One week from today, the NFL’s legal tampering will open up and while it’s not the official start to free agency, players and teams can negotiate and agree to terms. Nothing can be signed until two days. With the current state of the Bills’ roster, they should be somewhat active in free agency. The defense was the main focus in the draft last year, and maybe it will be the same thing next week.
The Bills have holes on the defensive line and at linebacker. You could also say that they need help at safety. While Cole Bishop has a ton of promise, Taylor Rapp is not the answer and Damar Hamlin is a pending free agent. There is one pending free agency from a conference rival that the Bills could steal at a very cheap price, but there is a risk.
Bills must take a look at Ar'Darius Washington ahead of free agency
Mason Cameron from Pro Football Focus (PFF) listed Washington as an under-the-radar player heading into free agency, and his market value is only listed at $1.8 million per Spotrac.
"With youth still on his side (26 years old) and another offseason to fully recover from his injury, Washington may once again return to his 2024 level of play. In a league where coverage play is volatile and versatility is a premium, hestands as a great depth addition to any secondary at a next-to-nothing price." said Cameron.
Since 2021, Washington has only been a role player for the Ravens for the majority of his career, but then he was a starter in 2024 where he put himself on the map. Washington had 64 total tackles, one sack and forced fumble, two interceptions, and eight pass deflections. The hope was that Washington could build off of that season, but a torn achilles early last summer kept him out for the majority of the 2025 season.
In just four games this past season, Washington had seven total tackles but he did manage to get a sack as well. At just 26 years old and with something to prove, the Bills could very well benefit from acquiring Washington. Not only would they get someone to add to Leonhard’s defense, but they would be taking someone away from the Ravens’ defense which is just an added bonus.