The 2020 season came to a bittersweet end for The Buffalo Bills, but the future remains bright.
Just in case you pulled a Patrick Star and were living under a rock through this season, here is a quick Bills recap:
- The Bills went 13-3 which tied a franchise record for wins in a season
- They won the AFC East for the first time in 25 years and won their first playoff game since 1995
- The offense scored more touchdowns (60) and had more points (501) than any Bills team in franchise history
- QB Josh Allen had a career year and was in the MVP conversation
- WR Stefon Diggs led the league in catches (127) and yards (1,535)
- Five players were named to the Pro Bowl, one was named 1st Team All-Pro and four were named 2nd team All-Pro
The final table of the season being broken by #BillsMafia. Pain. @bussinwtb (via ig:Ryanchalp) pic.twitter.com/adnObWW2EN
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 25, 2021
Most of these accomplishments are focused around the offense, but this is 2021 and defense is dead.
If we have learned anything about Brandon Beane, we know he is already hard at work.
You don’t get named Executive of The Year by the Pro Football Writers of America by moping around.
Let us help out Brandon this year and give him a few suggestions on who the Bills should sign to help get them to the Super Bowl in 2021.
1. G Brandon Scherff
The Bills’ current cap space situation could be the only thing preventing Brandon Beane from bringing in Brandon Scherff.
Scherff (29) played the 2020 season on a $15M franchise tag for the Washington Football Team.
We have no reason to believe Scherff would play for anything less than $13-$15M a season on a long-term deal.
If Washington decides to move on from him a season after letting Trent Williams go to the 49ers, the Bills could fill a big gap.
Jon Feliciano, Brian Winters, and Ike Boettger are all guards who are free agents this year for the Bills.
Letting two of them go will free up cap space for Scherff, but leaves a depth issue that can be corrected through the draft.
You lose experience at the position, but gain a top guard in the league who can protect Allen and open big holes in the run game.
Brandon Scherff’s career at FedEx Field:
🛡 1,647 pass block snaps
🚫 4 sacks allowed#WashingtonFootball pic.twitter.com/ymbEJ6Co10— PFF Washington (@PFF_Washington) January 20, 2021
Josh Allen was the 10th most sacked QB this season.
Scherff would help keep him upright as long as Allen can get rid of the ball on time.
2. DE Trey Hendrickson
I cannot think of a better way to justify this addition than with a highlight reel.
Looking back at each and every one of Trey Hendrickson's 13.5 sacks this season 💪
A breakout star on defense ‼️ pic.twitter.com/tfJufOS9kA
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 26, 2021
The Bills lack a premier pass rusher.
This was on full display in the AFC Championship Game vs the Kansas City Chiefs.
If the Bills decided to rush 4, Patrick Mahomes had all day to throw the ball.
If the Bills decided to blitz, they brought Matt Milano, who belongs back in coverage, and Patrick once again exposed this.
Even if the Bills did get pressure with a blitz, the ball was out in a little over 2 seconds to a wide-open Travis Kelce.
The Bills need to be able to get home with 4 if they want to beat the Chiefs in 2021.
Hendrickson (26) can win one on one battles, is quick off the ball, and has a motor that does not quit.
The lack of cap space might hurt them again but Hendrickson shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg with only one great season to hang his hat on.
3. LB Matt Milano
This seems like cheating since he is already on the Bills, but technically Milano is a free agent.
Milano (26) is the heart and soul of this defense and if he walked, I don’t know who can fill that role.
My buddies over at @RockpileReport looked up some numbers on the Bills defense with and without Matt Milano. The difference is staggering.
Just Buffalo's run defense alone goes from 28th to 9th with him on the field. Keep in mind in the first game vs KC, Milano didn't play. pic.twitter.com/DQaOlCtAhq
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) January 19, 2021
When Milano was injured this season, the Bills lost, plain and simple.
All three losses were when he was off the field, two of them resulted in 200 yards rushing being stacked against them (Chiefs and Cardinals).
Every team in the NFL has a defensive leader that is irreplaceable.
For the Bills, it is Matt Milano.
Re-sign him.
NEXT: Bills Had Private Workout With Top WR Prospect