Buffalo Bills: 3 free agents who will outplay their contracts in 2024
By Joe Cook
Austin Johnson
Out of the three guys listed, Johnson landed the biggest contract from the Bills. He was inked to a 1-year $3.5 million deal with $3 million of it guaranteed. The Bills also added two void years onto the deal to keep his cap hit down for this season while they’re strapped for cash.
It felt like it was years that the Bills didn’t have a natural 1-tech defensive tackle and it affected their entire defensive line. They were playing guys out of position and Ed Oliver in his first couple of seasons was directly impacted by it, being forced to face more double teams.
That changed a few years ago when they added DaQuan Jones, who has arguably been the teams best defensive tackle since he got in town. Last season before he got hurt in London, he was the best interior defensive lineman in the league. When Jones misses time with injury, the whole line takes a big step back, it also affects the linebackers.
With Jones’ former college teammate now in town, the Bills finally have not only one good 1-tech D-tackle but now 2. Johnson might not outplay his contract stat-wise, but being able to keep Jones fresher and more durable is worth its weight in gold right there alone. Sean McDermott loves his defensive line rotation and they can finally roll out their second line with another true impact 1-tech.
The Bills defense will instantly be better this season with the return of All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano. Terrell Bernard will also be going into his third season after his sophomore breakout season where he put up All-Pro-like numbers. Now the Bills can continue to keep both of their star linebackers clean with the addition of another block and space eater in Johnson.