The Buffalo Bills’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship game showed that while the Bills have great potential; however, they will need to upgrade to compete for a Super Bowl. As currently constructed, the Bills won the AFC East and had the league-leading wide receiver in Stefon Diggs. In 2021, the Bills will have an estimated $2, 787,152 in cap space. This will make it tough to add pieces; however, here is a list of free agents the Buffalo Bills should target in the off-season.
Free Agents The Buffalo Bills Should Target In The Off-Season
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Bring “Fitzmagic” back to Buffalo. Fitzpatrick has shown he could be a starter on a 500. team, however; this eliminates the chances of him winning a Super Bowl. With Fitzpatrick backing up Josh Allen down the stretch you not only have a security blanket should Allen get injured, but also have a reliable backup to replace Allen should the game become a blowout. Allen has shown to be incredibly durable; although, his style of play will lead him to accumulate injuries further into his career. Fitzpatrick has leadership qualities and is beloved by teammates, adding personalities like that to a locker room can only benefit. At 38 years of age, Fitzpatrick should chase the Super Bowl on a contending team and not be a starter on a rebuilder.
Andy Dalton
The 32-year-old veteran quarterback has gained experience as a backup this year playing on the Dallas Cowboys. Similar to Fitzpatrick, Dalton can fill in for Allen in blowout situations or if injuries occur. Dalton still has a strong arm and can run the ball a bit, meaning plays don’t have to be changed drastically between the two quarterbacks. Dalton has never won a playoff game while with the Cincinnati Bengals, so that itch for a championship run would still be there. Backing up Allen would solidify that position depth-wise.
Leonard Fournette
Fournette is only 26 years of age, which fits in wonderfully with the young core of talent the Bills have. The former fourth overall pick has a plethora of talent, recently seen in his playing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fournette during the regular season has rushed for 367 yards with six touchdowns on a team with a lot of players vying for time with the football. In his last season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Fournette rushed for 1152 yards with three touchdowns in 15 games. Fournette can be a force on a team where he is the number one running back, which gives the Bills a dual-threat. A superstar wide receiver in 27-year-old Stefon Diggs and a star running back in 26-year-old Fournette would give opposing defenses plenty of concern.
Alejandro Villanueva
The Buffalo Bills offensive line has improved but is still a spot where more can be done. Adding another leader type player on the O-line would help to add protection for Josh Allen and add structure. Head coach Sean McDermott is very high on players who are blue-collar, hard-working types; which Villanueva has shown to be. Coming over from Mike Tomlin’s system with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Villanueva would bring experience from being on a yearly playoff team.
J.J. Watt
The recently released defensive end is a leader and at 32 years of age; however, can still play at a high level for a contending team. Watt solidifies the Bills defense and is the exact type of player McDermott wants to build the team around. Watt’s blue-collar style of play leads by example; as well as, giving experience to the younger members of the defense core. Numerous awards represent Watt’s career and show qualities that benefit any team.
The 2020-2021 Buffalo Bills assembled one of the best teams in their history. The Bills; however, need to continue to recruit free agents to improve their weaknesses and strengthen their positives.
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