Today, four teams with a lot of talents will play to represent their conference in the Super Bowl. During the AFC and NFC title games, keep an eye on the following impending free agents whom the Buffalo Bills could consider signing this offseason.
New England Patriots
WR Michael Floyd
The Bills have been in desperate need of a big-boded, jump-ball possession receiver for what seems like forever. Floyd is 6’3”, 220-plus pounds and undoubtedly knows how to use his large frame to shield smaller defenders. In 2013, his second year in the NFL, he made 65 catches for 1,041 yards with five touchdowns.
The following season, Floyd, 27, had 47 receptions, averaged 17.9 yards per catch and scored six times. His 2016 was a disaster, as a myriad of bad drops led to his worst statistical campaign in his pro career. It culminated with a DWI arrest, which sparked his release from the Cardinals in December.
S Duron Harmon
Harmon, 25, has seven interceptions in his four seasons with the Patriots. He’s not a household name but has been an important back-end component of New England’s secondary. The former Rutgers star also has 13 pass breakups in his career and already has a pick in these playoffs. He seems like a Doug Whaley type of lower-priced, great-value signing.
Pittsburgh Steelers
CB Ross Cockrell
This would be an awkward reunion huh? Yeah. Anyway, Cockrell has blossomed into an above-average cornerback in Pittsburgh after the Bills released him following their 2015 training camp.
WR Markus Wheaton
(not playing today)
The vast majority of the Steelers’ free-agents aren’t exact fits for the Bills, but Wheaton, 25, could be a low-risk, potentially higher reward type of addition. He tore his labrum and played in only three games this season. He’s a former third-round pick who’s dealt with some injuries but has been respectably production when healthy.
In 2014, he hauled in 53 passes for 644 yards. Last year, he caught 44 passes for 749 yards with five touchdowns. If Robert Woods departs in free agency, Wheaton shouldn’t be relied upon to fully replace him, but the former Oregon State standout could be utilized as a solid No. 3 or No. 4 wideout.
Green Bay Packers
CB / S Micah Hyde
Hyde has been a do-it-all defender for the Packers since he was drafted out of Iowa in 2013. In his four seasons in Green Bay, he has 25 defended passes, eight interceptions, and has missed only one game. He’s also forced five fumbles and has four career sacks.
At 6’0” and nearly 200 pounds, Hyde has good size for a cornerback but has played safety as well. Though not known as a super-rangy centerfielder, he undoubtedly has refined ball skills, and he can be counted on to tally around 60 tackles per season. The Packers love retaining their free agents, but if Hyde’s available, the Bills should consider acquiring him.
Atlanta Falcons
FB Patrick DiMarco
DiMarco was named a Pro Football Focus First-Team All Pro in 2015, as far and away, the best fullback in the NFL. This isn’t to suggest Jerome Felton shouln’t or won’t be retained by the Bills, but he is 30 and a free agent, although he had a fine season in 2016.
S Ricardo Allen
Allen is another underrated safety, and he's only 25. He's appeared in 31 of the last 32 games and has five interceptions and eight passes defended. He wouldn't be the safety to completely lock down the Bills’ secondary but would be a welcomed addition to the defensive-back group.