Four Free Agents Bills Should Sign Before NFL Draft

The Bills still have roster holes to fill and could find value in the free agent market before the draft.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:08am

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold primary colors depicting a football game or match, with players and the field deconstructed into sharp, overlapping planes, conveying the strategic challenges the Bills face in rebuilding their roster.A cubist interpretation of the Bills' offseason roster moves captures the team's need to rebuild through free agency and the draft.Buffalo Today

The Buffalo Bills have several roster gaps to address before the upcoming NFL Draft. While they will look to the draft to fill many of those needs, there are also a number of quality free agents the team should consider signing first. This would allow the Bills to focus on taking the best player available in the draft rather than reaching for players at positions of need. The Bills are currently tight against the salary cap, but there is still room to add one or two low-cost free agents before the draft begins on April 23.

Why it matters

The Bills had one of the worst run defenses in the NFL last season, so adding a veteran defensive tackle like D.J. Reader could provide an immediate boost. They also need to improve their receiving corps, and a player like Deebo Samuel could be a nice addition. Signing a proven pass rusher like Von Miller or a versatile linebacker like Bobby Okereke would also help address other key needs on the roster.

The details

The Bills are currently about $12 million under the salary cap, which doesn't account for a few recent signings or the money needed to sign their seven draft picks. Despite the tight cap situation, the team should still have room to add a player or two at a low cost before the draft. The four free agents the Bills should target are: defensive tackle D.J. Reader, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, edge rusher Von Miller, and linebacker Bobby Okereke.

  • The NFL Draft is scheduled to take place on April 23, 2026.

The players

D.J. Reader

A 10-year veteran defensive tackle who could provide an immediate boost to the Bills' run defense.

Deebo Samuel

A 30-year-old wide receiver who was linked to the Bills before the trade deadline last season and could improve their passing attack.

Von Miller

A 14-year veteran edge rusher who previously spent three seasons with the Bills and could help boost their pass rush.

Bobby Okereke

A soon-to-be 30-year-old linebacker who has enjoyed a productive career and previously worked with the Bills' new inside linebackers coach.

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What’s next

The Bills will have to act quickly to sign any of these free agents before the NFL Draft on April 23, 2026.

The takeaway

The Bills have several key roster holes to fill this offseason, and targeting a few quality free agents before the draft could allow them to focus on taking the best player available in the draft rather than reaching for players at positions of need. Adding veteran talent like D.J. Reader, Deebo Samuel, Von Miller, and Bobby Okereke could provide an immediate boost to the Bills' roster.