The Buffalo Bills are in the business of winning a Super Bowl, and winning it soon. This is a roster that’s been built to go the distance, and with just a couple more tweaks, they could certainly make it happen.
General manager Brandon Beane has six picks to work with going into the 2023 NFL Draft, with the first coming at no. 27 overall. But, before the Bills get going on draft weekend in just two weeks, Beane should consider making a few more moves.
The free agent pool is far from dried up, and there are a ton of names still available which would be upgrades on this current Bills roster. Not only that, but there are some trade candidates out there as well. So, which moves should Beane and the Bills try to make before draft weekend?
Let’s start with shoring up that pass rush while Von Miller’s injury status remains up in the air.
Moves the Buffalo Bills should make before the 2023 NFL Draft: Sign free agent EDGE Leonard Floyd
With Miller recovering from an ACL tear, the Bills could use another edge rusher to help fill the void until he’s back. 30-year-old veteran Leonard Floyd is still out there, and has posted at least 9.0 sacks in three-straight seasons.
The Super Bowl-winning pass rusher really came on after he signed with the Los Angeles Rams and has come into his own as one of those above average edge defenders, sitting in a tier just below the best in the league.
Should the Bills sign Floyd, they wouldn’t have to worry about the position in the draft. With Floyd, Gregory Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa and Boogie Basham, they should have plenty of guys to rotate around the line and get after the quarterback. Again, they’re just one player away at the position until Miller comes back, and having a veteran presence like Floyd would play a big part in the defense holding its own.
Moves the Buffalo Bills should make before the 2023 NFL Draft: Trade for Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy
In terms of big moves requiring the Bills giving up a haul, this is one of the only ones worth making. Buffalo can use another legitimate weapon next to Stefon Diggs, and the Broncos have been very public about making their wide receivers available via trade.
Of course, one of the main reasons Denver would want to part with Jerry Jeudy is due to the fact that they gave up so much to acquire Russell Wilson, and need to restock their draft capital.
Jeudy is on the last guaranteed year of his rookie contract, with a fifth-year option in 2024 at the Bills’ disposal if they dealt for him. Jeudy could wind up commanding anywhere from $15-$20 million annually, which would mean the Bills have to figure out a way to pay him if they’re going to keep him around.
What exactly would the Bills have to give up for Jeudy? My guess is that the no. 27 pick would absolutely be sent to Denver, as a starting point. If it wasn’t too much more, and the Bills could send picks in 2024 and/or 2025 along with their first this year, then Jeudy would be worth it.
Moves the Buffalo Bills should make before the 2023 NFL Draft: Sign free agent CB Marcus Peters
Going into the draft, the Bills could be looking at spending a pick on adding a cornerback. Outside of Tre’Davious White, Buffalo doesn’t have another dependable corner on the roster. Dane Jackson has been fine at times, but could use some competition throughout the summer to push him, or even surpass him.
Kaiir Elam was supposed to be that guy to push for the other starting spot next to White, but his rookie campaign was definitely up and down.
That’s why the Bills should go out and sign veteran Marcus Peters, who is coming off a a bit of a down year. Still, the 30-year-old cornerback is one of the better free agents available and would come relatively cheap, considering how he performed last year.
Peters isn’t the ball hawk he once was, but he’s still an above-average corner with tons of experience on good teams. Last year, health was an issue. If he’s healthy going into 2023, Buffalo should take a flier on him.
Moves the Buffalo Bills should make before the 2023 NFL Draft: Sign free agent WR Julio Jones
Just like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did last year, the Bills could make a move like signing free agent wide receiver Julio Jones to a 1-year deal because, well, they are a team working toward winning a Super Bowl right now.
Jones didn’t blow the roof off last season for Tampa Bay, but nobody really did, quite honestly. Although he’s not a spring chicken, by any means, Jones still showed some burst at times last year. Of course, most of that hype came in the preseason and in training camp, but he still looked like he had some ball left in him.
If the 34-year-old isn’t counted on to be a WR1 or WR2, or even a WR3, he’ll be fine. He can be thrown in on certain packages and given an opportunity to use his big body to move chains when needed.
Last year with the Bucs, Jones caught 24 passes for 299 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 10 games. He would come very cheap, likely even on a minimum deal, but Jones’ experience and specific skillset would be welcome in Buffalo.
Moves the Buffalo Bills should make before the 2023 NFL Draft: Trade back from No. 27
The past four moves could all be made prior to the draft, and while this one could as well, the odds of it happening mid-draft are far more likely.
In a move not involving a specific player, the Bills should look at moving back from their current draft position of no. 27 overall. When some rumors came out about the team trading up, a lot of fans understandably questioned it. Others, though, liked the idea. It depends on how you view the teams’ current needs, though.
With only six picks in the draft, it would serve Brandon Beane well to move back just a little bit and obtain another pick or two in order to have a few more at-bats throughout draft weekend. Buffalo doesn’t have to move back too far, but if the opportunity came up to trade back a few spots, they should take it.
Let’s say the Kansas City Chiefs see a player they like at no. 27. If Beane is working the phones, he could call the Chiefs and offer the no. 27 pick for their 31st overall selection, plus a late fifth or sixth rounder.
That would be more than enough to suffice, and the Bills would still get a very good player just five picks later.