The 2020 free agency period is set to begin today with the negotiating window opening at 12 noon on Monday and free agency officially beginning on Wednesday at 4 pm ET. It will be an opportunity for the Bills and the 31 other NFL clubs to take the first big step in re-shaping their rosters for the upcoming fall campaign.
While there is a good deal of uncertainty as to what will unfold, due in part to an unprecedented supply of veteran quarterbacks, here's a look at some of what has been widely anticipated going into this spring's open market.
What positions will be in high demand?
There's usually a high demand for quarterback and pass rusher help every offseason in the NFL, but with quarterbacks determining the fortunes of teams more than ever, league-wide demand for an answer at the position is at an all-time high.
Even teams that had veteran quarterbacks like the L.A. Chargers or top homegrown draft pick quarterbacks like Tampa Bay will potentially move on from their current signal callers. Fortunately, all these clubs seeking upgrades at the game's most important position have a glut of veteran talent hitting the market.
ESPN NFL analyst Field Yates believes upwards of 20 teams will at least explore a way to upgrade their quarterback situation.
"There are about 12 teams in the NFL that I think you can cross off the list of going quarterback shopping this offseason, and then everybody else," said Yates. "Some of them are clear and obvious. Some of them are wildcards but it's going to be as zany a quarterback offseason as I can recall."
Two of the teams in Buffalo's division, Miami and New England will make some kind of offseason decision at quarterback. So too could two other Bills 2020 opponents (Chargers and Raiders). The Titans reportedly agreed with Ryan Tannehill to a four-year extension.
The other position that will have a strong buyer's market is defensive end. Teams are always looking for a consistent producer off the edge, and this year's free agent market is only strengthened by the fact that the defensive end class in the draft is relatively thin after the top tier.
"When you look at some positions, maybe not quite as deep in the draft, edge rusher, linebacker and tight end," said NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah. "Just a little bit of a shallow group there."
That should put free agent pass rushers like Seattle's Jadeveon Clowney and Tampa's Shaquil Barrett in a favorable spot when it comes to holding to certain average annual salary demands, provided they're not given the franchise tag by their respective clubs.
There's a strong likelihood that's the case for Barrett who may be tagged by the Bucs.
With Shaq Lawson a free agent for Buffalo and Trent Murphy entering the final year of his contract, the Bills figure to be surveying their options at the position this offseason.
What positions could see a soft market?
The free agent market is rarely good for running backs as more and more teams shy away from handing out big second contracts to players who shouldered a lot of work over the course of their rookie deals. Teams that have done that in recent years, more often than not.
Add in the fact that this year's draft class offers a strong and deep class of ball carriers, and outside of perhaps Tennessee's Derrick Henry and L.A. Chargers' Melvin Gordon there doesn't figure to be big spending for running back talent.
"Everyone is talking about the wide receiver class in this draft," said ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay, "Even though we might only have one back in the first round, this is a really good running back class."
The other position that could have a soft market is the aforementioned wide receiver. With six to seven receivers projected to be first-round selections in this spring's draft, it could convince some teams that they don't need to pay a premium on the free agent market.
NFL clubs might see a high-end receiver entering his seventh or eighth NFL season as a bigger risk than an ultra-talented rookie with a high ceiling.
Couple that with a crop of free agent talent at the position that drops off steeply after the top tier and some free agent receivers might be waiting for the phone to ring longer than they anticipate.
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.
What makes the most sense for Buffalo?
The vast majority of NFL analysts believe the Bills must still focus on improving their offensive production. Both general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott have made it evident they realize their offense has to score more points.
But what should take priority in free agency for Buffalo?
Pro Football Focus' Ben Linsey liked what John Brown and Cole Beasley did for Buffalo's offense as free agent additions last year, but he believes more is help is needed outside.
"The Bills could use a bigger, field-stretching wide receiver to complement the skills of Brown and Beasley," said Linsey. "On the season, Bills receivers caught just 40.3 percent of their contested catch opportunities (28th in the NFL). Adding someone who excels in those tight-window situations would give Josh Allen another weapon to work with."
Other NFL analysts believe protecting Josh Allen should be a top priority.
"The Bills brought in seven new offensive linemen for Josh Allen last season, and their young quarterback reaped the benefits of extra protection," said ESPN's Bill Barnwell. "Now the Bills need to figure out how they can get that line to the next level."
Barnwell believes there should be a free agent addition or two up front.
There are still others who think the Bills should spend significant money on a high-end pass rusher.
"There obviously aren't too many weaknesses on this Bills defense, yet there is a glaring need… pass rusher," said NFL.com's Adam Maya. "Shaq Lawson will test the market after his fifth-year option wasn't exercised, and even if he returns, it won't be enough. Buffalo, which has lacked an elite edge rusher for years, has the means to swing big this offseason."
Beane, in an appearance on the Eric Wood podcast, gave indication that his thoughts run parallel to most of those assessments.
"We have to be better on offense," said Beane. "We improved, but we have to take the next step. I have to continue to make sure our O-line is where it needs to be. We have a couple of guys there who could be free agents. And I have to give Josh more weapons with different skill sets so that they can complement each other. So we'll continue to do that. We also have a good defense and I think defense is very important. Most teams that win the Super Bowl have a good defense."
The only question is which of those needs is addressed first?
