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As long as Nix says he will be aggressive I'll take him at his word. But right away I discount the top two FAs at any position because its doubtful we have any chance to sign them.
So here is a potential list of FAs I see the Bills going hard after on day one while everyone else is distracted by the big ticket guys...
DE Jeremy Mincey (Jags): Solid run defender, big body at 6'3 270 and gets pressure on the QB. Played on an average DL last year and on a team that was not often in the lead. Still managed 8 sacks. Good all-around player. Age might be prohibitive (28).
DE Mark Anderson (Pats): This guy was a beast in Chicago but had a quick decline in performance which led him to New England as a FA after only a decent season in Houston. Playing in the Pats system he rejuvenated his career and posted 10 sacks and put plenty of pressure on opposing QBs. He is the prototype Wandstadt DE though so his age at 29 might be overlooked.
DE Michael Bennett (Bucs): Bennett is young at 26 and is also one of the best run stuffing DEs in FA. He is also a good pass rusher although his numbers didn't reflect it as much as you'd like. For a LDE he would be a good fit in the Bills setup who are struggling to stop RBs.
DE Trevor Scott (Raiders): When he played purely as a DE he was very good for the Raiders as an edge rusher. Then he was moved back to OLB and wasn't quite as effective. Scott can regain his form as a pass rusher in the right situation. Age 28.
DT Paul Soliai (Dolphins): Wandstadt is known for having a big DT as part of his defensive lines. He has always typically had one very large 2 gapper who is dominant in the run game. Buffalo has Darius but I think they will be looking to pair someone next to him that will allow him to focus on getting in the backfield. This will keep KW fresher and doing what he does best.
DT Sammie Lee Hill (Lions): Hill is a huge DT at 6'4 330. Very good against the run and surprisingly also efficient pushing the pocket in the pass rush. Is still very young at 25 so is more of a fit with Nix's FA profile.
DT Pat Sims (Bengals): This guy was really good for the Bengals a couple years ago as a run defender and pass rusher from the inside but didn't have quite the impact last year. He is still only 26 and in the right situation can be a very good player.
SOLB Manny Lawson: Making the switch to a 4-3 team was good for Manny and he was apparently good against the run. He definitely has elite speed which is another characteristic of Wandstadt players at the LB position.
OT Jared Gaither (Chargers): Gaither was extremely solid for the Chargers when they picked him up off waivers from the Chiefs and is still only 26. Very good in both run blocking and pass pro.
OT Anthony Collins (Bengals): Collins should be starting for someone in the NFL. A very underrated OT and is a big man who plays run and pass very well. Still only 26.
OT Barry Richardson (Chiefs): Another OT that is a backup but can easily be a starter for someone. Richardson is a massive OT and has plenty of potential. Age 26.
OT King Dunlap (Eagles): Dunlap played spot duty when the Eagles had injuries at the position last year and actually did a good job. With some work can be a starter at RT or LT but is also good for quality depth.
CB Terrell Thomas (Giants): I see Thomas as a serious target for the Bills. He would give them size at CB which they need and is also a very talented cover guy. He is coming off injury so that should reduce his price tag enough for the Bills to show serious interest.
CB Tracy Porter (Saints): Didn't have a great year last year but has the ability to be a #2 CB. Might even be better in a simpler defensive scheme that blitzes less.
CB William Middleton (Jags): I don't know much about him by reports are that he filled in more than adequately for Rashean Mathis last season and has a very high ceiling. Could be a FA gem for someone.
CB Cortland Finnegan (Titans): I see him as a perfect fit in the Bills new D. Coming from a very similar defense in Tennessee to what Wanny runs, not that it makes much difference. He's a very good tackler and tough which the Bills need more of. Market demand will be high for him, so its doubtful.
WR Laurent Robinson (Cowboys): Robinson exploded last year with the Boys showing great hands and precision route running. He's not huge but not a small guy either at 6'2 194. With all the other receivers on the market he could be a steal.
WR Dwayne Bowe (Chiefs): This one is obvious but he will cost a lot and the Bills will have already paid Stevie. I personally see the #2 WR spot addressed in the draft rather than FA.
WR Adrian Arrington (Saints): Some people will say Colston is clearly a better FA target but he's 29 which may not fit the Bills right now. Arrington has been stuck behind quality receivers in New Orleans but I think he has talent that's waiting to breakout.
TE Martellus Bennett (Cowboys): Bennett has been playing behind one of the best TE in the NFL in Witten. I don't think he is a PBer but he has more to give as a starter and is very athletic. Still only 25.
