Buffalo Bills 2022 NFL Free Agency guide and preview
By Khari Demos
Buffalo Bills free agents to consider in 2022
As for free agent targets, here are some names that I believe could help the Buffalo Bills in a number of areas:
Cordarrelle Patterson — in his ninth season in the league, the 2010’s All-Decade kick returner blew up in a new role offensively. As a true dual-threat player for Atlanta, Patterson combined for 1,166 yards and 11 TDs from scrimmage on the ground and through the air. Add in his 434 kick return yards and you’ve got a player who finished sixth overall in all-purpose yards (1,609).
Patterson could fill many roles for the Buffalo Bills. Not only could he spell Singletary in the backfield, adding him could make it easier to decide on McKenzie and Beasley. Plus, he can help out with the team’s woes in the return game.
Also, as he’s set to turn 31 on St. Patrick’s Day, he most likely won’t break the bank, even for what should be his most major deal as a pro. I like the fit overall, but he also has a familiar face here too, so I wonder if that could draw him in.
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Brandon Scherff — one of the best right guards in football, the former Iowa Hawkeye is a five-time Pro Bowler and was a first-team All-Pro in 2020. Scherff can plug holes with the best of ’em, as he’s received a PFF grade of 72.5 or higher in each season he’s been in the league.
He would be an immediate upgrade at the guard spot for the Buffalo Bills, as bringing Scherff in could mean the team keeps Daryl Williams at RG or move him next to LT Dion Dawkins. Scherff’s only real issue is health, as he’s missed 24 games dating back to 2017.
Chandler Jones — one of the top pass rushers of his generation, the two-time All-Pro recorded his seventh double-digit sack season in 2021 at 10.5. Not only did Jones create 36 pressures last season, but he also tied for second in the league with 17 QB knockdowns.
The Buffalo Bills will have to figure out how to pay a player scheduled to command nearly $14.5 million per year, but I wonder if playing near home changes things for Jones. Growing up in Rochester and going to college at Syracuse, playing in Orchard Park would be the closest thing to home while being in the NFL. Maybe the soon-to-be 32-year-old is willing to take a slight pay cut for a homecoming with a title contender.
Donte Jackson — if Wallace isn’t back, Jackson could be a good get for the Bills. In each of his four seasons in the NFL, the former LSU Tiger has produced well, but 2020 and 2021 have been his best work. Following a 2020 season where he yielded a 56.9% completion rate and a 79.2 passer rating, he followed that up with a 62.7% completion rate and 86.5 passer rating allowed this past season.
A bit undersized at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, Jackson’s biggest struggle has been staying healthy. After playing a full slate as a rookie, Jackson has missed 10 games since 2019.