The Buffalo Bills have made a number of free agency acquisitions this offseason, but one of the lingering question marks around the front office concerns extending some of the Bills' younger players.
Pro Football Focus (PFF)'s Bradley Locker released a list of the top 20 NFL players who are next in line to earn significant contract extensions. Buffalo was one of four teams to have multiple entries on the list, and they had one on each side of the ball.
The first entry for the Bills was cornerback Christian Benford, who is entering his fourth season in Buffalo.
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"There might not be a more unheralded star defender in the NFL than Benford. The sole reliable coverage player in Buffalo's secondary over the past few seasons, Benford concluded last year sixth in both wins above replacement and PFF overall grade (79.3) among qualified cornerbacks. The 24-year-old has been one of the NFL's best at his position since 2023 and should join Josh Allen, Greg Rousseau and Khalil Shakir as Bills getting a larger piece of the pie." Wrote Locker.
This praise comes off a career-high in tackles (64) for Benford, as well as matching his best marks in interceptions (two), pass deflections (10), and forced fumbles (two).
For his production, Bendford is set to cost the Bills just $3.4 million on the final year of his rookie contract. And on Saturday he is signed up. … Benford agreed to terms on a 4-year, $76M extension per agent
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The other Bill on the list should come as no surprise, as he's been awfully vocal about his contract demands. Running back James Cook, according to himself and Locker, is due for a payday.
"The Bills have been mentioned at length in this piece already, but their list of checks to write still includes Cook. A year ago, the Georgia alumnus slotted eighth among qualifiers in PFF rushing grade (88.6) and 12th in missed tackles forced (47). On the heels of a career-best season and a strong early career, Cook is poised to earn at least $10 million per year on a new deal." Locker wrote.
Cook has been a Pro Bowl selection in each of the last two seasons, both years with over 1,000 rushing yards. Cook is also coming off a career-high 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024.
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This story was originally published March 29, 2025 at 11:14 AM.