‘That’s why it seems likely that the Bills will target another pass-catching option, whether in the draft or through free agency. But given that the free-agency market looks thin at this point — Kenny Golladay and Chosen Anderson are the top options — the 2023 NFL Draft might just be the clearest path to acquiring a contributor at wideout.’
Archives for April 2023
Dates set for final approval of new Bills stadium deal by Erie County Legislature
‘Erich Weyant, Chief of Staff to Chairwoman April Baskin, told 2 On Your Side on Thursday evening that hearings have been scheduled to take place on May 17 and 18, with a final vote possible on May 25.’
Will the Washington Commanders sale impact the Bills’ valuation?
‘Ultimately, according to Ozanian, the record-high sale price for the Commanders won’t really impact the valuation of the Bills. “Given the two markets, the Bills revenue is more limited,” Ozanian said. “The growth in that revenue is more limited than the growth and the potential for the Commanders.”‘
Second round may be a sweet spot for Bills to land receiver, says ESPN’s Mel Kiper
‘Kiper calls for three wide receivers being taken in the first 21 picks. His top-rated wideout, Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, goes 12th overall to the Houston Texans. He predicts Boston College’s Zay Flowers going to Pittsburgh at No. 17. “This is where we could see a run on receivers,” Kiper says.’
NFL draft preview: Historically deep class makes tight end a first-round option for Bills
‘“This is one of the most promising tight end classes I’ve seen in a while,” Zierlein wrote in his positional power rankings last month. “Michael Mayer, Luke Musgrave, Dalton Kincaid and Darnell Washington are the most well-known prospects and each is worthy of going inside the first 40 picks. But there should be starting-caliber players selected a little later on, including Luke Schoonmaker, Tucker Kraft, Sam LaPorta and Brenton Strange.”’
Compromise results in Erie County paying $25 million more in cash, instead of borrowing, for new Bills stadium
‘That set the stage for a compromise deal slated to result in the county paying $25 million more in cash toward the new Bills stadium instead of borrowing the money. In addition, the county administration has already decided to pay off nearly $10 million in remaining debt on the existing stadium to pave the way for its eventual demolition.’
Buffalo Bills host Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame RB Latavius Murray on free agent visit
‘Murray, 33, most recently played with the Denver Broncos in 2022 after the team signed the back off of the Saints’ practice squad. In 12 games with the Broncos, Murray rushed for 703 yards and five touchdowns. In addition to his stints with the Broncos and Saints, Murray has also played for the then-Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens. The back has rushed for 500 yards or more in the past eight seasons. Murray’s best year came in 2015 when he rushed for 1,066 yards and six touchdowns in 2015 with the Raiders. Murray was named to the Pro Bowl that season. In his nine year career, Murray has rushed for 6,252 yards and 55 touchdowns.’
NFL draft preview: Bills could use some competition at right tackle
‘“The offensive tackles will come off the board,” ESPN analyst Todd McShay said on a conference call last week. “Darnell Wright of Tennessee is going to be gone in the top 20, most likely. … If you don’t get one of those top four guys in the top 20, I think you have to dip back into the second round to get an offensive tackle. … It would be tough late in the first to get an offensive tackle that you feel great about.”’
Shaq Lawson signs one-year contract to stay with Bills
‘Lawson had a strong reunion season with the Bills in 2022, finishing with 31 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 15 games. Lawson started six games and became an especially important part of the defensive line down the stretch, especially after edge rusher Von Miller was lost for the season to a knee injury.’
NFL draft preview: Bills have made moves to bolster interior offensive line
‘“There are some good interior options,” said NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah. “It’s a pretty good group of interior offensive linemen. … Steve Avila from TCU and O’Cyrus Torrence, I think those guys are just plug and play. You’re not going to win the press conference, maybe not going to win the draft party by taking those two guys, but I think they’re … solid starters immediately.”’
NFL Draft 2023: Buffalo Bills top-30 visit, Zoom and private workout tracker
‘One way for teams to get more information on players that they are interested in is top hold top-30 visits. Since becoming general manager, Brandon Beane has a history of using a top-30 visit on the team’s first round picks. He held top-30 visits with both Josh Allen and Tremaine Edmunds in 2018, Ed Oliver in 2019 and Kaiir Elam in 2022. It’s important to note that Buffalo did not have a first round pick in 2020 due to the Stefon Diggs trade and there were no top-30 visits that season or in 2021 due to Covid-19. Day two picks such as James Cook and Dawson Knox were also top-30 visitors.’
Mock Draft Monday 7.0: NFL draft experts all go defense for Buffalo Bills in latest roundup
‘With the draft just 17 days away, here is who draft analysts have Buffalo selecting on night one.’
Jordan Phillips Rejoins Bills By Signing 1-Year Contract
‘Listed at 6-foot-6 and 341 pounds, Phillips has been a dependable run-stuffer playing alongside Ed Oliver in Buffalo. His 9 1/2 sacks in 2019 are the most by a Bills player since Lorenzo Alexander had 12 1/2 in 2016.’
Bills to re-sign defensive end Shaq Lawson, source says
‘Originally drafted by the Bills with the 19th overall pick in 2016 out of Clemson, Lawson spent two seasons away from the team with two different AFC East competitors — the Miami Dolphins (2020) and the New York Jets (2021) — after playing his first four years in Buffalo.’
2023 NFL free agency: Bills re-sign former first-round pick Shaq Lawson to a one-year deal, per report
‘Lawson, 28, spent his first four seasons in Buffalo before he signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Dolphins in March of 2020. Nearly a year after signing with Miami, the Dolphins sent Lawson and a 2021 sixth-round pick to Houston in exchange for a 2021 seven-round pick and former Pro Bowl linebacker Benardrick McKinney. Lawson was released by the Texans just before the end of the 2021 season.’