For the Buffalo Bills, the 2026 offseason is about identifying the missing pieces to push a perennial contender over the hump.
With Jim Leonhard looking to instill a more disciplined, versatile identity, Buffalo’s free agency strategy will likely focus on high-IQ players who can stabilize the middle of the field. We'll also talk about a former first-round castoff whose game could find its groove within new surroundings.
3 Free agents fit to be on Brandon Beane's radar for Buffalo Bills
1. Immediate Starter Blue-Chip: LB Alex Anzalone
With Anzalone now on the market after a career year in Detroit, he could be a heck of a fit for a defense that needs to bridge the gap between its young talent and veteran stars.
- The Fit: Anzalone is coming off a 2025 campaign where he posted a career-best 6.9% missed tackle rate and was one of football's most underrated 'backers. He could be the vocal leader and high-IQ playmaker Leonhard ideals to run his complex hybrid schemes.
- The Price Tag: Elite for the position. Anzalone's market value is projected at $7.3M – $9M AAV. While the Bills are tight on cash, he is the specific fit that Beane has historically been willing to move mountains (and cap space) to acquire.
2. Added Depth: SAF Bryan Cook
With the years of Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde now in the rearview, the Bills need another young, ascending safety next to Cole Bishop who can handle the centerfield responsibilities in Leonhard’s defense.
- The Fit: Cook was a quiet giant for the Chiefs last fall. He's not flashy, but he's a high-floor defender who rarely gives up the big play. At just 26, he fits the Bills' window perfectly.
- The Price Tag: Moderate. Because he lacks ball production, he should be available on a high-end three-year deal. He’s a rock-solid starter who immediately stabilizes the deep third.
3. Prove-It Deal: OL Evan Neal
The former No. 7 overall pick is officially a free agent after a turbulent four years in New York. While he struggled at tackle, his 345-pound frame makes him a fascinating candidate for a position switch to guard in a new environment.
- The Fit: If he moves inside to guard, he could become a dominant force in the run game despite his obvious limitations in pass pro that forced him to the bench in New York. He provides the Bills with a low-cost, high-reward option to replace their own likely departing free-agent guard, David Edwards.
- The Price Tag: Neal is a prime candidate for a one-year, $5M "prove-it" deal. It’s a low-risk gamble that could pay off immensely if the metaphorical lightbulb clicks.