The NFL combine is complete, and now teams are jockeying for position on offseason targets.
With a new defensive scheme and several needs across the board, it could be a busy offseason for the Buffalo Bills. What moves could they make to find cap space and field a team that can push them to the Super Bowl in 2026?
As is our annual tradition, we attempt to project how the Bills could approach the next two months in a mock offseason that includes veteran cuts, restructures, free-agency signings, trades and draft picks, plus a running log of cap space to show the feasibility of the moves.
The Bills’ cap space to begin the exercise is $7.22 million. The NFL set its 2026 salary cap at $301.2 million.
The Bills already did a simple restructure of right tackle Spencer Brown’s contract, yielding over $10 million in cap space. Sam Franklin Jr.’s new contract details aren’t known yet, so his 2026 cap hit is also estimated with some of the information available. The cap space accounts for Larry Ogunjobi’s deal voiding on March 10, and the contract that has to enter the Top 51 in its place.
Bills depth chart before mock offseason
Note: The offseason salary cap uses the team’s top 51 cap hits, which factor into how much cap room new contracts will take off the books. For example, if the Bills sign a player with a $1 million cap hit, you subtract the 51st-highest cap hit (e.g., $800,000) from the $1 million, equaling in an additional $200,000 on this year’s cap from the new contract. All contract information comes from Over the Cap.
Pay cuts before free agency
TE Dawson Knox and NCB Taron Johnson
Knox and Johnson are two long-term pieces of the Bills roster, but both of their 2026 contracts are tough to navigate given their roles. Knox is owed $12 million in new money, which can’t continue given that he’s one of three tight ends they use. Johnson’s role may be shifting and is owed $8.76 million in new money. For both to stick this season, I could see the Bills wanting a pay cut for each. In this case, I had Knox coming down $3.5 million, with the opportunity to earn it back through incentives. For Johnson, it’s a $2.5 million decrease, with, like Knox, the chance to earn it back. Since none of Johnson’s deal is guaranteed in 2026, I could see them guaranteeing all of it, and as they did with Matt Milano last year, ripping up the final year (2027) of the deal to make Johnson a free agent in 2027 instead. The Bills don’t have a nickel at the moment, so keeping him for one more year might be their best approach.
Cap room after moves: -$2.12 million
Restructures before free agency
A necessary part of every offseason is contract restructures, which are basically simple conversions of higher base salaries and due roster bonuses into a prorated signing bonus to spread out those cap amounts over a longer term and provide short-term relief. Restructures should be reserved for players in the Bills’ long-term plans, not ones they would consider moving on from as early as 2027.
- QB Josh Allen: No void years added, saves $12.56 million
- DE Greg Rousseau: No void years added, saves $3.16 million
- DL Ed Oliver: No void years added, saves $8.88 million
- Edge/OLB Michael Hoecht: No void years added, saves $3 million
Cap room after moves: $25.49 million
Players to cut before free agency
WR Curtis Samuel
Samuel has missed a lot of games over two seasons and hasn’t been much of a factor for the offense. With changes coming, getting a net savings of $5.17 million to move on from Samuel is a pretty straightforward transaction.
Cap room after the move: $30.66 million
(OT Travis Clayton added to Top 51)
S Taylor Rapp
Rapp was at his best near the end of the 2024 season, but he took a step back last year and had a season-ending injury. The Bills are probably best to start fresh and find a partner at safety for Cole Bishop. Cutting Rapp would yield a net savings of $2.19 million.
Cap room after the move: $32.84 million
(WR Stephen Gosnell added to Top 51)
Internal Free Agents
Re-sign QB Mitchell Trubisky
The Bills should eventually get into the market of drafting a quarterback on Day 3 to develop as a long-term backup, but a new defensive scheme, a lack of draft picks and a mediocre quarterback class make it difficult to do this year. That brings Trubisky back on a manageable deal, which is two years for $10 million and $5.3 million guaranteed, but with an easy off-ramp in 2027 to get cap savings. His 2026 cap hit on this contract would be $3.85 million.
