Buffalo Bills: 5 free agents to alleviate Von Miller’s absence

Buffalo Bills, Von Miller (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills, Von Miller (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Bills, Bud Dupree
Buffalo Bills, Bud Dupree (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

Going into the NFL free agency period in a few days, one area the Buffalo Bills should look at adding to is the edge rusher position.

Last year, Von Miller was gone for the season after a Thanksgiving ACL tear. The defensive line suffered greatly after Miller’s absence, thus making it a clear need to find someone to help alleviate his likely missing to start the 2023 season.

Buffalo has Gregory Rousseau as their top dog now, but he can’t do it alone. Buffalo should do whatever they can to find a veteran during free agency, and of course they might have to figure out a way to open up more cap space to do so.

If they can, there are a few options to come in and help ease the pain of Miller’s absence.

Veteran free agents the Buffalo Bills can sign to fill Von Miller’s void: Bud Dupree

Since his breakout year with the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2019, Bud Dupree hasn’t quite lived up to the contract he signed with the Tennessee Titans. For that reason, he is now a free agent. Additionally, he could come quite cheaper than he came for Tennessee a few years ago.

While he isn’t the guy who looked like he was ascending to elite status, Dupree is still a good player and would improve the Bills’ defensive line. This is a former first-round pick who has played in over 100 NFL games and is still a very capable edge rusher, especially if he’s part of a strong unit and isn’t supposed to be counted on as the workhorse.

The last three years has seen Dupree earn roughly $49 million, but his annual average is going to be far less than that after an underwhelming trio of seasons. If the Bills can get him on a budget, Dupree would be a great signing for just this next year.