PFF grades the Bills’ work in free agency

PFF grades the #Bills’ work in free agency:

The Bills have been active in the first wave of NFL free agency, addressing roster needs with players who can be valuable contributors and rotation players in all three phases.

Similarly, letting some players walk in free agency while releasing and trading others has created cap relief and added draft capital while freeing up money to add cost-efficient talent.

Headlined by the additions of WR Curtis Samuel and LB Nicholas Morrow, a mix of new and familiar faces have been signed and re-signed.

While it’s worth noting that additional signings have taken place, including DE Casey Toohill and S Mike Edwards, with more potential moves on the way as the team has reportedly met with S Julian Blackmon and DE Austin Johnson on free agency visits, and still have a number of their own free agents available as well.

Had they been factored in, Toohill, who’s had solid numbers as a depth and rotation player, and Edwards, who has the second most defensive TDs in the NFL since 2021 (5) and two Super Bowl championships with Tampa and Kansas City to his name, may have affected the grade.

Nonetheless, here is the Bills 2024 free agency grade prior to those additions, according to Pro Football Focus

BUFFALO BILLS

Epenesa has two straight seasons with strong production as a pass rusher, notching pressure rates above 10% and pass-rush grades above 70.0. He’s a big edge who has gotten faster off the ball as he’s developed, and he’ll still be just 25 in Week 1 of 2024, so there could be more improvement ahead.

Jones came out of the gates of the 2023 season on fire as an interior pass rusher, and the continued growth of Ed Oliver has enabled the two to work off each other and weaponize twists and stunts on the interior more effectively. Oliver still has a quick get-off and a bursty second step in his 30s, and Buffalo needed to add more defensive linemen, so why not retain a player you know is a fit as a three- to five-technique?

Buffalo looks ready to move on from the dynamic duo of Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, who had an incredible run as the starting safety tandem for years. Rapp is a good box defender, and the Bills structured this deal in a way that they can approach it year to year while also buying out two additional years from Rapp.

PFF FREE AGENCY GRADE: B-

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What WR guru said about Bills signing of Curtis Samuel

What WR guru said about #Bills signing of Curtis Samuel:

Count Yahoo football analyst Matt Harmon as one of the most excited enthusiasts of the Bills signing free agent WR Curtis Samuel.

During a podcast with Dalton Del Don, the duo capped the end of their airtime with the announcement.

“Final piece of news, as we are taping this,” Harmon proclaimed. “The biggest news, the biggest signing in the NFL has happened. Because, according to Adam Schefter as we were taping this, former Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel is signing a three-year, $24 million deal with the Buffalo Bills.”

Harmon created the Reception Perception methodology of evaluation which charts a receiver’s performance on every route run during a multi-game sample to map an understanding of how they perform beyond box score and independent of the influence of outside factors in a variety of ways. 

That evaluation includes…

  • How good of a route-runner is this receiver and on which patterns does he create the most separation?
  • Where does this receiver “win” on the field and what are his best attributes?
  • Where are they best deployed?
  • What quarterback of offense would they best gel with?
  • What kind of coverage foils this wideout and is there a role he best fits in?
  • Is this receiver capable of excelling or breakout if tasked with a greater target workload?

That the creator of such a deep-dive analytic method of evaluation has been and is bullish on Samuel in his career as a pro receiver is certainly positive. That he is authentically so excited at the Bills signing him may also be a good sign.

“I mean, I’m alive. I’m alive, bro. I’m alive. This is awesome. I’m completely thrilled,” Harmon expressed when asked for an immediate reaction during the podcast.

He and Del Don even went as far as to comment on their belief that the Bills got better at the receiver position, stating that Samuel was a clear upgrade.

“This is awesome. What an upgrade over Gabe Davis! You get Curtis Samuel out there? That is really interesting to me.”

He echoed the same sentiment that multiple media analysts have noted that the Samuel signing does not preclude Buffalo from adding a receiver in the draft to replace Davis’s deep-threat abilities while noting Samuel had his best season under Bills OC Joe Brady when he was in Carolina.

“Oh baby, I mean… Curtis Samuel had his best season in the NFL in Joe Brady’s offense. In 2020, he had 1,000 total yards. Over 800 receiving yards. Over 200 rushing yards. He was awesome. I think that he can be used in more true receiver ways and I think he can probably be deployed more as a flanker… I love this signing for the Bills. I love this signing for my guy, Curtis Samuel. I mean, this is absolutely electric. What a time. What a freaking time to be alive.”

