At this stage, what would you consider a successful Free Agency prior to the draft?

[Wizard]

Resign Special Teams/Cheap Backup Process Guys: Check 

 

Resign Poyer: Surprising Check

 

Sign an average OL: Check

 

Sign a cheap backup QB: Check

 

To Sign List

Bobby Wagner, LB

Trade for Jeudy or M Evans

 

Wish List

Seamulo or Risner

 

For me, A successful free agency has to include at least one of the 5 players mentioned from the To Sign or Wish List to get the 2nd receiver, a stronger OL, or a MLB before the draft.

 

 

[Mat68]

Fill all holes with decent starting options. Draft the best players without position restrictions.  

[Solomon Grundy]

4 minutes ago, Wizard said:

Resign Special Teams/Cheap Backup Process Guys: Check 

 

Resign Poyer: Surprising Check

 

Sign an average OL: Check

 

Sign a cheap backup QB: Check

 

To Sign List

Bobby Wagner, LB

Trade for Jeudy or M Evans

 

Wish List

Seamulo or Risner

 

For me, A successful free agency has to include at least one of the 5 players mentioned from the To Sign or Wish List to get the 2nd receiver, a stronger OL, or a MLB before the draft.

 

 

Getting Bobby Wagner would seal it for me. Anything after that is considered a bonus

[NeverOutNick]

Although I’d love to trade for Hopkins or Jeudy if the price was right, I’m actually happy with free agency. I wanted a WR and we got a fast one with untapped potential for Josh to play with. I wanted o-line help and we got a young versatile interior lineman who is already deemed a very good pass protector. We resigned Poyer!!! Best safety duo in the NFL back.

 

I would’ve loved to have Lavonte David on that 1 year $7 mil deal because he was the perfect fit and better replacement for Edmunds but getting Poyer back makes up for it. Hopefully Wagner says I don’t need the money and takes a 1 year deal of the same money to play with us but I won’t hold my breath. 
 

We don’t need to rush anything else and im glad Beane knows this. Sooooo many free agents left, especially at RB, that we can go into the draft right now getting more O line and BPAs and then after the draft get those vets left behind that want to win a SB on a cheap deal

[TheBeaneBandit]

Not what has happened so far, that's for damn sure.

[Charles Romes]

Not overpaying someone in their 30s

[TheyCallMeAndy]

I fear your ‘to sign’ list isn’t going to happen

[NeverOutNick]

Beane has done a good job. Here’s my crazy and probably unrealistic finish to free agency until the draft:

 

Trade Cardinals:

 

DT Ed Oliver 

2nd round pick 

 

Bills Get:

 

WR Deandre Hopkins

LB Isaiah Simmons

 

Bills sign Jordan Phillips to a cheap 1 or 2 year deal

 

Go into the draft and get best Offensive lineman at 27 or trade back and get one…hopefully OT Darnell Wright

[BBFL]

Hopefully there’s another splash in the FA pool. Suemalo and Wagner would be nice!

I don’t think Cameron Erving and Isaiah Wynn wouldn’t be bad additions to push Spencer Brown. 
 

LB wise? Something tells me Wagner is either going to get a decent from Dallas or return to Seattle. Failing him as an option, I would like to see Myles Jack, Perryman or Anthony Walker Jr. to that unit. 

[Success]

I was thinking about it - I'll get roasted, but if nothing else happens, I'm pretty okay.

 

Had very small expectations given our cap.  We only lost Edmunds, and added speedy receiver & a starting guard.

 

I do expect at least one more move - but if it doesn't happen, this team is still one of the best in the league, and I'll hope that we hit on 3-4 draft picks.

 

[BBFL]

3 minutes ago, NeverOutNick said:

Beane has done a good job. Here’s my crazy and probably unrealistic finish to free agency until the draft:

 

Trade Cardinals:

 

DT Ed Oliver 

2nd round pick 

 

Bills Get:

 

WR Deandre Hopkins

LB Isaiah Simmons

 

Bills sign Jordan Phillips to a cheap 1 or 2 year deal

 

Go into the draft and get best Offensive lineman at 27 or trade back and get one…hopefully OT Darnell Wright

They won’t trade Simmons. He’s got 2 years left on a decent contract; presuming they pick up his option. You never know but one would think they wouldn’t throw Hopkins alongside him for Ed and a 2. 

