Best remaining free agent targets for the Buffalo Bills after a wild free agency period in the NFL
Brandon Beane should pull the trigger on at least one of these remaining free agents.
The Buffalo Bills brought in some reinforcements this offseason and free agency period, making a few splashes along the way with a trade for Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore and the signing of former Miami Dolphins pass rusher Bradley Chubb.
General manager Brandon Beane still has his work cut out for him, as there are several team needs apparent with the roster. Fortunately, there are still some decent players available in free agency, and Beane should be doing everything in his power to bring some of these guys in.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best remaining free agents that Buffalo could and should sign during this crazy free agency period in the NFL.
WR Brandin Cooks
Bring. Back. Brandin. Cooks. With plenty of wide receivers off the board, I am pounding the table for Buffalo to bring back the veteran on a one-year deal. He was one of the best targets and most reliable for quarterback Josh Allen after joining the team well through the 2025 season. Buffalo could get the deal done relatively cheaply and allow Cooks a full offseason program to work with Allen in the offense. He wouldn’t come in as the No. 1 or No. 2 option, but as No. 4 or No. 5, it’d be perfect.
Cooks finished his 2025 season with five receptions for 114 yards in five games played. During the offseason, he had five catches for 78 yards and should have had at least one more catch for a big gain if the referees knew what they were doing, respectfully. Cooks absolutely caught that football.
LB Germaine Pratt
The Bills need some linebacker help, and could look to the draft to fill this major team need. I was gutted when the Washington Commanders took Leo Chenal, who seemed like a perfect fit with Jim Leonhard’s new defense. But alas, we need to look elsewhere to get some linebacker help. Even with Chenal gone, there are still some good options on the table for Buffalo.
Pratt is a monster and is capable of stepping on the line as a Sam linebacker as well. He doesn’t rely on his athleticism to eviscerate blocks, instead using his size and positional leverage to stay clean during the rush. He played in 16 games with 10 passes defensed, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and 126 combined tackles in 2025.
DT DJ Reader
At one point, Reader was arguably the best nose tackle in the NFL when he played for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Detroit Lions didn’t get the same player, and the Bills most likely won’t either if he signs with the team. However, they will get a starting-caliber nose tackle who can help out in the run game and be a space eater in the pass rush game.
Buffalo struggled mightily against the run, and Reader could be the missing piece to help the team get over the hump and be productive in stopping other teams from running all over Buffalo. Reader still has efficient movement off the snap and still possesses power and low pad level to tear through double teams. He’d be a huge addition for Buffalo this late in free agency.
DT Greg Gaines
As Evan Winter from A to Z Sports reported, Gaines is an average rotational player who can play here and there. His performance over the last couple of seasons is tricky to evaluate due to Calijah Kancey spending the past two years injured, thrusting more responsibility onto Gaines’ plate. As Winter reported, he’s best suited for an odd-front where he can play nose 3 tech. The scales are pretty balanced in terms of run devens versus pass rush ability, too.
Another solid addition this late in free agency. He’s an early run-down defender specialist with eight pressures and 20 total tackles in 2025.
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