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Bills’ Curtis Samuel on offensive coordinator Joe Brady: ‘A good leader’

#Bills’ Curtis Samuel on offensive coordinator Joe Brady: ‘A good leader’

The Buffalo Bills made their first big signing of the NFL free agency period by inking WR Curtis Samuel to a three-year deal.

And his previous playing under Joe Brady during his last pro stint as an offensive coordinator played a key role in landing the receiver.

“I was super-excited when the opportunity came, having some experience with Joe Brady and Carolina definitely influenced me a lot,” Samuel said during his introductory media availability.

“He (Brady) definitely feels like he’s a good leader, somebody you can put your trust in just because I’ve seen it, I’ve seen him put a lot of guys in great situations,” Samuel said. “He gets the most out of his players. I feel like that’s a testament of who he is, about how much guys respect him, and they lean on him, and they trust him.”

The addition of Samuel, whom Bills GM Brandon Beane helped draft while with Carolina’s front office, includes explosive playmaking potential. 

He achieved career-high numbers in his last season together with Brady in 2020 (77 catches for 851 yards receiving and over 1,000 total yards.)

“When I get the ball in my hands, I feel like I’m dynamic,” Samuel said. “That’s what I’m here to bring, just some explosive plays and be a team player. Whatever they need me to be, whatever they need me to do, whether it’s block, catch the ball. Whatever it needs to be, I’m here to be that team guy and help us make plays.”

As an offensive weapon, Samuel’s versatility will allow him to line up in the slot, outside, and from the backfield in the run game as well.

“It’s a little tougher for defenders because I got multiple ways I can go,” Samuel said. “You know, a lot of DBs can use the sideline as their best friend. But in the slot, there’s a whole bunch of room.”

He brings an elite burst with yards-after-catch potential to QB Josh Allen, whom he’s excited to connect with on the field.

“After I signed, he definitely reached out and I spoke to him,” Samuel said about Allen. “I’m definitely excited, I’ve watched him last year when I didn’t have games or when the games were on TV, I watched him. Exciting quarterback, tough, hard-nosed. But, you know, my job is just to make the game as easy as possible for him and I feel like that’s just trying to get open as fast as I can and make the game easier for him.”

After spending his last several seasons with Washington amidst their years as a franchise in transition, the appeal of Buffalo as a competitor with a dedicated fan base holds high appeal to one of the newest Bills.

“It’s a winning organization,” Samuel said. “I just was excited. The fan base was insane. I’ve been to a lot of other places, I’m always grateful for every stop that I took along my journey. I wouldn’t be who I am today without all those people and all the support that I get.

“But I definitely be excited to play in front of these fans.”

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AFC East news: Mac Jones era ends, Patriots trade away QB

The #Bills will face a new #Patriots QB in 2024:

A new era is set to begin for the New England Patriots under center.

The Patriots have traded quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The transaction was announced on Monday, the first day of the NFL’s free agency period.

New England selected Jones out of Alabama in the first-round of the 2021 NFL draft. Now Jones will serve as backup to Trevor Lawrence, who was the No. 1 overall selection in that same draft.

Jones only fetched the Pats a sixth rounder in return.

After a Pro Bowl rookie season, Jones’ career fell off a cliff under coach Bill Belichick. New England has already moved on from him as well. Jerod Mayo is now the new bench boss in New England.

Jones finished last year with 2,120 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He was eventually benched for Bailey Zappe.

The Patriots own the No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft and they’ll likely use it on a quarterback.

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AFC East news: Zach Wilson given permission to seek trade from Jets

AFC East news: Zach Wilson given permission to seek trade from #Jets:

The Zach Wilson era with the New York Jets is over.

At the 2024 NFL scouting combine, New York general manager Joe Douglas confirmed that.

According to reports including Jets Wire, Douglas said he gave Wilson and his agent the green light for him to seek a trade.

While it remains to be seen if someone trades for Wilson, he’s likely played his last snap with Gang Green.

If there is no trade partner around, New York is likely going to cut him at this point. It would make no sense to keep a player on your roster when you’ve already shown him the door–What incentive would he have to play?

However, trading Wilson would be much easier for the Jets’ salary cap situation. That is the expected route to be taken.