Cap room after the move: $29.88 million
(WR Stephen Gosnell removed from Top 51)
External offseason additions
Trade for WR DJ Moore
Despite insinuations from Brady that he believed in the receiver group the Bills had last season, actions speak louder than words. The biggest action was that GM Brandon Beane actively tried to trade for a wide receiver during the 2025 season. And since they didn’t get one, that desire isn’t just going to subside. The Bills could certainly try to draft a wide receiver in the first round, but they need an immediate impact player, and this year’s class is good, not great. Thus, trading for an established receiver makes more sense. That’s especially true if that player could become their No. 1 wide receiver, which is precisely what DJ Moore has been in the past.
Moore has the speed and separation the Bills have lacked the last two seasons, and his skills would complement what the Bills have in-house with Khalil Shakir. His addition would also allow for one of Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman or Tyrell Shavers to be the X receiver in 2026. Moore is an excellent route runner who would thrive with an on-time thrower like Josh Allen. Additionally, Moore will be entering his age-29 season, which syncs up well with Allen’s timeline as he turns 30 this offseason. Because of his age and a disappointing 2025 season, Moore’s acquisition cost likely will not be exorbitant. The Bills likely won’t need to move more than a mid-round pick. On top of that, Beane has a history of making trades with Bears general manager Ryan Poles, and the Bills had Moore in for a pre-draft visit in 2018. It could be an intriguing buy-low opportunity.
Trade details
Buffalo gets: WR DJ Moore
Chicago gets: No. 91, 2027 6th round pick
Although the third-round pick could turn into a long-term player, it is unlikely the Bills will be able to get an instant impact player who fits like Moore at that spot. They must have the cap space to cover his entire cap hit, which is $24.5 million, and they do in this scenario. The Bills would then do a simple restructure to bring down his 2026 cap hit to $7.86 million without adding any void years. They would still have ample opportunities to get out of the contract as is, each year, without adding more dead cap to that individual year than what his contract currently shows.
Cap room after the move: $22.91 million
(OT Travis Clayton removed from Top 51)
Sign LB Leo Chenal
Beyond receiver, the most important element the Bills need is versatile defenders who can ease their transition into defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s scheme. There may not be a better fit than former Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal. I could see the Bills issuing him their biggest free-agent contract this offseason. Chenal can cover, blitz well, play inside linebacker, and rush from the outside linebacker spot. Given what we know about Chenal, this quote from Beane really stands out: “Trying to find as many positionless players as you can, whether it’s a backer who’s at some place, he’s off the ball and he’s playing like a true stacked linebacker and then sometimes he’s walking up as a rusher.”
The contract I constructed for Chenal is a three-year, $24 million deal with $17.22 million guaranteed. It has two void years for cap purposes, with a 2026 cap hit of $4.57 million.
Leo Chenal Bills mock offseason contract
YearBase SalarySigning BonusPer Game BonusWorkout BonusCap Hit
$1,215,000
$2,600,000
$500,000
$250,000
$4,565,000
$3,000,000
$2,600,000
$500,000
$250,000
$6,350,000
$4,535,000
$2,600,000
$500,000
$250,000
$7,885,000
Void Year
$2,600,000
$5,200,000
Void Year
$2,600,000
$8,750,000
$13,000,000
$1,500,000
$750,000
$24,000,000
Cap room after the move: $19.24 million
(S Wande Owens removed from Top 51)
Sign LG Dalton Risner
With David Edwards likely to do well on the open market, the Bills need a moderately priced starting-caliber left guard. Risner, who turns 31 in July, would fit in well with the current group of offensive linemen who have been at their best in a power-based blocking scheme. Risner played well for the Bengals last season. The projected two-year, $14 million pact has $9 million guaranteed, and one void year for cap purposes.
