Archives for March 7, 2017

'Buffalo's kicker for the past four years, Carpenter's release does not come as a surprise. He struggled in 2016, missing five extra points, as well as going 5 of 11 on field goals of 40-plus yards. His 76-percent rate on field goals tied for 31st in the league.

'Depending on what happens with some of those players, the Bills’ list of needs includes quarterback, wide receiver, right tackle, weakside linebacker, cornerback, safety and kicker. Here’s a look at some of the top available players at those positions.'

'Because of that, the best course of action for both Gillislee and Groy, as well as possibly Schmidt, is to work out a long-term contract that lowers their cap hit, but gives them more guaranteed money in the form of a signing bonus. According to Rapoport, that remains the plan in regards to Gillislee.'

'Aiken, 27, had 29 catches for 328 yards and one touchdown last season. His best year came in 2015, when he had 95 catches for 944 yards and five touchdowns. Aiken's playing time dropped in 2016 after the Ravens signed Mike Wallace and had Steve Smith Sr. healthy for the entire year, unlike in 2015. Aiken started his professional career in Buffalo, appearing in two games in 2011 after being an undrafted free agent out of Central Florida.'

'The Bills don't have much money to spend – about $20 million with a need to sign 45 more players to have a 90-man roster – but Brown should be their top priority in free agency. His production last season, and ability to play all three downs, makes him an absolute must to keep. Inside linebackers don't usually break the bank in free agency, so the Bills should be able to find common ground with Brown on a new deal.'

'Marcell Dareus’ six-year contract extension, signed before the 2015 season and the biggest in Bills history, carries a potential value of $100 million. Since he signed it, Dareus has almost as many games missed because of suspensions (five) as he does sacks (5.5).'

'However, Carpenter really struggled over the past two seasons with extra points as he missed 11 combined in 2015 and 2016. And last year, he also made just 76 percent of his field goals (19 of 25), the second-worst percentage of his nine-year career split between Buffalo and Miami. However, in his worst year, he had 41 attempts in 2010.'

'However, McDermott and his staff have done an extensive review of Taylor’s play the past two seasons and set against the list of players they possibly could obtain in the draft or free agency apparently have determined there isn’t a better upgrade option out there.'

'The Bills are still working on a long-term deal with Gillislee, but now other teams will be able to offer the running back a deal. Gillislee rushed for 577 yards and eight touchdowns while adding one receiving touchdown in 2016. It's not out of the realm of possibility that another team will be willing to give up the fifth-round compensation to sign Gillislee to an offer sheet. He has only 154 career carries, and his best football is likely in front of him.'

'Crawford started a career-high 10 games with the Cowboys in 2016. He finished the season with 25 total tackles and 3.5 sacks.'

'Robey-Coleman is a bit of a surprising cut. He had a modest contract and had been a reliable slot cornerback since entering the league as an undrafted free agent. He shouldn't have trouble finding other suitors on the open market. The Bills, meanwhile, will move forward with Kevon Seymour as a likely candidate to play slot cornerback.'

'Aiken spent the last three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He's coming off of a season in which he caught 28 passes for 328 yards and one touchdown. The wide receiver appeared in all 16 games last season, but did not see as much playing time as he had in 2015. Aiken played 595 offensive snaps in 2016 after being on the field for 937 snaps in 2015.'

'If the Bills cut Taylor loose, the 2017 NFL Draft will get interesting, as the Bills will be serious players for a quarterback at pick 10. If the Bills pick up Taylor's option and pay him more than $30 million in guaranteed money, they will likely address another need in the draft.'

'Personally, I’d take being the New York Jets right about now. However, it would get ugly, as the team would have to part ways with players like LeSean McCoy and Eric Wood. That'd be a tough move to sell to a fan base on a 17-year drought.'

'The slew of moves created approximately $6 million more in cap space for the Bills, putting the team around $24 million in room to maneuver. The $24 million in space includes the option for quarterback Tyrod Taylor; however, the Bills have yet to make a decision on whether or not to pick up Taylor’s deal.'