The Buffalo Bills became the NFL‘s first 2-0 team by taking down the division-rival Miami Dolphins on Thursday night, erasing any concerns that their offseason roster changes would result in a step back for Josh Allen and Co.
However, Buffalo isn’t perfect. Allen could probably use another pass catcher, while injuries have already depleted the Bills’ defensive depth chart.
Buffalo will face a daunting schedule over the next four weeks, with games against Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, and New York Jets. Sean McDermott’s club might need a few short-term answers to get through that rough stretch of opponents.
What moves should the Bills make in the coming weeks and months? We’ve got three suggestions that could help Buffalo keep rolling in 2024.
3 Moves the 2-0 Bills Should Consider
1) Sign Free Agent LB Zach Cunningham
The Bills already lost All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano to a biceps injury in August. On Thursday night, Buffalo watched its next-best LB go down with a significant injury.
Terrel Bernard strained his pectoral in Week 2 and will miss roughly a month, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who indicated Bernard could be placed on injured reserve.
Bernard made PFN’s 2024 All-Breakout Team based on his work after Milano’s season-ending injury in 2023. The former third-round pick wore Buffalo’s green dot, showed range as a coverage defender, routinely filled his gap in the run game, and posted 20 pressures on just 72 pass-rushing snaps.
Baylon Spector replaced Bernard as an every-down LB on Thursday, while Dorian Williams remained in a nickel-only role. Each ‘backer finished with 10 tackles apiece against Miami, but the Bills might be interested in adding a veteran presence to the second level of their defense.
Zach Cunningham is the best free agent linebacker remaining on the board. Known primarily as a run-stopper, Cunningham received the best PFF coverage grade of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. He earned less than $2 million last season, and Buffalo could probably get him at the same prorated rate.
2) Evaluate Slot CB Options With Taron Johnson Injured
While McDermott didn’t rule out an IR stint for slot CB Taron Johnson (forearm) earlier this week, Buffalo didn’t place him on injured reserve before Thursday night’s game. That suggests the Bills believe he will miss fewer than the four games that an IR trip would have mandated.
Still, when Johnson — one of the NFL’s top nickel corners — can return remains an open question. Cam Lewis has been productive as Johnson’s replacement through two games, but he’s historically been a special-teams-only player. Lewis played a career-high 144 defensive snaps in 2023; he’s already played 125 this season.
SEE MORE: Buffalo Bills Depth Chart
Buffalo might ponder its other internal slot choices if Lewis doesn’t keep up his current level of play. Cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram played 22 slot snaps on TNF. Some of the Bills’ safeties have dabbled on the interior, but only Taylor Rapp has significant experience there.
If Johnson’s return timeline is extended, Buffalo could look outside the organization for help. While the free agent slot CB market doesn’t offer many options, the Bills could theoretically consider trades for nickelbacks like the Las Vegas Raiders’ Nate Hobbs or the Tennessee Titans’ Roger McCreary.
3) Explore a High-Profile WR Trade
Scoring points hasn’t been an issue for Allen and the Bills’ offense this season. Buffalo — which ranked sixth with 26.5 points per game in 2023 — dropped 34 on the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 before putting up 31 against Miami on Thursday.
Still, any objective observer would probably notice that Allen’s receiving corps has no star. Khalil Shakir has been productive through one season and change, while second-round rookie Keon Coleman was efficient in Week 1 before being blanked in Week 2.
But while Mack Hollins and Marquez Valdes-Scantling fill specific roles within Buffalo’s offense, they’re limited receivers. Meanwhile, offseason addition Curtis Samuel has played just 29 snaps and run 17 snaps through two games as a Bill.
The Bills probably don’t feel the need to make a move right now. However, they could explore the wide receiver trade market as the NFL’s Nov. 5 trade deadline approaches.
Buffalo only has $4.1 million in available cap space (third-least in the NFL), which could complicate any efforts to acquire a high-priced veteran. Potentially available pass catchers like Terry McLaurin and Courtland Sutton might not be willing to adjust their contracts to fit the Bills’ books.
Still, general manager Brandon Beane could get creative. Pending free agents such as Amari Cooper, Diontae Johnson, and DeAndre Hopkins could offer Buffalo more flexibility. Theoretically, those receivers’ teams may be open to eating some of their remaining salaries in exchange for enhanced draft pick compensation from the Bills.
The biggest fish on the WR market might be the Raiders’ Davante Adams, who could hit the trade block if Las Vegas continues to struggle. Adams’ base salary is nearly $17 million this season, but Buffalo could probably work something out with the veteran wideout.
One more option that might be in the Bills’ price range: the Los Angeles Chargers’ Joshua Palmer, who’s earning just over $3 million in 2024 and is poised to reach free agency next offseason. If the Bolts aren’t in contention at midseason, they could try to get something in exchange for Plamer before he hits the market.