Bills' Team Needs to Fill in 2024 NFL Free Agency

The Buffalo Bills need a roster refresh ahead of the 2024 NFL season.

Buffalo must bring in some new pieces through free agency to upgrade the roster around Josh Allen in order to contend with the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC.

The execution of those goals may be difficult, though, since the Bills are currently well over the salary cap.

Buffalo will have to get creative with some restructured contracts and releases to free up space to make the proper free-agent additions.

The Bills could lose Gabe Davis, Micah Hyde, three backup running backs and a handful of defensive linemen in free agency.

Buffalo has 10 NFL draft picks to fall back on if free agency is not as successful, but there needs to be a focus on veteran additions first.

Wide Receiver

Perry Knotts/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - JANUARY 21: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Buffalo Bills runs the ball during an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

The Bills must add more help for Stefon Diggs at wide receiver.

Davis and Trent Sherfield could be on their way out in free agency. That would leave the Bills with Khalil Shakir as the best wide out on the roster behind Diggs.

Shakir improved in 2023, but he is best suited right now for the slot and No. 3 roles on the depth chart, and not as Diggs' primary backup.

Buffalo should look to the second tier of wide receiver free agents to add to Diggs, Shakir, Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox in the passing attack.

Jauan Jennings, D.J. Chark, Josh Reynolds and K.J. Osborn are among the potential candidates the Bills could look at to upgrade from Davis.

Defensive Line

Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 26: Buffalo Bills Defensive End A.J. Epenesa (57) and Defensive End Greg Rousseau (50) tackle Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) in the first half during the game between the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles on November 26, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Bills have six defensive linemen currently under contract for the 2024 season.

Von Miller is one of those six players. Miller comes with a $23 million salary cap hit for 2024, per Spotrac, and with concerns that he can return to his pre-injury dominant self.

Miller only recorded three tackles across 12 appearances in 2023. The Bills must prepare in case he does not return to his All-Pro form.

The Bills should try to re-sign at least one of Jordan Phillips, A.J. Epenesa and Shaq Lawson to keep some continuity on the defensive line.

But the reality is the Bills will have a few new faces on the defensive line because not everyone can land new contracts under the team's salary cap constraints.

The Bills may have to take risks on veterans in their 30s, or players with something to prove on one-year deals, to bolster the pass-rushing depth.

Backup Running Back

Perry Knotts/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - JANUARY 21: Ty Johnson #26 of the Buffalo Bills runs the ball during an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

Ty Johnson, Latavius Murray and Damien Harris are scheduled to hit free agency.

Johnson would be the primary candidate to keep around among the three backup running backs.

Johnson is seven years younger than Murray, was more productive than Harris in 2023 and was involved in Buffalo's key games in the second half of the 2023 season.

The Bills would feel comfortable with Johnson. James Cook and a potential late-round draft pick on their depth chart for 2024.

However, if Johnson signs elsewhere, the Bills need to find a backup with solid pass-catching abilities.

Jerick McKinnon would be a fascinating fit in Buffalo not just because of his pass-catching abilities, but because that move would weaken the Chiefs.