The Buffalo Bills seem to be circling defensive end Trey Flowers as a free agent target, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson. Flowers has been with the New England Patriots for four seasons after the team drafted him in the fourth round in 2015.
Flowers finished 2018 with 7.5 sacks, but his abilities go well beyond his sack total, which is frankly somewhat underwhelming for a player who is considered one of the top free agents for 2019. Flowers served as a strong run defender, tallying 57 tackles, while also dropping into coverage. What’s more, he demonstrated the ability to line up at every position on the defensive line during his tenure in New England. He played on the left and right edge while also dipping inside on passing downs to rush from the interior.
Surely, that sort of versatility will appeal to countless teams, with the Bills apparently being one of them. According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Flowers’ next deal could exceed $18 million per year. At that point, it’s easy to imagine the Patriots letting Flowers walk in free agency. Perhaps anticipating that possibility, the Patriots acquired defensive end Michael Bennett in a trade on Friday. He can’t replace Flowers, but he could take over some of Flowers’ duties on the defense.
