The NFL free agency frenzy is always an exciting or scary time, depending on which team you talk about. Teams like the New England Patriots and Washington Commanders should have some fun because they have a ton of cap space and they each have rising young quarterbacks in Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels.
Not all teams have that kind of luxury though. The Buffalo Bills, despite being one of the most successful teams this decade, have had trouble with keeping players due to their salary cap situation. The Von Miller contract really set them back last offseason and it also doesn’t help that they haven’t received the production that they were hoping for.
The Bills lost a lot of players last offseason. Players who helped build the culture of what it is today, but Sean McDermott has done a great job at keeping that culture alive no matter who is in the building. There are two players that the Bills have brought in, both through trade that are set to hit free agency next month and it could very well hurt Buffalo at both positions.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper and cornerback Rasul Douglas have had their moments of greatness with the Bills, but they could very well sign their name on a new contract with a new team next month.
Cooper and Douglas listed as perfect fits to two different NFC contenders
NFL.com writer Nick Shook listed 12 notable free agents and pinned them to the best fit possible in free agency. While Shook had some pending free agents going back to their respective teams, that wasn’t the case for Cooper and Douglas.
Instead of having Cooper and Douglas coming back to Orchard Park, Shook has Cooper being the perfect fit for the Washington Commanders, and then has Douglas being the perfect fit for the Detroit Lions.
Amari Cooper to Commanders:
"Washington could be able to add him at a relatively inexpensive price tag with the hope he returns to the Cooper of 2023 in their offense. It’s a low-risk move with legitimate upside. Plus, who wouldn’t want to play with Jayden Daniels?"Nick Shook, NFL.com
Rasul Douglas to Lions:
"Rasul Douglas has had a knack for latching on with contending teams throughout most of his career (save for his 2020 season with the Panthers), so why not pair him with a club with Super Bowl ambitions and a desire to add depth on the defensive side of the ball? "Nick Shook, NFL.com
It’s hard to imagine the Bills finding a way to keep both Cooper and Douglas. Now, bringing back one or the other isn’t out of the picture. It really just depends on what each player would want for a new contract and whether or not Brandon Beane feels that he can bring in the same production or an upgrade.
Atleast Shook has the Bills’ top two free agents not just leaving the division, but also joining the different conference. The last thing we would want to see is one or both players join an AFC contender that the Bills could see in the playoffs.