Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane was aggressive during the 2019 free agency period, signing several players in a hope to bolster a fledgling offensive line. In addition, he inked a few complementary pieces to the defense, while finding players to solidify the special teams unit.
So, how did it really go for Beane? Looking back at the free agent class signings for the Bills, there were some obvious home runs while others were not-to-stellar.
Here’s an evaluation of Buffalo’s free agent signings based on their 2019 contribution to the team:
EXCELLENT
Cole Beasley, John Brown, Mitch Morse, and Quinton Spain
It was no surprise that Beane focused on the offensive side of the ball during last year’s free agent period. Several players became an integral part of the Bills’ improvement on offense.
Buffalo were in need of a massive upgrade at wide receiver, and Beane delivered by signing John Brown and Cole Beasley. It was easy to see that if Josh Allen had a chance at being successful that he would need a much stronger cast surrounding him. The duo combined for 139 receptions and 1,838 receiving yards. Tack on 12 total touchdowns, and it’s easy to see how this pair helped reinvigorate the offense. Brown gave the Bills the closest thing to a No. 1 receiver in the Sean McDermott era, while Beasley provided the team with reliable options out of the slot. When signed, many questioned the Bills’ decision to add them, but no one did by the playoffs.
Beane’s signings to bolster the offensive line worked well, as Mitch Morse became the foundation of the line. His presence helped solidify the line in a similar manner as Eric Wood. Quinton Spain and Jon Felicano came over to compete for starting gigs at the guard spots, and they exceeded expectations with their play. Felciano gave a physical edge in the run game, while Spain did not allow a sack during the regular season.
COLE. BEASLEY.#BALvsBUF | #GoBills pic.twitter.com/2IHYEEelCl
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 8, 2019