Top remaining free agent targets for the Bills after a quiet first day of free agency that leaves key roster holes still intact
Still plenty of players available for Buffalo.
The Buffalo Bills were quiet on the first day of free agency. That’s not to say the team didn’t make any moves, but no big splashes were coming from One Bills Drive on the opening day of the negotiating window ahead of the new league year. The team lost a handful of important key pieces while adding some reinforcements.
It kicked off with a deal for former Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford, and the day ended with a pair of signings by the Bills, with Mitch Wishnowsky returning on a one-year deal as the team’s punter, and the team brought in a backup quarterback in Kyle Allen. Other than that, it was silent.
Let’s take a look at the remaining top free agent targets for the Buffalo Bills heading into day two.
LB Leo Chenal
Chenal remains my top linebacker still available on the board. He has a history with defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, as Chenal played for the University of Wisconsin while Leonhard was coaching there. He’s a physical downhill Sam linebacker, bringing aggressive run defense and blitzing ability while rounding out his coverage skills. He’s a two-time Super Bowl champion to boot.
He’s had 218 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, six passes defensed, and one interception across 65 regular-season games. There is so much untapped potential here, and something that the Bills could unlock by signing him and giving him a full-time role in the defense.
S Jaylinn Hawkins
Hawkins had a breakout year in 2025 in terms of production, totalling four interceptions. The six year vetern spent time with the Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Chargers, and most recently the New England Patriots. He started in 15 games with one and a half sacks, 71 combined tackles, and six passes defensed in 2025. He’s a disciplined run fitter whose comfrotable bumping into the box. While he can be exposed in pure man coverage, he’s a risk-taker who will occasionally guess routes.
He earned an 87.1 for his run defense grade and a 79 coverage grade according to Pro Football Focus. He allowed a 73.7 rating while being targeted and had a 65.5% reception rate.
Buffalo needs to find a safety to pair alongside Cole Bishop. Our initial suggestion for the position fill was Reed Blankenship, but he was signed by the Houston Texans during day one of free agency.
WR Darnell Mooney
Mooney is another returning name on the list. I previously wrote about five free agent targets that the Bills should target on Day 1, and since they didn’t, he remains on the list. It’s not the big splash that fans are hoping for, but with the current cap situation and Buffalo already spending some draft capital to bring in DJ Moore, we’re looking at some of the fringe guys who could make an impact.
He’s a speedy wide receiver that the Falcons decided to move on due to some cap relief. He has solid size to play on the outside or in the slot and uses his speed to make plays down the field.
Over the past three years, he’s averaged over 13 yards per catch and would immediately make an impact with quarterback Josh Allen. He could be one of the most underrated signings of free agency.
EDGE Charles Omenihu
Omeninhu is another name returning to the list; he’s a true difference-maker on defense and should still be in the Bills’ sights for day two of free agency. Injury history is a bit worrisome, as he suffered a torn ACL a few seasons ago and hasn’t been quite as explosive since the injury.
However, he remains a solid rotational depth piece for any team looking for versatility, and that’s exactly what Buffalo needs — which is to beef up the trenches. The addition of Omenihu would do precisely that, and Jim Leonhard would be thrilled to add Omenihu to his new look defense.
IDL Sebastian Joseph-Day
Another potential rotational piece coming to Buffalo would be a welcome addition to Leonhard’s defense. He’s a steady veteran option for the interior of the defensive line that was ravaged by injuries for the Bills last season. Even in his age 30 season, he managed to tally two sacks, 41 tackles, six tackles for loss, and six quarterback hits. Plenty of gas still left in the tank for Joseph-Day.
As a pass rusher, he would be a viable option on third downs, and on early downs, he brings a strong blend of size and athleticism to push for a starting position. Again, Buffalo needs to beef up the trenches, and the addition of Joseph-Day would do exactly that.
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