What realistic Free Agents are on your wishlist for the Bills?

[Logic]

Now that free agency is getting closer and we're starting to have a better idea of who will actually hit the market, and now that we know the salary cap number for 2024, I'm starting to look a little closer at the list of free agents to be. 

A few names I like below, and I'm curious to hear who you like, and why (bonus points for what you think they'll cost).

FS Geno Stone (Spotrac projects $7.2 million per season)
Started 11 games for the Ravens last year and led the league in interceptions by a safety with 7. Not gonna blow you away with athletic ability or speed, but is a very smart and heady player. Brandon Beane was just saying at the combine that smarts are the most important trait for them at safety, and Stone has the look of a guy who can be the new Micah Hyde, leading the secondary and patrolling the deep field. Shouldn't break the bank. 26 years old. Best football is ahead of him.

RB JK Dobbins (Spotrac projects $2.1 million per season)
This would purely be a cheap deal, low on guarantees, to see if Dobbins can rehabilitate his career. A former 2nd round pick who was extremely productive in college, but is coming off of a slew of serious injuries. I wouldn't want to depend on him as "the" answer at RB2, but he'd be a low risk, high reward signing and, if he can stay healthy, could prove to be a dynamic pairing with James Cook.

RB Antonio Gibson (Spotrac projects $3.6 million per season)
Has averaged over 800 yards rushing and 300 yards receiving per year throughout his career. Has plus receiving ability. 26 years old. In addition to being a good pairing with Cook, Gibson has shown the ability to be a capable RB1 when needed. Despite an already fairly productive career as a receiver, I feel he still has some untapped potential there, given that he was a productive WR in college.

WR Darnell Mooney (Spotrac projects $10.4 million per season)
Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott spent their recent combine pressers talking about adding explosive plays to the offense. Mooney would help add a speed element that this offense has been sorely lacking. He is just 26 years old and is two seasons removed from a 1,000 yard receiving season. Has deep speed and can take the top off a defense, opening things up for Diggs, Kincaid, and Shakir underneath. 


**Note I don't want to sign both Dobbins AND Gibson, but I like both guys for different reasons, and would be happy to see either sign with Buffalo.

Edited February 28 by Logic

[OldTimer1960]

I hope they can re-sign Daquan Jones and one of Tim Settle or Poona Ford.  I would like if they can also keep Epenesa, but I see him as a rotational DE rather than full-time starter, so would not pay starter money for him.

[wppete]

Daquan Jones and AJ Epanesa. Sign our own and hit on the draft. We need to get 2-4 starters out of the draft. 

[Low Positive]

I like the Dobbins idea. He's just had bad luck injuries, but they have all been to his right leg. He should be ready to come back by TC, but the medical exam would be key. 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

I’m not sure how the Bills approach free agency this year. I think they want to get a lot younger and faster. I think speed will be a theme. Jeremy Chinn sticks out as a player I think the Bills will try to sign.

[Big Turk]

Hard to really say at this point until we see what Beane does to create cap room via cuts, restructures, and paycuts.  It might not be realistic to expect much other than bargain basement bin UFA's.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

3 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

Hard to really say at this point until we see what Beane does to create cap room via cuts, restructures, and paycuts.  It might not be realistic to expect much other than bargain basement bin UFA's.

They have cap for whatever. I see at least 1 decent sized contract, probably at edge.

 

 

Edited February 28 by Buffalo_Stampede

[947]

I'd be on-board with all except Dobbins.

 

I don't think most people understand just how catastrophic an achilles tear is for an NFL skill player. There is almost a 0% chance that Dobbins will ever be an effective player again. There has never been an NFL RB who has been anywhere near their previous level after that injury, almost all are out of the league within a year of their attempted return- see below. This is a 2 year old list, but you can add Cam Akers to it as well.

 

[The Jokeman]

I really should look at all the names but guys have looked at liked before were

 

David Edwards returns, good backup G and as we saw played a part as our 6th OL in certain circumstances

WR Noah Brown, can be an outside #2 or a #4 gives us some flexibility in the draft

S K'Von Wallace, played well under our new nickel defense coach in Tennessee last year.

