NFL free agency is off and running, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2024 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year officially began Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, which means free agent signings can now be made official. The first round of the 2024 NFL draft begins April 25 on ESPN.
Here's a breakdown of every 2024 NFL free agent signing by the Buffalo Bills and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Taron Johnson, CB
The Bills are signing nickel corner Taron Johnson to a three-year, $31 million extension, Johnson's agent told ESPN. The extension makes Johnson the highest paid nickel corner in the NFL, topping that of Kenny Moore II, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts nearly a week ago.
What it means: While key members of the Bills' secondary are moving on, signing Johnson -- who was not set to become a free agent until 2025 -- to an extension keeps one of the Bills' best defenders on the team through 2027. Johnson's performance on the field makes him one of the league's best nickel corners, but he will also now be a crucial veteran presence. While the Bills are moving on from some players this offseason, they are also investing in some of the team's best.
What's the risk: In addition to keeping Johnson around for the future, this is also a move that is to help the Bills' cap situation now. The extension serves multiple purposes in helping the team, similar to signing Dion Dawkins to an extension last week. Johnson, 27, has only missed one game since 2020. There's very little risk with an extension to a core defender like Johnson, even while making him the highest paid nickel corner.
Curtis Samuel, WR
The Bills are signing former Washington Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel to a three-year, $24 million deal worth up to $30 million, including $15 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN.
What it means: The Bills made the team's biggest move of free agency so far by signing Samuel, addressing a position of need. Samuel joins a receiver room that includes Stefon Diggs, Khalil Shakir and newly signed Mack Hollins. The signing gives Buffalo a player they can use in a variety of ways, both in terms of where's he lined up, and as a receiver and rusher. This move doesn't preclude Buffalo from addressing the position in a significant way through the draft, but it is an example of how the Bills are continuing to surround Josh Allen with talent.
What's the risk: General manager Brandon Beane was part of the front office that drafted Samuel in 2017 and Joe Brady was his offensive coordinator in 2020 with the Panthers, so this is an organization that is well aware of what Samuel brings. Samuel, 27, dealt with injuries in 2021, but hasn't missed significant time outside of that. While he didn't have flashy numbers in Washington, his best season came with Brady in 2020. Samuel has played more in the slot as of late, but can line up outside, as well. How he'll be used with Shakir and the rest of the offense will be something to watch.
DaQuan Jones, DT
Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones is re-signing with the Bills on a two-year deal worth $16 million, according to his agency, Athlete's First. The deal includes $10.5 million guaranteed.
What it means: A huge win for the Bills. Coming into free agency, Buffalo's only defensive tackles under contract were Ed Oliver and Eli Ankou, who spent most of last season on the team's practice squad. It was a position the Bills had to address, and Jones was the ideal candidate to start alongside Oliver. Jones made a significant difference to the line when on the field and led the team in run block win rate (42.1%) and recorded 54 tackles and 4.5 sacks in his first two seasons in Buffalo.
What's the risk: Jones played in only seven regular-season games in 2023 due to a pectoral injury, but that isn't the type of injury to be concerned about moving forward. Jones is 32, so age could be a risk, but he has proven over the last couple of seasons why he remains someone the Bills should invest in.
Dion Dawkins, LT
Left tackle Dion Dawkins signed a three-year extension through the 2027 season. The extension is worth $60.5 million, sources told ESPN, and is expected to make Dawkins the fourth-highest-paid tackle in the league.
What it means: Dawkins will continue to be the Bills' left tackle for the foreseeable future and the team continues to help the cap situation for this season with Dawkins previously under contract through the 2024 season. The three-time Pro Bowler is coming off arguably his best season (career-best 93.3% pass block win rate) and is a key example of the team's draft, develop and extend approach (he was a second-round pick 2017). Dawkins is also a significant locker room presence and a player who has become connected to the Buffalo community.
What's the risk: The only concern here could come with age. Dawkins will turn 30 in April, so he will be into his 30s when the contract ends in 2027. That risk is limited, however, given he's played at least 15 games in every season of his career.
Ty Johnson, RB
The Bills plan to re-sign running back Ty Johnson, a source told ESPN.
What it means: Johnson proved his value in the Bills' running back room last season, being productive when given the opportunity. Added midseason, it wasn't until the final portion of the year when Johnson saw significant snaps, but he showed to be a good change of pace to James Cook. He finished the year with 30 carries for 132 yards and seven receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown. Johnson brought energy when he was on the field and was someone now-full-time offensive coordinator Joe Brady showed he could use.