[BillsFan130]

As of now, no.

 

I wanted a big ticket guard signing, another big weapon for Josh and even a veteran right tackle to compete with Brown

 

Hasn’t done any of those yet 

[appoo]

Yes, pretty much

2 minutes ago, BillsFan130 said:

As of now, no.

 

I wanted a big ticket guard signing, another big weapon for Josh and even a veteran right tackle to compete with Brown

 

Hasn’t done any of those yet 

Bills didn't need a big ticket OLineman IMO. 

 

With Allen's contract, you build him an average priced OLine, and ask him to deal with that. Last year;s OLine was not average, so hopefully this year's will be. That's the goal

[BillsFan130]

2 minutes ago, appoo said:

Yes, pretty much

Bills didn't need a big ticket OLineman IMO. 

 

With Allen's contract, you build him an average priced OLine, and ask him to deal with that. Last year;s OLine was not average, so hopefully this year's will be. That's the goal

Why would you want to build him just an average O line?

 

Bills o line was ranked around 26th last year and they have 4 of 5 starters returning for 2023. Not good enough IMO

[appoo]

1 minute ago, BillsFan130 said:

Why would you want to build him just an average O line?

 

Bills o line was ranked around 26th last year and they have 4 of 5 starters returning for 2023. Not good enough IMO

Opportunity Cost. 

 

What can't you get if you spend on an above average line. 

[NeverOutNick]

Beane is very good at saying enough to motivate the players we have in place while also putting them on notice. We will be drafting an OT and probably an iOL early in the draft after hearing how he “believes” in Spencer Brown. He knows Brown has potential and even he doesn’t believe that Brown played well down the stretch but he’s saying the right things so that hopefully in his mind Brown becomes a very good tackle and when he hits on another tackle in the draft he has cheap investments at bookend for the next few years and can unload Dawkins contract if need be later. He also knows Morse probably only has one year left and he needs another iOL in the draft so that Bates, McGovern and the drafted iOL are his cheaper options for the next couple years. I’ve got faith in his plan so far he just needs to hit on these picks and hopefully get a good cheap vet to play MLB for a year while we develop Bernard or get a rookie to take his place 

[BillsFan130]

5 minutes ago, appoo said:

Opportunity Cost. 

 

What can't you get if you spend on an above average line. 

I would say protecting Josh should be the top priority.

 

Cut costs elsewhere

[Rc2catch]

Sign one top 5 free agent from each position group except quarterback 

[Simon Says]

1 hour ago, Wizard said:

Resign Special Teams/Cheap Backup Process Guys: Check 

 

Resign Poyer: Surprising Check

 

Sign an average OL: Check

 

Sign a cheap backup QB: Check

 

To Sign List

Bobby Wagner, LB

Trade for Jeudy or M Evans

 

Wish List

Seamulo or Risner

 

For me, A successful free agency has to include at least one of the 5 players mentioned from the To Sign or Wish List to get the 2nd receiver, a stronger OL, or a MLB before the draft.

 

 

I dont think Bills can come close to affording all 3 on your wish list

Edited March 16, 2023 by Herb Nightly
Omitted a word

[BillMafia716ix]

The Prize would’ve been another weapon for Josh. The Harty contract makes no sense. He’s undersized. Often hurt and had a fumbling issue when he did play. Disappointed we missed out on Lavonte David. That would have been a good signing. I would be happy with Bobby Wagner but it doesn’t seem like they’re interested. Pretty disappointing FA so far we did nothing to close the gap between KC and Cincy.

 

I guess the only thing that could possibly save this FA period would be a trade for Derrick Henry to boost the running game but I doubt that happens. 

