List of the Buffalo Bills’ free agents heading into the 2020 NFL offseason and free agency.
Simple, sweet, straight forward.
Who are the Bills at risk of losing after their successful 2019 campaign which included a second trip to the playoffs in three years? Free agency can ruin a team if their front office, in the Bills’ case led by Brandon Beane, doesn’t make the right decisions.
First, free agents come in three different forms.
The most common is an unrestricted free agent that can either re-sign or test the open market.
Restricted free agents are players who can be tendered contracts by other teams, but their current team can match the offer and keep them. Or they can just re-sign or be allowed to walk by their current organization.
An exclusive-rights free agent can only become a free agent if their team decides to let them do so. The Bills could tender these players a contract for the league minimum and the player has to accept it, or sit out a season.
Here’s the full list for the Bills:
Unrestricted free agents
Buffalo Bills running back Frank Gore. Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Georgia Bulldogs will look to leave their stamp on the NFL’s postseason once again. Last season, UGA’s Sony Michel dominated the playoffs.
Georgia Bulldogs will look to leave their stamp on the NFL’s postseason once again. Last season, UGA’s Sony Michel dominated the playoffs en route to a Super Bowl title. Who will be UGA player will help lead their team to a championship?
This year, there’s no Georgia Bulldog currently on a roster in the NFC. It’s quite surprising considering the number of Bulldogs in the NFL. That means no UGA players will suit up in Sunday’s Vikings at Saints contest or the Seahawks at Eagles game.
The AFC, however, is another story. On Saturday, Isaiah McKenzie will hope to help the Bills knock off the Houston Texans. McKenzie had 254 receiving yards on the season and is capable of shifting the dynamic of a game with one explosive play. The Texans don’t have any UGA players on their roster.
The Chiefs, who have a bye, feature rookie receiver Mecole Hardman heavily on special teams and pepper him into their passing game as well. Hardman is an explosive play waiting to happen. The Baltimore Ravens lack Georgia Bulldogs on their roster as well.
Saturday Night, Bulldog fans will be able to watch RB Sony Michel and the Patriots take on Ben Jones and the Tennessee Titans. Michel is undefeated in the playoffs in his young career. Fellow Bulldogs TE Ben Watson (173 receiving yards in 2019) and tackle Isaiah Wynn will accompany Michel. Center Ben Jones commanded a dominant Titan offensive line this year. Tennessee’s Derrick Henry led the NFL in rushing on the season.
Buffalo Bills QB Matt Barkley, WR Isaiah McKenzie throwing challenge.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Matt Barkley has an edge on receiver Isaiah McKenzie throwing a football.
But what about every day household items?
There’s only one way to find out, with the video the team released on Thursday which shows the two competing in a best-of-five challenge in throwing… random things:
Five random items but there can only be one winner.
What we learned, Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets, NFL Week 17
There’s little that should be taken away from the Buffalo Bills’ final game of the 2019 regular season, a 13-6 loss in the rain against a New York Jets’ team that was finishing up its playoff-less season.
The Bills, with nothing to play for on Sunday, rested several key players and played mostly backups throughout the contest. In what looked like a preseason game, the Bills struggled to do much of anything on offense. The Jets struggled as well, but did just enough to outlast the Bills as both teams ran for the proverbial bus, just hoping to get this game over and done with.
The Bills wanted to get this game out of the way without any significant injuries before they made their journey out to the Central time zone for a Wild card Matchup against the Houston Texans. Unfortunately, the Bills were unable to escape without significant injury.
Levi Wallace and Ty Nsekhe were knocked out of Sunday’s contest and failed to return. Cody Ford, Taron Johnson and Siran Neal also left the game with injuries, but returned. The injuries were the last thing the Bills’ coaching staff wanted to see. The injury to Wallace was particularly troubling. The Bills’ No. 2 cornerback was hurt making a first quarter interception. It was a non-contact injury, which is never a good thing, as he planted his foot awkwardly in the wet New Era Field turf while trying to pivot and intercept a pass from Jets quarterback Sam Darnold. Wallace turned his ankle on the interception and hobbled off the field with help from a couple of teammates. The Bills get ready to face a Houston passing attack.
Nsekhe and Ford, Buffalo’s two right tackles, were banged up in this game and their absence was felt greatly. The Buffalo offensive line struggled all day against the Jets’ defensive front.
The Bills finish the 2019 regular season at 10-6, earning the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs. Their wild card matchup with Houston will be the first game of the coming weekend, kicking off at 4:30 at NRG Stadium.
Here are four things we learned about the Bills from Sunday’s game and how they relate to Buffalo’s attempt to finally win a playoff game for the first time since 1995 this coming Saturday in Texas.
