NFL free agency got going this past week, a much needed distraction from everyday life. As the week expires, the first wave of roster moves relating to free agency are over.
The Bills, via signings and trade, made some of the biggest headlines across the NFL this week.
There’s still signings to come, but the Bills thus far have received strong marks for the work they’ve done. Touchdown Wire handed out grades for every NFL team’s moves in free agency this week, and the Bills earned a mark of A-minus.
Here’s how the Bills managed that grade:
The big piece here is the acquisition of Stefon Diggs. By adding a dangerous, vertical playmaker the Bills put quarterback Josh Allen in a position to be successful next season. The downfield portion of their passing game was a big disappointment a season ago, and Diggs can give that a boost. Adding Quinton Jefferson and Vernon Butler to the defensive line, and keeping talented safety Jordan Poyer in the fold, are also smart moves.
Diggs is naturally the big piece here. The Bills were primed to take a No. 1 receiver with the No. 22 overall pick at the upcoming draft, but instead traded their first-round pick to grab Diggs. Even if a potential rookie the Bills could have selected turns out to be a stud, the Bills opted to trade that pick for a wideout they already know is one.
Through actual signings, the Bills have fortified their defensive line. The Bills lost tackle Jordan Phillips and edge defender Shaq Lawson through the free agency market, but have added the likes of Jefferson, Butler and Mario Addison as well.
Certainly in the next wave of free agency, the Bills can continue to add. Plus there’s the 2020 NFL Draft to consider. But with those in mind… and it might be hard to consider… the Bills currently don’t have many, if any, holes in their roster. A good place to be.
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