DT Bilal Nichols  younger run stopper that might be a better investment than Da'Quan Jones. 

 

[Logic]

4 minutes ago, 947 said:

I'd be on-board with all except Dobbins.

 

I don't think most people understand just how catastrophic an achilles tear is for an NFL skill player. There is almost a 0% chance that Dobbins will ever be an effective player again. There has never been an NFL RB who has been anywhere near their previous level after that injury, almost all are out of the league within a year of their attempted return- see below. This is a 2 year old list, but you can add Cam Akers to it as well.

 

Wow. That list is wild.

Obviously corner and running back are quite different, but it makes me wonder about Tre White trying to make it back from an achilles tear at age 29.

[Shaw66]

31 minutes ago, wppete said:

Daquan Jones and AJ Epanesa. Sign our own and hit on the draft. We need to get 2-4 starters out of the draft. 

This is an interesting point, but I'm not sure it's correct.   I think there's a benefit to turning over the roster, year after year.  When you keep all the same guys, the "book" on a team is really good - the book that says how you can attack them   When you turn over the roster, even though you lose some quality players, you change your style of play to match, to some extent, the players you have.  As your style of play changes, if you have good football players, you present new problems to defenses.  The Chiefs have done a good job of that.   Get your quarterback, a few stud, core guys, and then don't be afraid to move one from one talent and acquire another.  The constant change makes your team better. 

[Simon]

Think we can fill the hole at S with Brandon Jones, who will come much cheaper and hurt the Phins in the process.

I think Dobbins is a great ballplayer but I don't know if he'll ever be the same guy again.

[Warriorspikes51]

31 minutes ago, Simon said:

Think we can fill the hole at S with Brandon Jones, who will come much cheaper and hurt the Phins in the process.

I think Dobbins is a great ballplayer but I don't know if he'll ever be the same guy again.

Jones, J. Chinn or Eddie Jackson would all be good pickups IMO. Perhaps Mike Edwards from KC too

Edited February 28 by Warriorspikes51

[Process]

Would like to see them get younger at safety but also dont view it as a premium position so don't mind filling the hole with a cheapish vet. 

 

Also Mooney Chark Reynolds Bourne at WR to go along with our first round pick. 

[Warriorspikes51]

1 hour ago, Logic said:

Now that free agency is getting closer and we're starting to have a better idea of who will actually hit the market, and now that we know the salary cap number for 2024, I'm starting to look a little closer at the list of free agents to be. 

A few names I like below, and I'm curious to hear who you like, and why (bonus points for what you think they'll cost).

FS Geno Stone (Spotrac projects $7.2 million per season)
Started 11 games for the Ravens last year and led the league in interceptions by a safety with 7. Not gonna blow you away with athletic ability or speed, but is a very smart and heady player. Brandon Beane was just saying at the combine that smarts are the most important trait for them at safety, and Stone has the look of a guy who can be the new Micah Hyde, leading the secondary and patrolling the deep field. Shouldn't break the bank. 26 years old. Best football is ahead of him.

RB JK Dobbins (Spotrac projects $2.1 million per season)
This would purely be a cheap deal, low on guarantees, to see if Dobbins can rehabilitate his career. A former 2nd round pick who was extremely productive in college, but is coming off of a slew of serious injuries. I wouldn't want to depend on him as "the" answer at RB2, but he'd be a low risk, high reward signing and, if he can stay healthy, could prove to be a dynamic pairing with James Cook.

RB Antonio Gibson (Spotrac projects $3.6 million per season)
Has averaged over 800 yards rushing and 300 yards receiving per year throughout his career. Has plus receiving ability. 26 years old. In addition to being a good pairing with Cook, Gibson has shown the ability to be a capable RB1 when needed. Despite an already fairly productive career as a receiver, I feel he still has some untapped potential there, given that he was a productive WR in college.