Stock report following the Buffalo Bills’ Week 17 loss to the New York Jets.
The Bills fell in their final regularly scheduled game of the 2019 season against the Jets, 13-6.
In terms of stock reporting, it was a different one considering plenty of old faces were in the lineup. The game played out like a preseason contest with plenty of backups for the Bills.
Here’s how some of those players saw their stock move following the Bills’ loss to the Jets:
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Duke Williams. Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Stock up
WR Duke Williams
The one that everyone wanted to see happen, happened. Receiver Duke Williams started for the Bills and played a heck of a game with his opportunity.
His overall stat line was shaky with 12 targets and only six catches, but a few of them were off target. Of note, one was certainly a drop on third down which he would’ve liked back. All in all, Williams had 108 yards receiving in a game with a backup quarterback tossing him the ball against a solid defense that was playing their starters. Promising signs.
The Buffalo Bills fell to the New York Jets 13-6 to close out their regular-season slate of games.
The Buffalo Bills fell to the New York Jets 13-6 to close out their regular-season slate of games. The game had the feel of a preseason game since the Bills were already locked into the fifth spot in the AFC playoff standings and the Jets playing out their schedule as New York was eliminated from the playoff picture weeks ago.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott removed most of his starters by the end of the first quarter, leaving the majority of snaps to players who will provide depth in the Wild Card round.
The most special moment of the game occurred midway through the first quarter, as McDermott called a timeout so that veteran linebacker Lorenzo Alexander could be acknowledged while leaving the field.
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) signs autographs before an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Impressively, Buffalo’s reserves on defense kept the Jets offense under wraps. The unit allowed only 272 total yards. Jets quarterback Sam Darnold was quiet, totaling 199 passing yards on 23-of-36 day. He threw one touchdown, a third-quarter score to wide receiver Jamison Crowder.
Trent Murphy recorded two sacks on the day, while Siran Neal and Corey Liuget each registered six tackles.
Offensively, Buffalo saw some unfamiliar faces gain some decent yardage. TJ Yeldon carried the ball seven times for 18 yards. He also caught three passes for 24 yards. Wide receiver Duke Williams was targeted often, catching six passes for 108 yards. Tight end Tommy Sweeney was a presence over the middle of the field, catching five balls for 76 yards.
Isaiah McKenzie also put pressure on the Jets defense, running two jet sweeps for 30 yards.
However, there was a lack of continuity with the second-string garnering most of the meaningful snaps on the day. Matt Barkley struggled throughout the afternoon. Barkley turned the ball over three times: two interceptions and a lost fumble. He did not inspire much confidence if he were to see the field in a dire situation in the playoffs.
Barkley finished completing 18-of-35 passes for 232 yards and the aforementioned turnovers. Several passes sailed and found the turf off Barkley’s hand.
Several bills limped off the field at several points in the game. Offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe, cornerback Taron Johnson, defensive back Siran Neal, and cornerback Levi Wallace all missed snaps during the game.
Buffalo Bills cornerback Levi Wallace (39) is carted off the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
However, Wallace’s injury could have major ramifications going forward, as his lower-body injury looked somewhat severe. The Alabama product could not put weight on his leg leaving the field. As the counterpart to Tre’Davious White in the Bills secondary, his possible absence will be problematic for the Buffalo.
The Bills conclude their season at 10-6, their first double-digit win total in 20 years. Buffalo will travel to Houston for Wild Card playoff action next weekend.
The Bills took to the national stage on Thanksgiving and beat the Dallas Cowboys 26-15.
The Bills took to the national stage on Thanksgiving and beat the Dallas Cowboys 26-15. A win that was so impressive, the Bills’ Week 15 game was flexed into Sunday Night Football.
Get ready for the nation’s eyes again.
But before that, here’s a full depth chart breakdown via snap counts for the Bills against the Cowboys in Week 13:
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Foster. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Offense
Notes:
At RT, rookie Cody Ford played every single snap with the offensive line for the second-straight week and only second time in his career.
Rookie RB Devin Singletary played in 78 percent of snaps to Frank Gore’s 22 percent.
Heavy 11 personnel continued for the Bills, but Isaiah McKenzie’s snap counts took a hit. After playing in 77 and 74 percent of offensive snaps the past two weeks, respectively, McKenzie played in only 45 percent vs. the Cowboys. Robert Foster played in 42 percent, a season-high.
Rookie TE Dawson Knox tied his career-high snap percent at 78. He set that same mark last week.
TE Tyler Kroft played in only 18 percent of snaps vs. the Cowboys. For games he played in, that was a season-low.
