ESPN links the Bills to top free agent who fills a major need
The Bills are facing the challenging task of upgrading its roster with limited salary cap space. But just because something appears to be difficult doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Bills general manager Brandon Beane has been a salary cap wizard over the last few offseasons. He’s been able to find top tier talent on […]
The Bills are facing the challenging task of upgrading its roster with limited salary cap space. But just because something appears to be difficult doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane has been a salary cap wizard over the last few offseasons. He’s been able to find top tier talent on the market without fully mortgaging the team’s future.
ESPN recently released an article linking Buffalo to one of the NFL’s top 50 available players for the 2023 offseason. That player is G Ben Powers.
Powers checks in at No. 40 on ESPN’s list. He spent his first four years playing with the Baltimore Ravens in Greg Roman’s run-first offense.
ESPN’s Matt Bowen explains his reasoning for Powers to land in Buffalo:
"The Bills have to be better on the interior of the offensive line, and Powers can fill that role at the left guard position with Rodger Saffold III entering free agency. The 310-pounder plays his best football in close quarters, and he registered a run block win rate of 78.8%, the second best among guards. And while he can get stressed on his edges in pass pro, Powers finished the '22 season with a pass block win rate of 93.2%, which ranked 10th among all guards."
Cost-Efficient Upgrade
Outside of Josh Allen, Buffalo has struggled to assert themselves in the run game. Although LG Rodger Saffold, who is an unrestricted free agent, somehow squeaked into the Pro Bowl, his performance was mostly shaky up front in 2022.
Powers, 26, is a much younger alternative with enough experience to quickly adapt to the Bills’ system. He started in all 17 games in 2021, and has played in 46 games over his last three seasons.
Spotrac projects his market value to hover in the $9 million range, which wouldn’t break the bank for Buffalo. An interior offensive lineman isn’t as big of a splash as Bills Mafia has seen the team make over the last couple of seasons, but it’s a move that makes a ton of sense considering the Bills’ needs.
Featured image via Shawn Dowd / USA TODAY NETWORK
