Here's a primer of the top 10-12 players at each position this Free Agency. In parentheses next to the position is how big the need is in relation to the Buffalo Bills. The numbers will be attached from a 1-12 scale in which 1 is the biggest need and 12 is not a need at all. I will update the list as players are signed throughout the free agency period and add players as they are cut.
The Quarterback Market (8)
1. Josh McCown - Bears
2. Michael Vick - Eagles
3. Shaun Hill - Lions
4. Josh Freeman - Vikings
5. Tarvaris Jackson - Seahawks
6. Kellen Clemens - Rams
If the Bills do sign a QB, I think it will be very late in the process if at all. I don't see them signing Josh McCown or Michael Vick who are the top two targets this March. After those two, the options are underwhelming. Shaun Hill is a serviceable backup but I don't think expect him to come to Buffalo.
My Targets: Michael Vick
Pick One: Michael Vick
Comments: He's been linked to Buffalo before. Just make it happen already. Do I want him? No. Would I take him? Sure.
The Running Back Market (10)
1. Ben Tate - Texans
2. Knowshon Moreno - Broncos
3. Darren McFadden - Raiders
4. Maurice Jones-Drew - Jaguars
5. Rashad Jennings - Raiders
6. Andre Brown - Giants
7. LeGarrette Blount - Patriots
8. Darren Sproles - Saints
9. James Starks - Packers
10. Donald Brown - Colts
My Targets: James Starks, Darren Sproles
Pick One: James Starks
Comments: He's a local boy who has had success at the NFL level. He is the perfect backup RB who could be the #3 this year and potential #2 next year. Could take a hometown discount, round out the position and elate the fan base.
The Fullback Market (12)
1. John Kuhn - Packers
2. Le'Ron McClain - Chargers
3. Greg Jones - Texans
4. Vonta Leach - Ravens
5. Henry Hynoski - Giants
My Targets: Le'Ron McClain, Greg Jones
Pick One: Greg Jones
Comments: We won't pick up any of these players as I think the Bills are happy with Frank Summers & Evan Rodriguez but if they were to sign one player, I would want it to be Greg Jones. Why? Because of this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1MswhjbXmo and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wbO3ZOQMbQ.
The Wide Receiver Market (6)
1. Eric Decker - Broncos
2. Hakeem Nicks - Giants
3. James Jones - Packers
4. Emmanuel Sanders - Steelers
5. Golden Tate - Seahawks
6. Julian Edelman - Packers
7. Dexter McCluster - Chiefs
8. Kenny Britt - Titans
9. Sidney Rice - Seahawks
10. Andre Roberts - Cardinals
11. Ted Ginn - Panthers
12. Santonio Holmes - Jets
My Targets: Eric Decker, Hakeem Nicks
Pick One: Hakeem Nicks
Comments: Eric Decker is going to demand a huge payday. I couldn't not put him on the list of my targets but it's not realistic. I don't even think Hakeem Nicks is realistic but he's big and in the mold of the WR that we need. He's too injury prone for my liking to get the money that he'll inevitably get. I'll gladly watch the Jets overpay for him. The rest of the WR's on the list are the same type of WR's that we already have. I'd rather invest in this position through the draft.
The Tight End Market (3)
1. Brandon Pettigrew - Lions
2. Jermichael Finley - Packers
3. Garrett Graham - Texans
4. Fred Davis - Redskins
5. Brandon Myers - Giants
6. Scott Chandler - Bills
7. Ed Dickson - Ravens
8. Dustin Keller - Dolphins
9. Andrew Quarless - Packers
10. Bear Pascoe - Giants
My Targets: Brandon Pettigrew, Jermichael Finley, Ed Dickson
Pick One: Brandon Pettigrew
Comments: Some have Jermichael Finley rated as the #1 TE on the market but his spine/neck injury really worries me. If you know me, you know I loved both of them out of college and had them frequently mocked to the Bills leading up to their draft years. Pettigrew has ties to Jim Schwartz who was coached him in Detroit just one year ago. If I had to choose between signing one of the above or drafting one of the top 3 TE's in the draft, I'm passing up on the veterans and drafting a youngster. The Bills will most likely re-sign Scott Chandler and remain mediocre at the position because that's such a Bills thing to do.
The Offensive Tackle Market (1)
1. Eugene Monroe - Ravens
2. Branden Albert - Chiefs
3. Jared Veldheer - Raiders
4. Anthony Collins - Bengals
5. Roger Saffold - Rams
6. Austin Howard - Jets
7. Zach Strief - Saints
8. Michael Oher - Ravens
9. Tyson Clabo - Dolphins
10. David Stewart - Titans
11. Eric Winston - Cardinals
12. Charles Brown - Saints
My Targets: Anthony Collins, Austin Howard, Zach Strief
Pick One: Austin Howard
Comments: You'll remember Austin Howard as the no-name RT who shut down Mario Williams when we played the Jets. Howard has steadily improved since then and would be the team's immediate starter at RT and any time you can steal a player away from a divisional rival, that's a good day.
The Offensive Guard Market (2)
1. Roger Saffold - Rams
2. Jon Asamoah - Chiefs
3. Zane Beadles - Broncos
4. Travelle Wharton - Panthers
5. Geoff Schwartz - Chiefs
6. Davin Joseph - Buccaneers
7. Kevin Boothe - Giants
8. John Jerry - Dolphins
9. Uche Nwaneri - Jaguars
10. Daryn Colledge - Cardinals
My Targets: Jon Asamoah, Geoff Schwartz, Davin Joseph
Pick One: Davin Joseph
Comments: Davin Joseph immediately comes in and starts at LG. He got cut by the Bucs to save money after he got bit by the injury bug but he was very good in seasons prior which led to the big contract he signed with Tampa Bay. I'll gladly sign this medium-risk, high-reward player and strengthen the left side between Cordy Glenn and Eric Wood.
