Free agency begins March 15 at 4 p.m. ET
Positional needs for Buffalo Bills: OL, DT, WR, S, RB
Buffalo has -$20,670,185 in effective cap space in 2023, which could increase to as much as $76,733,281 under the maximum restructure allowed.
Buffalo has more limited flexibility unless they decide to move key pieces. Here are some names they could pursue.
Odell Beckham Jr. , WR, free agent
For most teams, signing Odell Beckham Jr. doesn’t make a ton of sense for most teams. Beckham Jr. is 30 years and did not play football last season, after suffering an ACL tear in the Super Bowl LVI.
But a one-year deal might make sense for Buffalo.
Beckham Jr. had an exceptional postseason with the Rams before he got hurt. He caught 21 of his 26 targets for 288 yards of the Rams Super Bowl run. Beckham Jr. was on pace for a monster game in the Super Bowl before he went down.
We saw how Beckham was used on the backside of passing concepts with fellow strong-armed quarterback Matthew Stafford. Josh Allen could utilize Beckham Jr. in a similar fashion.
Maybe we never get back to seeing the Odell that tore up the 2021 NFL playoffs. But at this point, the risk is manageable.
Taylor Rapp, Safety, Rams
Buffalo may be losing safety Jordan Poyer in free agency. Micah Hyde is returning from injury, and it’s all too early to speculate on what could potentially happen with Damar Hamlin.
Rapp had nine interceptions in four seasons with the Rams and is a sure-tackler. Per Pro Football Reference, he worst missed tackle rate for a season was 10.5% in 2021.
Rapp played deep safety and also in the slot with the Rams. He isn’t a top athlete, but he has size, quickness and wins with his brain.
Rapp should grasp the intricacies of what Sean McDermott/Leslie Frazier ask of him in the defensive backfield.
Daron Payne, DT, Commanders
This feels like a dream scenario.
Buffalo would need to hold off on resigning their own free agent like Tremaine Edmunds or Jordan Poyer, among other moves, to clear space for Payne.
The Bills could use an impact defensive tackle. If you’re going to move heaven and earth for one, do it for someone you don’t have many questions about. Payne is young (doesn’t turn 26 until May), is physical in the run game, can play 1-tech or 3-tech defensive tackle, and is a real athlete.
He had 11.5 sacks this year. For reference, he had 14.5 sacks across his previous four seasons with the Commanders.
There are other options on the market: Javon Hargrave had an 11-sack season with the Philadelphia Eagles this season. Dalvin Tomlinson had an impressive 2020 season, but hasn’t recaptured that form.
But if the Bills are going to pay for true talent in the trenches, Payne would may be the only one likely to return value on the pricey investment.
