2024 Buffalo Bills free agents: Targets, NFL draft needs and more as free agency nears
For the third time in four years, the Buffalo Bills fell short of the Super Bowl because of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Following their elimination from the playoffs, the Bills face some tough roster decisions as they enter the offseason. More than half of the 21 players set to hit unrestricted free agency in one month played at least 30% of snaps this past season, according to Over the Cap, including No. 2 wide receiver Gabe Davis. In addition, Buffalo sits at 29th in the NFL in free cap space.
The Bills have a great quarterback in Josh Allen, a great No. 1 receiver in Stefon Diggs and solid playmakers elsewhere on the roster, but the 2024 season may be a challenge. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is set to return healthy next season, and the Dolphins nearly unseated Buffalo from another division title this year.
Here's everything to know about the Bills' situation entering the offseason.
NFL free agency 2024: Ranking top 25 players: Chiefs' Chris Jones stands above rest
2024 Buffalo Bills free agents
Unrestricted free agents
In order of percentage of snaps played, per Over the Cap:
WR Gabe Davis
S Micah Hyde
EDGE Leonard Floyd
LB Tyrel Dodson
CB Dane Jackson
S Taylor Rapp
IDL Jordan Phillips
EDGE A.J. Epenesa
IDL Tim Settle
WR Trent Sherfield
RB Latavius Murray
EDGE Shaq Lawson
IDL DaQuan Jones
IDL Linval Joseph
IDL Poona Ford
CB Cameron Lewis
IOL David Edwards
RB Ty Johnson
RB Damien Harris
QB Kyle Allen
LB Tyler Matakevich
Restricted/exclusive rights free agents
TE Quintin Morris
Potential Bills NFL Draft targets
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Middlehurst-Schwartz writes, "Dogged by drops in key spots, cap-strapped Buffalo has to look to the draft if it wants to reshape its receiving corps. More steady than explosive, Coleman could be just what Josh Allen needs."
Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Sikkema writes, "With Gabe Davis a pending free agent, the Bills will need to address their outside receiver position. They have Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid to be productive players in the slot, but they need a vertical threat."
Garrett Podell, CBS Sports: Jer'Zhan Newton, IDL, Illinois
Podell writes, "Buffalo will always have Kansas City in mind when building out their roster, and having a stout defensive tackle next to Ed Oliver who also has pass rush chops is critical for the Bills when they face Patrick Mahomes again."
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA (trade up to pick 26)
Reuter writes, "The Bills send a fourth-round pick to the Buccaneers to select Latu, an edge rusher that they'll need if free agency wipes out the team's depth."
Damian Parson, The Draft Network: Brian Thomas, Jr., WR, LSU
Parson writes, "Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen need another receiving threat in Buffalo. Brian Thomas Jr. has excellent long speed and incredible ball skills at the catch point."
When does NFL free agency begin?
March 11: The NFL's legal tampering period begins at noon ET. According to the NFL's official operations website, this is when teams are allowed to begin negotiating contracts with players that are set to become free agents.
March 13: NFL free agency officially begins at 4 p.m. ET. All contracts that end after the 2023 season expire, and teams and players are allowed to execute new contracts. This includes deals agreed to during the tampering period becoming official.
When is the 2024 NFL Draft?
Where: Campus Marius Park at Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan
When: April 25-27, 2024
Cable TV: ESPN, ABC, NFL Network
Streaming: NFL+; ESPN+; fuboTV
How to watch: Catch this year's NFL Draft with a Fubo subscription
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bills free agents 2024: NFL draft needs, Buffalo free agent targets