The Center Market (11)
1. Evan Dietrich-Smith (Packers)
2. Brian De La Puente (Saints)
3. Rich Ohrnberger (Chargers)
4. Jonathan Goodwin (49ers)
5. David Baas (Giants)
My Targets: Nobody
Pick One: No
Comments: We're not going to sign a Center.
The Defensive Tackle Market (9)
1. Lamarr Houston (DE) - Raiders
2. Arthur Jones (DE) - Ravens
3. Jason Hatcher - Cowboys
4. Linval Joseph - Giants
5. Henry Melton - Bears
6. Randy Starks - Dolphins
7. BJ Raji - Packers
8. Paul Soliai - Dolphins
9. Tyson Jackson - Chiefs
10. Pat Sims - Raiders
11. Vance Walker - Raiders
12. Ziggy Hood - Steelers
My Targets: Pat Sims, Vance Walker
Pick One: Vance Walker
Comments: The Bills aren't going to invest much money into the DT market. If they do, my targets are players who might stick around for a bit and could leave to a nice value signing for Buffalo. I enjoyed watching Vance Walker while at Georgia Tech and think he would be a nice depth signing for the club.
The Defensive End Market (9)
1. Lamarr Houston (DT) - Raiders
2. Michael Johnson - Bengals
3. Jared Allen - Vikings
4. Justin Tuck - Giants
5. Anthony Spencer (OLB) - Cowboys
6. Willie Young - Lions
7. Corey Wootton - Bears
8. Robert Ayers - Broncos
9. Shaun Phillips - Broncos
10. Jason Babin - Jaguars
My Targets: Corey Wootton, Robert Ayers
Pick One: Corey Wootton
Comments: Wootton and Ayers are both good at stopping the run but mediocre pass rushers. I don't see the Bills spending too much money on this position. Wootton had 7 sacks two seasons ago and I'll take a chance on him. He is tall and has some serious length, reminding me of Manny Lawson in that aspect. Played at Northwestern in college under a great coach in Pat Fitzgerald so you know he's smart and well-coached.
The Outside Linebacker Market (4)
1. Wesley Woodyard (ILB) - Broncos
2. LaMarr Woodley (ILB) - Steelers
3. Calvin Pace - Jets
4. Parys Haralson - Saints
5. James Anderson - Bears
6. O'Brien Schofield - Seahawks
7. Keith Rivers - Giants
8. Dekoda Watson - Buccaneers
9. Jo-Lonn Dunbar - Rams
10. Ernie Sims - Cowboys
My Targets: Wesley Woodyard, Keith Rivers
Pick One: Wesley Woodyard
Comments: This is an underwhelming group. This makes me think that the Bills will search for an ILB to take over for Kiko, moving him outside to OLB to create the most optimal starting talent at the LB position. If I have to sign one person, it's Woodyard who is a versatile LB.
The Inside Linebacker Market (4)
1. Karlos Dansby - Cardinals
2. Daryl Smith - Ravens
3. Brandon Spikes - Patriots
4. Perry Riley - Redskins
5. Wesley Woodyard (OLB) - Broncos
6. LaMarr Woodley (OLB) - Steelers
7. Erin Henderson - Vikings
8. Jon Beason - Giants
9. Pat Angerer - Colts
10. Desmond Bishop - Vikings
11. Jameel McClain - Ravens
12. Arthur Moats - Bills
My Targets: Brandon Spikes, Wesley Woodyard, Jon Beason, Pat Angerer, Jameel McClain
Pick One: Brandon Spikes
Comments: Brandon Spikes is the type of player you hate playing against but you love on your team. I think the key to getting Brandon Spikes to sign here is Pepper Johnson who was hired by the Bills after being on the Patriots staff last year. He may be able to recruit Brandon Spikes to man the middle of the defense in between Kiko Alonso and Manny Lawson.
The Cornerback Market (7)
1. Alterraun Verner - Titans
2 . Aqib Talib - Patriots
3. Vontae Davis - Colts
4. Captain Munnerlyn - Panthers
5. Tarrell Brown - 49ers
6. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - Broncos
7. Walter Thurmond - Seattle
8. Corey Graham - Ravens
9. Antonio Cromartie - Jets
10. Nolan Carroll - Dolpins
11. Charles Tillman - Bears
12. Chris Cook - Vikings
My Targets: Tarrell Brown, Corey Graham
Pick One: Corey Graham
Comments: I don't see the Bills signing one of the big three but Corey Graham has starter experience, playoff experience and Buffalo happens to be his hometown. I think he would be a reasonably priced, underrated signing for the Bills this off-season.
The Safety Market (5)
1. Jairus Byrd - Bills
2. TJ Ward - Browns
3. Donte Whitner - 49ers
4. Malcolm Jenkins - Saints
5. Chris Clemons - Dolphins
6. Major Wright - Bears
7. Stevie Brown - Giants
8. Antoine Bethea - Colts
My Targets: Jairus Byrd, Malcolm Jenkins
Pick One: Malcolm Jenkins
Comments: Jairus Byrd isn't coming back and the Bills have always loved OSU DB's so they bring in Malcolm Jenkins to start across from Aaron Williams to soften the blow of letting Byrd fly the coop (pun intended). He's a typical FS which we lack currently on the roster.
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