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Brandon Beane’s work is never done — and he’ll need to leverage his steely poker face in trying to sign new talent for the Bills.
The
Buffalo Bills have been busy during the opening stanza of free agency, making a concerted effort to re-sign several of the team’s unrestricted free agents before the official new league year began at 4 p.m. EDT on March 12. Retaining key contributors and signing players new to the team allows the Bills to maintain a high standard set for itself. However, general manager Brandon Beane has plenty of work to do in trying to improve Buffalo’s overall ceiling in 2025.
The goal remains “
Super Bowl or bust,” and quarterback Josh Allen is focused on ending the season as the last team to get a win. Beane has already re-signed eight players from last season’s roster, with safety Damar Hamlin, running back Ty Johnson, FB Reggie Gilliam,
long snapper Reid Ferguson,
left tackle Ryan Van Demark,
right guard Alex Anderson,
tight end Zach Davidson, and
quarterback Shane Buechele each set to reprise their roles in 2025.
In searching for help outside of One Bills Drive, the team has come to terms with
wide receiver Josh Palmer,
versatile defensive lineman Michael Hoecht,
running back Darrynton Evans,
defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi,
safety Darrick Forrest, and
edge rusher Joe Bosa.
So what holes remain for the Bills now that the new league year has officially begun? There are more than you may realize...
(Disclaimer: Players discussed below were available when this article first published.)
The Bills need a CB2
Cornerback Rasul Douglas held down the fort at CB2 since arriving at One Bills Drive via trade during the 2023 NFL season. Douglas is an unrestricted free agent and still unsigned as of publishing this article. Does Buffalo — and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich — want to run it back with the 29-year-old Douglas, or is it time to look elsewhere for help?
While Douglas landed with the Bills via trade, cornerback Kaiir Elam found his way out of town after being
traded to the Dallas Cowboys on March 12. Christian Benford is locked in at CB1 and Taron Johnson has a stranglehold on the nickel cornerback slot. That leaves Ja’Marcus Ingram, Daequan Hardy, and Te’Cory Couch as the current in-house candidates to win the currently open CB2 job.
There are plenty of options when looking outside the team — literally dozens of players between unrestricted and restricted free agents. Former
Bills cornerback Dane Jackson is now an unrestricted free agent. But few would see Jackson as a starting CB2. Other available former Bills include Tre’Davious White, Siran Neal, Ronald Darby, and Stephon Gilmore.
Or could Brandon Beane work a deal to sign Asante Samuel Jr., Kendall Fuller, Shaqull Griffin, Mike Hilton, or Jonathan Jones? Regardless of the path, Buffalo needs to add talent to the CB2 competition. Right now, this stands out as the team’s most glaring weakness.
Buffalo needs another 1-Tech Defensive Tackle
The Bills really should try to find a new starting 1-tech defensive tackle, and they probably need to invest in the position both during free agency and early in the 2025
NFL Draft. DaQuan Jones returns and has been the team’s starter at 1-tech the last three seasons, but he’ll be 34 in December. He wasn’t nearly as effective in 2024, and he’s only a season older now.
Among the other candidates to fill space at 1-tech, it’s anyone’s guess who might have an edge to start next to starting 3-tech Ed Oliver. Ideally, Zion Logue is the only other player in the mold of a 3-tech.
DeWayne Carter, Branson Dean, and newly signed unrestricted free agent Larry Ogunjobi are built like and play more akin to a 3-tech. Could any of them be candidates to win the starting 1-tech role?
The Bills may be banking on Ogunjobi as the guy — but they would be well-served looking at additional options. Among the team’s defensive tackles from last season who are still available, there’s Jordan Phillips (who only wants to play for the Bills), Quinton Jefferson, and Austin Johnson. There’s also Eli Ankou to consider, who’s spent time between Buffalo’s 53-man roster and practice squad in previous seasons.
Does it make sense to run it back with any of those guys? Perhaps someone else from outside the organization like Javon Hargrave or Levi Onwuzurike would help them more fully re-make a weak spot from 2024.
