The Buffalo Bills have their work cut out for them this offseason. They are one of five teams in the league still over the salary cap, which will have to change soon so they are compliant with league rules. Not only that, but Buffalo could also have a few holes created on the roster this offseason.
The Bills have 21 unrestricted free agents and three more restricted and exclusive rights free agents this offseason. Multiple starters and key contributors in all three facets of the game are hitting the open market as the roster could look vastly different in 2023 than it did in 2022.
Defensively is where they could suffer the biggest blows. Safety Jordan Poyer, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and defensive end Carl Lawson are all free agents. While the Bills would love to retain everyone, that is an impossible task to accomplish.
Poyer seems like he will be moving on as he sought a contract extension from the team in 2022 and didn’t receive one. Edmunds could very well price himself out of Buffalo as one of the top linebackers available this offseason.
If the Bills want to make a splash in free agency, some more salary cap manipulation will be required. Should they clear the necessary space, a player such as safety Jessie Bates III would be the ideal fit in free agency.
While Damar Hamlin’s return to the field will be a Disney-esque storyline, counting on him to be ready by Week 1 as a steady contributor would be a risky proposition for the Bills. Bates could slide right into the starting safety role that is likely being vacated by Poyer alongside Micah Hyde.
Not only would adding Bates fill a massive hole in their secondary, but it would also create one for the Cincinnati Bengals. Buffalo would not only improve their situation but worsen one of their direct rivals for AFC supremacy in the process.
Bates is a versatile safety that can succeed playing deep and in coverage or up in the box in run support. He had a career-high four interceptions in 2022 while allowing a career-best 51.4 completion percentage.
Ranked sixth among safeties in Sports Info Systems points saved metric last season, Bates would be a huge addition to the Bills should they lose out on Poyer. Clearing the cap space will present some hurdles, but it will be well worth it for general manager Brandon Beane.
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