The Buffalo Bills, for the second straight year, are garnering praise for their moves during the free agency period. ESPN has named the Bills one of the”winners” of free agency.
While this was a roundup of the ongoing free agency period, last year’s moves by the Bills were also connected this to the success club’s successes:
Sometimes, heavy forays into free agency actually work. There was almost universal agreement that the Bills’ 2019 spree played a significant role in clinching a wild-card spot. And after their efforts this week, the Bills might have made themselves the favorites in the new-look AFC East.
The big-ticket acquisition, of course, was landing Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs via a trade. But the Bills made plenty of other important and thoughtful moves. First, they made sure to prevent a backslide from their otherwise improved offensive line in re-signing guard Quinton Spain. Then they went hard at upgrading a defensive line already anchored by defensive tackle Ed Oliver by signing veterans Quinton Jefferson and Vernon Butler. And it’s likely that coach Sean McDermott will have a better idea of how to use new Buffalo cornerback Josh Norman, dating to their time together with the Panthers.
The Bills were aggressive from the onset of the league’s new year in the free-agent market. They filled several holes on their roster, signing defensive tackle Vernon Butler, Quinton Jefferson, and Mario Addison. They also re-signed cornerback Josh Norman.
The team’s biggest move completed the team’s need for a No.1 receiver. General manager Brandon Beane acquired Stefon Diggs from Minnesota for a pile of draft picks, including this year’s first-round pick. The collective moves leave the Bills with few glaring deficiencies on the roster.
But ESPN also acknowledges the overlying factor within all these moves: quarterback Josh Allen. A big factor in the Bills’ success or failure in the future now falls in his lap:
As is the case with the Browns (QB Baker Mayfield), free agency couldn’t address the Bills’ most significant question. You can’t directly make quarterback Josh Allen a more consistent and accurate passer with external moves. But at the very least, another strong offensive line and an enhanced set of wide receivers can help maximize the good throws he does make.
On paper, this is the Bills best chance at dethroning the Patriots as the kings of the AFC East. If it all comes together, they could be celebrating their first playoff victory in over two decades.
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