On Wednesday, the Buffalo Bills executed various cost-cutting measures to improve their dire cap-space situation while also bringing in QB Mitchell Trubisky and extending safety Taylor Rapp.
As part of their efforts to boost their offseason budget, Buffalo parted ways with long-time starters and restructured OLB Von Miller’s contract. These moves have positioned the Bills well for a significant impact in the 2025 offseason. Additionally, GM Brandon Beane may have more room to maneuver in free agency next week by making further cuts and adjustments to contracts.
Here are four upcoming free agents that Buffalo should consider using their extra funds on this offseason:
Safety Xavier McKinney
Despite retaining Rapp, Buffalo may need another safety, especially after Jordan Poyer was released due to cap constraints and Micah Hyde is now an unrestricted free agent.
McKinney, at 24, is in line for a substantial contract following the New York Giants’ decision not to tag him before the deadline. Based on similar signings in the past, Spotrac estimates McKinney’s market value at a five-year, $52.4M deal. It remains to be seen if Buffalo is willing to pay a premium for a safety after clearing significant cap space. Nevertheless, McKinney could prove to be a valuable investment.
Wide receiver Darnell Mooney
Considering there’s no guarantee Gabe Davis will re-sign in free agency and the possibility Stefon Diggs may not play out the remainder of his contract with the team, Buffalo should bolster its receiving corps this offseason. While the Bills could address this need early in the NFL Draft on April 25-27, signing Mooney wouldn’t deter them from doing so and should compensate for a potential Davis exit.
An above-average route runner with blazing speed, Mooney has taken a back seat to TE Cole Kmet and WR D.J. Moore in a Chicago passing attack since his 1,000-yard 2021 season. Mooney has caught just 71 passes for 907 yards and three touchdowns over the past two seasons, but Chicago hasn’t had the most accurate passers at quarterback, which is most likely a factor in his decline.
By giving him an upgrade at quarterback in two-time Pro Bowler Josh Allen, Mooney could finally develop into the premier deep threat he appeared capable of becoming.
