has his work cut out for him with the team being around $20 million over the cap heading toward free agency.

Fortunately, there could be a short-term solution if a deal isn’t done with Edmunds.

Veteran linebacker Lavonte David could be a great free agent option for the Buffalo Bills

With over a decade in the NFL, Lavonte David is one of the most experienced free agent defenders this year’s class has to offer. He’s been as consistent a player over his tenure as you could possibly find.

David has totaled more than 100 tackles in nine of his 11 pro seasons, all with the Bucs. The former Pro Bowler and All Pro has been a staple in Tampa Bay for a while now, but could find a new home here shortly.

With the retirement of Tom Brady and the Bucs looking at potentially starting over, David could head elsewhere to try and win another ring. Should Buffalo lose Edmunds, then David would be a phenomenal replacement.

At 33 years old, David still offers a couple more seasons. Just this last year, he played in all 17 games and amassed 124 tackles, 3.0 sacks, five passes defensed, a forced fumble and a recovery.

At this stage in his career, much like a Bobby Wagner, David is in it to win another ring. He’s made plenty of money, and the Bills could end up being one of those teams which catches a break if he were to take a bit of a discount on a contract.

This could also be a move that not only sets up the Bills defense for continued success, but allows them to save money to use elsewhere.