The Buffalo Bills will have a ton of new faces on the team this season and these three players will outplay their contracts for the team this year. In addition, there’s an honorable mention wildcard who has the ability to do so as well.
The 2024 offseason arrived unexpectedly for Buffalo Bills fans, marked by significant turnover on the roster that had been a constant presence in their lives for the past few years. Key figures such as Jordan Poyer, Stefon Diggs, and currently Micah Hyde are no longer part of the Western New York scene.
In their place, a blend of youthful talent and new veteran additions will shape the team’s lineup. Here are three free-agent acquisitions expected to exceed expectations and provide exceptional value in 2024.
It came only a few weeks ago, but the Marquez Valdez-Scantling signing could possibly have the biggest impact on the team. It kind of has that same late-in-the-off-season sneaky good pickup feeling that the Leonard Floyd signing did last summer. He signed a 1-year $2.25 million deal to play in Buffalo this season.
Marquez Valdez Scantling
Immediately, MVS makes the Bills receiver room more dynamic and gives them a skill set they don’t have. He brings speed and deep-threat capabilities, which will pair up well with star quarterback Josh Allen; much similar to what we saw out of MVS and Mahomes. The Bills haven’t had a true deep threat since John Brown, even though they employ the quarterback with the strongest arm in the NFL as Gabe Davis filled that role over the years inconsistently.
MVS will also bring veteran leadership to a fairly young receiver room. Along with that, he also brings championship experience, having won the Superbowl the last two seasons. While he has had some issues with drops in the regular season, he always flips a switch in the playoffs and is a big factor. It’s something the Bills haven’t had outside of Josh Allen in big games.
During the Chiefs playoff run last season, MVS caught eight passes for 128 yards, one touchdown, and five first downs. In his last three playoff runs, which include two with the Chiefs and one with the Packers, he’s posted 24 catches, 398 yards, and four touchdowns, with 19 first downs. He should easily outplay his current deal.
Mike Edwards
Edwards was added in the second wave of free agency and brings the Bills’ former Chiefs player total count up to two. Edwards, who started in the Superbowl last season, signed a 1-year $2.8 million deal with the Bills back in March. It’s not clear as of now whether Edwards will start or not, but regardless he will be valuable to the team.
The Bills added a playmaker in the two-time Superbowl champion (Buccaneers and Chiefs). Since 2021, Edwards has been tied for the second most defensive touchdowns in the NFL. The Bills’ defense has consistently been a top unit and takes the ball away, however, they don’t score much on their own. Edwards instantly injects some positive possibility to changing that in 2024.
Even if he doesn’t start, Edwards will see the field. As we saw last year, the Bills emphasized having a minimum of three safeties who are capable starters. They adopted more of a dime look than we’ve seen in previous years and it allowed them to be more versatile and mix in more coverage packages. It will also allow players like Taylor Rapp and rookie Cole Bishop to play in the box. It opens up the playbook for Sean McDermott’s defensive geniuses, and new first-time defensive coordinator, Bobby Babich.
Once again, this is another guy who brings veteran leadership and championship experience to a now younger group. The Bills used their second-round pick on Cole Bishop who unfortunately won’t have the opportunity to learn from All-Pro’s Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. He also provides great depth if he isn’t a starter, and Bills fans know how important that is over the last few seasons on the defensive side of the ball. Edwards will easily play up to his money’s worth, and will more than likely outplay what he’s getting.
Stefon Diggs,
Stefon Diggs, the wide receiver, made his inaugural appearance at a press conference since his transition from the Buffalo Bills to the Houston Texans, expressing his contentment with the change as he described it as “a breath of fresh air.”
The Texans secured Diggs through a trade, relinquishing a 2025 National Football League (NFL) Draft second-round pick (originating from the Minnesota Vikings) to the Bills in exchange for a 2024 No. 189 pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick in April.
“The Texans have been incredibly welcoming,” remarked Diggs. “Their openness and warmth are genuine, and for me, it’s essential to be a part of that environment. Flourishing happens in spaces where you’re embraced, supported, and genuinely cared for.
Having spent four seasons with the Bills, I accumulated 5,372 receiving yards and 37 touchdowns on 445 catches in 66 games. I earned four consecutive Pro Bowl selections and was honored once each as a First-team All-Pro and Second-team All-Pro. Throughout my tenure, the Bills clinched playoff berths, reigning as champions of the American Football Conference (AFC) East Division each season.”
Despite being viewed as strong contenders, the Bills fell short of reaching the Super Bowl in the last four seasons. Meanwhile, tensions between Diggs and the team escalated over time. Just before his trade, Diggs responded skeptically to a social media comment suggesting he wasn’t crucial to quarterback Josh Allen’s success, saying, “You sure?”
When questioned about his anticipation of being traded by the Bills, Diggs remarked, “It seemed to be heading in that direction.”
The Texans won 10 of their 17 regular season games and advanced to the AFC Divisional Round behind rookie quarterback C. J. Stroud. He completed 319 of his 499 passes for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns with only five interceptions during the regular season and was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
“Diggs has come in and been a leader, which I’m proud of him for, just really has been unselfish and wanted to see other guys eat,” Stroud said. “That was his main thing. He wanted to be around other ‘dogs,’ and he stepped into that role where there is a ‘dog’ everywhere. He looks right, he looks left, there is going to be a ‘dog.’ He wanted that, and that’s what we bring to the table. He’s been nothing but amazing so far, and I am very excited to work with him
