With a number of their defensive lineman potentially leaving in free agency, the Buffalo Bills will need to look at the open market as well to find replacement. Lucky for them, there are players who could very well fit with what they are trying to accomplish.
As Bleacher Report suggested in its recent article breaking down the free agency needs of each team, the Bills could inject some youth on its aging defensive line. Plus, with some of those older guys on expiring contracts, it might not be a bad idea at all to look for a younger player who could be with them long-term.
New York Jets defensive lineman Solomon Thomas could exactly be that guy. While he’s already 28 years old, he’s still way younger than DaQuan Jones and Jordan Phillips who are both past their 30s. Plus, Thomas’ flexibility could be a major weapon for a Bills team that wants to maintain its top-10 defense.
“The Bills defensive line is bound to look different in 2024. DaQuan Jones, Tim Settle, Jordan Phillips and Poona Ford are all on expiring contracts, and the Bills could stand to get younger at the position. Jones and Phillips are both over 30, while Solomon Thomas is 28. The defensive lineman has the flexibility to line up on the inside or outside and has been productive as a pass-rusher this season for the Jets,” the Bleacher Report article explained on why the Bills should target Solomon.
In the 15 games he has played for the New York Jets this 2023 season, Solomon Thomas has only started once. However, despite that, he has tallied five sacks on top of 29 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss and six QB hits.
Solomon will probably get more incentives playing for a Bills team that is about to get thin defensively. That means a potential opportunity for him to start and establish a bigger role.
As for Buffalo, he could very well be a cheap option who can help bring stability to their defense. Of course it’s unknown if the Jets will actually let him go, but the Bills could certainly try prying him away from the Big Apple.
Buffalo Bills’ Other Needs in Free Agency
The Buffalo Bills have a good balance of offense and defense, which has allowed them to stay in the playoff hunt in the 2023 season. However, they can be inconsistent at times, as proven by their narrow 24-22 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16.
A Josh Allen interception and a couple of fumbles allowed the Chargers to stay in the game, and it’s mistakes like those that could doom them come postseason.
With that being said, the Bills could really use some upgrade on other areas. They could bring in more wide receiving weapons for Allen to throw to, and and edge-rusher and interior defender would be nice as well.
Players like Darnell Mooney, Tyler Boyd, Gabe Davis, Michael Thomas and DJ Chark could be great options at wide receiver for them, though the Bills would probably need to pay big to get them.
It remains to be seen what the Bills will do, but if they can keep their current core and make some upgrades along the way, exciting times should come for the franchise and its fanbase.
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