The NFL's free agent signing period begins on March 5 - that's two weeks from today, football fans - and the Buffalo Bills could very well be busy shoppers once that date rolls around. Beginning a massive roster overhaul under the guidance of new GM Buddy Nix and head coach Chan Gailey, the Bills have several need areas and a big-time depth problem that will need to be addressed in some fashion.
We talked earlier this week about how the Bills would likely focus on quantity as opposed to quality this year, as they'll likely look to build a roster rather than add big impact in year one of the re-building project. That said, Buffalo has too many needs to fill them all via the 2010 NFL Draft, so bigger names with starting potential will certainly be discussed over the next several weeks. That's true in particular of the team's major need areas, which include quarterback, offensive tackle and nose tackle.
I've been asked several times - both here as well as via e-mail - to provide a list of free agent targets that might interest the Bills. I've got 41 names for you to peruse after the jump. I'm certain Buffalo won't consider all of those names; I'm also certain they'll target guys not on my list. The goal here isn't to predict the future; rather, to show the type of player the team will pursue in two weeks' time. Don't expect any big names, but there are some quality depth options that could speed the Bills' switch to a 3-4 and help them get more physical across the board.
| Name | Pos. | Team | Age | Exp. | Ht. | Wt. | Comments |
| Chad Pennington | QB | MIA | 34 | 10 | 6'3" | 230 | Veteran, stop-gap starting QB option. |
| Artis Hicks | OT | MIN | 32 | 7 | 6'4" | 320 | Versatile G/T that can play either side. |
| Tony Pashos | OT | SF | 30 | 6 | 6'6" | 325 | Physical, mauling RT option. |
| Barry Sims | OT | SF | 36 | 11 | 6'5" | 300 | Aging, but capable stop-gap at LT. |
| Mark Tauscher | OT | GB | 33 | 10 | 6'3" | 316 | Capable RT. Likely to be retained by GB. |
| Damion McIntosh | OT | SEA | 33 | 10 | 6'4" | 328 | A poor man's Artis Hicks these days. |
| Ephraim Salaam | OT | HOU | 34 | 12 | 6'7" | 302 | More of a swing tackle/depth option. |
| Langston Walker | OT | OAK | 31 | 8 | 6'8" | 366 | Listed for irony's sake. |
| Brandon Gorin | OT | DEN | 32 | 7 | 6'6" | 308 | Pretty much solely a depth option. |
| Bryan Robinson | NT | ARI | 36 | 13 | 6'4" | 304 | One-gap stop-gap NT option for 3-4. |
| Jimmy Kennedy | NT | MIN | 31 | 8 | 6'4" | 320 | Don't see Minnesota letting him go. |
| Kendrick Clancy | NT | NO | 32 | 10 | 6'1" | 305 | NT option, but similar to Kyle Williams. |
| Tully Banta-Cain | OLB | NE | 30 | 7 | 6'2" | 250 | Best of weak pass rush options. |
| Chike Okeafor | OLB | ARI | 34 | 10 | 6'5" | 256 | Aging, but could work well in a platoon. |
| Dwan Edwards | DE | BAL | 29 | 6 | 6'3" | 315 | Likely to command big $ in weak FA year. |
| Justin Bannan | DE | BAL | 31 | 8 | 6'3" | 310 | Baltimore can't sign everyone, right? |
| Nick Eason | DE | PIT | 30 | 6 | 6'3" | 305 | Doug Whaley connection. 3-4 end option. |
| Travis Kirschke | DE | PIT | 36 | 12 | 6'3" | 298 | Whaley connection. 3-4 run stopper. |
| Jarvis Green | DE | NE | 31 | 8 | 6'3" | 285 | Likely to be snapped back up by NE. |
| Alfonso Boone | DE | SD | 34 | 9 | 6'3" | 304 | Not a snug fit in 3-4, but experienced. |
| Larry Foote | ILB | DET | 30 | 8 | 6'1" | 239 | Perfect QB for team moving to 3-4. |
| Ryan Fowler | ILB | NYJ | 28 | 6 | 6'3" | 250 | Thumper with youth and experience. |
| Matt Wilhelm | ILB | SF | 29 | 7 | 6'4" | 245 | Buddy Nix connection. Another thumper. |
| Monty Beisel | ILB | ARI | 32 | 10 | 6'3" | 244 | Plenty of 3-4 experience. |
| Tony Gilbert | ILB | ATL | 31 | 7 | 6'0" | 248 | 4-3 ILB, but enough size to work with. |
| Brandon Manumaleuna | TE | SD | 30 | 9 | 6'2" | 288 | Nix connection. Good blocker; versatile. |
| Casey FitzSimmons | TE | DET | 30 | 7 | 6'4" | 258 | Underrated and anonymous. |
| Sean Ryan | TE | KC | 30 | 6 | 6'5" | 260 | Buffalo native. Big, physical blocker. |
| Ben Hartsock | TE | NYJ | 30 | 6 | 6'4" | 264 | Good #2, run-blocking option. |
| Reggie Kelly | TE | CIN | 33 | 10 | 6'4" | 250 | Coming off a major injury. |
| Will Heller | TE | DET | 29 | 7 | 6'6" | 270 | Young, tough guy to fill #2 role. |
| Anthony Becht | TE | ARI | 33 | 10 | 6'6" | 270 | Solely an in-line blocker these days. |
| Todd Yoder | TE | WAS | 32 | 9 | 6'4" | 253 | Veteran option to, again, block. |
| Willie Parker | RB | PIT | 30 | 6 | 5'10" | 209 | Speed runner with Whaley connection. |
| Aaron Stecker | RB | ATL | 35 | 10 | 5'10" | 213 | Speed runner in event that RB is needed. |
| Kevin Walter | WR | HOU | 29 | 7 | 6'3" | 218 | HOU could look to upgrade. Productive. |
| Nate Burleson | WR | SEA | 29 | 7 | 6'0" | 198 | Productive, but SEA will likely retain. |
| Bobby Wade | WR | KC | 29 | 8 | 5'10" | 186 | Solid production, but best in the slot. |
| Kassim Osgood | WR | SD | 30 | 7 | 6'5" | 220 | Nix connection. Upside might be limited. |
| David Tyree | WR | BAL | 30 | 7 | 6'0" | 206 | Similar to Osgood. Depth option. |
| Mike Furrey | WR | CLE | 33 | 7 | 6'0" | 195 | Once productive, but aging quickly. |