Ten Free Agents the Bills Should Consider

After carefully perusing Buffalo's roster - including potential free agents and players who may be moved due to special circumstances - it's clear that the Bills may see a fair amount of roster turnover this off-season. With roughly $37 million to spend on players this off-season, Buffalo is in good position to add some quality talent to their 2007 roster.

Here are ten free agents who will provide excellent value to the Bills' team. These players don't fall under the "big-name" category, so their asking prices would be considerably less than some of the bigger names on the market.

Dominic Rhodes, RB, Indianapolis
- Rhodes (pictured right), an unrestricted free agent, started all sixteen regular-season contests for the Colts this season. However, rookie Joseph Addai is certain to become the club's starter next season, and Rhodes could seek greener pastures elsewhere. A former 1,000-yard rusher who is only 28 years old, Rhodes would be a fantastic backup and third-down back to complement Willis McGahee. Remember this: Anthony Thomas is an unrestricted free agent, and with one year left on McGahee's deal, he could be destined for a holdout should he not receive an extension. If that happens, Rhodes' value would skyrocket in Buffalo.

Kenny Watson, RB, Cincinnati
- Like Rhodes, Kenny Watson is entering free agency after spending the first portion of his career in the Bengals' crowded backfield. Cincinnati has two upper-tier runners locked up in Rudi Johnson and Chris Perry, so the likelihood of Watson seeing significant money from the Bengals is low. Watson, an unrestricted free agent at age 29, is an excellent receiver out of the backfield and has a penchant for picking up key first downs. His asking price would be fairly lower than Rhodes; however, it is questionable whether Watson could handle a full rushing load as a team's #1 back.

Patrick Crayton, WR, Dallas
- Last off-season, Bills general manager Marv Levy went after several restricted free agents in an effort to bring younger talent onto his team. One of the most coveted RFAs this off-season is Cowboys receiver Patrick Crayton, who has developed a strong rapport with Tony Romo in Big D. If Terrell Owens is jettisoned, Crayton will no doubt receive a large extension from the Cowboys. However, if a team were to offer enough for the emerging star, it isn't likely that the Cowboys could afford to keep him. Crayton would offer J.P. Losman a solid target as the #2 or #3 wideout, and would also excel on special teams.

David Diehl, OG, New York Giants
- If you watched the Giants-Eagles playoff game yesterday, you may wonder why the oft-penalized Diehl makes this list. The answer is simple: Diehl is young, versatile and would be a quality depth addition to the Bills' offensive line. If Mike Gandy departs via free agency (which is looking more and more unlikely as the Bills try to develop continuity along the offensive front), Diehl has the ability to fill in at left guard. At age 26, he also has the ability to play left tackle and could even spell Chris Villarrial at right guard. Even if Diehl did not start, he would provide excellent, experienced depth behind the Bills' young starters at a fair price.

Kris Dielman, OG, San Diego Chargers
- The best guard on the line that paved the way for LaDainian Tomlinson's historic season, Dielman may not make it onto the open market. However, he's young (26), hard-nosed and would be a terrific addition. The Bills would only pursue Dielman if they were to move Mike Gandy to a different position or let him go. Dielman plays left guard in San Diego, and would likely assume that role here in Buffalo. Dielman is one of the pricier players on this list, but his ability makes him well worth it. Teamed with future Pro Bowler Jason Peters, Dielman would give the Bills an excellent left side of the line.

Jarret Johnson, DE, Baltimore
- This guy defines the word "tough". Johnson goes 6'3", 270, but has the ability to play inside, outside and even linebacker in some occasions. In Baltimore's scheme, Johnson appeared often in run situations as a fourth linebacker, and was part of a unit that allowed the lowest total points per game this season. With Chris Kelsay an unrestricted free agent, Johnson would come in as the Bills' fourth defensive end (behind Aaron Schobel, RFA Anthony Hargrove and Ryan Denney) and would give the Bills a proven run-stuffer along the defensive line. Once again, Johnson is a player that would come at a reduced price and would be able to compete on special teams as well.

Cory Redding, DE, Detroit
- Detroit's best down lineman this season, Redding is steadily rising up team's free agency charts as the playoffs continue. Blessed with phenomenal strength, Redding played both left end and defensive tackle for the Lions this past season. He would likely fill a role similar to that played by Tony Hargrove for the Bills this past season, where he would be a rotational guy who specialized on passing downs. He also has the ability to unseat Kyle Williams on the inside, though he would need to bulk up to do so (he currently stands at 6'4", 290). Redding is sure to be pursued by a lot of teams, which could drive up his asking price. But his addition would be a welcome one in Buffalo.


Travis Fisher, CB, St. Louis
- In the likely event that Nate Clements departs for greener pastures (and bank accounts), Fisher (pictured left) would be a cheap alternative with experience in the Bills' Cover-2 scheme. Only 27 years old, Fisher will likely leave St. Louis as that team builds its secondary around second-year corner Tye Hill. While not a proven #1 CB, Fisher could nonetheless compete for playing time alongside Terrence McGee, Kiwaukee Thomas (if re-signed) and Ashton Youboty. The Bills could then draft a corner to add even more talent to their corner class. It is important to note that if the Bills do sign a second-tier corner such as Fisher, it will show the amount of faith the coaching staff has in Youboty and his ability to become a #1 corner.

Randall Gay, CB, New England
- Another restricted free agent, Gay has resided on the Patriots' injured reserve list for the majority of this season. However, the 24-year-old has great size for the Cover 2 scheme (5'11", 190) and has made some plays in Bill Belichick's scheme. He would also be a standout special teams performer. With Clements like leaving, Gay is another young player with a world of talent that would learn to excel in Perry Fewell's defensive scheme.

Demorrio Williams, LB, Atlanta
- A slightly undersized 'backer with fantastic speed, Williams is an experienced starter who fits in well with Perry Fewell's speed-oriented defensive system. As a restricted free agent, it might take a significant offer to get him out of Atlanta, where he has started the past two seasons. With London Fletcher-Baker upset with the team and Takeo Spikes' future in jeopardy as well, Williams (or linebackers like him) will likely be the target of Levy this off-season. With Williams on board, the Bills could move Angelo Crowell to the inside and have even more speed and toughness in their linebacking corps.