What's the risk: The Bills continue to make logical and relatively safe moves. Johnson is someone Buffalo is familiar with, and outside of Cook, only one other running back -- Darrynton Evans -- was under contract for 2024. Adding to the room was a necessity, and bringing back someone like Johnson is good for the running back room behind Cook.
Mack Hollins, WR
The Bills have agreed to terms with former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mack Hollins, sources told ESPN.
What it means: The Bills are starting the offseason work of adding to the wide receiver room by bringing in a big receiver in Hollins -- 6-foot-4, 221 pounds -- who can add to the depth of the group and contribute as a pass-catcher, run-blocker and special teams player. Making this move is far from the only one Buffalo should make at the position this offseason, but it adds depth to the position with Gabe Davis signing in Jacksonville. This is still an area that the team needs to address, but Hollins is a logical first step to building out the roster.
What's the risk: With Hollins, 30, signing a short-term deal worth up to only $3 million, this is another pretty safe move for the Bills. Hollins didn't have flashy receiving numbers last season with the Falcons -- 18 receptions for 251 yards -- but that was an offense not known for its passing prowess. His best statistical season by a wide margin came the year prior, totaling 57 receptions for 690 yards and four touchdowns. A bit of that production would make it worthwhile for Buffalo, with his special teams work and run-blocking skills making it low-risk.
Nicholas Morrow, LB
The Bills agreed to terms with former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nicholas Morrow on a one-year deal, a source confirmed to ESPN.
What it means: The Bills are adding depth at linebacker. With starter Matt Milano working his way back to the field after a season-ending right leg injury, Morrow is an experienced veteran (double-digit games in each of the last three seasons) who has played both middle and outside linebacker. It indicates that free agent Tyrel Dodson is unlikely to have a role with the team, while Morrow will join starting middle linebacker Terrel Bernard, and 2022 and 2023 draft picks Baylon Spector and Dorian Williams in the room.
What's the risk: The Bills have the team's starting linebackers in Milano and Bernard, so adding depth with someone like Morrow is a pretty low-risk move. This brings a new player into the room and he could contribute on special teams with linebacker Tyler Matakevich -- a core special teams player -- scheduled to be a free agent. Buffalo has seen what Morrow is capable of first hand. He had 12 tackles in the Eagles' win over the Bills this past season and intercepted quarterback Josh Allen.
AJ Espenesa, DE
The Bills re-signed defensive end AJ Epenesa to a two-year deal.
What it means: Epenesa put together his best season in 2023, finishing with 6.5 sacks, two interceptions and five batted passes. After an up-and-down start to the 2020 second-round pick's career -- in part due to weight fluctuations and the impact of COVID-19 -- Epenesa's confidence and consistency increased this past year and he put together back-to-back seasons with 6.5 sacks. Buffalo is set to lose starter Leonard Floyd to the San Francisco 49ers (10.5 sacks last season), but keeping Epenesa shows a belief in his ability and brings consistency to a defensive line that came into free agency with few players under contract.
What's the risk: This is another example of the Bills' method of drafting, developing and re-signing. If Epenesa improves consistently over the course of the season, he could move to an even bigger role than rotational use in 2023. Picking up from last season will be important, and there is some level of risk involved in how he develops moving forward -- especially with uncertainties surrounding Von Miller -- but this is a logical step for the Bills.
Cam Lewis, DB
The Bills agreed to terms with defensive back Cam Lewis on a two-year, $4 million deal.
What it means: The Bills secondary will have a new look in 2024, but bringing Lewis back can help the unit in a variety of ways. Lewis can play nickel, cornerback and safety, and has the potential to compete for a starting role at safety. He is also a significant special teams contributor, coming off playing a career-high 74.9% of snaps in 2023.
What's the risk: This is another pretty safe move for Buffalo. Lewis, who turns 27 in April, has been around the team since 2019 after originally signing as an undrafted free agent. There's very little for the Bills to lose with this re-signing.
Mitch Trubisky, QB
The Bills agreed to terms on a two-year deal with Mitch Trubisky on Wednesday, a source confirmed to ESPN.
What it means: The Bills have familiar face backing up Josh Allen at quarterback for the 2024 season. Trubisky spent the last two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, competing for the starting role and playing time. He was Allen's backup in 2021 and while he didn't see any significant playing time, he left a positive impression in Buffalo, leading to the reunion in a reworked quarterback room with quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry also a new addition for 2024.
