The story of the Buffalo Bills has been the same for some time now. This team CAN win. But they don’t. They continue to come up short. And every year it’s our job to comb through the wreckage and figure out how they can get over the hump. Maybe this time will be different?

And this is the sad truth of the NFL. In many given years, there are many teams that could win. But only one team gets to win. And with sharks like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Patrick Mahomes, and Jalen Hurts patrolling the waters, you might have to deal with years of disappointment. That doesn’t mean you have a bad team that you need to blow up.

That’s where the Buffalo Bills live. They are a good team. And, with some minor adjustments, they can win. Let’s take a moment here to go through the depth chart, contracts, salary cap, and free agents to predict what might happen in 2025 NFL free agency. Maybe we can even use some of that info in our dynasty fantasy football or early best ball leagues.

*The salary cap numbers referenced in this article come courtesy of our friends over at Spotrac.com*

 

 

 

Buffalo Bills Depth Chart 2025 (Fantasy Football Relevant)

QB

Josh Allen

Mitch Trubisky

Mike White

Shane Buechele

RB

James Cook

Ray Davis

Ty Johnson

 

WR

Amari Cooper

Keon Coleman

  

WR

Khalil Shakir

Mack Hollins

  

WR

Curtis Samuel

   

TE

Dalton Kincaid

Dawson Knox

Zach Davidson

Quintin Morris

FB

Reggie Gilliam

   
  • White = unrestricted free agent
  • Green = role is safe
  • Yellow = role in flux
  • Orange = likely a depth piece
  • Red = roster spot not guaranteed

Buffalo Bills Free Agency 2025

  • CURRENT PROJECTED 2025 SALARIES: ~$288M
  • CURRENT ESTIMATED 2025 CAP SPACE: ~-$12M

 

 

 

Bills Quarterback Depth Chart

Josh Allen: Josh Allen is locked in as the super star quarterback. And he already did a big restructure last year that freed up money for 2024 and 2025 by pushing ~$11.7M in hits to each of 2026 and 2027. There’s still some room to further free up space using his contract if need be but, unless you’re actually asking him to take less money, it’s still just mortgaging the future. 

Mitchell Trubisky: Trubisky had his shot in Chicago, he did a bridge year in Buffalo, then got another shot in Pittsburgh. It didn’t pan out. At this stage he seemed destined to be a backup quarterback. 

They likely him in Buffalo, and he likes it in Buffalo so his future there really depends on how badly the Bills might need the $2.5M they could save by releasing him in 2025. If they do release him, it will be before March 16th as he has a $1M roster bonus due on the fifth day of the league year. I think he stays. 

Mike White: Leading into the 2024 season, Mitch Trubisky was banged up, so they signed Mike White to a deal. It technically has two years though this offseason he can be released with ~$1.2M in savings with zero dead cap. Given the contract stipulations for Trubisky, they kind of need to make the decision on who is the backup quarterback before anyone gets to battle it out in camp. 

Shane Buechele: Buechele was placed on IR which means he’s technically on the active roster and not eligible for a reserves/futures contract. But the deal they gave him is essentially that as they can release him for zero dead cap with $1M in savings. So, he needs to earn his spot in camp or end up on the practice squad. 

  • Reserves/Futures: N/A

BILLS QB FREE AGENCY TAKE: The Bills don’t need to add a quarterback in free agency. In fact, they need to get rid of one. Mitch Trubisky is the front-runner, but they could save $2.5M by releasing him before March 16th. If that happens, Mike White is likely the guy. If they keep Trubisky, they will almost certainly release one or both of White and Buechele as there is zero dead cap tied to those deals. 

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: N/A

 

 

 

Bills Running Back Depth Chart

James Cook: James Cook had 16 rushing touchdowns, tying him for the NFL lead with Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs. And that’s even more incredible when you realize that Josh Allen also had 12 rushing touchdowns.

It’s not a matter of whether James Cook is a good player or whether they like him. That much we know. The question is whether they can afford to extend him. Cook is on the last year of his deal, but he’s already expressed his desire to get paid, even citing a specific number on social media - $15 million. 

When you see comments like that on a Bills team that needs to be careful with money, thoughts will naturally jump to a possible trade. If Cook walks in free agency after this year they would likely get a decent compensatory pick back. But the right offer could see them cashing out a year early. So don’t rule it out.

Ray Davis: At 220 pounds, Davis is more of a bruiser back than he is a pass-catcher. Though the success of Josh Allen and James Cook in the red area didn’t really call for his services this year. If the Bills were to proceed with Davis as the starter when the time comes, I imagine they would complement him with a pass-down back. 

Still, the starting job for a team like this running the RPO with Josh Allen is a lucrative position. And it could get even better as Allen ages and settles in as a pocket passer. If you think James Cook is going to get extended, Ray Davis is a sell in your dynasty leagues. But, given the info above, I’m holding. He likely doesn’t offer much return right now anyway. 

Ty Johnson: Ty Johnson operated as the pass-catching compliment behind James Cook. He’s an unrestricted free agent and his return boils down entirely to one thing - affordability. With six years of experience, his veteran minimum contract would be $1.125M which is what his base was last year with a $167,500 signing bonus. If he’s willing to come back at that rate again, it would make a lot of sense. 

Reggie Gilliam: Gilliam is technically a fullback, but he also played on literally every special teams unit. So, he’s much more valuable than that. I expect them to work out a deal to bring him back rather than trying to replace everything he does. 

