By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills don’t have a long list of pending free agents heading into the 2019 NFL offseason. Realistically, there are only 13.
Included on the full list of 15 pending free agents are defensive tackle Kyle Williams and cornerback Vontae Davis. Both already retired, albeit under different circumstances.
Most observers of the team are intrigued by who the Bills could bring in with their near $90 million in salary cap space heading into this offseason. The team has the third-most in the NFL, however, they aren’t limited to signing outside players. There are in-house ones that need signing.
With that, here’s a rundown of the Bills’ pending free agents and who should stay and who should walk:
OL Ryan Groy
Despite the Bills bringing in Russell Bodine, Groy actually locked up the starting job out of training camp. Then things went downhill in a hurry. We never really saw the Groy from 2016 when he filled in for an injured Eric Wood for an extensive period of time. Groy struggled, a lot. Particularly against run defense. As a pass blocker, Pro Football Focus graded Groy as a near-average blocker with a 69.0 grade. Run blocking was very, very bad, at 37.1. Overall, Groy, 28, was ranked the 36th-best center in the NFL out of 38 qualifying ones.
Verdict: Walk.
LB Lorenzo Alexander
The Bills and Alexander are working out a contract for one more year, the linebacker said on locker cleanout day. However, it’s not so cut and dry. Not only is Alexander going to be 36 next season, but he’s also coming off one of the best years of his career. He hasn’t missed a game in his three-year Bills career, racking up 6.5 sacks and 74 tackles in 2018. He also had nine passes defended and two interceptions – both career highs – this season.
Typically during contract negotiations, the team and player can point to similar deals signed in recent years for reference. As Alexander points out, there really isn’t anyone else like him. The Bills and him are working on figuring out something that’ll work for everyone.
Verdict: Keep him.
OL Jordan Mills
The Bills have tried to replace Mills on multiple occasions, such as as when Dion Dawkins was drafted. Now Mills, 28, is a free agent coming off another below-average season. Overall, PFF ranked Mills as the 71st best tackle in the NFL (56.1). Like the rest of the line, it was about his lack of run blocking, but he pass-blocking abilities were not much better. PFF gave Mills a 66.5 pass-blocking score and 47.8 run-blocking grade.
Verdict: Walk.
OL John Miller
Miller is one of the final players still in town who was drafted by former general manager Doug Whaley. At locker cleanout day, he indicated he wanted to stay in Buffalo. It’s possible Miller could stay. PFF ranked him 25th out of 80 qualifying guards with a 64.4 overall score. The tale for Miller was the same as the rest of the line, pass blocking was OK (71.4) while he left something to be desired run blocking (56.4). Miller’s rookie contract is expiring.
Verdict: Keep him.
OL Jeremiah Sirles
Finally some good news on run blocking. Sirles, 27, has the team’s best Pro Football Focus grade there (62.2). Too bad his pass-blocking grade was the team’s worst at 46.1. Sirles was notably run over on pass-blocking snaps when he saw time starting on the offense line
Verdict: Walk.
DT Jordan Phillips
Phillips said he wants to stick around, but one can assume he wants to take over Kyle Williams’ starting spot – mainly because that’s what he said. Phillips really felt disrespected during his time with the Dolphins, so will he suck up his pride and take a reserve or rotational role with Buffalo? The Bills could add another body in the middle to make up for Williams, but will Phillips, Harrison Phillips, or potentially someone else start? Phillips was an influencer in his rotational role, if he wants to keep it at that, the former second-round pick should work just fine.
Verdict: Keep him, but depends.
RB Taiwan Jones
The Bills have a backfield full of aging players. LeSean McCoy and Chris Ivory will both be 31 next season and the Bills need to get their future replacements in town. Jones, 30, was also mainly a special teamer and special team coordinator Danny Crossman was recently revealed of his duties. Jones might not have a role.
Verdict: Walk.
TE Logan Thomas
Technically, Thomas had a career season in 2018. However, the tight end only had 12 catches for 77 yards. Since 2016, the Bills have tried to develop the former QB into something special. He’s had plenty of opportunities to do so, but aside from his massive block in the season finale, Thomas is inconsistent in that department and his offensive numbers aren’t popping out. The Bills could try to figure out something with a younger option than the 27-year-old.
Verdict: Walk.
WR Deonte Thompson
The Bills brought the veteran back midseason, but he didn’t really feature in the offense. He only had three catches on 10 targets in five games and mainly had a “behind the scenes” role, mentoring younger players. That has value, but despite that, the Bills have lacked in the “talent” department for long enough.
Verdict: Walk.
P Matt Darr
Darr didn’t do much for himself in his opportunity down the stretch. His net average was 36.3 yards, the worst of his career, and he had some plain ugly kicks. There will likely be a competition in training camp for this job but it appears Corey Bojorquez and his lefty kicks could be the Sean McDermott favorite for this job in 2018.
Verdict: Walk.
DE Eddie Yarbrough
Toward the end of the year, Yarbrough lost snaps to undrafted rookie free agent Mike Love. Yarbrough has shown some skill against the run, but has failed to record much of a pass-rushing potential during his career. Yarbrough is an exclusive rights free agent, so he’ll be a cheap addition and can battle for a roster spot, but that’s where he’ll have to improve during his battle to earn his roster spot.
Verdict: Keep, for camp at least.
LS Reid Ferguson
Like Yarbrough, he’s an exclusive rights free agent and does his job pretty well. Bring him back. Unless they have and just haven’t announced it. We’ll let this tweet be our verdict:
Reid Ferguson
Happy to say I’ll be back in Buffalo for next season!! #BillsMafia This team is going places