Buffalo Bills: Jared Gaither and 10 Realistic Free Agent Signings

With rumblings surrounding the possibility of a new NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement being ratified on July 21, it is quite possible that NFL free agency is just around the corner. In fact, should the lockout end on July 21, teams will have a designated period of time to re-sign players, and free agency will start just one week later.

That means that teams like the Buffalo Bills will be able to continue their pursuit of future success. Quite honestly, the Bills are unlikely to be major players in free agency (they rarely are to begin with). Although Buffalo seemed to do a nice job in the draft, the team is still at least a year away from even thinking about making the playoffs.

With that in mind, the Bills are likely to focus on re-signing their own players, like linebacker Paul Posluszny, and search for unrestricted free agent bargains. The Bills have no shortage of holes to fill with linebacker, safety, tight end and offensive tackle being the main ones, but this summer will be more about finding stopgap options than long-term starters.

I’m not suggesting that the Bills should or will sign any of the players on this list, but they seem to be the most likely candidates based upon the Bills’ needs and frugality. Here are the 10 most realistic free agent options for the Buffalo Bills this offseason.

David Bowens, OLB, Cleveland Browns

Bills fans may not be blown away by such a signing, but former Cleveland Browns outside linebacker David Bowens fits the mold the Bills often seem to look for in a free agent. At 34 years old, Bowens’ best years are certainly behind him. His experience and mild success in Cleveland’s 3-4 defense would make him a decent depth signing if nothing else, though.

With Eric Mangini’s departure from Cleveland, Bowens is no longer needed as the Browns will be transitioning to a 4-3 defense. Bowens wasn’t particularly good as a pass rusher last season, although he did rack up two interceptions in coverage. In 2009, however, Bowens was solid as he totaled 71 tackles and 5.5 sacks. With Aaron Maybin’s ability and Shawne Merriman’s health in question, the Bills could use some depth at the rush linebacker position, and Bowens fits the bill.

Bernard Pollard, SS, Houston Texans

After the Houston Texans declined to tender safety Bernard Pollard in March, he became an unrestricted free agent. Despite the fact that he led the Texans in tackles with 111, he wasn’t wanted back due to his one-dimensional play. While Pollard is excellent when it comes to stuffing the run, he is a major liability in pass coverage.

Since the Bills are unlikely to cave into Donte Whitner’s ridiculous contract demands, Pollard becomes an interesting option. With Jairus Byrd patrolling center field at the free safety spot, a run-stopping strong safety certainly makes sense. At 26 years of age, Pollard is just entering the prime of his career and can definitely improve his pass coverage. When you add in the fact that he’s an elite tackler as a safety, he could be a nice low-risk, high-reward option for the Bills.

Travis Laboy, OLB, San Francisco 49ers

As previously mentioned, the Bills have a serious lack of top-end talent at the rush linebacker spot. Of course, signing former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Travis Laboy won’t change that, but he would give Buffalo another feasible option. Laboy has some experience as a 3-4 rush linebacker as he has played in Arizona and San Francisco over the past two seasons. He doesn’t put up eye-popping statistics, but he has averaged nearly five sacks per season over his six-year career.

The biggest strike against Laboy is his propensity to get injured. He has yet to play a complete 16-game season during his career. Seeing as the Bills seem to get decimated by injuries more than any other team, this could obviously be an issue. The addition of Laboy would give Buffalo a deep if unspectacular outside linebacking corps, making him a possible target for the Bills.

David Thomas, TE, New Orleans Saints

To be honest, over the course of team history, the Bills have never had an elite tight end. In fact, they haven’t even had a good one since Jay Riemersma. The Bills have, at the very least, made feeble efforts to improve the position over the past few seasons, including drafting Shawn Nelson. Although Nelson could still live up to his potential, he has yet to show that he has the ability to be a feature tight end. That is particularly troubling when you realize who he’s competing against.

One option who would immediately improve Buffalo’s tight end corps is David Thomas. Thomas has been a backup tight end for the New Orleans Saints over past couple seasons and has been very good in that role. The release of Jeremy Shockey may mean that the Saints will try to secure Thomas, but with Jimmy Graham in the fold, he won’t be a main target. Should the Bills assure him a starting spot, Thomas may be willing to make the jump. While he may not be a top-notch tight end, Thomas could very well flourish in an expanded role with Buffalo.

Eric Barton, ILB, Cleveland Browns

Former Cleveland Browns linebacker Eric Barton is reaching the twilight of his career, which makes him a viable option at middle linebacker for the Bills. Provided Buffalo is able to re-sign Paul Posluszny, there is still a need for a second starting inside linebacker. Rookie Kelvin Sheppard may fill that role eventually, but there is no guarantee that he will be capable of starting right off the bat.