Buffalo Bills depth chart breakdown via snap count for their Week 12 meeting against the Denver Broncos.
Offense, defense, special teams, don’t matter. The Bills whole clan showed up against the Denver Broncos in Week 12 en route to a 20-3 win at New Era Field.
The Bills (8-3) had an all-around effort against the Broncos, but who played the biggest part in that effort?
Here’s a full depth chart breakdown via snap counts for the Bills against the Broncos in Week 12:
Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Cody Ford (AP Photo/John Munson)
Offense
Notes:
For the first time in his career, rookie OL Cody Ford played 100 percent of snaps in a game. OL Ty Nsekhe missed Week 12 due to an ankle injury. Those two have rotated in weeks prior.
Rookie RB Devin Singletary played in 71 percent of snaps to Frank Gore’s 29 percent. Those two rushed for 106 and 65 yards, respectively.
The Bills continued with plenty of 11 personnel again against the Broncos as WR Isaiah McKenzie played in 76 percent of snaps. McKenzie has played in at least 76 percent of snaps over the past two games.
Rookie TE Dawson Knox played in a career-high 78 percent of snaps, well ahead of Tyler Kroft’s 31 percent.
WR John Brown played in 99 percent of snaps for the second-straight week. Although, he does typically play in 90-plus percent of snaps anyway.
WR Robert Foster played in 10 total snaps but injured his hamstring against the Broncos. In Week 11, Foster was limited to only special teams duties and did not play against the Dolphins on offense.
The Denver Broncos will be looking to get back in the win column in Week 12 against the Buffalo Bills. Here are four things to watch for.
The Denver Broncos will look to get back in the win column on Sunday but must do so but winning a tough rough game against the Buffalo Bills. The Broncos have not won in Buffalo since the 2007 season.
The Bills sit at 7-3 and are looking to solidify themselves as a true playoff team this season but the Broncos have been a tough, scrappy team despite a poor record. Will the Broncos be able to put together a full game and pull out a victory on Sunday?
Here are four things to watch for.
1. Josh Allen’s running ability
(AP Photo/David Richard)
Allen, the quarterback for Buffalo, has a cannon for an arm, but don’t sleep on his ability to run as a passer.
Though he’s far from the threat that Lamar Jackson is, Allen has gained 331 yards on the ground this year. More importantly, he’s rushed for seven touchdowns.
As a rookie, he ran for 631 yards and eight touchdowns and in 22 career games, he is averaging just under six yards per carry. The Broncos must be ready for this.
2. Isaiah McKenzie
(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Remember this guy? The former Broncos draft pick is now a member of the Bills roster and he has actually found a way to be somewhat productive.
He has caught 33 passes in 16 career games with the Bills and he has a touchdown reception. He had just four catches in 11 career games with Denver.
He likely would love to stick it to his former team in this game.
Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie has a big day ahead of him on Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie has a big day ahead of him on Sunday.
After all, it is the “Isaiah McKenzie revenge game.”
The Bills claimed McKenzie, 24, off of waivers last year when the Broncos cut him. Over the past few weeks, he’s getting his best opportunity in the NFL to date.
After he was a healthy scratch against the Eagles, he’s now evolved into the Bills’ No. 3 wideout behind John Brown and Cole Beasley. It’s not there yet in terms of statistics, but the snaps certainly are.
He played in a season-high 78 percent of snaps on offense for the Bills last week. Despite all that playing time, he told the Buffalo News this week that he’s not going to let all that game action get to his head. He knows he has to keep improving.
“In Denver I didn’t play much receiver. So when I got here they gave me an opportunity. They gave me little plays here and there. But now I’m in the flow of the offense. I feel like each and every week I’m getting better running routes on the outside,” McKenzie said.
“I want to show I can make the big catch when Josh (Allen) throws it to me,” McKenzie added. “If I want more, I have to show them I can run routes, I can block”
McKenzie will certainly be motivated this week, but his lack of numbers should motivate him, too. Snap counts are great, but McKenzie only had three catches for 21 yards last week against the Dolphins. He did have one 16-yard grab which helped set up a score, but McKenzie himself will admit he wants a higher bar set for him.
Setting that bar is offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who’s made use of McKenzie in jet-sweep situations, using McKenzie’s explosiveness as a rusher. But whether or not McKenzie see another high-tick of snaps next week will depend on Daboll’s gameplan as the Broncos visit western New York.
If he does, that’ll be a lot of faith the coordinator is placing in Allen, who’s struggled against better defensive units this year. Denver sports the fourth-best defense in the NFL to this point.