The Bills need a game-changing WR
This isn’t a referendum on any of the Bills’ current wide receivers. Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Curtis Samuel all bring a ton to the table — and Shakir is Allen’s go-to. Backups in K.J. Hamler, Tyrell Shavers, and Jalen Virgil give Buffalo players to develop behind the scenes.
Last year’s midseason addition, Amari Cooper, is an unrestricted free agent. Mack Hollins left town to play for Josh McDaniels and the
New England Patriots.
Beane’s first move in free agency this year was to sign Josh Palmer, and
he may provide a game-breaking presence. That shouldn’t preclude the Bills from looking at other available players.
Now, maybe the move isn’t to bring back Stefon Diggs, but there are plenty of other talented players available. The group is loaded with older players, however.
Cooper Kupp is looking for a new opportunity after being released by the
Los Angeles Rams. Kupp is an immensely talented receiver with great hands, and he’s a voracious run blocker as well — but he also turns 32 in June. Keenan Allen, Tyler Lockett, Diontae Johnson, and Brandin Cooks are among a host of other receivers looking for new contracts. There’s also former Bills in Robert Woods and even Marquez Valdes-Scantling to consider.
If they don’t add another player during free agency, perhaps the route is landing one during the draft. With Josh Allen at quarterback, the move should always be to find exceptional talent at receiver.
Are the Bills set at Safety?
Yes, Buffalo re-signed Damar Hamlin to a one-year contract, and they also added Darrick Forrest — who received his own one-year deal. But neither of those players are signed beyond 2025, and it’s anyone’s guess as to how coaches see them moving forward.
Hamlin was a starter last season, missing only a few games due to various injuries. He re-claimed the starting role once healthy, which speaks to his work ethic. But it’s clear Buffalo’s still looking for its next long-term safety tandem. Apart from Hamlin and Forrest, Taylor Rapp (2024 starter), Cole Bishop, and Cam Lewis round out the room. Who among these five are starting Week 1? Rapp is likely locked in as strong safety, but as a rookie Bishop couldn’t unseat Hamlin.
Does the addition of Forrest change the outlook at safety? He brings starting experience, but wasn’t a featured starter in 2024. Would Beane re-consider things with Mike Edwards, who’s once again available? It didn’t go well thanks to injuries last summer. Jordan Poyer is also available, but what does he have left in the tank as a soon-to-be 34-year-old safety? It didn’t end all that well, either, so why would Poyer and his core entourage seek a return to a potentially contentious situation?
Other available players include Julian Blackmon, Justin Simmons, Quandre Diggs, and Jordan Whitehead.
Taken to task, most would say that safety remains a concern, but Rapp is a huge hitter when healthy and Hamlin brings a lot to the table as a sound tackler with the ability to diagnose and call coverages for the back seven. At minimum, this will again be a group to keep a very close eye on throughout the offseason.
Who will be the Bills’ new Special Teams Gunner?
Mack Hollins is gone, and he was good as a gunner. Hollins was good at most things, and absolutely adored by Bills Mafia and his teammates alike. Is this a position Buffalo feels content filling among the current roster? Time will tell if Shavers, Hamler, or Forrest take up the mantle at gunner.
Are the Bills considering other free-agent EDGE options?
Is Buffalo done signing edge rushers? Buffalo has made plenty of moves at EDGE, signing Greg Rousseau to a contract extension, as well adding free agents out of Los Angeles in Michael Hoecht and Joey Bosa. A.J. Epenesa and Javon Solomon round out the team’s current defensive end / edge rusher group.
That said, it would be wise for Buffalo to consider adding more veteran talent at the position. Maybe that’s Von Miller returning on a new, more affordable deal in line with his situational status? There’s also Dwayne Smoot who showed well with the Bills in flashes during 2024.
There may be some merit in looking at available vets such as Azeez Ojulari or Charles Omenihu. Bosa was a massive signing for Beane, but there are rightful concerns about his recent injury history. The wild card in all of this could be Hoecht, given his ability to play multiple positions — including nickel cornerback.
What are your thoughts as free agency hits primetime? How would you rate the needs listed above, and would you prioritize any other positions in place of these? It’s a lot to take in, and important to remember that the Bills don’t have to solve everything through free agency.
That said, it would be nice to see Brandon Beane head into the NFL Draft with almost every option on the table.
