Before free agency kicks off Friday, teams are preparing to sign players now.

Former Jacksonville Jaguars RB Fred Taylor, released last week and free to sign with a team now, is scheduled to visit the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday and the New England Patriots on Wednesday.

Each team has a need for Taylor. The Bills need insurance because of the legal issues facing Marshawn Lynch. The Patriots need another running back because Laurence Maroney hasn’t proven that the team can count on him.

Because of the franchise tags applied to Brandon Jacobs by the New York Giants and Darren Sproles by the San Diego Chargers, there isn’t an abundance of running backs free to sign with another team.

Taylor can. His trips start Tuesday.