Joey Bosa
Newly signed free agent Joey Bosa is one of the players I, and many other fans, have high hopes for. Unlike Von Miller, Bosa is still only 29 years old. He will be 30 by the time the season starts, and with 72 career sacks, he remains a dominant pass rusher in the league today. The only concern about him is his health.
Playing in limited games 4 of the last 5 seasons, the Los Angeles Chargers decided to part ways with him, allowing the Buffalo Bills to capitalize on Bosa with the cap they freed up in the Von Miller release. Bosa only has 14 sacks in the last 3 combined seasons, but he also only has 28 games played in those 3 seasons. If he can stay healthy, he can easily achieve double-digit sacks and contribute opposite of recently resigned edge rusher Gregory Rousseau. Season prediction: 7.5 Sacks, 31 Tackles, 11 TFL.
Joshua Palmer
After spending the first 4 seasons in Los Angeles, Joshua Palmer is ready to provide a much-needed impact at the slot position in Buffalo. Palmer is one of the more consistent WRs in the NFL, capturing 500+ yards on each of the last 3 seasons and 30+ receptions in all 4 seasons.
If it wasn’t for the signing of Elijah Moore, who I will address later in this article, I would stamp Palmer as the next Cole Beasley in the Bills offense. Unlike Isaiah McKenzie, Palmer has the proven stats to aid Buffalo in their quest to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. Season prediction: 29 Receptions, 451 Yards, 2 TDs.
Alec White & Maddy Glab, team reporters, were able to discuss some free agent moves with Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane, where he said, “Love Josh’s game. I would say the first thing, excellent route runner…he’s around 4.5, but I’d say his play speed’s faster. Build speed when he’s up and running. He can play inside. He can play out. He’s a smart player. We look for that in this offense so that Joe (Brady) can move these guys around.” https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-gm-brandone-beane-on-early-free-agency-moves-josh-allen-s-new-deal-and-salary-cap-analysis
Larry Ogunjobi
Larry Ogunjobi will have to wait to start his 2025 campaign, as it was announced during the offseason that he and veteran pass rusher Michael Hoecht, whom I will mention later on, will be suspended for testing positive for PEDs. Ogunjobi will be suspended for the first 6 games of the NFL season.
Ogunjobi, like Bosa, will be heading into year 9 after an impressive career thus far. While he has remained in the AFC North the entirety of his career, he joins the Buffalo Bills, whose interior defensive line already has Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones. Larry Ogunjobi has made a career in being a dominant run stopper with career stats of 27.5 sacks and 56 TFLs. Season prediction: 1.5 Sacks, 22 Tackles, 4 TFLs.
Elijah Moore
Firstly, I love the Elijah Moore signing, secondly, I have no idea who is going to be the starting slot WR in Buffalo. Like Palmer, Moore is heading into year 5, where he has had 500+ yards in 3 of his first 4 seasons. It’s the previous 2 seasons he spent with the Cleveland Browns that make him have the edge over Palmer in this battle. In just 2 seasons with the Browns, Moore has 1178 yards and 3 TDs.
While those numbers are similar to Palmer, it’s the reception numbers that stick out to me. While Palmer has 77 receptions in the last 2 seasons, Moore has a respectable 120. What intrigues me about this battle is that Moore has more receptions, but he’s not doing anything drastically different than Palmer is statistically while having 43 more receptions. Season prediction: 36 Receptions, 308 Yards, 3 TDs.
Michael Hoecht
Michael Hoecht will also be serving a 6 game suspension for testing positive for PEDs, like fellow defensive addition Larry Ogunjobi. The difference between Hoecht and Ogunjobi is that Hoecht will be fighting for snaps behind the likes of pass rushers Gregory Rousseau, Joey Bosa, and A.J. Epenesa. Ogunjobi will likely split DT2 reps with Daquan Jones, while Hoecht is likely just a depth piece in the case of an injury to the starters.
In limited starts with the Los Angeles Rams, Michael Hoecht had 3 sacks last season, so he has the potential to make an impact in a limited role. Hoecht is likely a breakout candidate if Joey Bosa is unable to stay healthy. Season prediction: 3.5 Sacks, 41 Tackles, 5 TFLs.
Tre’Davious White
Tre’Davious White‘s age is one of many reasons not to be hyped for the returning All-Pro CB. His All-Pro seasons are a relic of the past in the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Later on, he would have not one but two significant injuries while only playing 21 of a possible 51 games. This would lead to him spending time last season with the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens.
His starting days are over, but in a limited role in the Bills’ secondary, he could provide some defensive value. His real value comes off the field, with 1st round selection Maxwell Hairston ready to start immediately opposite of Christian Benford, Hairston can lean on White for some much-needed mentorship. Season prediction: 0 Int, 10 Passes Defended, 16 Tackles.
If you love when free agents play their old teams, then check out this article
