The Buffalo Bills made a majority of their “splash” moves before the 2026 NFL free-agency period opened last Monday highlighted by the trade to acquire wide receiver DJ Moore from the Chicago Bears. That shipped one of the team’s premium picks away. Moore is slated to make upwards of $25 million per season over at least three seasons and will be a main money earner on the team for at least two years — and with no ability to release him.
The retention of center Connor McGovern was also a major move
by the organization that helps shore up what appeared to be a large hole in the middle of the offensive line. Edge rusher Bradley Chubb was the team’s “splash” signing this offseason after his release from the Miami Dolphins. Chubb will enter his age 30-season making upwards of $14 million per year on a practical two-year deal.
Other signings the Bills made include a three-year commitment to slot cornerback Dee Alford — formerly of the Falcons — as a potential starting solution. Other contracts include a one-year investment in versatile safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone. Both have the feeling of one-year stop-gap options as they tread water to search for the future of the safety spot in Jim Leonhard’s defense opposite Cole Bishop.
With what’s occurred to date, where do the team’s main needs still lie?
The primary focus of such needs will be addressed within the draft. Just two picks in the top-100 will make things a bit more challenging, but Buffalo still has their highest pick in the first round.
Linebacker
This is an area the Bills are yet to address within free agency. Notable losses at the position are significant contributors Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson from a season ago, though both remain unsigned as of publishing.
Terrel Bernard enters year one of a four-year contract extension. He provided subpar play a bit too often when he was active and dealt with injuries frequently throughout the 2025 season. The team has assets sunk into him, which means they have to rely on him to play a role in 2026. But Bernard’s play needs to show improvement in order to rely on him as a down-to-down starter.
Former third-round draft selection Dorian Williams put together his best season to date in 2025. A new system under Jim Leonhard may be a fit for him within a blitz-heavy scheme. He’s entering the final year of his rookie deal.
The Bills need to, at minimum, establish quality depth or the opportunity for others to push for starter-level snaps. With Williams’ contract expiring and the unknowns of Bernard’s future in terms of ability to give quality reps to the defense, this may be an opportunity to swing on a young, cost-controlled option in the draft.
Edge Rusher
The Bills still need more help on the edge despite the signing of Bradley Chubb. The team is desperately in need of more pass rush juice to threaten the outside shoulder of offensive tackles consistently, and there isn’t a dependable player on the roster who offers that presence.
Michael Hoecht’s return-to-action timetable is to-be-determined coming off an Achilles injury, and Greg Rousseau is likely set to assume some more duties as a 5-technique versus wide alignments. This makes a pass rusher just as important as it was a week ago regardless of if Chubb was signed or not.
Nose Tackle
Another position some thought the team may address was nose tackle. DaQuan Jones was the team’s primary one-technique for years under Sean McDermott. He’s out the door now as a free agent.
Deone Walker’s build would lead you to believe he’s a nose tackle on the surface, but his play style reflects someone who can do so on passing downs, but can be moved off his spot and washed out of the play at times in the run game. This still feels like a need at some point for One Bills Drive.
Offensive Guard
One question remains of the Bills’ estimated starting offensive line heading out of free agency — and that’s the left guard spot. David Edwards heads to New Orleans on a lucrative deal and leaves a void behind. Veteran Alec Anderson and 2024 late round draft pick Tylan Grable seem primed to compete for the spot as of right now.
The addition of another body to compete seems likely whether that be with a stop-gap free agency option or in the draft.
