The Buffalo Bills didn’t have a super active first day of the legal tampering period, but general manager Brandon Beane did make a pair of signings with wide receiver Josh Palmer from the Los Angeles Chargers, and defensive lineman/end Michael Hoecht from the Los Angeles Rams. Two west coast players are coming to Buffalo for 2025.
Getting players for both sides of the ball on the first day is a good start for the Bills for this offseason. Now Brandon Beane just needs to keep his momentum going to fill out the rest of the roster.
The Bills have their core players in place, led by MVP quarterback Josh Allen. Now it’s just a matter of surrounding with support on both sides of the field. With that being said, there are four free agents that the Bills can target to acquire some major help at crucial positions.
What players can Bills target on Day 2 of free agency?
CB Asante Samuel Jr.
Now this would be the player that the Bills should want to acquire. Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is coming off a shoulder injury that took his 2024 season after just four games. However, his first three seasons in Los Angeles were solid.
He has averaged two interceptions per year and he is starting to become a true shutdown corner. Bringing him to Buffalo would not only massively improve Buffalo’s secondary, but Samuel would have the opportunity to learn from Bobby Babich and Sean McDermott and become even more of a lockdown corner.
DT Solomon Thomas
The Bills have already addressed the defensive line with signing Michael Hoecht but you can never have too much defensive line depth. Defensive tackle Solomon Thomas has spent the last three seasons with the New York Jets, so he knows the Bills and is able to play in the cold weather.
Thomas would be a great depth piece for the Bills to rotate in with Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones.
*Update (3/11/25): DT Solomon Thomas has agreed to terms with the Dallas Cowboys on a two-year deal with a max value of $8 million, per Adam Schefter.*
FS Jevon Holland
Just like how the Patriots took wideout Mack Hollins from the Bills, Buffalo could end up taking a player within the AFC East away from the Miami Dolphins in safety Jevon Holland. The rising safety just turned 25 years old and has been beyond impressive with the Dolphins.
Even though the Bills don’t have a pressing need at safety, it would be hard to pass up on a player like Holland especially since he would be the best safety for the Bills. He can play in zone coverage as well as help stop the run.
*Update (3/11/25): FS Jevon Holland has agreed to terms with the New York Giants on a three-year, $45.3 million deal per Ian Rapoport.*
LB Shaq Thompson
It wouldn’t be an NFL offseason without some sort of Buffalo-Carolina connection happening. Linebacker Shaq Thompson, who has been with the Carolina Panthers since 2015, was released by the team and hit free agency for the first time in his career.
He played under Sean McDermott when he was the defensive coordinator there, so there is immediate familiarity. The only major concern is that Thompson has played just six games the last two years due to injuries so that will be something to be very careful about. However, there’s no question about his leadership or playmaking ability when he’s healthy.