Wilson was expected to back up Aaron Rodgers in the 2023 season, but was thrust back into the starting role after Rodgers tore his Achilles in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills. Wilson struggled and was eventually benched before going back in.

Wilson has a 12-21 record in his career with the Jets. New York selected him second overall at the 2021 NFL draft.

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10 Bills players who could have bigger roles in 2024

10 #Bills players who could have bigger roles in 2024:

Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane made headlines as of late by pointing to where the Bills need to get younger at key positions and hit on their upcoming NFL Draft picks.

He also forecasted a 2024 roster in which younger players may need to step in and step up to play more hands-on roles than the team usually asks of them early on in their professional careers.

Without knowing who this offseason’s new additions might be via the draft and free agency, some players already on the Bills depth chart could prove to be contributors this upcoming season.

Here are 10 Bills players who could have bigger roles in 2024:

Roster decisions the Bills must make for 2024, and advice on each

Roster decisions the Bills must make for 2024, and advice on each:

The Buffalo Bills 2023 season concluded with an 11-6 record, another AFC East crown, a No. 2 playoff seed, and another division-round exit.

GM Brandon Beane is looking to improve and help get the Bills into the Super Bowl in 2024.

To do so. this offseason, he’ll aim to get Buffalo’s roster younger at key positions and to hit on draft picks for more immediate contributors. He’ll also restructure contracts and look at extensions to get under the salary cap.

Buffalo has another long list of players poised to hit free agency and some who could be cap casualties, so they’ll need to make a call on which of those players could factor into the team’s long-term plans to know who to prioritize.

From potential cut candidates to re-signings, to whether to let some players walk as free agents, here are some roster decisions the Bills must make for 2024…

4 Bills players in line for contract extensions during the 2024 offseason

4 #Bills players in line for contract extensions during the 2024 offseason:

Again this offseason, Buffalo GM Brandon Beane and the front office have their work cut out for them.

This year, in particular, we might see offseason player personnel decisions ranging from last year’s supplemental short-term free agency additions to what could prove to be another asset packing and NFL Draft board movement masterclass to go up and get cost-controlled impact talent.

The Bills are among the teams with favorable Super Bowl odds ahead of their 2024 NFL season, this before they settle their roster via free agency and the draft.

While a number of players on the Buffalo roster are free agents, others may be up for contract restructuring or extensions.

Those extensions could be beneficial to players and the team alike, in that inking those new deals could also mean creating needed salary cap space for free-agency and draft timeframes.

With that here are four Bills players who could be in line for a contract extension this offseason:

10 Bills players who could restructure their contract during 2024 offseason

10 #Bills players who could restructure their contract during 2024 offseason :

The Buffalo Bills are over the salary cap to start the 2024 offseason and will have some financial maneuvering to do to reduce and get under while creating enough cap space to address their biggest needs.

OverTheCap.com projects a 2024 base salary cap of $242 million, which would put the Bills $50.6 million over at present.

While they’ll have the NFL Scouting Combine, College Pro Days, and player visits ahead they’ll also be tasked with getting under the cap by March 13th when the new league year begins, and before the start of free agency.

In addition to creating spending for free agency signings, they’ll also need to allocate space to sign their 2024 NFL draft class as well as to cover the cost of their practice squad.

with a number of players set to become free agents, GM Brandon Beane will be evaluating them versus talent on the market to make decisions on who to possibly sign and re-sign to improve the roster.

One way Beane has frequently freed up the necessary money to make those improvements has been through restructuring players’ contracts.

Here is a round-up of 10 current Bills players who could be restructuring candidates to help Buffalo’s salary cap situation in 2024:

Exploring the Bills’ biggest offseason needs in 2024

Exploring the #Bills’ biggest offseason needs in 2024:

The Buffalo Bills enter the offseason in an all-too-familiar place, coming off a third consecutive division-round exit from the NFL postseason.

With areas to strengthen and to improve upon from their 2023 campaign, GM Brandon Beane and the team’s front office are facing one of the most crucial offseasons of his tenure.

Beane will once more be tasked with ingenuity in creating the financial space off the field while adding talent and filling positions to improve the team.

With free agency, the NFL Draft, and big financial decisions on personnel and committing dollars ahead, here is a look at the biggest offseason needs for the Bills in 2024: