Archives for March 2016

'Gilmore is already signed up for the 2016 season on the $11.082 million fifth-year option the Bills used on him. It gives the cornerback some leverage because he doesn't need to be in any hurry to sign a long-term extension, especially considering the salary cap and numbers for each position are going up every single year.'

'The trouble for Buffalo, though, is that they are running short on cap space, and they still have to give themselves enough room to sign all six of their picks from the 2016 NFL Draft. If the Patriots were to successfully poach Hogan — meaning the Bills don't match — Buffalo would receive no draft pick compensation because Hogan was issued the lowest tender.'

'The Bills never made a serious push to re-sign Bradham during or after the season, so now they must replace him.'

'Tyrod Taylor and Stephon Gilmore were undoubtedly two of the biggest winners on the first day of free agency without earning a penny. Both can now make the very valid case that they deserve, at minimum, such salaries. Osweiler started a grand total of seven games to earn his deal, while Jenkins has averaged 2.5 interceptions and 12.25 passes defensed over his four pro seasons. Wherever G.M. Doug Whaley is scouting players at the moment — he was at Samford's pro day Tuesday — his jaw probably dropped when he read just how much Osweiler and Jenkins will make.'

'In the meantime, the Bills could try to sign one, two or all three of their new UFA's at less than that figure. They probably can bring back Powell, who missed all of 2015 with a torn ACL in Buffalo's joint practice with the Cleveland Browns. A core special teams player, Powell was hoping to carve a role in Ryan's defense. And considering Buffalo might lose Nigel Bradham in free agency, Ryan could use Powell in the middle.'

'If Buffalo goes defense early — a strong possibility considering they may need to fill multiple starting spots — it could be thinking quarterback on Day 2 or Day 3. That's when someone like Prescott would make sense.'

'"I think the biggest thing when talking to the Dolphins, it kind of gives me goosebumps, because it gives me excitement and a level of energy that I haven't had before," Williams said. "Being a Dolphin and knowing that it's going to be shown who Mario Williams is. Obviously you gotta talk about certain things and we all have to come to our own decision. There's nothing better than knowing now that I'm a Dolphin and how things are going to play out and being used in this system, getting after it with my fellow teammates. Everything's going to be fine. It's going to be right back to where it needs to be. Any kind of questions about anybody will definitely be answered."'

'Prescott, who projects as a mid-round pick, also has visits lined up with the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals. Coming from a college system in which he predominantly took snaps from the shotgun, Prescott will have a bit of a learning curve jumping to the NFL. Still, his athleticism and 29-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio are enticing enough to make him an option for Buffalo on the second or third day of the draft.'

'Both players were unrestricted free agents as of 4pm Wednesday and signed with the Eagles, where they will be reunited with former Bills defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who is serving in the same role in Philly.'

'"My message to the people negotiating on my behalf was: Get this done in Buffalo," Incognito said. "Give me a home for the next three years. I felt a special connection with the fans of Buffalo and the players and you can't put a price tag on that."'

'A three-year starter for Mississippi State, Prescott surged to throw for 3,793 yards, 29 touchdowns, and just five interceptions during the 2015 season. Prescott will likely be picked in the second or third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.'

'According to documents obtained by 7 ABC, the deal for the Bills can be incredibly friendly to the salary cap in the first two years if the Bills choose to prorate his $3.45 million signing bonus.'

'Rambo played a considerable amount at safety last season, and really came into his own over the final eight weeks or so. Powell suffered a torn ACL in training camp, but was often pointed to as a great depth player, and a contributor on special teams — and with such a weak depth chart at inside linebacker, he is a compelling choice. And Charles is a young player that flashes big ability at times, but may be better suited for a 4-3 defense than the 3-4 scheme they run in Buffalo.'

'Buffalobills.com has tracked 64 mock drafts since the end of the 2015 NFL season and today we will take a look at the top five most common mock draft picks for the Bills. Below is a list of who the experts believe the Bills may select with their first round pick at No. 19 and why. Who do you want the Bills to pick at No. 19?'

'Though it appears that there are just six linebackers currently on the roster, there figures to be some role shifting for some players with Buffalo expected to run a more conventional 3-4 scheme in 2016. Players like Jerry Hughes and Max Valles could line up more in a true outside linebacker role with at least one in a pass rusher role at all times.'