NFL free agency is here.
Here's our running blog of the moves the Bills are making, from releasing players to signing them.
We'll have an analysis of each move as well.
**Salary numbers courtesy of Spotrac.com, unless otherwise noted**
March 21
Re-sign OL David Quessenberry to one-year deal (REPORT – NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo)
Quessenberry played more of a role with the Bills last season than originally expected when signed. His versatility was seen out the gate in training camp and ultimately helped him slide in to make three starts. While primarily seeing time at tackle, he did show ability to kick inside if needed. With Tommy Doyle coming off a torn ACL, Quessenberry adds more depth at tackle to potentially round out that group. This is purely a depth signing and leaves the door open for a draft pick (or Doyle, who really showed strides last training camp) to push Spencer Brown for the starting spot on the right side.
March 20
Sign RB Damien Harris to one-year deal (REPORT – ESPN’s Adam Schefter)
Beane answering the question I had for him the other day, adding a bigger running back to the mix. Harris is listed at 5’11 and 213 lbs, which is 4 inches taller and about 10 pounds heavier than the departed Devin Singletary (signed with Houston). We’ve gotten a real close look at Harris since he came into the league, eclipsing 100+ rushing yards against the Bills three times. This is the exact type of addition I have been comfortable with the Bills making through free agency, bringing on that more thunder to James Cook and Nyheim Hines lightning and doing so on a cheaper one-year deal. Now the ball is in Ken Dorsey’s court to figure out how to best utilize the skillsets of all three RBs, something I feel can definitely make the Bills offense more dynamic and versatile without actually running it more often.
Sign WR Trent Sherfield to one-year deal
Speed once again at the forefront of this addition to the offense. Sherfield was the only Dolphins player *not* named Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle to score a TD while running 20+ mph, according to Next Gen Stats. He was a solid third option for Miami’s passing attack, producing career highs with 30 receptions for 417 yards and 2 TDs. Sherfield also provides good size for a player with his wheels, measuring in at 6’1 and nearly 220 lbs. While the Bills haven’t made the big splash at WR to this point in the offseason, the retooling of the group beyond Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis might really show what they have identified as the true area that needs upgraded. Even though I like what Sherfield and Harty can add to the Bills O, their additions, and especially Sherfield’s, doesn’t mean WR high in the draft should be taken off the table.
March 17
Release WR Isaiah McKenzie
A move Brandon Beane said was possible Thursday. The one part of what Beane said would be part of the decision was not wanting to have redundant skillsets among the Bills WR group. From how the Bills GM described what he envisioned Harty’s role to be, the writing seemed on the wall that he was sliding into what McKenzie had been asked to do. McKenzie’s production increase never materialized, even with an increased role this past season. While his personality absolutely was beloved by everyone in the building, the sample size has been large enough to show that more might be found with someone else.
Re-sign CB Dane Jackson to one-year deal
Another transaction Beane mentioned the day prior. This deal lowers Jackson’s cap number from the $2.75 million tender the team placed on him a week ago. What exactly Jackson’s role will be will be interesting to watch unfold before the regular season begins. While Kaiir Elam seems primed to slide into the starting job opposite Tre’Davious White, Jackson has a similar track record of Levi Wallace by fending off competition against the odds. Even if Jackson does find himself in a back-up role, I’d put him up there as one of the best back-up CBs you could find around the league, providing great depth at a critical position we saw get ravaged with injuries last season.
March 15
Sign QB Kyle Allen (REPORT – NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport)
Another Allen joins the Bills quarterback room. Kyle and Josh are very close friends, so this will be seamless in terms of acclimating with the star of the show. He’s started 19 games over his five year career between Carolina, Washington, and Houston. While Kyle Allen’s age (27) is in the range of what I was looking for in the Bills new back-up, I thought the team would go after someone with a more successful track record. As things currently stand, he’ll compete with Matt Barkley to be next in line behind Josh Allen.
Re-sign S Jordan Poyer to two-year deal
A very surprising development. It seemed Poyer was all but gone, but the market wasn’t what the former All-Pro hoped for. Coming back to the Bills is one heck of a back-up plan and teams him up with Micah Hyde for at least one more year (Hyde’s entering final year of his current contract). Poyer battled through a ton of injuries this past season, yet still was nearly an All-Pro again. His value, even banged up, was clear with the team going 13-1 with Poyer on the field, the only loss coming to Bengals in the divisional round. A healthier Po back with a hopefully healthy Hyde (coming off neck injury) should really sure things up on the back end of a Bills D transitioning after the departure of Leslie Frazier as coordinator.
Sign WR Deonte Harty to two-year deal
Speedy receiver who is a former All-Pro punt returner. A turf toe injury made 2022 a lost season for Harty, but he was explosive with limited involvement in the Saints offense the year prior. He averages over 25 yards per kick return and nearly 10 yards per punt return throughout his career, steering him towards likely splitting or outright taking the duties from Nyheim Hines. This could be a move that puts Isaiah McKenzie on notice, with Harty a slot guy who can be the YAC/game-breaker the Bills offense has lacked from McKenzie and others at that position.
March 14
Re-sign LB Tyrel Dodson to one-year deal
Dodson has been a solid back-up middle linebacker for the Bills. I wouldn’t look at his return as an indication he will replace the departed Tremaine Edmunds, but is an option should things not formulate through free agency or the NFL Draft. He likely will continue to provide great depth while playing special teams.
March 13
Sign G Connor McGovern to 3-year deal (REPORT – NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo)
Bills fill hole at guard left by the likely departed Rodger Saffold. McGovern’s started 29 of the 45 games he’s played in three seasons with the Cowboys, playing both guard spots. That flexibility should allow the Bills to slot him and Ryan Bates wherever they feel each is best suited (Bates has played both as well). While not the household name with a strong track record some had hoped for in an attempt to improve the play of the offensive line, McGovern is just 25 years old and the Bills likely look at him as player who can improve and grow under the teachings of OL coach Aaron Kromer.
Re-sign P Sam Martin to 3-year deal
Martin was solid after joining the team right before the regular season began following the Matt Araiza fallout. He had the second-best season of his 10 year career, averaging 41.2 yards per punt, ranking 16th in the NFL. You can take another training camp ‘Punterpalooza’ off the board with this three-year deal.
Re-sign LB Tyler Matakevich to one-year deal
Core special teams guy returns. While I know this can be a touchy subject for some, the Bills continue to show how much they value that phase of the game and invest in those they consider critical to that unit’s success. He also is reportedly set to make about $1.1 million guaranteed, a number the Bills absolutely would be comfortable moving on from should other options rise throughout training camp. More likely, Matakevich continues to anchor special teams in 2023.
Re-sign DB Cam Lewis to one-year deal
This is one I know that got a lot of negative reaction on social media, however let’s keep this into perspective. Lewis is a player who showed incredible versatility last season by moving to safety, starting against the Vikings. Of course, that’s the game where Lewis failed to knock down a pass late and Justin Jefferson made a ridiculous one-handed catch that helped Minnesota rally for the win. This deal isn’t for him to slide into the starting line-up again. He is a player who has been in the system for years and now has ability to play every spot in the secondary. He also plays special teams. This signing doesn’t mean he will make the team, but certainly will compete to round out the roster once again, something he’s been on the bubble with every season of his NFL career.