It may not feel like it, but free agency in the NFL is still happening. However, the Buffalo Bills have made minimal moves. At the same time, they have been impactful ones especially in the secondary. Adding three defensive backs, a pass rusher in Bradley Chubb, and trading D.J. Moore has all been solid moves for the Bills.
Prior to free agency starting, the Bills were clearing out some of the roster that was under Sean McDermott. They only re-signed Alec Anderson and Connor McGovern before the frenzy started, and they released players like Taylor Rapp, Dane Jackson, and Curtis Samuel. The Bills were also set to release Taron Johnson but they managed to pull off a trade to send Johnson to the Raiders.
As it stands, the Bills currently have over $13 million in cap space per Spotrac and they could still make a move or two prior to the draft next month. As a matter of fact, they may have other moves coming as well but it might not be until after June 1st.
Players get released and sometimes even traded after June 1st as teams can clear up a little bit of cap space without taking on a huge dead cap hit. The Bills have done that kind of setup and they have also brought in free agents in the summer right before training camp. They could also be looking at a potential move to move on from a certain veteran.
Bills must consider moving on from veteran wide receiver after first rough season
Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report recently listed Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer as a potential cut candidate after the first wave of free agency, and quite frankly, it wouldn’t surprise Bills fans.
"Last offseason, the Buffalo Bills signed wide receiver Joshua Palmer to a three-year, $29 million contract. Unfortunately, Palmer was slowed by an ankle injury, tallied just 22 receptions for 303 yards, and landed on injured reserve ahead of the playoffs. While Palmer still has two years remaining on his contract, Buffalo could conceivably get out of it by releasing him after June 1. Cutting him before then would cost $2.5 million in additional cap space, while cutting him after June 1 would save $2.3 million in cap room." said Knox.
When the Bills signed Palmer last offseason, he was supposed to help create separation for Josh Allen to take some pressure off of him. Instead, injuries kept getting in the way and he played in just 12 games. His best game was in Week 1 against the Ravens where he had 5 catches for 61 yards that included a huge catch late in the 4th quarter to set the Bills up for a game-winning field goal.
After that, Palmer didn’t have more than two receptions or more than 60 yards. In the last four games of the regular season, Palmer had four total catches for 31 yards. Long story short, it was a horrendous first year with the Bills. However, it might be a tough situation for the Bills simply because he did have injuries last season and it was only his first season in Buffalo. Let's not forget, the Bills still have major work to do at that position.
While the Bills don’t need the cap space and it wouldn’t be a huge cap space relief, it would add more room and Buffalo would be able to move on from Palmer now that there is a new coaching regime. The NFL Draft should tell us more about whether or not Palmer has a serious chance at being on this roster come June.