Who is left in free agency? Has Free Agency changed the Bills Draft Strategy?

[LABILLBACKER]

32 minutes ago, Florida Bills Fanatic said:

I always find it interesting to watch some of the more poorly run teams as they wildly spend money on players.  Even with the crazy money being spent, there are some decent players still out there.  The smart GM's wait for the game of musical chairs to approach an end and then make some nice value signings.  As others have pointed out, there are still some talented guys (maybe a guy like Leonard Floyd) in positions of need for the Bills.  I hope Beane pulls the trigger on some value to further improve the roster.  These late FA signings may allow Beane to be more selective with his first three picks.

There's no Leonard Floyd's left in FA.  Mack, Koonce, Sweat are all gone. Who knows what we have in Hoecht?  It's basically status quo again in 2025. Run in back with AJ & Groot....yay

[iccrewman112]

3 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

There's no Leonard Floyd's left in FA.  Mack, Koonce, Sweat are all gone. Who knows what we have in Hoecht?  It's basically status quo again in 2025. Run in back with AJ & Groot....yay

actually Leonard Floyd himself is available. He was just released by SF

[PayDaBill$]

21 minutes ago, BuffaloBillsGospel2014 said:

None of the guys we picked up in free agency should change our plans. Palmer seems to be a decent player but I’d be hard pressed to believe he carves more of a role than say Samuel. Palmer was playing with a fairly good QB in Justin Herbert and had every chance to be the guy yet Herbert’s go to was a rookie slot WR.
 

Also the DE/ Edge rusher we picked up seems more of a situational pass rusher which appears to be what he was in L.A. rather than a full time player.

 

These are just my opinions but I’m sure I’ll get a lot of the eye roll emojis or x emojis from the people who know better.

Well, in situations where we needed a pass rush and pressure last season we had none, so I hope he can bring a bit of disruption.

[OldTimer1960]

34 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Still need a 3rd back.  This is a deep RB class with guys that can contribute immediately in the 4-6 rounds.  Beane would be wise to grab one, if Ty Johnson leaves.

I didn't mean to come across as saying they should not draft a RB this year.  If there is a good one sticking out in any round after the 2nd, then I have no problem with them drafting one.  Good to great RBs still have value and I think the tide is shifting back to a bit more balance of pass and run on offenses instead of the ultra-pass-heavy offenses we've seen for the past few years.  As defenses adjusted with faster and lighter players to deal with the passing offenses, some (notably Philly) have made the run game a big part of their offense to take advantage of those lighter defenders.  

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, LEBills said:

Zeek Biggers at 1T?

 

I think he tested better than his tape but year he is an example of a guy I think you can get later in the draft who will have some impact. Simmons from Tennessee is on my list too. I think DT is a deep group. There will be day 3 guys who by the end of their rookie seasons are starting.

[OldTimer1960]

17 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

There's no Leonard Floyd's left in FA.  Mack, Koonce, Sweat are all gone. Who knows what we have in Hoecht?  It's basically status quo again in 2025. Run in back with AJ & Groot....yay

There was never a really big chance (at least in my opinion) that the Bills were seriously in on Garrett or Crosby - the deals they signed were deserved, but also too expensive cap-wise for the Bills' situation.  I'm not holding my breath for a trade for a pass rusher, either - same reasoning - cap space.

 

I expect that they will look very hard at pass rushers in round 1 and 2 - whether one that they like will be there or not is the question.  Also, pass rush doesn't just depend on DE/Edges - DTs can help the pass rush as can better coverage in the secondary and timely occasional blitzes.  

[gonzo1105]

I think they will have to take a RB in this years draft. The Bills might have to franchise tag either James Cook or Christian Benford and I think they would lean towards franchising Benford. The class is too deep and with the possibility of Cook walking after next year it would be prudent roster management to draft one in the mid rounds again and have them develop either in the 3rd role or keep a 4th RB and not have a FB on the roster.

[BuffaloBillsGospel2014]

35 minutes ago, PayDaBill$ said:

Well, in situations where we needed a pass rush and pressure last season we had none, so I hope he can bring a bit of disruption.

He only had 2 sacks for the Rams as a situational guy, he could play a bigger role here you never know.