Dalton Risner Bills mock offseason contract
YearBase SalarySigning BonusPer Game BonusWorkout BonusCap Hit
$3,000,000
$2,000,000
$250,000
$250,000
$5,500,000
$4,000,000
$2,000,000
$250,000
$250,000
$6,500,000
Void year
$2,000,000
$2,000,000
$7,000,000
$6,000,000
$500,000
$500,000
$14,000,000
Cap room after the move: $14.74 million
(TE Keleki Latu removed from Top 51)
Sign S Reed Blankenship
The Bills have the benefit of having Bishop with two years left on his cost-controlled rookie deal, which will allow them to sign a safety on a moderately priced contract. Blankenship is coming off a somewhat down year with the Eagles. Pairing someone with Bishop would allow the Bills’ top safety to roam and use his instincts to make big plays. Blankenship will be in his age-27 season. The projected deal is three years, $21 million, with $13 million guaranteed and one void year for cap purposes.
Reed Blankenship Bills mock offseason contract
YearBase SalarySigning BonusRoster BonusPer Game BonusWorkout BonusCap Hit
$1,500,000
$2,000,000
$250,000
$250,000
$4,000,000
$3,500,000
$2,000,000
$250,000
$250,000
$6,000,000
$5,000,000
$2,000,000
$1,500,000
$250,000
$250,000
$9,000,000
Void Year
$2,000,000
$2,000,000
$10,000,000
$8,000,000
$1,500,000
$750,000
$750,000
$21,000,000
Cap room after the move: $11.75 million
(LB Keonta Jenkins removed from Top 51)
Sign NT Khyiris Tonga
Signing a nose tackle would give the Bills the versatility to line up their defensive linemen all across the formation. Acquiring Tonga would free up Deone Walker to do more than just man the middle right in front of the center. Tonga will be 30 in July and is coming off a good season in New England. The deal is projected for two years, $8.5 million.
Khyiris Tonga Bills mock offseason contract
YearBase SalarySigning BonusPer Game BonusWorkout BonusCap Hit
$1,500,000
$1,500,000
$250,000
$250,000
$3,500,000
$3,000,000
$1,500,000
$250,000
$250,000
$5,000,000
$4,500,000
$3,000,000
$500,000
$500,000
$8,500,000
Cap room after the move: $9.31 million
(OT Chase Lundt removed from Top 51)
Sign CB Chidobe Awuzie
The Bills hope they have their starting positions settled at boundary cornerback with Christian Benford and Maxwell Hairston, but signing a low-cost, experienced veteran as insurance makes sense. Awuzie, who turns 31 in May, has 86 starts to his name. The deal is a fully guaranteed $1.5 million one-year pact.
Cap room after the move: $8.88 million
(Edge Andre Jones Jr. removed from Top 51)
2026 NFL Draft
Picks remaining after offseason dealings: Nos. 26, 60, 126*, 166*, 221*, 229*
*Estimated due to compensatory picks not yet announced
No. 26: Cashius Howell, Edge/OLB, Texas A&M
After wide receiver and versatile linebacker, edge rusher is the Bills’ next top need. Howell, whose arm length (30 1/4 inches) was a big topic at the NFL combine, may present an opportunity for the Bills. Accomplished pass rushers with potential don’t often get to the late first round, and Howell’s 25 sacks over the last three college seasons, along with how he wins, are intriguing. Even if Howell isn’t a prototypical match in that measurement, he’s a great fit in Leonhard’s scheme and could be too good to pass up.
No. 60: D’Angelo Ponds, NCB, Indiana
This pick may come as a surprise, but the nickel corner position is unsettled. Johnson looks like he’ll be a piece of the puzzle in 2026, but he’ll be 31 in 2027 and likely isn’t a long-term fit. Finding a long-term piece will be a sneaky important factor either this offseason or next. Ponds is undersized (5-foot-9, 182 pounds) but more than makes up for it with his coverage skills and tackling ability. Keep in mind: The Broncos just spent a first-round pick last year on a nickel corner in Jahdae Barron, and the Bills will be implementing a similar defensive structure.
