Tag: buffalo bills free agency

12 under-the-radar free agents for the Bills to target on offense

The NFL’s free agency period is slated to open on March 18 and the Buffalo Bills could be in business. The Bills signed cornerback Josh Norman last week, getting a head start on things.

The NFL’s free agency period is slated to open on March 18 and the Buffalo Bills could be in business. The Bills signed cornerback Josh Norman last week, getting a head start on things.

But despite that signing, the Bills moved from just the fourth-most to fifth-most salary cap space in the league, near $77.4 million, according to Spotrac. That’s a lot of room for more moves, and of course, room for big-named additions.

But in recent years, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott have had a thing for finding diamonds in the rough. Could the 2020 offseason have more of the same?

With that, here are 12 under-the-radar free agents on offense the Bills could consider adding:

Chiefs wide receiver Demarcus Robinson. Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

WR Demarcus Robinson

The Bills have John Brown and Cole Beasley who are solid, but the talent that Demarcus Robinson was behind with the Chiefs has kept his opportunities very limited. At receiver, there’s Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Mecole Hardman, then there’s tight end Travis Kelce, who’s basically a No. 1 wideout.

But when Robinson did get some chances when Hill was out, he showed some skill. He caught 32 passes for 449 yards and four touchdowns last season. What could make him further appealing is his 14 yards-per-catch average last season. Over the past two seasons, he’s had eight total scores.

What many peg for the Bills is adding a wideout with size, though. Robinson isn’t overly big at 6-foot-1, 203 pounds, but stretching the field is a plus with quarterback Josh Allen’s arm strength.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9, Page 10, Page 11, Page 12, Page 13

Report: NFL free agency period will start on time

The NFL free agency period will start on time, according to a report.

The NFL is forging ahead during these uncertain times. According to NFL Network’sTom Pelissero, the league year will start as scheduled on Wednesday, March 18, this upcoming week.

This means that the pace of business in the NFL will pick up on Monday, when the free agency “tampering period” begins.

The Buffalo Bills are not likely to use the franchise or transition tag. However, the team will be in play for several free agents this offseason. It will be interesting to see which players the Bills talk to during the legal tampering period. With little worry of Buffalo coming close to the salary cap, the Bills can be as aggressive as they wish to be during the next few weeks in pursuit of players.

With concerns about the threat of the COVID-19 virus and outbreak, some have called for the league to delay the start of free agency. Retired Buffalo linebacker Lorenzo Alexander has called for the league to push back the start of the free agency period.

[lawrence-related id=56888,56801,56880,56872]

5 takeaways from Quinton Spain re-signing with Bills

Spain signed a one-year “prove-it” deal last offseason and certainly proved it. In regard to the move, there’s a few things to consider for the Bills, including the trickle-down effect from it.

The Bills and Quinton Spain are going to reunite in 2020. According to the lineman himself, he’s going to re-sign with the once the NFL’s free agency period opens next week.

Spain signed a one-year “prove-it” deal last offseason and certainly proved it. In regard to the move, there’s a few things to consider for the Bills, including the trickle-down effect from it.

Here are five takeaways from the Bills’ decision to bring back Spain:

Buffalo Bills guard Quinton Spain. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Man of his word

Before getting into the deep dive here, Spain said it and did it. Typically when a player is a pending free agent, he’ll say there’s interest in returning. Who ever really knows the truth, though? But not only did Spain say he would return to Buffalo, he said if the deal was right, he’d return even without testing free agency, which is exactly what happened.

Here’s what Spain said during locker cleanout day:

“I told my agent, if (the Bills) really, really want me and want me to be here, I would like to get something done before free agency started.”

And credit where credit is due, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane, not citing Spain specifically, is kind of a man of his word as well.

“If you have a guy that you want, whatever player it is, you’d love to go ahead and get something done before they get to free agency,” Beane said earlier this offseason. “Any guy that says, ‘I definitely want to be here,’ and we can be on the same page of their value that we want, we’d love to go ahead and get them done as soon as possible.”

 

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

Bills host LB Christian Kirksey on free agent visit

The Buffalo Bills are hosting free agent linebacker Christian Kirksey on a visit on Friday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. 

The Buffalo Bills are hosting free agent linebacker Christian Kirksey on a visit on Friday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Kirksey was recently released by the Cleveland Browns. He previously has visited the Las Vegas Raiders and Green Bay Packers. Kirksey, 27, can sign with any team immediately since the Browns already released him.

Over the past two seasons, Kirksey has struggled to stay healthy, leading to his release. His situation has included ankle and hamstring issues. He only played two games in 2019 due to a pectoral injury, as well.

Prior to the injuries, Kirksey had a good run of form. In 2016 and 2017, he was among the Browns’ leading tacklers in both seasons. While the Bills do have Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano, they’re certainly in the market for a Lorenzo Alexander replacement as a pass rusher and pass defender. Kirksey could fit that bill. In 73 career games, he has 11.5 sacks and 16 passes defended with 484 tackles.

