Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘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.”’

‘Here’s the thing about Davis: After not facing elite competition in college playing for Central Florida, he came to Buffalo and did a nice job assimilating to the NFL in his first two seasons, especially in a secondary role amid a veteran receiving corps that at various times included Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley, John Brown and Emmanuel Sanders.’

‘However, Singletary was a functional player for pretty much his entire four-year tenure with the team and he brought a notable consistency to the position. He rarely gave the Bills the type of explosive plays you’d love to see from a running back, but he was a solid producer who averaged 4.7 yards per rushing attempt, caught a few balls in the pass game, and the Bills weren’t afraid to leave him in as a pass protector.’

‘Ideally, the Bills need to find a true No. 2 starter opposite Stefon Diggs and return Davis to the role of No. 3 man on the depth chart. And forget about free agency because that type of player will cost too much.’

‘And if you want to connect a potentially interesting dot to dot, among several stops, Henry was receivers coach and passing game coordinator at LSU while Odell Beckham Jr. was playing there, and he also coached Beckham during stints with the Giants and Browns.’

‘To sit in the general admission areas, the price will range from $550 to $1,850, averaging out at $1,038. The cost of the club packages will range from $2,045 to $5,105, with an average of $3,050. That’s for nine games total – one preseason and eight regular-season. Remember, one of the Bills “home” games will be played in London.’

‘There has been speculation that the Bills might consider moving Benford to safety. They did this with Siran Neal (2018) and JaQuan Johnson (2019) who were both drafted as cornerbacks. With Jordan Poyer probably gone, Damar Hamlin’s future uncertain, and Micah Hyde in the final year of his contract, there’s certainly a need and Benford’s size (6-1, 205) might make him an interesting candidate.’