No. 126: Keyshaun Elliott, ILB, Arizona State
With the trio of Chenal, Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams on the roster in 2026, the Bills don’t have to force an early pick of an inside linebacker. They’ll likely want someone they can develop in the background and use on special teams. Elliott gives them more size at inside linebacker and could develop into a starter by 2027.
No. 166: Pat Coogan, IOL, Indiana
The Bills added one interior offensive lineman in Risner earlier in the mock offseason, but getting another who has the versatility to play center or guard should be a consideration. Coogan played center the last two years, but also started at left guard in 2023. For 2026, the Bills will hope for one of Sedrick Van Pran-Granger or Alec Anderson to win the center job, but having another option down the line makes sense.
No. 221: Andre Fuller, DB, Toledo
The Bills’ seventh-round picks should be for players who have a path to make the team. It’s unknown whether Fuller would be better at cornerback or safety, but the Bills have a spot at both. More importantly, Fuller would be a solid special teams addition to help justify his spot on the 53-man roster.
No. 229: Brett Thorson, P, Georgia
The Bills don’t have a punter on the roster as of this mock offseason, so adding at the end of the draft should be considered. There is an obvious path to a 53-man roster spot. Thorson could be their potential long-term option.
Rookie draft cap allotment
Without a third-round pick, only the Bills’ first two picks would make it into the Top 51 contracts with a net cap hit of $2.89 million, and the two contracts coming out of the Top 51.
Cap room after pick allotment: $5.99 million
(WR Jalen Virgil and LB Joe Andreessen removed from Top 51)
Post-draft signings
- DL Levi Onwuzurike: One-year, $2 million fully guaranteed
- S P.J. Locke: One-year, $1.3 million
- WR Kalif Raymond: One-year, $1.3 million
The Bills often like to tie up loose ends with post-draft signings, and that’s what this trio would do. Onwuzurike suffered a torn ACL last July, so his would be a one-year prove-it deal to add defensive line depth. Locke, who played in Denver last year, rounds out the safety room with someone who played for Leonhard. Raymond gives the Bills a veteran backup slot receiver option. Locke and Raymond would be veteran minimum deals.
*From this point, we’ll calculate the cap-hitting contracts as the Top 53 for the actual season.
Cap room after the moves: $2.47 million
(CB Dorian Strong removed from Top 53)
Mid-August contract extension
RG O’Cyrus Torrence
With Dalton Kincaid likely under contract for 2027 with his fifth-year option, Torrence is their lone priority from the 2023 draft class. This is a deal they’ll likely want to get ahead of, considering left tackle Dion Dawkins is entering his age-32 season, and getting Torrence under a long-term contract with right tackle Spencer Brown will be important for their future. Torrence had an outstanding 2025 season and has the potential to improve. He hasn’t missed any games and has become one of their best players. The 26-year-old could have a big season, so getting him to a long-term deal is a proactive move. The proposed contract will pay Torrence $65 million over four years, with $40 million guaranteed at signing. It would effectively be a three-year deal that pays $51.75 million.
O’Cyrus Torrence Bills mock offseason contract
YearBase SalarySigning BonusOption BonusPrev. ProrationRoster BonusPer Game BonusWorkout BonusCap Hit
$1,290,000
$2,500,000
$381,087
$500,000
$250,000
$4,921,087
$5,500,000
$2,500,000
$3,442,000
$500,000
$250,000
$12,192,000
$8,000,000
$2,500,000
$3,442,000
$5,000,000
$500,000
$250,000
$19,692,000
$12,500,000
$2,500,000
$3,442,000
$500,000
$250,000
$19,192,000
Void Year
$2,500,000
$3,442,000
$9,384,000
Void Year
$3,442,000
$27,290,000
$12,500,000
$17,210,000
$5,000,000
$2,000,000
$1,000,000
$65,381,087
Cap room after extension: $1.79 million
Bills depth chart after mock offseason