BILLS RB FREE AGENCY TAKE: Even if James Cook were traded, the Bills aren’t spending up on a free agent running back. They would likely take a stab in the draft and fill in depth pieces. So there’s no use speculating there. Plus, it’s all speculation to begin with.

Right now, they have James Cook under contract for 2025 as the starter. They have Ray Davis as the bruiser backup. If Ty Johnson is back, they would have what they need. If not, here are some pass-catching options that hit free agency. Bonus if they can help return kicks like Kenneth Gainwell. Though he could be more expensive than Johnson.  

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Ty Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell, Jeremy McNichols, Dare Ogunbawale, JaMycal Hasty, Ameer Abdullah

 

 

 

Bills Wide Receiver Depth Chart

Amari Cooper: Amari Cooper had one of the best seasons of his career in 2023. His 2024 season, especially after being traded to the Buffalo Bills, was forgetful. Now he enters free agency in a market where the Bills can’t afford him. And someone will bite.

A bet on Amari Cooper in real life and in fantasy football is simple. You are betting that the wrist injury he suffered shortly after arriving in Buffalo hampered him. And that he will recover to play at a reasonable level in 2025. He turns 31 this offseason and has a lengthy injury history so, in both cases, you don’t go after this guy unless you are ready to compete right now.

Curtis Samuel: It’s easy to forget that Curtis Samuel is the second highest paid wide receiver on this Bills team. And they really don’t have an easy way out of his contract. In fact, releasing him would actually cause them to incur additional charges to their cap by bringing money forward. Even designating him as a June 1 cut only saves $1.4M with over $11M in dead cap spread over two years.

The only way out of the deal would be to find a trade partner. That would save them ~$3.9M against the cap and could be possible if someone wants to give them a symbolic 7th round pick for him. Barring that happening, I expect him to be back in Buffalo.

Khalil Shakir: Khalil Shakir developed into their most reliable receiver in 2024. And he did so despite rarely playing more than 70% of the snaps while playing primarily out of the slot. He’s not built to be a true outside wide receiver and definitely not a split end, but he can operate as a slot flanker. He’s under contract for 2025 before becoming a restricted free agent in 2026.

 

 

 

Keon Coleman: The second-round wide receiver was always going to be a raw talent coming out. A mid-season injury really did not help though he did flash his ability at times with some monster plays of 49, 57, and 64 yards.

Coleman is one of those high risk, high reward players to go after in fantasy. In an ideal world he takes a step forward and becomes the full-time split end for Josh Allen. But there’s also a world where he just never pans out and they need to target other options. He’s at least a hold for now if you already have him but I skew more towards buying than selling.

Mack Hollins: Mack Hollins is a fan favorite, no doubt. But it’s not just his quirky antics. Even at 31 years old he can still stretch the field and offer a big play. They’re going to need someone in that capacity if they let him walk as an unrestricted free agent but maybe they can convince him to come back for cheap again.

BILLS WR FREE AGENCY TAKE: In an ideal world, Keon Coleman takes a step forward in year two. At 6’3” 215 pounds, he’s the prototypical size to play split end. Having that crucial role locked up then allows you to either just proceed with Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, and two tight end sets with Knox/Kincaid or bring in some competition via the draft or free agency at flanker. If Mack Hollins isn’t back, they’ll need some sort of speed element as well.

The Bills are strapped for cash to some degree so the draft may be the way to go. Here are some guys that might be affordable (compared to, say, Chris Godwin) and can operate as a flanker. I’ll also include a couple field stretcher types in case Hollins isn’t back.

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Brandin Cooks, Diontae Johnson, Elijah Moore, Joshua Palmer, Mack Hollins, Tutu Atwell, DJ Chark, Dyami Brown

 

 

 

Bills Tight End Depth Chart

Dalton Kincaid: Times have changed in the NFL, especially at the tight end position. You used to get a couple of years to figure things out. Now you are expected to produce right away. So, despite Kincaid setting the record for most receptions by a Bills tight end in a season, he’s still viewed as a bit of a disappointment thus far.

For me, this is still a guy I’m willing to be on. A big part of that is the complete lack of cap maneuverability the team has. They don’t really have the capacity to go out and get a top pass-catcher. They can draft one, sure, but better on or against rookies is a good way to create leverage. I think Kincaid could take a step forward in year three so I’m buying.

Dawson Knox: They like Knox. He’s not going to blow you away with the ball in his hands but he’s a great inline blocker that can do some damage on play action. Based on the terms of his contract, there is virtually no benefit to releasing him (not that they would want to). So, Knox will be there in 2025.

Zach Davidson: Davidson was signed to a new contract that will bring him into camp for 2025. He’s an intriguing project as an athletic player that also doubled as a punter in college. If he makes the 53-man roster, it will mostly be as a depth/special teams option. There’s only a $7K dead cap hit to release him.

Quintin Morris: Morris is the classic “extra lineman” blocking tight end. If he’s willing to come back at the veteran minimum, he should be back. Otherwise, they will find another cheap option as their blocking tight end. 

  • Reserves/Futures: Armani Rodgers

BILLS TE FREE AGENCY TAKE: They are set at the top of the depth chart here. If Quintin Morris is back, they are completely set. Here are some cheap blocking tight ends that could replace him if necessary.

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Nick Vannett, Jack Stoll, Jordy Fortson, Ian Thomas