With $5,492,338 in salary cap money left over, it’s time for the Buffalo Bills to fork over some of that cash to look into free agency and sign some potential depth pieces.
From wide receivers; to cornerbacks to running backs: there are still many talented players looking for employment.
Here are three experienced players who could give the Bills the extra lift to their first Super Bowl trophy.
3 Potential Free Agents for the Buffalo Bills
Former New York Giants WR Kenny Golladay (19) – Evan Pinkus/New York Giants, Inc.
1. Kenny Golladay – (WR)
In 2018 with the Detroit Lions, Golladay had 1,063 yards on 15 receptions and five touchdowns. In 2019, he had 1,190 yards on 18 receptions and 11 touchdowns which landed him the sole Pro Bowl selection of his career.
After that, the 6’4″, 214 lb. receiver was a major letdown with the Giants after signing a four-year, $72 million contract in 2021.
Still, the proficient athlete played last year for NFL coach of the year Brian Daboll who was an assistant to current Bills head coach Sean McDermott. He finished his stint with the Giants with 43 catches, 602 yards, and one touchdown.
Because the Giants released him, they saved $6.7 million in salary cap space. This means the Bills can pick him up at a low-cost, one-year deal.
If he finds a way to stay healthy, he could be a dangerous slot route receiver for Ken Dorsey’s new-look offense to partner up with Stefon Diggs.
The 29-year-old has one chance with the Bills to return back to his Detroit form or be gone because he already whiffed on his second contract with the Giants.
Former Cincinnati Bengals CB Eli Apple (20) – Joseph Maiorana/USA TODAY Sports
2. Eli Apple – (CB) Cincinnati Bengals
While his production may have dropped off since being a first-round pick by the New York Giants in 2016, people forget he was a stud college cornerback at Ohio State University under then-head coach Urban Meyer. Since then, his NFL production just hasn’t been the same.
Before arriving with the Bengals, he just didn’t fit in the Giants’ scheme as the Giants were playing soft, zone coverage when Apple is a man-man tight coverage guy. Plus, the 6’1″, 203 lb. corner is a burner, as he ran a 4.40, 40-yard dash time at the combine.
Now, the 27-year-old is thriving in the Bengals’ aggressive-blitzing get-after-the-quarterback and lets your corners play man-man.
Hmmm, I wonder who else is going to be playing that scheme this year?
Hey Eli, the Bills are going to be running a similar scheme with McDermott calling the plays on defense this year. How about signing a one-year deal to come to play for the probable 2023 Super Bowl champs this year?
If Cincinnati is willing to trade for Apple, and he is only carrying a salary of $1.900.00, the Bills could bundle one of their (3) 6th-round picks and possibly move up in the draft to get him.
Former Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (33) – Rich Gabrielson/Getty Images
3. Dalvin Cook – (RB)
Now for my dream pick. Who wouldn’t want to play with their brother on the same team? Yes, the 5’10”, 210 lb. running back wants closer to $10.4 million than the $5 million that he was going to make. I don’t believe he’s worth that type of money, since no NFL team was willing to trade for him or paid him any kind of money so far.
Plus, hopefully, James could talk some sense and reality of playing for a potential Super Bowl-bound team and not all for cash.
Born on August 10, 1995, the 27-year-old phenom turned free agent could be a solid one-two punch with his little brother James. Dalvin is an experienced back who has already played through his second contract, so money should not have been a concern for the Florida State Alumnus.
As for his play, he ran a 4.47, 40-time, and is a multipurpose back. He should fit in well with the spread system in the shotgun formation with Josh Allen, much like James does already with his 4.42, 40-time and natural game speed.
Cook will only make $2.000.000 if he doesn’t play this season from the Vikings. I’m sure that the Bills would be willing to fork over a little more money than that for him to join the team!
