One of the best feelings in the NFL is getting great production from underrated players. Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane has had a history of signing players that are overlooked on other rosters, but then produce for the Bills. With Buffalo being strapped for cash the last couple of years, they have needed to not only draft well, but also fill in holes through free agency.
Buffalo typically doesn’t sign a lot of big names in free agency. Usually they have to draft or trade for them. The only big name that the Bills have signed in free agency through recent memory is Von Miller. That hasn’t exactly worked out. The good news is that the Bills received great production from players who just got to Buffalo in the last year or two.
There are four players who are pending free agents that have earned themselves a contract with the Bills. Now, this doesn’t mean that they will be back with the Bills in 2025, but they have definitely proved their worth to where Beane may want to strongly consider attempting to bring them back for next season.
It’s important to keep in mind that per Over The Cap, the Bills are set to enter the 2025 offseason with just over $9 million in cap space. The good news is that Beane always finds a way to free up more space.
WR Mack Hollins
Mack Hollins has grown into a big fan-favorite in Buffalo. Whether it’s because he doesn’t wear shoes at any possible moment, or because of the personality he has, Hollins is beloved by his teammates and coaches. He’s a great culture guy for the locker room and he’s been a great player as well.
Hollins leads the Bills with five receiving touchdowns and plays the middle of the field very well. Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane always emphasize having great culture guys and Hollins is the perfect one.
FS Damar Hamlin
Believe it or not, Damar Hamlin has been solid for the Bills’ secondary. At one point, he wasn’t projected to start at all but he took advantage of the opportunity in training camp when Cole Bishop and Mike Edwards went down with injuries. His strength comes within stopping the run and he has vastly taken a step forward in production.
However, Hamlin may not get the contract extension because Bishop was drafted to become a starter and Taylor Rapp signed a three-year extension last offseason. Hamlin’s time in Buffalo could be coming to an end, but he might get a decent contract from somewhere else.
CB Rasul Douglas
When the Bills traded for Rasul Douglas in the middle of last season, little did we know that Buffalo would get a massive upgrade at corner from what it was before. Tre’Davious White had torn his achilles (after coming back from a torn ACL) and Kaiir Elam was looking like a bust.
The Bills traded a 3rd round pick for Douglas and since his arrival, Douglas has been fantastic for the secondary. He has proven that he can be a ballhawk and his run-defense is one of the best on the team. This is his first full season with the Bills and aside from missing some time with an injury, Douglas has been solid.