On Thursday the Bills announced that they were recalling their scouts and coaches across the country amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Despite that, they still are evidently bringing in Kirksey for a visit of sorts.

In 73 games played, Kirksey has 484 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, 16 passes defended, two interceptions and four forced fumbles.

[lawrence-related id=56813,56508,56778,56771]

Bills 2020 free agent profile: RB Frank Gore

The Buffalo Bills have 12 unrestricted free agents inching their way toward free agency which opens on March 18.

The Buffalo Bills have 12 unrestricted free agents inching their way toward free agency which opens on March 18. On March 16, the Bills can start negotiating with other team’s players and then two days later, the club can officially ink players to deals (although, reports of signings will start on the 16).

On the flip, the Bills’ pending free agents can do the same and sign with another franchise. With the clock ticking, the Bills still have a chance to sign their own free agents to contracts, and might even do so after the market opens.

Bills Wire will do a 12-part rundown of each of Buffalo’s pending free agents leading up to the “tampering period.”

Here’s the free agent profile for Bills free agent running back Frank Gore:

Stats

2019: 16 games played, 599 rushing yards, 3.6 yards per carry, 2 touchdowns
Bills: 16 games played, 599 rushing yards, 3.6 yards per carry, 2 touchdowns
Career: 226 games played, 15,347 rushing yards, 4.3 yards per carry, 79 touchdowns

How acquired

Signed via free agency March 2019

Previous contract

One-year, $2 million deal (current age: 36)

Breakdown

The Bills signed Frank Gore last season in a surprise move. Of all the deals they made via free agency, Gore was announced first and no one really saw it coming.

Off the field, Gore’s role as a leader is something a lot of players from the Bills locker room have said they loved. Among those in that bunch are running back Devin Singletary and head coach Sean McDermott. On the field, Gore was a sight to see early in the season, but then things slowed down for him. It certainly appeared like he lost a step, unfortunately.

What are the Bills’ options?

Gore has said he still wants to play so he’s probably open to re-signing with the Bills. Buffalo could tab him as a low-priced free agent, or they could let him leave, likely replacing him with a young option, probably via the NFL Draft. The Bills have nine picks in the seven-round draft in April.

What should they do?

The Bills should probably let Gore go, and it seems that’s the way things are trending. Buffalo complimented all of their running backs at the combine recently, but made no mention of Gore. Sure, he’s a free agent, but he’d probably be open to returning. It seems like the Gore could be a perfect option as a later addition this offseason if injury strikes.

[lawrence-related id=56813,56778,56771,56759]

ESPN names Bills best and worst free agents since 2015

ESPN names Jordan Poyer as the team’s best free agent signing while panning Star Lotulelei’s contract.

ESPN explored every NFL teams’ respective best and worst free-agent signings over the past five years. For Buffalo, it’s two familiar faces on the starting defensive unit.

The world-wide leader named safety Jordan Poyer as the team’s best free-agent signing during this period. Poyer, who stepped in a took command of the free safety spot for the Bills, ultimately has been part of arguably the best safety duo in the league with Micah Hyde.

In three seasons in Buffalo, Poyer has recorded 302 tackles and 11 interceptions. He’s also added six sacks and 17 tackles for loss as well.

ESPN highlights:

You also could make an argument for fellow safety Micah Hyde, but the production Buffalo has gotten from Poyer far exceeds the bargain contract he signed in 2017 (four years, $12.5 million).

https://twitter.com/BuffaloBills/status/1208501874124558336

On the flip side,  defensive tackle Star Loutlelei was named the team’s worst signing during this time. This has less to do with the play of the one-tech, as he has ultimately done the job that he was brought to do in Western New York–he’s here to manage double-teams and allow space for teammates to find gaps in the opponent’s offensive line. However, it’s the amount of money that he commands that is the issue with this signing:

Both general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott will insist Lotulelei is more valuable than he gets credit for — and they’re probably right. But they also essentially admitted their error in giving him a five-year, $50 million contract in 2018 by restructuring his deal this offseason. Lotulelei is a space-eater who makes life easier for his teammates, but that alone is probably not worth $10 million per year.

Lotulelei has started every game in two years in a Buffalo uniform. He has 36 total tackles, two sacks, and a shocking interception during his time as a Bill.

[lawrence-related id=56737,56745,56727,56719]

Report: Quinton Spain to re-sign with Bills

OL Quinton Spain says he is going to re-sign with the Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Quinton Spain appears to be re-signing with the team.

Spain took to social media and made it nearly all but true, sending a shoutout to Bills Mafia:

Since that, Spain confirmed to NYUP.com that he is, in fact, planning to re-sign with the Bills.

