Training camp will be upon us very soon and the Buffalo Bills will be practicing in front of Bills Mafia at St. John Fisher University. Fans will be doing their own scouting while the front office is going to have to make tough decisions as to who will be dressing in Week 1 and who will find themselves on the practice squad or possibly on another team. Even during training camp, front offices will still monitor the free agent market to see who is available leading up to the season. Luckily for Brandon Beane, he has the chance to bring in atleast one more free agent, if not two before the start of the season.
According to overthecap.com, the Bills have $10.1 million in cap space which gives them room for atleast one more free agent. It would be smart for Beane to bring in a veteran for training camp and see if they can bring an impactful presence leading into the preseason.
We take a look at three overlooked free agents that the Bills could bring in for competition and possibly to help the team in 2024.
CB Patrick Peterson
You can make the argument that the cornerback position is the weakest unit on the Bills roster. Tre’Davious White is no longer in Buffalo, which leaves Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford as the starting corners heading into the season. The Bills do not have a ton of veteran value aside from Douglas so if the front office were to add a veteran cornerback like Patrick Peterson, it would be extremely beneficial for the Bills.
At 34 years old, Peterson has not shown much signs of slowing down. Just two years ago he snagged five interceptions with the Minnesota Vikings. He has missed just one game in two years, showing that he can remain healthy for the Buffalo defense. Peterson could be ring chasing as he approaches the end of his career. If he believes that the Bills can make a deep run in the playoffs, it would be a great match.
DE Yannick Ngakoue
The pass rush for the Bills has improved slowly over the last few years. However, they lost their sack leader from last season in Leonard Floyd who is now with the 49ers. Von Miller is going to have to show that he can get back to his pre torn-ACL form while Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa will continue to grow as young pass rushers. If the Bills wanted to bring in yet another veteran pass rusher, Yannick Ngakoue has racked up 23.5 sacks the last three years.
After a steady first four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ngakoue has bounced around the league having been with the Vikings, Ravens, Raiders, Colts, and Bears.
WR Julio Jones
This might be the most unlikely scenario, but if the Bills added Julio Jones he would bring the most immediate veteran presence to such a young receiver room. The future Hall of Famer is still searching for his Super Bowl ring before he calls it a career. After ten years with the Atlanta Falcons, Jones has played with the Titans, Buccaneers, and Eagles. Pairing Jones with Josh Allen would be a dangerous duo. Not to mention, Jones may even have a chance at earning some valuable playing time because of the way this receiver room looks as of now.