Buffalo Bills: 5 Big-name free agents to target in 2020
The Buffalo Bills have plenty of cap space to work with in 2020 NFL free agency so which free agent targets should they be willing to pay top dollar for?
Many panned the Buffalo Bills for selecting quarterback Josh Allen in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. But while the Wyoming product is far from a polished gem after two seasons, he and the Bills took great strides in the 2019 season, going 10-6 and earning a Wild Card berth out of the AFC.
Of course, the postseason run for Sean McDermott‘s team was short-lived. After getting out to an early lead against Houston, Allen and the offense fell apart and the defense couldn’t hold strong enough, allowing the Texans to climb back and force overtime. Heroics from Deshaun Watson and then a game-winning field goal sealed Buffalo’s fate.
It’s clear that the Bills are a team on the rise but they need to continue building around Allen to fully tap into his potential. Meanwhile, the stout defense could stand to retool as well. And their first opportunity to do so will be in 2020 NFL free agency. Buffalo has a shocking amount of cap space, entering free agency with over $81 million to spend, the third-most in the NFL according to Over the Cap.
General manager Brandon Beane could realize how close this team is to competing at the highest level in the NFL and choose to be aggressive in free agency. If he spends big, these five targets in 2020 NFL free agency would make a ton of sense of the Buffalo Bills.
5. A.J. Green, WR
There was certainly a litany of question marks regarding the Cincinnati Bengals entering the 2019 NFL season. However, one thing that head coach Zac Taylor was hoping to rely on in his first year at the helm was the offensive weapons, particularly in the wide receiver corps led by veteran A.J. Green.
Unfortunately, the 31-year-old Green never saw the field in the 2019 season. After suffering an injury in the first practice of the preseason, the Bengals wide receiver never recovered and, subsequently, never got on the field for Cincinnati. And now the 31-year-old (who will be 32 when the 2020 season begins) is set to hit the market in NFL free agency.
Buffalo was somewhat aggressive in attempting to improve their wide receiver corps last offseason, attempting to trade for Antonio Brown before that deal was essentially blocked by Brown and then signing John Brown and Cole Beasley. However, it became clear — particularly in the playoff loss — that the Bills are lacking a viable No. 1 threat.
Having played just nine games over the past two seasons (all in 2018), Green is a risky proposition at his age. But at the same time, his production throughout his career can’t be argued with. If the Bills could keep him on the field, he’s a shoo-in for a 1,000-yard season and the 6-4, 210-pound veteran would give Josh Allen a viable No. 1 receiver to target in 2020 and beyond.