Grading Five Key Free Agent Signings by the Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills have made plenty of moves to improve the team in 2025. After yet again falling short to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship, Buffalo is hoping to finally get over the hump. Josh Allen proved that he could propel the offense to success with average weapons, but the team will try to build around him even more going into next season. Here are grades on the notable free agents that were signed by the Bills in preparation for the upcoming season.

Dane Jackson (B)

A familiar name for the Bills is Dane Jackson. He played on the Bills from 2020-23, establishing himself as a solid depth cornerback and late draft pick from GM Brandon Beane, who selected the Pittsburgh product 239th overall in 2020, Buffalo’s final pick that year. The Coraopolis, Pennsylvania native has always been a reliable plug-and-play cornerback, but made a name for himself in 2022. That season was the first without Levi Wallace, who had played in Sean McDermott’s defense for the first four years of his career and started in every game he was active for. Without Wallace, a rehabbing Tre’Davious White who missed most of the season, the lackluster first-round rookie Kaiir Elam and oft-injured Christian Benford, Jackson stepped up in a big way. In 14 starts, Jackson secured two interceptions, 12 passes defended and 57 tackles, all career highs. Though he’s not the preferential starter alongside Benford in 2025, it’s a good addition to add depth to the cornerback room before the draft.

Josh Palmer (B)

Adding a new weapon for the reigning MVP is never a bad idea. Sure, Josh Palmer’s never been at the level of wide receivers like Stefon Diggs, but he’s a consistent receiver playing on a team-friendly deal. After initially being reported as a three-year, $36 million contract, it was in fact confirmed to be $29 million over three seasons. The only major caveat of acquiring Palmer was that it seemed to create a ‘him or me’ situation with Mack Hollins. Hollins was a fan-favorite who gave the Bills a lot of energy, but he signed with the divisional rival New England Patriots. However, it makes sense to keep Palmer over Hollins considering that the team has Keon Coleman going into his sophomore season, Curtis Samuel is still under contract and the team will likely select another receiver next month.

Larry Ogunjobi (F)

A huge swing-and-miss before even stepping on the field is Larry Ogunjobi. Even if he plays spectacularly, this signing will be plagued by his six-game suspension. It’s speculated that the Bills will go after a defensive tackle in the first round. Knowing this, it’s likely that the rookie will now have to take on a much bigger role in the defense with Ogunjobi missing a big chunk of the season. It also might be hard for Ogunjobi himself to ramp himself up if he’s out for so long and there’s a chance he’ll be in far worse shape when it is time for him to come back.

Michael Hoecht (C)

Much like Ogunjobi, this signing gets knocked due to his PED suspension. However, Michael Hoecht is signed to a three-year deal instead of just one, and at least told the Bills that he would have a pending suspension incoming. As long as he can stay clean, this signing could actually be good for the Bills in the long run. Two seasons ago, Hoecht started all 17 games for the Rams, compiling six sacks, seven tackles for loss and 81 tackles, showing promise as a then-26-year-old pass rusher. His snap count dipped immensely last year, but with McDermott’s defensive lines constantly rotating players in and out that shouldn’t be seen as an issue in Buffalo. 

Joey Bosa (A)

The splash signing for Beane was acquiring Joey Bosa. The five-time Pro Bowler signed a one-year, $12.61 million deal to prove himself in Buffalo. Thankfully, Beane seems to have learned his lesson when signing aging pass rushers. One of the worst signings in Bills history was the six-year, $120 million contract to 33-year-old Von Miller which the team is still paying for. Just two days after releasing Miller, the team signed Bosa, signaling a much-needed change for the Queen City’s football team. Not only will Bosa be three years younger than Miller when he played his first game for the Bills, but he signed a significantly cheaper contract as well, making for a better all-around contract for Bills’ management.