Buffalo Bills: 5 Dream targets in 2021 NFL free agency
The Buffalo Bills may not have the money to make big moves this 2021 offseason, but what if they managed to land these five dream free agents?
As the heart of the 2021 offseason and start of NFL free agency approaches, the NFL has notified teams that the league salary cap for the 2021 season will be set at a minimum of $180 million, a $5 million increase from the prior season.
Despite the increase in available salary, the Buffalo Bills are headed into the 2021 offseason approximately $1.01 million over the cap, according to Over the Cap. This places the Buffalo Bills 21st in the league in terms of money available.
If Buffalo is to make a big move this offseason and build upon their success in 2020, they’ll need to free up space.
The Buffalo Bills can free up roughly $20 million prior to the 2021 offseason if they release the likes of Quinton Jefferson ($8 million), Vernon Butler ($6.8 million) and Mario Addison ($8.2 million), all of whom underwhelmed in the 2020 season.
The Bills are also set to lose a few big names themselves to free agency, notably linebacker Matt Milano and offensive tackle Daryl Williams. If Buffalo can’t manage to bring back their bigger names — and they’re set to lose plenty — they’ll have to deal with finding replacements for their top talent in addition to their salary cap issues.
If the Buffalo Bills can manage to restructure contracts or release a few names and find themselves with available cap space, here are a five dream free agents that could be brought in to Western New York.
Buffalo Bills dream free agent target No. 5: Lavonte David, LB
Despite being 31 years old and entering his 10th season, Lavonte David has managed to somehow get better as the years go by. As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come off a Super Bowl LV victory, the team is faced with a decision: Do they keep the ageless linebacker or put their stock into young defensive star Devin White?
If the Buccaneers choose to part ways with David, the Buffalo Bills should be one of the first in line to call. The seasoned veteran – who has only ever missed seven regular season games in his near decade of play – proved he still has gas left in the tank, recording 82 solo tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, six passes defended, three QB hits, one and half sacks and one interception.
As previously mentioned, the Bills are set to lose Matt Milano to free agency in 2021. With their current salary cap woes, it’s unlikely Buffalo can offer the kind of money a young star like Milano will request.
At his age, signing David would likely fill the need for Buffalo without breaking the bank. As he showed in the 2020 season, David has a lot left to offer in terms of play and leadership.
Given Tampa Bay has plenty of salary cap to play with going into the 2021 offseason, David may not find himself searching for a new home. However, if for some reason the veteran hits the market for the first time in nine years, the the Buffalo Bills need to make the call.