Top Free Agents for Buffalo Bills: Defense

WIFE2HOT4U · April 4, 2006

Chris Brown, buffalobills.com

03/02/2006 2:56 PM

With the potential for an extension of the CBA between the owners and the players union free agency could be delayed a week or two. But under the assumption that free agency will go off as scheduled March 6, we take a look at the free agent options due to be out there.

The Bills have some positions in need of an upgrade after a sub-.500 season in 2005. The most notable being the offensive and defensive lines.

In this installment of our look at the free agent options for the Bills we will focus on defense. Offense was addressed earlier this week.

Defensive tackle

The crop of defensive tackles has some recognizable names, but only a few true space eaters. However, with an aggressive attack-style scheme expected, big space eaters won't be needed in Buffalo. As a result there are a handful of players who could help the Bills interior defense.

Defensive tackle rank

1. Rocky Bernard - Seattle

2. Ryan Pickett - St. Louis

3. Damione Lewis - St. Louis

4. Chris Hovan - Tampa Bay

I believe Bernard is the kind of interior pass rusher the Bills might be looking for, but he'll need to play next to a larger defensive tackle to be effective. With Sam Adams gone that player will have to be found in the draft or free agency. Pickett and Lewis could fit that bill as both still have potential despite the fact that it was never fully realized in St. Louis. A change of scenery could do both of them good. Pickett is more consistent than Lewis. Hovan signed a one-year deal in Tampa last season and played well after falling out of favor in Minnesota. He's a strong penetrator which would fit what Bills defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is looking for. Grady Jackson didn't make my top three because weight has been an issue for him and he's more of a clogger. Arizona's Russell Davis would have made the list, but his season ending injury in Week Three last year makes him tough to put a value on.

Defensive end

With Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay the only defensive ends under contract on the roster a situational pass rusher might not be a bad idea. The problem is some of the better talent is already unavailable. John Abraham was franchised and Kyle Vanden Bosch re-signed with Tennessee. From a pass rushing perspective here's the best of the rest.

Defensive end rank

1. Darren Howard - New Orleans

2. Anthony Weaver - Baltimore

3. Kalimba Edwards - Detroit

4. Carlos Hall - Kansas City

Howard will be too expensive for Buffalo one year removed from being the Saints' franchise player. Weaver is more of a left defensive end. Edwards and Hall to me are the best fits for the Bills. They're both still young, and they're both very athletic with pass rushing ability. Neither of them can handle every down roles, but their talents can be maximized as situational pass rushers. That's what the Bills need on third down. Coach Jauron knows Edwards' abilities after coaching him in Detroit.

Linebacker

The Bills are in pretty good position here from a veteran standpoint and with restricted free agents Josh Stamer and Mario Haggan tendered, they have young backups across the board.

Inside backer rank

1. Nate Wayne - Detroit

2. Brad Kassel - Tennessee

3. Ben Taylor - Cleveland

Outside backer rank

1. Julian Peterson - San Francisco

2. Will Witherspoon - Carolina

3. Akin Ayodele - Jacksonville

Cornerback

With a pair of veteran corners in Terrence McGee and Nate Clements in the fold, the Bills figure to bolster the position through the draft after putting the franchise tag on Clements. Eric King and Jabari Greer will be back, and free agent Kevin Thomas wants to return after missing last season with a knee injury.

Cornerback rank

1. Brian Williams - Minnesota (transition player)

2. Will Allen - NY Giants

3. Deshea Townsend - Pittsburgh

The restricted free agents are more attractive than the unrestricted corners available. Ricky Manning (Carolina) and Ike Taylor (Pittsburgh) headline that list.

Safety

Troy Vincent is getting older and Lawyer Milloy isn't a fit in a cover-two scheme which requires more cover ability on the part of the safety. Coy Wire is certainly athletic enough, but coverage hasn't been his strong suit either. He could use some competition instead of just inheriting the strong safety position. Rashad Baker is capable, but some competition couldn't hurt for him either. Buffalo could look to sign a young up and coming free agent or draft a safety to groom for the future.

Strong safety rank

1. Tank Williams - Tennessee

2. Ryan Clark - Washington

3. Joseph Jefferson - Indianapolis

Free safety rank

1. Chris Hope - Pittsburgh

2. Dexter Jackson - Tampa Bay

3. Will Demps - Baltimore

Tank Williams comes with durability concerns, Clark is a little undersized but always around the ball. Jefferson hasn't reached his full potential. Hope had a solid season last year and is tough. Jackson and Demps are good players, but some question whether their effectiveness was due mainly to the scheme in which they played as well as the talent around them. Adam Archuleta has had concussion problems and didn't make my list. Corey Chavous and Lance Schulters aren't much younger than Vincent.

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