1. CBS Sports thinks this former Bill is the team's greatest free agent signing
Free agency has changed the way that teams around the NFL are built and changed how dynasties are made. The Bills have had some great free agent signings through the years but one might top the rest. CBS Sports NFL writer Bryan DeArdo released his list of every team's greatest free agent signing and for the Bills, he chose wide receiver and special teams ace Steve Tasker.
Buffalo Bills -- WR Steve Tasker
The special teams star edges out former teammates Kent Hull and James Lofton for the Bills' top spot. A ninth-round pick in the 1985 draft, Tasker was claimed off of waivers by the Bills during the 1986 season. While he was seldom used on offense, Tasker was a force on special teams. He made seven Pro Bowls, including six straight from 1990-95. Tasker's play helped the Bills win an unprecedented four consecutive AFC titles. His blocked punt set up the first touchdown of Super Bowl XXVII.
2. Daryl Williams: "The Most Love I've Ever Felt"
On Friday, March 12, the Bills announced that they had agreed to terms on a contract extension with right tackle Daryl Williams. He told the media over the weekend that one of the biggest reasons he wanted to stay in Buffalo was the guys in the locker room and how selfless everyone on the team is. On Monday, he joined Steve Tasker and Chris Brown on One Bills Live and talked about his extension and what makes the Bills organization so special to be a part of.
"It starts from the top down," Williams told Chris and Steve. "The Pegulas, [Brandon] Beane, [Sean] McDermott, and then the guys that are in the locker room, everyone's good man. They take care of us; they treat us very well and this is the most I've ever felt loved at an organization. I've clicked with the guys in the locker room, so of course, it would be the number one spot I would want to come back to."
With the free agency period opening this week, scroll through to see some of the most impactful free agent signings in team history, presented by Imagine Staffing.
Sam Adams | DT | #95
Adams came to Buffalo prior to the 2003 after playing for the Raiders in the previous season. His first game as a Buffalo Bill included his memorable interception return for a touchdown. He was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2003, and anchored the defensive line during his three seasons in Buffalo.
Takeo Spikes | LB | #51
Spikes also came to Buffalo prior to the 2003 season, signing a six year contract worth up to $32 million. In his three seasons as a Bill, he was named to the Pro Bowl twice, and teamed up with London Fletcher to form one of the NFL's best LB duos.
Mario Williams | DE | #94
Williams signed with the Bills before the 2012 season on a six-year deal that was the largest in NFL history for a defensive player at the time. He holds many records in Buffalo, including sacks in a game (4.5 on 9/15/13 vs. CAR)
Terrell Owens | WR | #81
Owens signed a one-year contract with Buffalo, playing in the 2009 season. He started all 16 games for the Bills, catching 55 passes for 829 yards and 5 touchdowns. He also holds the record for the longest receiving touchdown in franchise history, after scoring on a 98-yard passing play with Ryan Fitzpatrick on 11/22/09 at Jacksonville.
Buffalo Bills' Terrell Owens celebrates his touchdown catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of the NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday Sept. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/ Dean Duprey)
Doug Flutie | QB | #7
Flutie signed with the Bills in 1998 out of the CFL, and played three seasons for the Bills at QB, serving as the starter and the backup during those years.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Doug Flutie, (7), looks for a receiver against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter Sunday, Dec. 19, 1999 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Roy Dabner)
Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer
Hyde and Poyer both came to the Bills prior the 2017 season, and have been one of the NFL's best safety duos since. They have started nearly every game since arriving in Buffalo, and have been massively important pieces on some of the NFL's best defenses since head coach Sean McDermott came to Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills strong safety Micah Hyde (23) and free safety Jordan Poyer (21) Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers,August 16, 2019 at Bank of America Stadium.
Photo by Gregg Forwerck
London Fletcher | LB | #59
Fletcher came to the Bills before the 2002 season after signing a five-year contract. He set a new franchise record for tackles in a season with 209 in 2002. He started all 16 regular season games for the Bills during each of his five seasons in Buffalo.
