Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘“I feel great now,” Edwards said. “I’m really excited to be healthy and for the Bills to give me an opportunity. I think this team is close to winning the Super Bowl. There are a ton of different factors that go into winning a Super Bowl – being healthy at the end of the year, so many things. This team is as good as any team I’ve ever been on. My goal and challenge is to contribute in any way I can to helping this team win a championship.”’

‘And while the 5-foot-11, 213-pounder should provide Buffalo with a little more physicality at the position, the best thing about this signing for the Bills is that Harris – at least in 2023 – will be playing for them and not against them.’

‘Harris is certainly a nice get for the Bills, if for no other reason than he can no longer hurt them. He has played four games against the Bills and in three of those, he topped 100 yards rushing and totaled five touchdowns.’

‘Thus, unless Beane is holding back on other salary cap moves – he used one Friday by cutting wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie and opening up around $2 million – the Bills probably aren’t going to sign any star-level players. The good news is this is still a very good roster, one that doesn’t need a major influx of talent, so Beane will continue to work the fringes in free agency, then look to add contributors in the NFL Draft.’

‘“We stayed in touch with his representatives,” Beane said. “We thought he was the top linebacker in free agency and all it takes is one team. I don’t know how many were bidding for him; I’m not privy to that. But it’s not a surprise that he got up there. We love him, didn’t want to lose him, but it’s a puzzle piece and unfortunately you just can’t keep them all.”’

‘But, once again, it just goes to show you that fans and media really don’t know what NFL teams have percolating behind closed doors, and once it was clear Poyer’s market wasn’t what he was hoping for, the Bills offered him a chance to return.’

‘It was clear that the price tag for a player like Edmunds, a five-year starter who will still only be 25 years old during the 2023 season, was going to be too much for Buffalo. Beane had warned at the NFL Scouting Combine that fans should not expect a big-ticket signing – or in this case, re-signing – because the team has salary cap constraints this year, and next year, too.’

‘The Bills would need a veteran to come right in and the 27-year-old Edwards, on the heels of a great season when he played 94% of Philadelphia’s snaps and was in on 159 tackles which was tied for seventh-most in the NFL would be a great idea.’

‘Edmunds is No. 1 on the priority list, followed in some order by safety Jordan Poyer, running back Devin Singletary, wide receiver Cole Beasley and defensive linemen Jordan Phillips and Shaq Lawson.’

‘Offensive tackle Dion Dawkins and linebacker Matt Milano could also create some very nice space, about $12 million combined, but restructuring their deals would prove costly in 2025. That’s because while both players are signed only through 2024, each has two void years attached to their current contracts beyond 2024.’

‘We’ll see next week how this changes when free agency begins, but if the draft were to be held Tuesday, the Bills need to add at wide receiver, offensive line, and safety, and that would be the order I would make picks in the first three rounds.’

‘Friday during the interview sessions with receivers and tight ends, several players confirmed they have met with the Bills this week including wideouts Zay Flowers of Boston College, Jordan Addison of USC, North Carolina’s Josh Downs and Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and tight ends Darnell Washington of Georgia and Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer.’

‘Logically, it tracks that Tre’Davious White and Elam – who came on at the end of his rookie season, partially because he wasn’t sharing snaps with Benford – will be the starters at cornerback. And the Bills will probably try to re-sign Dane Jackson as a restricted free agent, though it’s possible they could lose him. If Jackson returns, that makes for a crowded situation at boundary cornerback, so moving Benford might make sense.’

‘If the Bills are going to add a tight end, the decision on who it would be will hinge on what traits they’re looking for. Do they want someone who can run routes and make plays in the passing game similar to Knox, or do they want someone who can serve as a sixth offensive lineman in the run game?’

‘“So last week was kind of a week that we gave everyone off in the office, coaches were away, and so during that time Leslie reached out and just talked through some things,” general manager Brandon Beane said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “Ultimately, he didn’t want to retire. He’s not there in his mind but he just wanted to take a step back. The way we left it is he’s gonna take 2023 off, but talking to him, he has full plans to return to coaching in 2024.”’