3 former pre-draft visitors Buffalo Bills could target in NFL free agency 2024

The NFL’s legal tampering window for free agency will open on Monday, March 11 at 12 p.m. EST. Within hours, we will know where certain players will sign on Wednesday, March 13 at 4 p.m. EST when free agency officially begins.

The Buffalo Bills are not expected to be big spenders in free agency, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t target a few players at positions of need. While the Bills could look to retain some of their own players, Buffalo could also turn to players that they have done due diligence on during the draft process. Since taking over as Bills general manager, Brandon Beane has met with various prospects on top-30 visits or virtual visits. Some of those players will now hit free agency. Which former pre-draft visitors could Beane target in free agency? Here are three potential targets.

WR DJ Chark (2018)

DJ Chark could be playing for his fourth team in four seasons in 2024. Originally drafted by the Jaguars (2018-2021), Chark has played for the Detroit Lions (2022) and Carolina Panthers (2023) over the past two seasons. The 27-year-old played in a bad offense, but still posted a respectable 35-525-5 stat line. Chark’s best season came back in 2019 (73-1,008-8), but teams that miss out on top targets at receiver could make a play for Chark.

Chark’s size (6-feet-3-inches) and speed (4.34 40-yard dash) could appeal to Buffalo if the price is right.

Pro Football Focus projection: 2 yrs — $6.5m avg/yr

DE Dorance Armstrong (2018)

Another 2018 pre-draft visitor set to hit free agency is Dorance Armstrong. Every team is looking to upgrade their pass-rush so Armstrong could find a decent market in free agency. The former Dallas Cowboys pass-rusher is coming off of a season in which he recorded 38 total tackles, 7.5 sacks and 12 QB hits. In 2022, Armstrong set a career-high in sacks (8.5) so the 26-year-old may finally be hitting his stride as a pass rusher at the perfect time.

If Buffalo does not bring A.J. Epenesa back into the fold, Armstrong could be a target for Buffalo.

Pro Football Focus’ projection: 3 yrs — $8.5m avg/yr

S Jeremy Chinn (2020)

The Bills held a virtual meeting with Chinn due to Covid in 2020. Chinn tested off the charts in terms of his athleticism at the combine and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the draft. The safety can play multiple roles in a defense and showed his versatility during his time in Carolina. As a rookie, Chinn scored two defensive touchdowns and recorded over 100 total tackles while finishing second in the AP’s Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

Chinn, however, is coming off of a down year in Ejiro Evero’s defense last season. Between this and a saturated safety market, Chinn could be had at a price that Buffalo could easily afford.

Pro Football Focus’ projection: 1 yrs — $3m avg/yr

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