[Warriorspikes51]

Absolutely Not. This team needs multiple impact players

[Chaos]

Signing Deonte Hardy. Check.  On to the draft we go. 

[RichRiderBills]

I would say first thing is filling the glaring gaps. Second try to improve fix areas of 2ndary weakness, and lastly to get better depth. 

 

I thought getting better for the Bills meant getting saavy tough maulers on the Oline. 

 

Oline is currently worse. We got a mid level finesse blocker, who may or may not pan out. Tons of depth holes along the 2nd string...and no improvement to other weaker starters, or guys with questionable injury history.

 

I knew it was going to be tough to get better at QB2. We got slightly worse. 

 

I also hoped that "addressing gaps" would be w some younger players, not older players or mid level players who have never been the guy you want/ hope them to be. 

 

Because we've not clearly filled those needs, we will likely have to draft the same positions in the draft. 

 

Harty is kind of in an awkward place for me. We need more WRs but still need that slot guy, still need a big WR. 

Edited March 16, 2023 by RichRiderBills

[appoo]

1 hour ago, ScottLaw said:

Like a 33 year old safety or special teams priority players? 
 

Yea… give me a good offensive line.

There’s a massive area between Bad (where the Bills were) to above average (say the chiefs) to great (Eagles)

[BringBackFergy]

2 hours ago, Wizard said:

Resign Special Teams/Cheap Backup Process Guys: Check 

 

Resign Poyer: Surprising Check

 

Sign an average OL: Check

 

Sign a cheap backup QB: Check

 

To Sign List

Bobby Wagner, LB

Trade for Jeudy or M Evans

 

Wish List

Seamulo or Risner

 

For me, A successful free agency has to include at least one of the 5 players mentioned from the To Sign or Wish List to get the 2nd receiver, a stronger OL, or a MLB before the draft.

 

 

So you were the kid that wanted the Atari console AND the Lite Brite from Santa. 
 

Be happy with a pair of socks and a pack of Gatorgum. 

[appoo]

Bottom line - I’m paying Allen 40M to play and make better an average OLine and giving him game breaker weapons. That’s where the money should go on O

[Airseven]

Free agency was not successful. 
 

Curious still if Beane can swing an impactful trade.

[John from Riverside]

2 hours ago, Wizard said:

Resign Special Teams/Cheap Backup Process Guys: Check 

 

Resign Poyer: Surprising Check

 

Sign an average OL: Check

 

Sign a cheap backup QB: Check

 

To Sign List

Bobby Wagner, LB

Trade for Jeudy or M Evans

 

Wish List

Seamulo or Risner

 

For me, A successful free agency has to include at least one of the 5 players mentioned from the To Sign or Wish List to get the 2nd receiver, a stronger OL, or a MLB before the draft.

 

 

Look at the percentile of pass blocking on that lineman and say that he’s average

I’m not upset with the players that we have brought in so far far from it
 

But it has been kind of a bla free agency

 

I expected this we don’t have a lot of money to spend

 

Expect for additions to start coming through the draft, and you’ll be less disappointed

[Chaos]

Just now, John from Riverside said:

Look at the percentile of pass blocking on that lineman and say that he’s average

If you mean McGovern, he is  clearly an above average pass blocker.  And he is clearly a below average run blocker.  He grades out to average overall.  Personally I value pass block more than run blocking, because the Bills offense is entirely 100% dependent on Josh Allen. I think he is a good signing. But overall he is average. 

[Wizard]

Strong pass blocker but average guard overall.

[John from Riverside]

4 minutes ago, Wizard said:

Strong pass blocker but average guard overall.

This is where you need to do a little bit of critical thinking
 

He’s not a strong pass blocker. He’s one of the best pass blockers doesn’t allow sacks doesn’t take penalties.

 

What do we do on this offense?  We pass the ball a ton.
 

Not only was it a great pick up but we got him for about $3 million less than what the other guards were going for

 

Look less at the name on the back of the jersey and more at the attributes

Edited March 17, 2023 by John from Riverside

[Milanos Milano]

10 minutes ago, Airseven said:

Free agency was not successful. 
 