So here is a potential list of FAs I see the Bills going hard after on day one while everyone else is distracted by the big ticket guys...
DE Jeremy Mincey (Jags): Solid run defender, big body at 6'3 270 and gets pressure on the QB. Played on an average DL last year and on a team that was not often in the lead. Still managed 8 sacks. Good all-around player. Age might be prohibitive (28).
DE Mark Anderson (Pats): This guy was a beast in Chicago but had a quick decline in performance which led him to New England as a FA after only a decent season in Houston. Playing in the Pats system he rejuvenated his career and posted 10 sacks and put plenty of pressure on opposing QBs. He is the prototype Wandstadt DE though so his age at 29 might be overlooked.
DE Michael Bennett (Bucs): Bennett is young at 26 and is also one of the best run stuffing DEs in FA. He is also a good pass rusher although his numbers didn't reflect it as much as you'd like. For a LDE he would be a good fit in the Bills setup who are struggling to stop RBs.
DE Trevor Scott (Raiders): When he played purely as a DE he was very good for the Raiders as an edge rusher. Then he was moved back to OLB and wasn't quite as effective. Scott can regain his form as a pass rusher in the right situation. Age 28.
DT Paul Soliai (Dolphins): Wandstadt is known for having a big DT as part of his defensive lines. He has always typically had one very large 2 gapper who is dominant in the run game. Buffalo has Darius but I think they will be looking to pair someone next to him that will allow him to focus on getting in the backfield. This will keep KW fresher and doing what he does best.
DT Sammie Lee Hill (Lions): Hill is a huge DT at 6'4 330. Very good against the run and surprisingly also efficient pushing the pocket in the pass rush. Is still very young at 25 so is more of a fit with Nix's FA profile.
DT Pat Sims (Bengals): This guy was really good for the Bengals a couple years ago as a run defender and pass rusher from the inside but didn't have quite the impact last year. He is still only 26 and in the right situation can be a very good player.
SOLB Manny Lawson: Making the switch to a 4-3 team was good for Manny and he was apparently good against the run. He definitely has elite speed which is another characteristic of Wandstadt players at the LB position.
OT Jared Gaither (Chargers): Gaither was extremely solid for the Chargers when they picked him up off waivers from the Chiefs and is still only 26. Very good in both run blocking and pass pro.
OT Anthony Collins (Bengals): Collins should be starting for someone in the NFL. A very underrated OT and is a big man who plays run and pass very well. Still only 26.
OT Barry Richardson (Chiefs): Another OT that is a backup but can easily be a starter for someone. Richardson is a massive OT and has plenty of potential. Age 26.
OT King Dunlap (Eagles): Dunlap played spot duty when the Eagles had injuries at the position last year and actually did a good job. With some work can be a starter at RT or LT but is also good for quality depth.
CB Terrell Thomas (Giants): I see Thomas as a serious target for the Bills. He would give them size at CB which they need and is also a very talented cover guy. He is coming off injury so that should reduce his price tag enough for the Bills to show serious interest.
CB Tracy Porter (Saints): Didn't have a great year last year but has the ability to be a #2 CB. Might even be better in a simpler defensive scheme that blitzes less.
CB William Middleton (Jags): I don't know much about him by reports are that he filled in more than adequately for Rashean Mathis last season and has a very high ceiling. Could be a FA gem for someone.
CB Cortland Finnegan (Titans): I see him as a perfect fit in the Bills new D. Coming from a very similar defense in Tennessee to what Wanny runs, not that it makes much difference. He's a very good tackler and tough which the Bills need more of. Market demand will be high for him, so its doubtful.
WR Laurent Robinson (Cowboys): Robinson exploded last year with the Boys showing great hands and precision route running. He's not huge but not a small guy either at 6'2 194. With all the other receivers on the market he could be a steal.
WR Dwayne Bowe (Chiefs): This one is obvious but he will cost a lot and the Bills will have already paid Stevie. I personally see the #2 WR spot addressed in the draft rather than FA.
WR Adrian Arrington (Saints): Some people will say Colston is clearly a better FA target but he's 29 which may not fit the Bills right now. Arrington has been stuck behind quality receivers in New Orleans but I think he has talent that's waiting to breakout.
TE Martellus Bennett (Cowboys): Bennett has been playing behind one of the best TE in the NFL in Witten. I don't think he is a PBer but he has more to give as a starter and is very athletic. Still only 25.
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