Bills news: Assessing Buffalo’s roster needs after the first wave of free agency

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 21: Joel Bitonio #75 of the Cleveland Browns in action during the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field on December 21, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images The first wave

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What is the story about?

The first wave of NFL free agency has come and gone. While fans might be disappointed that the Buffalo Bills didn’t make any massive moves, the Bills did bring in a few players to shore up their roster needs, highlighted by the additions of edge rusher Bradley Chubb, cornerback Dee Alford, safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone, on top of dealing for veteran wide receiver DJ Moore.

President of football operations/general manager Brandon Beane is always looking for ways to improve his roster,

and there are still a few positions that need to be addressed heading into the 2026 NFL season. Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by exploring Buffalo’s roster needs, including why the Bills should consider bringing in help at left guard, edge rusher, inside linebacker, boundary cornerback, wide receiver, and along the defensive line in the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft.

Where do the Bills still need to improve their roster?

Through a conversion of DJ Moore’s contract on Tuesday, the Bills cleared $17.7 million in salary cap space for the upcoming year, which means Brandon Beane now has some money to go out and improve Buffalo’s roster.

Linked below: A run through the positions of need for the Bills, including whether the team should consider an external addition at left guard like Joel Bitonio (pictured below) to replace David Edwards; get Beane’s take on the state of Buffalo’s roster; identifying how Beane could use the newly created salary cap space to shore up the interior of the defensive line and depth at cornerback; and how the pressure is greater than ever for Josh Allen to carry the Bills to the Super Bowl.

We also find out what brought slot cornerback Dee Alford to Buffalo in free agency; learn why the Bills took a chance on safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson; and see how much salary cap space Buffalo has after its initial free-agency moves.

Even more Bills news

Examining the news that the Minnesota Vikings have signed restricted free agent offensive lineman Ryan Van Demark to an offer sheet, fully guaranteeing Van Demark a one-year, $4.2 million contract. Plus, tracing how the Bills’ interest in wide receiver DJ Moore dates back to the 2018 NFL Draft; starting right guard O’Cyrus Torrence earned a big performance-based bonus from the NFL; the latest on how Buffalo’s new stadium is coming along; and more!