WR Darnell Mooney (Spotrac projects $10.4 million per season)
Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott spent their recent combine pressers talking about adding explosive plays to the offense. Mooney would help add a speed element that this offense has been sorely lacking. He is just 26 years old and is two seasons removed from a 1,000 yard receiving season. Has deep speed and can take the top off a defense, opening things up for Diggs, Kincaid, and Shakir underneath. 


**Note I don't want to sign both Dobbins AND Gibson, but I like both guys for different reasons, and would be happy to see either sign with Buffalo.

good post!! Stone would be a nice addition.  
 

Mooney for whatever reason strikes me as a player who would either be dynamite here or a complete waste.

 

Curtis Samuel is another WR who makes a lot of sense and played under Joe Brady

 

Gibson is intriguing. Hadn’t even thought of him. Assuming we don’t land King Henry, I’d be good with this

Edited February 28 by Warriorspikes51

[OldTimer1960]

1 hour ago, Logic said:

Wow. That list is wild.

Obviously corner and running back are quite different, but it makes me wonder about Tre White trying to make it back from an achilles tear at age 29.

Achilles is pretty devastating to any athlete.  They don’t heal quickly because there is limited blood flow to the Achilles and it likely inhibits flexibility after healing.  Imagine a CB coming out his backpedal transitioning to running forward to drive on a ball - a lot of stress on the Achilles there.

[Logic]

1 minute ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

 

Mooney for whatever reason strikes me as a player who would either be dynamite here or a complete waste.

 

 

Agreed.

You'd be signing him betting that he's gonna be John Brown 2.0. The possibility exists, though, that he's Deonte Harty 2.0 instead.

[vanislebills44]

noah brown would b nice...c some of those games he had with stroud...well allen can do the same, hopefully...

[NastyNateSoldiers]

1 hour ago, Logic said:

Now that free agency is getting closer and we're starting to have a better idea of who will actually hit the market, and now that we know the salary cap number for 2024, I'm starting to look a little closer at the list of free agents to be. 

A few names I like below, and I'm curious to hear who you like, and why (bonus points for what you think they'll cost).

FS Geno Stone (Spotrac projects $7.2 million per season)
Started 11 games for the Ravens last year and led the league in interceptions by a safety with 7. Not gonna blow you away with athletic ability or speed, but is a very smart and heady player. Brandon Beane was just saying at the combine that smarts are the most important trait for them at safety, and Stone has the look of a guy who can be the new Micah Hyde, leading the secondary and patrolling the deep field. Shouldn't break the bank. 26 years old. Best football is ahead of him.

RB JK Dobbins (Spotrac projects $2.1 million per season)
This would purely be a cheap deal, low on guarantees, to see if Dobbins can rehabilitate his career. A former 2nd round pick who was extremely productive in college, but is coming off of a slew of serious injuries. I wouldn't want to depend on him as "the" answer at RB2, but he'd be a low risk, high reward signing and, if he can stay healthy, could prove to be a dynamic pairing with James Cook.

RB Antonio Gibson (Spotrac projects $3.6 million per season)
Has averaged over 800 yards rushing and 300 yards receiving per year throughout his career. Has plus receiving ability. 26 years old. In addition to being a good pairing with Cook, Gibson has shown the ability to be a capable RB1 when needed. Despite an already fairly productive career as a receiver, I feel he still has some untapped potential there, given that he was a productive WR in college.

WR Darnell Mooney (Spotrac projects $10.4 million per season)
Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott spent their recent combine pressers talking about adding explosive plays to the offense. Mooney would help add a speed element that this offense has been sorely lacking. He is just 26 years old and is two seasons removed from a 1,000 yard receiving season. Has deep speed and can take the top off a defense, opening things up for Diggs, Kincaid, and Shakir underneath. 


**Note I don't want to sign both Dobbins AND Gibson, but I like both guys for different reasons, and would be happy to see either sign with Buffalo.

Would love to have Stone but everyone else I'll pass on

[Doc Brown]

Zeke Elliott if he’ll sign a one year three million dollar deal.  Great in pass protection, short yardage situations, catching passes, and would be a great in the running back room.  Still only 28.