 The Bills have signed veteran linebackers like Andra Davis, Akin Ayodele and Reggie Torbor over the past couple seasons, so Barton seems like their type of player. If nothing else, he could probably be effective as a rotational player. Barton has played in a 3-4 system for the past seven seasons with the Browns and New York Jets, so he would be reliable at the very least. Bills fans likely wouldn’t bat an eye if Barton was signed, but he would be cheap depth capable of contributing to some extent.

Ryan O’Callaghan, OT, Kansas City Chiefs

As things currently stand, the Bills’ starting right tackle is Mansfield Wrotto. While it’s possible that they are comfortable with Wrotto, there is no question that an improvement can be made. Enter 6’7”, 330 lb. Ryan O’Callaghan. Although O’Callaghan isn’t exactly a star-caliber right tackle himself, he has been a steady player for the Kansas City Chiefs over the past couple seasons. He is also just 27 years old, so he may have yet to fully come into his own.

O’Callaghan actually started 12 games for the Chiefs in 2009 and displayed some good run-blocking skills thanks to his massive size. He went back to being primarily a reserve last season, but he has proven that he’s capable of handling the full-time load. Even though O’Callaghan may only be a filler until the Bills find a long-term option at right tackle, he wouldn’t cost much and possesses plenty of potential.

Roman Harper, SS, New Orleans Saints

Despite being selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the past two seasons, Roman Harper has become a scapegoat of sorts for the New Orleans Saints’ playoff failures last season. While Harper was certainly burned by Matt Hasselbeck and the Seattle Seahawks, it shouldn’t erase four years of solid play. It seems as though the Saints may be willing to move forward without him, though, making him a very interesting target for the Bills.

Like the aforementioned Bernard Pollard, Harper struggles in pass coverage at times, but he is an elite run-stopping safety. He has totaled at least 89 tackles in each of the past four seasons and was second in the league in forced fumbles with six last season. Since Donte Whitner is trying to get top-10 safety money, it makes plenty of sense to go with Harper instead. Not only is he more athletic, but he will come at a cheaper price, and he is more capable of making big plays. The Bills should definitely give Harper a long look.

Barrett Ruud, ILB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After back-to-back excellent seasons in 2008 and 2009, Tampa Bay Bucs linebacker Barrett Ruud came back down to Earth last year. His 118 tackles were solid, but not up to par with what the Bucs had grown accustomed to. That type of production would certainly be acceptable for the Bills, however, as the No. 2 inside linebacker alongside Paul Posluszny.

That isn’t to say that Ruud can’t bounce back to his previous form, though. Ruud registered 137 and 142 tackles in consecutive seasons and was beginning to establish himself as one of the league’s best inside linebackers. Moving to Buffalo’s 3-4 defense would also take a lot of pressure off Ruud. Not only would he have the support of Posluszny inside, but he would also have defensive linemen like Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus occupying blockers. Whatever the case, the Bills may be able to get a bargain as they probably won’t have to pay Ruud as much as his past performance suggests.

Bo Scaife, TE, Tennessee Titans

While top tight ends such as Oakland’s Zach Miller and Kevin Boss of the New York Giants may be available in free agency, the Bills won’t be willing to throw the money around it will take to sign them. That doesn’t mean that they can’t find a capable option at that position, however. One possibility is former Tennessee Titan Bo Scaife. It has already been said that Scaife won’t be back with the Titans, so he may be a player Buffalo covets.

Scaife wasn’t particularly good last season as he amassed just 318 yards and averaged 8.8 yards per catch, but he has been successful in the past. As quarterback Vince Young’s favorite target in 2008, Scaife caught 58 balls for 561 yards and two touchdowns. He may not be at that level anymore, but if paired with Shawn Nelson, he could help provide the Bills with at least an adequate duo at tight end. That may not sound too exciting, but it’s better than anything Buffalo has had in years.

Jared Gaither, OT, Baltimore Ravens

At 6’9” and 340 lbs. and 25 years old, Jared Gaither would seem to be a highly sought after offensive tackle in free agency. A severe back injury that cost him the entire 2010 season may scare some teams off, however. Prior to last season, Gaither was holding out as a restricted free agent, and was rumored to be on the trading block. He eventually came to terms with the Baltimore Ravens on a one-year deal, but he was unable to play.

The Bills were thought to be one of handful of teams interested in Gaither’s services last season. Because of that, it stands to reason they might take a run at him this offseason. The injury is certainly troubling to a point, but Gaither’s agent Drew Rosenhaus says that he is completely healed. If that is the case, Gaither would be a perfect fit for the Bills. He could either slide right in at right tackle or start at left tackle with Demetrius Bell moving to the other side. Either way, Gaither could be a nice free agent steal for the Bills.