Jason La Canfora at NFL.com is reporting that the Buffalo Bills have reached an agreement with free agent tackle Cornell Green on a three-year, $9 million deal.
Green, 33, is a 10-year veteran with plenty of starting experienced, having logged 38 starts over the past three seasons, all of which he's spent with the Oakland Raiders. The vast majority of those starts came at right tackle, though he did log a few starts on the left side earlier in his career.
Buffalo was in need of tackle depth before the retirement of Brad Butler; that need became dire, and directly led to Green's signing. The Bills are likely to continue to add depth along the offensive line, so we'll pencil Green in as the lead dog in what could turn into an open competition for the right tackle spot between Green, Demetrius Bell and Jamon Meredith.
The contract seems a little steep for what basically amounts to a "for competition's sake" signing, but the contract, at least, is not prohibitive. Green struggled last season in Oakland, giving up several sacks and, more importantly, providing the Raiders a plethora of untimely penalties.
Green is one of just two free agents to visit One Bills Drive through the first four days of NFL free agency. The first, former Chiefs guard Wade Smith, was in Houston today for a visit with the Texans.