Written by Mykail Mereau
Buffalo Bills had been busy this offseason. Giving their superstar quarterback and reigning MVP Josh Allen another contract extension making him the highest paid player in the league. Extending Khalil Shakir, Terrell Bernard and Gregory Rousseau contracts keeping them long term as the newest core and key pieces on the team. And bringing back players such as Damar Hamlin, Ty Johnson, Reggie Gillman and Darrynton Evans. With them taking care of some their players, Buffalo made some moves in free agency addressing some of the needs on the roster. Here are the grades of each free agent signing that the Bills made in free agency. Also concluding with the final overall grade for them in free agency this offseason.
Joey Bosa lands in Buffalo
After releasing Von Miller in free agency and saw that Myles Garrett signed a new contract extension with the Cleveland Browns, the Bills had to make a major move to upgrade their pass rush on defense and that move was grabbing five time Pro Bowler Joey Bosa from the Los Angeles Chargers. Buffalo signed Bosa to a one year deal worth $12.6 million. During his time with the Chargers he had a total tackles of 343 with 252 solo tackles and 91 assists, 72 sacks and four fumble recoveries. Now as great this move was for the Bills, this doesn’t make them get over the hump just yet due Bosa’s recent injuries over the last few seasons. He hasn’t played a full season of football in over four years and hasn’t had 10+ sacks since then. So the Bills are hoping that Bosa stays healthy for a full season and becomes that dominated pass rusher to takeover games.
Final Grade: B –
Josh Allen gets a field stretcher weapon in Josh Palmer
Josh Allen has a new target to throw who can get open down the field in wide receiver Josh Palmer. Just like Joey Bosa, Palmer spent his first four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, he had 2,287 receiving yards with 182 catches and ten total touchdowns. Buffalo signed him to a three year contract worth $36 million and he’s known as a field stretcher who ascends against man coverage. This is a solid move by the Bills who desperately need to find a deep threat wideout for their offense and can rely on to make contested catches when needed too in big moments.
Final Grade: B +
Larry Ogunbjobi boosts up the run defense for Buffalo
Bills needed to fix their run defense as it has been mediocre for years now, they went out and grab defensive tackle Larry Ogunbjobi from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ogunbjobi signed a one year deal for $8.3 million with Buffalo. He has had a total tackles of 362 with 199 solo tackles and 162 assists, 27 sacks and two fumble recoveries. His best season came during his time with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021 when he had a high career of seven sacks, 49 tackles and 12 tackles for a loss. Ogunbjobi role in the Bills defensive line will likely be in three tech as the backup to star defensive tackle Ed Oliver as they would look for a big nose tackle in the draft. But overall, this was a good pickup by the Bills as they are investing in bolstering up their defensive line.
Final Grade: C –
Buffalo address their secondary by adding Darrick Forrest on the roster
The weakest link of the Bills roster has been their secondary and it needed a major overhaul on the team. Buffalo grabbed safety Darrick Forrest from Washington Commanders signing him to a one year deal for $1.3 million. During his time with Washington he had 137 total tackles with 84 solo tackles and 53 assists, one fumble recovery and four interceptions. Forrest brings a lot of athleticism to the Bills safety room and looks bring to the competition on the roster. Now the Bills will probably look to add more depth in the secondary when the draft rolls around, but this was the first step of them addressing their biggest hole on the roster.
Final Grade: C
Bills get an versatile defender in Michael Hoecht
Joey Bosa wasn’t the only defensive end the Bills went out to grab on the roster. They brought in Michael Hoecht defensive end from the Los Angeles Rams who signed a three year deal with the team worth $21 million. Hoecht brings an versatile to the Buffalo defense they can put him anywhere on the field and make a big play when needed too. He’s had a total tackles of 180 with 98 solo tackles and 82 assists and 13.5 sacks during his time with the Rams and won a Super Bowl during that timeframe. He’s never missed a game due to injury in his first four seasons in the league, which brings good news to the Bills coaching staff. This was a great move by the Bills of adding a guy like Michael Hochet who brings a whole another dimension to this Buffalo defense.
Grade: A +
Buffalo brings an dynamic wideout for their offense and special teams in Laviska Shenault Jr
Bills brings in an versatile wideout for both offense and special teams in Laviska Shenault Jr who signed a one year deal with the team. Shenault hasn’t the best start in the league moving from team to team and not having a chance to showcase his talents. During his time in the NFL, he’s had 1,587 receiving yards with 163 catches and eight touchdowns in his career. His biggest highlight career play came from last season when he had 97 yard punt return touchdown with the Seattle Seahawks. Now Shenault could be another gadget player for the offense moving him in motion, but the team could be looking at him as an punt returner on special teams even though they got one in Brandon Codrington. So we shall see what the Bills do with him and what his role will be on the roster, but solid addition to the team.
Final Grade: C +
Buffalo adds an depth piece for the offensive line in Kendrick Green
Bills adds an depth piece for their offensive line in guard Kendrick Green from the Houston Texans who signed a one year deal with the team. Green started his career at center with the Pittsburgh Steelers and moving him to guard in his second season. He’s played 96% of offensive snaps only committing six penalties including four of them being holding penalties during his rookie campaign with the Steelers. He’s mostly likely to be a backup for the Buffalo offensive line being a quality depth piece to the team. It’s a good move by the team getting more depth to the offensive line room.
Final Grade: C –
Dane Jackson returns back to Buffalo
Bills brings back cornerback Dane Jackson for a reunion with the team who signed a one year deal with them. Jackson made most of his career here in Buffalo being the co-star to then star cornerback Tre’Davious White at the time. He definitely is an upgrade over Kaiir Elam who recently got traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a fifth round pick in return. He already brings experience with the team and will be looking to competition for a starting role for the cornerback position. The front office is happy to have him back on the team, but I don’t think he will be the co-star to Christian Benford as the Bills will be looking to add more depth to the cornerback room in the draft. Overall solid pickup to add cornerback on the roster and welcome back to Buffalo Dane Jackson.
Final Grade: C –
Final Grade of the Buffalo Bills in free agency this offseason
I think the Buffalo Bills has had a sneaky good free agency this offseason addressing of their biggest needs on the roster going into the upcoming season. They could be looking add to some more players in the free agency market in the next few weeks. Overall, the Buffalo Bills had solid good first week of free agency and probably would turn their attention to the NFL Draft to add more talent on their roster as they are looking trying to get over the hump and reach the Super Bowl for the first time in over 30 years heading into the 2025 NFL Season.
Overall Final Grade: C +