Curious still if Beane can swing an impactful trade.

Landing a WR 1B or star RB or it’s a bust for me. 

[Adam727]

I'm sure this answer will be unpopular.  I want to see Beane unload cap $$.  Beane has backloaded contracts so much that Allen/Miller/Diggs will be counting almost $110 million against the cap in two years.  I liked the Allen restructure, but didn't like the other two as much.  The Bills also have 6-10mil/year in cap space used up by void years every year between now and 2027.  Between restructured/backloaded contracts and void years the Bills will have almost a $20 mil cap space disadvantage vs most teams each year for almost the next half decade.  And we're already 10 mil over next year's cap before accounting for Poyer, the draft, or the ~20 players we're going to need to sign.  The current team is essentially being paid for on a credit card w/ future cap space.  

 

I thought it was smart to let Edmunds walk for $18mil/year, but not if we're going to pay $18mil/year to Hines/Neal/Matakevich/Settle/Harty type players instead.  Those were luxuries I think the Bills should have gone without this year and are not the players I want the Bills to mess up their future cap space for.

 

I would trade Oliver, cut McKenzie, cut Neal because those are the only contracts left on the entire roster the Bills can actually get out of.  Re-sign Phillips/Shaq/Klein if any of them will sign cheap 1 yr deals.  Then go into the draft targeting O-line/LB/Safety and roll whatever money we can over to next year.  Beane was brilliant with the cap his first few years here but I think it's a mistake to keep doubling down on going all in when Josh Allen alone is going to likely keep us competitive for a decade+

 

I'm glad Beane addressed the O-line, and I'm glad Poyer is back, but otherwise not a fan of the $$ given out this offseason and hope not to see much more.  

Edited March 17, 2023 by Adam727

[Chaos]

1 minute ago, Adam727 said:

liked the Allen restructure, but didn't like the other two as much

All restructures are wizardry.  Aren't you paying attention in class?

[John from Riverside]

2 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Like a 33 year old safety or special teams priority players? 
 

Yea… give me a good offensive line.

We’re going to be happy with McGovern. I just hope that we’re not done there.

5 minutes ago, Adam727 said:

I'm sure this answer will be unpopular.  I want to see Beane unload cap $$.  Beane has backloaded contracts so much that Allen/Miller/Diggs will be counting almost $110 million against the cap in two years.  I liked the Allen restructure, but didn't like the other two as much.  The Bills also have 6-10mil/year in cap space used up by void years every year between now and 2027.  Between restructured/backloaded contracts and void years the Bills will have almost a $20 mil cap space disadvantage vs most teams each year for almost the next half decade.  And we're already 10 mil over next year's cap before accounting for Poyer, the draft, or the ~20 players we're going to need to sign.  The current team is essentially being paid for on a credit card w/ future cap space.  

 

I thought it was smart to let Edmunds walk for $18mil/year, but not if we're going to pay $18mil/year to Hines/Neal/Matakevich/Settle/Harty type players instead.  Those were luxuries I think the Bills should have gone without this year and are not the players I want the Bills to mess up their future cap space for.

 

I would trade Oliver, cut McKenzie, cut Neal because those are the only contracts left on the entire roster the Bills can actually get out of.  Re-sign Phillips/Shaq/Klein if any of them will sign cheap 1 yr deals.  Then go into the draft targeting O-line/LB/Safety and roll whatever money we can over to next year.  Beane was brilliant with the cap his first few years here but I think it's a mistake to keep doubling down on going all in when Josh Allen alone is going to likely keep us competitive for a decade+

 

I'm glad Beane addressed the O-line, and I'm glad Poyer is back, but otherwise not a fan of the $$ given out this offseason and hope not to see much more.  

The cap continues to go up

 

Of course, what we are all hoping for is the draft picks hit as we go along here

 

What would be really nice is if some of these late round picks ended up becoming players take a guy like Spector 

[SCBills]

I’m concerned that we may be sitting there at 27 watching another run on WR’s before we pick.  
 