Rian Lindell | K | #9
Lindell came to the Bills via restricted free agency in 2003, and played 10 seasons in Buffalo after that. He is second in franchise history in points scored and field goals made.
ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 26: Rian Lindell #9 of the Buffalo Bills watches his 42 yard game winning field goal as teammate Brian Moorman #8 signals the result against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 26, 2006 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24.
James Lofton | WR | #80
Lofton came to the Bills in 1989 and played four seasons with the Bills, including appearing in the Super Bowl three times during his time in Buffalo. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003. His 18.12 yards per catch as a Buffalo Bill are the most in franchise history.
The Buffalo Bills' wide receiver James Lofton flies into the end zone for a second quarter touchdown over the Los Angeles Raiders, Jan. 20, 1991, during the AFC Championship Game in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Sam Gash | FB | #33
A ferocious blocker, Gash signed with the Bills in 1998 and played for two seasons in Buffalo before signing another one year contract with Buffalo in 2003. In 1999, he became the first back in NFL history to be named to the Pro Bowl without recording a single carry.
Ted Washington | DT | #92
Washington came to the Bills in 1995 and played six seasons with the Bills. A dominant presence in the middle of Buffalo's defense, he anchored the DL and helped Bruce Smith get to quarterbacks in the 3-4 defense. He was named to the Pro Bowl three times during his time in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills nose tackle Ted Washington (92) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre (4) during the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000, at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. Washington was one of three Bills selected to the Pro-Bowl.
Bryce Paup | LB | #95
Paup came to the Bills in 1995, and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press for the 1995 season. He had 17.5 sacks in the '95 season, which ranks second in franchise history today. He was named to the Pro Bowl in all three seasons as a Buffalo Bill.
Buffalo Bills Bryce Paup (95) during a game fro his 1997 season with the Buffalo Bills. Bryce Paup played for 11 years with four different teams and was a 4-time Pro Bowler.
Offensive lineman Jon Feliciano joined the Bills in 2019 after playing for the Raiders for four seasons. Feliciano started in 16 games in 2019, making it the most in his six-year career. In his two seasons with Buffalo, Feliciano has started in 29 games including playoffs.
Linebacker Tyler Matakevich came to Buffalo after spending four years with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Matakevich led the Bills with 10 special teams tackles in 2020. The linebacker has played in 86 games including the playoffs since 2016.
Center Mitch Morse came to the Bills in 2019 after spending four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. Morse was a second round pick in 2015 and has started 86 total games during his six seasons in the NFL.
Linebacker A.J. Klein joined the Bills after playing for the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers. The eight-year veteran totaled five sacks, nine quarterback hits, five tackles for loss, 73 total tackles, four passes defensed and two forced fumbles in 2020. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week in December 2019 for his 14 tackles, 1.5 sacks and three tackles for loss against the Chargers.
Wide receiver Cole Beasley came to the Bills in 2019 after spending seven seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Beasley had instant success in his first season with quarterback Josh Allen. In 2020, he racked up a career-high 82 catches for 967 receiving yards and averaged 11.8 yards per reception.
3. Jordan Poyer is trying recruit free agent to come to Buffalo
Today at 4 pm, the 2021 league year officially begins. Most of the teams around the league have already started making moves but there are still many quality free agent players out on the market. Throughout the early part of the offseason, while training down in Aventura, Florida, Poyer has been doing his part to trying and recruit free agents to come to Buffalo. The Bills safety was on The Pat McAfee Show last week and talked about some of the players he has been talking to.
"There is a bunch of guys that I train with down there," Poyer said. "Carlos Dunlap was down there, and I was actually trying to recruit him while there. Xavier Rhodes was also down there, and I've been trying to talk in his ear a little bit. Guys are just trying to enjoy the offseason and the business side will handle the business side when that time comes."
