By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
The roster is pretty well set for the Buffalo Bills as the team inches closer to training camp. But the front office’s job is really never done.
Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane will continue to turn over stones and evaluate his roster, looking for areas to improve upon.
The Bills have made plenty of additions already this offseason, but Beane’s shown in the past he’s not afraid to make a late offseason addition if he deems necessary.
If the Bills decide to do so and go the route of free agency, there are still plenty of options out there that could be added.
With that, here are five free agents the Bills could still consider signing this offseason.
TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins
The Bills added heavily to their tight end room this offseason but it took a big blow when presumed starter Tyler Kroft went down with a foot injury. While Kroft will return, he could miss plenty of playing time this offseason and could miss the team’s entire training camp. That’s a big blow because once he returns, Kroft will essentially have built no chemistry with quarterback Josh Allen.
Certainly, that will provide an opportunity for rookie third-round pick Dawson Knox, but the Bills have continued to shuffle depth options in-and-out of their roster since Kroft went down. Seferian-Jenkins has more NFL experience than any of the other options the Bills have brought in or currently have behind Kroft. Earlier this offseason, the Patriots signed him but then he was released a few weeks ago so he could deal with personal issues. Reports say that Seferian-Jenkins’ time away from football will be brief and that he’ll be ready to return to action sometime in July.
Seferian-Jenkins, 26, had his best season in 2017 with the Jets when he notched 50 catches, 357 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games.
DE Dion Jordan
Jordan is an interesting suggestion because he’s facing a 10-game suspension for the use of Adderall. Jordan previously had what is called a therapeutic use exemption for Adderall, but it had expired when he tested positive for the drug.
In 2015, Jordan was suspended for the entire season and four games in 2014 for violations of the NFL’s policy on banned substances. In the two seasons since, Jordan has cleaned up his act but the appeal for his recent 10-game hit was rejected, so he’ll have to serve it.
But if it starts looking like the Bills could make a run midway through the year and the team’s pass rush could use a depth piece, Jordan could provide that. That 29-year-old defender had 5.5 sacks in 17 games with the Seahawks the past two seasons. He’s never really reached his potential as a No. 3 overall pick, but perhaps he just needs some Process.
DE Nick Perry
Perry would be a player the Bills convert from outside linebacker to a pass-rushing defensive end. But Perry also has that experience from college, and prior to transitioning to linebacker, he said he’d prefer to be a defensive end.
The former 2012 first-round pick was released this offseason as the Packers have attempted to upgrade their linebacker group. He signed a five-year, $59 million contract before the 2017 season but injuries slowed him down and held him to only 1.5 sacks in nine games so now he’s available.
But Perry, 29, did have a strong stint as a pass rusher from 2016-17 . In 26 games over that span, he had 18 sacks. A situational pass-rushing role is in his future somewhere, or at least a chance to do so in training camp is.
CB Morris Claiborne
The Bills already added two veteran cornerbacks to their lineup that have dealt with bumps and bruises in their careers. Why not a third? Claiborne could be an intriguing option for the Bills for a few reasons. Early in his career, he struggled in zone schemes, but as a seven-year vet, he has experienced and has likely improved in the department.
In addition, Claiborne and current Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White consider each other “God brothers.” It seems like each NFL draft, White is campaigning for Buffalo to draft defenders out of LSU, so perhaps White would do the same here.
Over the past two seasons with the Jets, Claiborne played 30 games and recorded three picks with 22 passes defended.
WR Pierre Garcon
The Bills’ top four receivers appear set. Zay Jones and Robert Foster were joined by Cole Beasley and John Brown this offseason, but the Bills were seemingly set at cornerback, too. The front office still added to the competition there with veteran additions, so could the competition be built even further at wideout for the Bills with a guy like Garcon?
Heading into 2019, Garcon will be 33 and would be the eldest wideout on Buffalo’s roster. But the Bills value leadership and experience. The team currently has guys like Lorenzo Alexander and Frank Gore on their roster, and for the wide receiver room, in particular, they’ve added Anquan Boldin in the past. Garcon’s a former NFL receptions leader (2013) and he’s played in a Super Bowl with the Colts. If added, he’d likely be a good bet to compete with Foster and other depth options for a roster spot.