[lawrence-related id=56813,56753,56737,56745]

12 under-the-radar free agents for Bills to target on defense

12 free agents on defense for the Buffalo Bills to consider in free agency.

The NFL’s free agency period is slated to open on March 18 and the Buffalo Bills could be in business. The Bills signed cornerback Josh Norman this week, getting a head start on things.

But despite that signing, the Bills moved from the fourth-most to fifth-most salary cap space in the league, near $77.4 million, according to Spotrac. That’s a lot of room to move, and of course, room for big-named additions.

But in recent years, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott have had a thing for finding diamonds in the rough. Could the 2020 offseason have more of the same?

With that, here are 12 under-the-radar free agents on defense the Bills could consider adding:

Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins. Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

DT Maliek Collins

Stats: 61 games played, 84 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Based on reports of interest in certain players via the draft and free agency, the Bills are looking to add to their defensive tackle position. There’s Star Lotulelei and Ed Oliver highlighting the group, but depth can be added behind them.

Collins, a former third-round pick, is likely to leave the team that drafted him, the Cowboys. Collins is a versatile player who can jump in the 1-tech or 3-tech positions on the defensive line for the Bills, but he’s probably more suited for the three spot. His Pro Football Focus grade reflects that, as his overall mark was a 65.2 grade (64th best) but his pass-rushing mark was a 77.7.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9, Page 10, Page 11, Page 12

Robby Anderson tabbed as potential Bills free agent target

Schofield stays within the AFC East and highlights New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson as a player whom the Bills should consider in the free agency period. 

Touchdown Wire has named a player familiar to the Buffalo Bills as a possible free agent target in the coming weeks. Staying in the AFC East, the suggestion is New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson.

The Bills are in need of bolstering their wide receiver corps. With top free agents Amari Cooper and AJ Green as longshots at this point in the process, Buffalo will fall to the next tier of receivers, which is how TD Wire lands on Anderson to the Bills:

The Buffalo Bills took a big step forward in Josh Allen’s second season as a pro quarterback. While Allen still has room to grow as a quarterback, acquisitions such as Cole Beasley and John Brown helped Allen become a better timing- and rhythm-based passer.

Anderson has been consistent during his four years in the league, averaging between 14 and 15 yards per reception during each season. Anderson averages 51.8 receptions per season and 764.8 receiving yards per season. These figures would put him in line to be a good complement for incumbent wideouts John Brown and Cole Beasley.

Anderson would give the Bills a stronger threat in the vertical passing game. While Robert Foster fulfilled this role two years ago, the lack of a connection between quarterback Josh Allen and his deep threats was in stark contrast with Allen’s rookie season. The true need for a burner to stretch the field will expand the pressure this offense exerts on opponents. Pro Football Focus highlights that Allen was 23rd (out of 24 qualified passers) in adjusted completion percentage on deep throws.

Improving this aspect of the offense will give the aerial attack more space to work in the intermediate passing game, an area that Allen made strides in last year. Anderson, 26 years old, would give the Bills a young yet experienced player out wide.

However, there’s the issue of if the Jets are interested in bringing him back. Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com writes that New York could make a late push to re-sign the wideout.

If Anderson does hit the open market, the receiver could earn in the area of $12 million per season, as highlighted by Spotrac’s market value calculator. Buffalo, with copious amounts of cap room, will weigh how that number fits into their long-term plans.

[lawrence-related id=56745,56727,56719,56501]

Report: Bills interested in free agent Christian Kirksey

Buffalo Bills reportedly interested in LB Christian Kirksey.

The Bills have a thing for signing free agents before free agency opens. It’s happened in years past and reoccurred again just this week with cornerback Josh Norman’s signing.

It might happen again soon, too.

According to NYUP, the Bills have expressed interest in free agent linebacker Christian Kirksey. The 27-year-old was released by the Browns on Wednesday, so he’s free to sign with any team before the NFL’s free agent market opens on March 18.

Since his recent release, Kirksey has at least one free agent stop on his map, one with the Las Vegas Raiders. There are no reports of a planned visit with the Bills just yet.

Over the past two seasons, Kirksey has struggled to stay healthy, leading to his release. His situation has included ankle and hamstring issues. He only played two games in 2019 thanks to a pectoral injury as well.

Prior to injury, Kirksey had a good run of form. In 2016 and 2017, he was among the Browns’ leading tacklers in both seasons. While the Bills do have Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano, they’re certainly in the market for a Lorenzo Alexander replacement as a pass rusher and pass defender. Kirksey could fit that bill. In 73 career games, he has 11.5 sacks and 16 passes defended with 484 tackles.

Interestingly, he has one cheerleader on the Bills already via safety Micah Hyde, his college teammate. Hyde already started a bit of a hype train for the Bills landing Kirksey:

[lawrence-related id=56711,56704,56694,56671]