Then who knows who’s available in RD2. 
 

I still think we need a legit WR2.  Not sure Diggs - Davis - Shakir - Harty is a WR room worthy of a Super Bowl contender.  It’s basically Diggs + 3 WR’s that we hope make a jump. 
 

If we keep pick 27, I’d also like to be able to spend that on OL, as there should be a top tier IOL or good Tackle prospect available there.  
 

At the very least … get Allen a weapon.  If that’s Henry or something out of left field, I’ll take it.  
 

In summary …

 

-A weapon to help Allen

 

-An upgrade at EDGE or Wagner

 

Not sure we have the money to do both of those things unless an unexpected cut or player trade happens. 

[BillsFanForever19]

I can understand *hoping* for one of those guys. But saying it's not successful unless we do is kind of ridiculous.

 

Given that we went into this being 18+ million over the cap and having 24 players with their deals up - simply getting back Poyer and filling as many holes as possible with players who have even the potential to be an upgrade from who they're replacing is a massive success.

 

I didn't see a situation where we wouldn't regress given where we were at. Expecting multiple big name signings was always ridiculous.

Edited March 17, 2023 by BillsFanForever19

[Adam727]

2 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

 

The cap continues to go up

 

Of course, what we are all hoping for is the draft picks hit as we go along here

 

What would be really nice is if some of these late round picks ended up becoming players take a guy like Spector 

 

I suspect this is Beane's thinking also.  $20mil in cap space today is almost ~9% of the roster, in a few years maybe it'll be closer to 6-7% as cap numbers rise.  But I still think he's been reckless with the cap lately which is going to affect our ability to sign/re-sign impactful free agents in the future.  Also it's tougher for rookies to stand out when the Bills are paying out high contracts to the players ahead of them.  Hines/Matakevich/Settle are examples of players I'd rather have seen later round draft picks come in and try to replace w/ the hopes the team hit on 1 or 2.    

[Slack_in_MA]

12 minutes ago, Adam727 said:

I'm sure this answer will be unpopular.  I want to see Beane unload cap $$.  Beane has backloaded contracts so much that Allen/Miller/Diggs will be counting almost $110 million against the cap in two years.  I liked the Allen restructure, but didn't like the other two as much.  The Bills also have 6-10mil/year in cap space used up by void years every year between now and 2027.  Between restructured/backloaded contracts and void years the Bills will have almost a $20 mil cap space disadvantage vs most teams each year for almost the next half decade.  And we're already 10 mil over next year's cap before accounting for Poyer, the draft, or the ~20 players we're going to need to sign.  The current team is essentially being paid for on a credit card w/ future cap space.  

 

I thought it was smart to let Edmunds walk for $18mil/year, but not if we're going to pay $18mil/year to Hines/Neal/Matakevich/Settle/Harty type players instead.  Those were luxuries I think the Bills should have gone without this year and are not the players I want the Bills to mess up their future cap space for.

 

I would trade Oliver, cut McKenzie, cut Neal because those are the only contracts left on the entire roster the Bills can actually get out of.  Re-sign Phillips/Shaq/Klein if any of them will sign cheap 1 yr deals.  Then go into the draft targeting O-line/LB/Safety and roll whatever money we can over to next year.  Beane was brilliant with the cap his first few years here but I think it's a mistake to keep doubling down on going all in when Josh Allen alone is going to likely keep us competitive for a decade+

 

I'm glad Beane addressed the O-line, and I'm glad Poyer is back, but otherwise not a fan of the $$ given out this offseason and hope not to see much more.  

An interesting, lucid take. 

[Chaos]

1 minute ago, SCBills said:

I’m concerned that we may be sitting there at 27 watching another run on WR’s before we pick

There are no WR's that are sure things in this draft.  There are a bunch of guys who do have a chance to be WR1s.  Some of those guys will be around in rds 3, 4 and 5. Again, not sure things, but legit lottery tickets.