NFL Free Agency Set To Kick Off

NFL free agency begins at exactly 4:00pm today and the Buffalo Bills may waste little time attempting to make a significant impact.

Even after the re-signing Jerry Hughes to a five-year, $45 million contract yesterday the Bills enter free agency having just over $16 million in cap space.  They could conceivably create more by cutting some dead weight; a list that may include Kraig Urbik, Chris Williams and Scott Chandler.  They can also create considerably more should they chose to restructure Mario Williams by converting part or even most of his monster $12 million base salary into a signing bonus.

In a nutshell—the Bills already have or can create the necessary cap room to get done whatever they deem fit.

One thing on the plate, both according to numerous reports and things I’ve heard myself is making a strong offer to Miami Dolphins tight end Charles Clay.  Clay was the recipient of the transition tag by Miami, meaning the team has seven days to match an offer sheet Clay signs.  Should the Bills truly covet him and all indications are they do, they can make an offer extremely difficult for the Dolphins to match.

There’s also movement expected at the running back position.  Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News is reporting Minnesota Vikings fullback Jerome Felton is a target, while the New York Daily News has been reporting for more than a week that Bills head coach Rex Ryan would like to lure Bilal Powell to Buffalo, but Powell re-signed with the Jets this morning.  That likely keeps Bryce Brown’s roster spot with the Bills safe, at least for now.

It’s heavily assumed the Bills will target the offensive line—critical considering the unit was one of the league’s worst in 2014.  It was being reported by some media outlets the team was pursuing guard Mike Iupati, though I heard from a team source that was never the case. Regardless, Iupati signed with Arizona on Monday.

The prized lineman in this free agent class still available is versatile Green Bay tackle Bryan Bulaga.  Graham reported the Bills will be in play but know they’ll have competition.  It make take a hefty offer to lure Bulaga here.

Other less-heralded linemen that could be available for Buffalo include guards Clint Boling, Justin Blalock and Dan Connolly as well as tackles Byron Bell and Corey Hilliard.  Of those, Blalock is the lone player I’ve personally heard of the Bills having interest in.

Buffalo has a hole at safety with free agent Da’Norris Searcy likely departing. I’ve heard the Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Oakland Raiders are all in on him.  Ryan will probably give Duke Williams a chance to take over for Searcy, but don’t discount the Bills picking up a veteran safety in free agency either.

Check back later any for developing Bills news---this is going to be an exciting few days.