What's the risk: There's little risk here. The Bills know exactly what they are getting from Trubisky. The only concern here is how he'll perform if he's called upon. With the Steelers, he completed 64.1% of his passes and threw eight touchdowns to 10 interceptions. The Bills prefer a backup with experience, so re-signing Trubisky certainly accomplishes that.
Taylor Rapp, S
The Bills reached an agreement with safety Taylor Rapp on a three-year deal worth up to $14.5 million, a source told ESPN on Wednesday.
What it means: With the Bills releasing Jordan Poyer, and Micah Hyde set to become a free agent -- while also contemplating retirement -- the safety room became a major area of need. Re-signing Rapp means that the Bills see him as a potential starter at a position being turned over for the first time under coach Sean McDermott. Rapp played well when called upon as a backup safety and member of the defensive backfield in his first season with the team in 2023, and he now gets a chance to increase that playing time.
What's the risk: Change at the safety position in general won't be easy for the Bills, as Poyer and Hyde have held down the position together for seven seasons. The team is familiar with Rapp, and signing him to this extension doesn't preclude further additions to the room.
Quintin Morris, TE
The Bills have re-signed tight end Quintin Morris to a one-year deal.
What it means: The Bills maintain continuity in the tight end room with Morris back alongside Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid. The move also shows continued investment in special teams. Morris played 82.1% of special teams snaps last year, and while his playing time on offense is limited with Knox and Kincaid now involved, he has caught a touchdown each of the last two seasons.
What's the risk: Bringing Morris, who was going to become a restricted free agent, back to Buffalo was a logical move that has pretty much no risk. The Bills put importance on special teams play, and Morris fits well in the offense and tight end room.
Will Clapp, C
The Bills are signing former Los Angeles Chargers center Will Clapp to a one-year deal.
What it means: The Bills are adding depth to the interior of the offensive line. Signing Clapp gives Buffalo a solid center option with plenty of experience behind expected starter Connor McGovern after five-year starter Mitch Morse was released and now with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Clapp has played almost his entire NFL career at center, but also has experience at left and right guard, which gives the Bills depth at those positions as well. Entering his seventh season in the NFL, Clapp has started 21 games and played in 65.
What's the risk: This is another low-risk move for the Bills, signing an experienced interior lineman to provide depth at center. His 2023 season ended with a knee injury after starting 11 games for the Chargers last season, but Buffalo had enough confidence in his recovery to sign him to a one-year deal.
Casey Toohill, DE
The Bills are signing former Washington Commanders defensive end Casey Toohill to a one-year deal.
What it means: The Bills needed to add depth at defensive end, and signing Toohill -- 6-foot-5, 254-pounds -- does just that. He is coming off a career-high five sacks last season and can contribute to Buffalo's defensive line rotation, including against the run. A seventh-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020, Toohill, 27, will be in line to compete for a roster spot, but defensive end remains a position that the Bills should look at addressing in the draft with the team's 11 picks.
What's the risk: Bringing in depth on the defensive line is a plus for this Bills team that already re-signed A.J. Epenesa to a one-year deal. A one-year deal carries little risk, and there's more upside with this type of signing than much to lose.
David Edwards, G
The Bills re-signed guard David Edwards to a two-year extension on Wednesday.
What it means: Re-signing Edwards means the team seems him competing for the starting left guard role Connor McGovern will vacate when he moves to center to replace Mitch Morse, who was released Wednesday. The reshuffling of the line will present a significant change from last season, when the Bills had rare consistency with all five offensive line starters playing every game.
What's the risk: There's not significant risk here in bringing back Edwards after one year in Buffalo, especially considering he has the ability to play both left and right guard. He also has significant experience working with offensive line coach Aaron Kromer from their time with the Los Angeles Rams. He did not see much playing time in his first season with the Bills as a backup, but the team has clearly seen enough to have him in line, as of now, for the starting job.
Matt Haack, P
The Bills re-signed punter Matt Haack to a one-year deal on Wednesday.
What it means: The Bills are bringing in competition for punter Sam Martin, perhaps most notably for his role as kicker Tyler Bass' holder. Bass is coming off a season that ended on a missed field goal late in the divisional-round loss to the Chiefs. His field goal percentage (82.8%) was his lowest since his rookie year. Haack was with the team in 2021, when Bass had the best statistical season of his career (87.5% field goal percentage and zero missed PATs).
What's the risk: There's nothing to lose here. Competition is always good, and the Bills are plenty familiar with Haack.