WR Curtis Samuel

Wide receiver Curtis Samuel inked a three-year pact with the Bills following campaigns with the Commanders and Panthers.

He’s been the biggest move of free agency for Buffalo thus far with an elite burst off the catch as well as versatility in where he can line up in the slot and outside as a receiver and as a rusher in the backfield, he is another playmaker for offensive coordinator Joe Brady and quarterback Josh Allen to utilize.

Beane was part of Carolina’s front office that drafted the now 27-year-old receiver in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and Brady was his OC there in 2020 with the Panthers when he had his best season.

One thing to love about Samuel is the last time he played under Brady his diverse skill set was maximized and he had a career year, going for over 1,000+ all-purpose yards on offense that season. And that was with Teddy Bridgewater at QB. What’s more, his 851 yards receiving actually came in third behind the Panthers WR1 and WR2 that year, both of whom went for 1,000+ receiving yards.

Bills WR1 Stefon Diggs is a walking bucket these days when it comes to averaging 1,000+ yards receiving in a season, having done so since 2018, but after him, former Bills WR2 and 2020 fourth-round NFL Draft pick Gabe Davis went for 599, 549, 836, and 746, respectively. Davis made big plays downfield in key moments but also struggled at times with drops and consistency.

While he doesn’t fill the X boundary receiver role that Davis played downfield, and that position will still need to be addressed, his addition does upgrade the receiving corps and potential consistency and numbers while setting the team up to add that missing WR2 who, with Diggs and Samuel, could elevate the Bills passing game and offense to a new level.

WR Mack Hollins

6-foot-4, 221-pound 2017 fourth-round receiver Mack Hollins joins the Bills on a one-year deal after spending time with the Eagles, Dolphins, Raiders, and Falcons.

While his 2022 campaign of 690 yards on 57 receptions with four touchdowns for Las Vegas shows he can be an offensive contributor and help to fill some of the void left by Davis if called upon as a rotation contributor in the passing game, his additional skills as a run-blocker and special teams player make him a solid addition to the roster.

One thing to love about Hollins is that his personality is a perfect fit for Buffalo and his versatile skill set and work ethic for the Bills’ coaching staff. He should fit right in.

LB Nicholas Morrow

The Bills have some needs in filling out the depth of their linebacker position group and took the first step toward addressing that by signing former Eagles LB Nicholas Morrow.

He brings veteran experience with solid numbers over the past two seasons, and versatility playing both the middle and outside linebacker positions where he’ll be a main backup behind starters Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard and in rotation with younger players in Baylon Spector and Dorian Williams. He also has experience in the defensive play-calling role.

Buffalo has gotten a close look at Morrow, as he logged 12 tackles in the Eagles’ win over the Bills as well as three sacks in one game against the Commanders last season. He also had an interception picking off Josh Allen when he was with the Bears.

One thing to love about Morrow is his fit with what Buffalo’s front office and coaching staff look for in players and their backgrounds. He played at a DIII college and went undrafted, and brings versatility and work ethic to the linebackers group.

C Will Clapp

Center Will Clapp joined the Bills on a one-year deal to add some needed depth to their interior offensive line following the release of five-year starting center Mitch Morse.

With offensive lineman Connor McGovern moving to center and David Edwards stepping into McGovern’s previous spot on the line, Buffalo needs some versatile depth in the rotation behind them. He also has prior experience playing under OC Joe Brady at LSU.

One thing to love about the addition of Clapp is he’ll do just that for the Bills. While most of his career he’s played at center he also has experience at left and right guard as well as starting in 21 games entering his seventh season. He’ll provide a low-risk and versatile rotation addition who can slot in different positions for Buffalo on the line if needed.

DE Casey Toohill

27-year-old defensive end Casey Toohill joins the Bills on a one-year deal, the former 2020 seventh-round pick will add to the teams’ edge group rotation.

At 6-foot-5, 254 pounds Toohill is coming off a career-high five sacks last season and can also help against the run. He’ll compete for a roster spot after spending his career previously with Washington.

One thing to love about signing Toohill is the intangibles and abilities he brings to the edge rush rotation. He had Relative Athletic Score and athleticism grades were first among pass-rushers at the 2020 NFL combine and began his football career as a running back, which may give him an edge at defending the ground game.

DT DeShawn Williams

The Bills have had some need in their defensive line rotation and took a step toward addressing that by adding 31-year-old defensive tackle DeShawn Williams on a one-year deal.

He, along with fellow free agent signee Austin Johnson, will essentially be the rotation depth behind starters Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones.

One thing to love about Williams is he is coming off a career year in 2022 (37 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and three passes defended) and has started 44 out of 66 career games with nine sacks. He came into the league undrafted as well.

DL Austin Johnson

Like Williams, 29-year-old defensive lineman Austin Johnson also signed with Buffalo on a one-year deal.

The two will back Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones in the line rotation to bolster Buffalo’s DT rotation, he and Jones also played together previously with the Titans.

One thing to love about Williams is he started all 17 games with the Chargers last season, and brings that experience and durability to a line in Buffalo that saw some injuries last season. He also brings a love of versatility and experience in both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses.

S Mike Edwards

Safety Mike Edwards joins the Bills on a one-year deal reminiscent of the one that brought fellow safety Taylor Rapp into the fold last season.

Edwards previously played for and won Super Bowls with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs, and brings needed depth to the position as the future of Buffalo starter Micah Hyde still remains unknown. His addition is a fine chess move as it addresses a position need while adding a player who could help to dissect the Chiefs’ pass defense to give Buffalo an edge against their AFC rival.

One thing to love about the Edwards signing is that he also has the second most defensive touchdowns in the NFL since 2021 (4) which adds to the ways Buffalo can compete in all three phases in games.