Free agency is fast approaching, and the Buffalo Bills have holes across the roster. From spots that need patching up to areas in need of a complete overhaul, the 2026 Bills will look completely different.
There may not be a ton of marquee signings, but the pool is deep and filled with useful players. These names are just the tip of the iceberg, and essential personnel to target.
Free agents Bills must go after in free agency
Bryan Cook - Safety
The Bills used an amalgamation of safeties in 2025, with varying degrees of success. They saw most of it with the veteran Jordan Poyer paired alongside the young Cole Bishop. Poyer was a patch on a sinking ship, but Bryan Cook would be a ballast.
Cook is coming off a career year with the Chiefs, totaling 85 tackles and 6 passes defensed. He's an ideal free safety to pair with Bishop's physical playstyle. Installing a dynamic duo in the back third of the field would make Jim Leonhard's defense one of the NFL's most feared. Bryan Cook is the choice to make that dream a reality.
He's a blockbuster, commanding close to $15m per season on the open market, but perhaps the Bills get lucky. If safety is a priority for them in a down offseason for receivers, Cook is the man.
Alex Anzalone - Linebacker
The Bills will need linebackers to effective run Jim Leonhard's defense. Terrel Barnard will inevitably start in the middle, but at least two outside linebackers will need to step up. Dorian Williams is an early favorite, but who gets the other job? Why not Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone?
At 31, he's a veteran stand-in as the team aims for younger players in the long-term. Still, his production speaks for itself. Anzalone is one of the best free linebackers on the market this offseason and his price won't stay low for long. For an estimated $7.3m, he could be a Bill.
DeAndre Hopkins - Wide Receiver
There are far too few wide receivers in this class that make spending money worthwhile for the Buffalo Bills. Too few top-tier players worth major contracts. Too few young role players that fit the Bills' needs.
There are, however, veterans. DeAndre Hopkins has been speculated as a fit for the Bills for the past 6 seasons. In his prime, he was top-dollar; Now he's definitely worth the medium bucks.
Josh Allen's lone trusted downfield receiver this season was Brandin Cooks, and Hopkins can do everything Cooks did. With a full offseason alongside Josh Allen, this is the kind of move that won't cripple their spending but still elevate the offense.
Tyler Lockett - Wide Receiver
Much like DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Lockett is the sort of veteran that the Bills can both afford and use. With only 291 yards this season, the Titans and Raiders didn't get much out of him. He isn't the WR1 fans have been dreaming of, but that player simply isn't in the free agent market in 2026.
Lockett offers consistency, great hands, top-level field IQ and the tools to help rookies from the 2026 draft class develop. The 33 year-old is expected to make under $2m on the market this offseason- A perfect price for the Bills.
Haason Reddick - Edge
Yes, Buffalo has had it's fill of aging edge rushers. The Bills' commitment to those players, both in philosophy and finance, has turned costly. Why is Haason Reddick any different? The answer is in the pocket book. Reddick is two seasons removed from his four-consecutive years of 11+ sacks, but he's still proven to be fruitful.
The other thing he's proven to be is affordable. In a market where teams prioritizing the pass rush pay players like Hendrickson, Oweh, and Mack, getting to Reddick early is the move.
Bosa didn't do enough this season, but that production still needs to be replaced. Reddick can do that, stay cheap, and fit the new defense.
Evan Neal - Guard
The Bills are set to lose on one or both of their left guard and center. Connor McGovern has his replacement ready to go in Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, but David Edwards is set to leave the left guard spot vacant. If Buffalo wants to maintain their line without breaking the bank, picking up Evan Neal is a wise choice.
The former New York Giants guard can play both sides of the line comfortably, and would be a snap-fit for Buffalo's pre-established run game. Neal finishes his rookie deal and joins a contender for roughly $4.4m per season, what's not to love?