With the early days of NFL Free Agency behind us, the Buffalo Bills can start building the rest of their roster. They entered the offseason with few glaring holes, and made some good signings, but the work is far from done. With the market heating up at several positions, the team may need to pay top dollar for any major acquisitions, or focus on building through the draft.
The Bills have some money left to spend, and 10 draft picks with which to work, but where should they focus? What position groups are the biggest needs heading into 2025? How can they address them?
#6 - Safety
The Buffalo Bills have a trio of safeties that are in the mix to start in 2025. Taylor Rapp was adequate last season, Damar Hamlin has his moments, and rookie Cole Bishop was a decent backup with room to grow. As a group, they are average, but Buffalo can do better.
Hamlin was signed to a one-year deal to return this season, to a unit lacking both significant depth and high-level performers. This group would be higher on this list if it weren't for the fact that elite safety play is a luxury, and not one that the Bills actually need to win games.
#5 - Linebacker
Matt Milano just agreed to cut his contract down to one season, and there's no established backup to Terrel Bernard in case of injury. This team needs support at both linebacker roles, with Milano missing most of the last two seasons with injuries. Dorian Williams was largely effective playing outside linebacker for most of 2024, but Buffalo needs more qualified players to ensure that Matt Milano's departure isn't too costly.
#4 - Defensive end
Buffalo handed out an extension to Greg Rousseau just prior to free agency, but there's little future at the position outside of him. New signing Michael Hoecht may be a significant contributor on his three-year contract, but he's missing the first six games of this season with a PED suspension. Besides them, Buffalo's addition of Joey Bosa and the returning A.J. Epenesa makes for a solid group.
It is a group without a future, as only Rousseau and Hoecht are tenured past 2025. This house is without foundation. To stay competitive for the next few seasons, Buffalo should invest in a DE though the draft this offseason.
#3 - Wide receiver
The Buffalo Bills needed receivers heading into last offseason. They still need them a year later. Their 2024 group had some gems, but it's far from a strength. Now, they find themselves missing their leading touchdown receiver again. Though the extension for Khalil Shakir and the signing of Josh Palmer give them some stability for the future, receiver is a definite need for the Bills. Beyond that dynamic duo, the team has only an underperforming Curtis Samuel and an undefined Keon Coleman. Another investment through the draft would be ideal.
#2 - Defensive tackle
Buffalo has had issues maintaining a DT unit for the entire McDermott era. They've had many studs and contributors, but never great consistency. Ed Oliver is the example of year-in-year-out work, but he too disappears at times. In order to let Ed Oliver take games over, as he has proven capable of, he needs a big man inside to eat those double teams. Space-consuming bulwarks are aplenty in this draft, and finding the right one could spell greatness for every member of the front seven.
#1 - Cornerback
Much like in 2022, there's a clear and definite issue on this Bills team. This squad is desperately in need of a starting CB across from Christian Benford. Truly, it's the only place on this roster that we can say we don't have a starter. Three drafts ago, they were pigeonholed into taking Kaiir Elam, and it didn't work out. Now, with Elam gone, they have room to focus on a new prospect. They may still have to sign a veteran to compete for the role, but Buffalo has to put young talent back into this secondary to ensure a cost-effective and dynamic cornerback room.
As the market rapidly enters the $100m+ range, paying Christian Benford may be more difficult than we though. At best, his new fellow starter can elevate the team, at worst they become his qualified replacement.