18 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

There was never a really big chance (at least in my opinion) that the Bills were seriously in on Garrett or Crosby - the deals they signed were deserved, but also too expensive cap-wise for the Bills' situation.  I'm not holding my breath for a trade for a pass rusher, either - same reasoning - cap space.

 

I expect that they will look very hard at pass rushers in round 1 and 2 - whether one that they like will be there or not is the question.  Also, pass rush doesn't just depend on DE/Edges - DTs can help the pass rush as can better coverage in the secondary and timely occasional blitzes.  

If they held back getting a generational talent like Garret or even Crosby and heck we’ll even throw in Hendrickson because of cap space then they’re in the wrong business. Although the cap is real it can be converted into signing bonus that yes hurts us down the road but we are in win now! 

Edited 21 hours ago by BuffaloBillsGospel2014

[GreenMtnBillsFan]

4 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

I think they will have to take a RB in this years draft. The Bills might have to franchise tag either James Cook or Christian Benford and I think they would lean towards franchising Benford. The class is too deep and with the possibility of Cook walking after next year it would be prudent roster management to draft one in the mid rounds again and have them develop either in the 3rd role or keep a 4th RB and not have a FB on the roster.

I love Ty Johnson and think he excelled in the RB3 role, but I'm 100% on board with drafting an RB in this year's class. There's some really solid ones with a lot of different skill sets. I could definitely see them finding a back that has similar qualities to Cook (explosive, shifty) and trying to develop them this season in the case that Cook walks next year. If Johnson resigns, then they just hang on the PS as RB4. 

Edited 21 hours ago by GreenMtnBillsFan

[OldTimer1960]

2 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I think he tested better than his tape but year he is an example of a guy I think you can get later in the draft who will have some impact. Simmons from Tennessee is on my list too. I think DT is a deep group. There will be day 3 guys who by the end of their rookie seasons are starting.

What do you think of Jamaree Caldwell later in the draft?  I haven't watched much of his game tape, but I was surprised at his quickness for his size at the Senior Bowl.

[Shaw66]

3 hours ago, Virgil said:

There was a fake account out there saying that the Bills are in on a bidding war for Samuel.  I do find it interesting that Samuel and Douglas have not found teams yet.  

 

I expect a few 1-year deal depth guys, but nothing crazy, unless Beane has a trade up his sleeve.  

Seems like every year there are two or three corners who remain on the market longer than I would expect.

[TheBeaneBandit]

10 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

Seems like every year there are two or three corners who remain on the market longer than I would expect.

And we never grab one and our lack of depth in the playoffs kills us. We need to get one AND draft one.

[BuffaloBillsGospel2014]

Samuel is a poor tackler which is why he’s most likely still available and asking for a boatload.

[Shaw66]

9 minutes ago, BuffaloBillsGospel2014 said:

Samuel is a poor tackler which is why he’s most likely still available and asking for a boatload.

No poor tacklers need apply. 

[GASabresIUFan]

Sign Gilmore or Slay and then draft a CB early for the vet to mentor?

 

I would also love for the Bills to sign Ojulari.  He's only 24 and has had some injury issues, but with Groot on the other side, Ojulari would finally be on a team where he could reach his potential.  Playing for the Giants (or Jets), is like playing for the Sabres.  It can suck the life out of you.  Get him here on a reasonable 2-3 year deal and watch him put up 10 sacks for a bargain price.

Edited 20 hours ago by GASabresIUFan

[Aussie Joe]

I see Diggs is still available 🤔

[notpolian]

I would love to see a healthy Cooper back on an incentive laden deal, maybe two years with some guarantees in the first.  He certainly has / had the traits and the history, plus his attitude and professionalism is first rate.  That would allow us to really go all defense to start with in the draft and take a stab or two at receiver in the later rounds.  This is not the ideal year for early round WRs.

[TFBillsfan]

3 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

DT is the deepest position in the entire draft. They could get a guy day 3 who could start early IMO. That is the position that waiting for the draft makes sense. Corner much less so.

Don’t disagree but getting someone and getting someone who will be impactful is a challenge and what this D truly needs. 

[GunnerBill]

3 minutes ago, TFBillsfan said:

Don’t disagree but getting someone and getting someone who will be impactful is a challenge and what this D truly needs. 

 

The D does need someone impactful. I don't think that needs to be a 1tech.

[FireChans]

This is a less impressive offseason than last year which is saying something