The NFL’s legal tampering window starts less than 24 hours away.
After extending multiple players in the past two weeks, the Buffalo Bills aren’t expected to be major players in free agency. That doesn’t mean the team cannot find some good value on the market at positions of need though.
Buffalo should look to re-sign some of their own free agents such as Mack Hollins and Ty Johnson, but the targets in the article are based on players who suited up elsewhere in 2024.
Here’s a look at Ryan Talbot’s four free agent targets for the Bills.
DT Calais Campbell
Ignore Calais Campbell’s age. The defensive tackle is still playing at an elite level. Take one look at Campbell’s performance last season in Miami and it is evident that he has not slowed down one bit.
In an offseason where the Bills need to add talent to their defensive line, Campbell makes plenty of sense.
In addition to his play, Campbell is an excellent mentor. Newly paid edge rusher Greg Rousseau has referred to Campbell as one of his mentors so getting him in-house would only benefit Rousseau as well as a player like DeWayne Carter.
Campbell’s cost should be affordable due to age and he likely wants to compete for Super Bowl in what could be his final season.
Another reason to keep an eye on Campbell? He has a great relationship with new Bills coach Ryan Nielsen. After joining the Falcons in 2023, Campbell told CBS Sports that Nielsen played a big role in his decision.
“A big part of this is Ryan Nielsen,” Campbell said on CBS Sports' podcast The Crew. “My first conversation with him, I was really impressed. The guy is a football mind.”
CB Jonathan Jones
Jonathan Jones had a down year last season. The cornerback allowed a 112.6 passer rating and a little over 70 percent of passes thrown his way were completed. He also allowed seven touchdowns and recorded zero interceptions.
Due to his play, Spotrac’s projected AAV for the cornerback is $2.8 million. After a down year, why should the Bills be interested? Jones' relationship with new nickel cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino and the fact that Jones was playing through an injury last season.
“You guys don’t see it, but Jon was banged up a lot,” Pellegrino said in late December. ”He’s finally feeling good. That early part of the year, he was hurting. He was really, really hurting. He fought through it, didn’t complain, didn’t ask for plays off. I have to protect him from himself, because he’s like ‘I’m going’ — that’s the type of competitor he is. An old-school football player.”
Although he struggled in 2024, Jones was outstanding in the previous three seasons with Pellegrino. Jones allowed a 63.2 passer rating in coverage over that span of time.
A Pellegrino favorite on a one or two-year deal as a stop-gap seems perfect for the Bills opposite Christian Benford.
EDGE Za’Darius Smith
Smith was released on Sunday by the Lions. He had a $6.99M option bonus due on March 14 ($11M in total salary) and Detroit decided to move on.
Age is a concern for Smith (32), but he’s still very productive. Smith is coming off of a nine-sack season and still gets after the QB consistently. Per Chris Trapasso, his pressure rates the past years are 15.1%, 15.1% and 15.0%. That shows that there has been no real dropoff in his game. Smith can also kick inside on passing downs.
Price and production could make him appealing to Buffalo in an EDGE rusher market that is getting more expensive by the day.
WR Joshua Palmer
The Bills are likely to be in the wide receiver market and Joshua Palmer is a name to watch. In terms of what the Bills need, Palmer makes plenty of sense. The wide receiver can create separation and he’s a terrific route runner.
The price could also be right for Buffalo. Spotrac currently has Palmer’s AAV at $4.3 million per season.