WGR

‘The Bills had a total of four defensive tackles tryout for them, according to the NFL’s transaction wire. Oftentimes, teams simply want to get a look and information on a player now in case they need to act quickly at the position at some point during the season. However, in this case, they were clearly looking to add to and make changes at the spot.’

‘On the first day, players will be allowed to practice for a total of 90-minutes, with a 15-minute daily increase, up to 2.5 hours of maximum on-field work. The league is officially referring to this last phase as the “Contact Integration Period,” which lasts through September 6th, but with a maximum of 14 padded practices and two days off over those 20 days.’

‘Without more specific details on the deal just yet, Dawkins’ contract averages $15 million per-season, which would make him the fifth-highest paid left tackle in the National Football League. That would put Dawkins just behind Houston Texans tackle Laremy Tunsil, Indianapolis Colts tackle Anthony Castonzo, Tennessee Titans tackle Taylor Lewan, and New York Giants tackle Nate Solder.’

‘”We all had time as a world, to have some family time, some down time through the quarantine months. I’ve had time to reflect on where we started here, to where we are now… There’s more work ahead. The reason I came here was to bring a world championship to this team, this city, and this fan base. That’s what I’m here to do.”‘

‘While I’m not a huge believer in the culture angle, he has led the way in getting everyone in the organization to pull in the same direction. Players seem to love playing for him, and I think it’s due, in part, to McDermott creating a feeling of family and inclusiveness. It isn’t a typical boss/worker relationship. Players know they have a voice in matters concerning them. That open door policy goes a long way towards getting the most of out of players.’

‘McDermott was hired by the Bills back in January of 2017 after spending six seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers. The Bills have made the postseason in two of his three seasons in charge, including breaking a franchise-long 17-year playoff drought in 2017, his first season as head coach. McDermott is 25-23 overall in his three seasons as the head coach in Buffalo.’

‘Hauschka had a rough start to last season, but finished strong. Over the first nine games, he was only 8-for-13 on field goal attempts and also missed an extra point. Over the final seven games, he was 14-for-15 on field goals. The Bills actually put in a waiver claim on kicker Chase McLaughlin in early December after he was waived by the San Francisco 49ers, but the Indianapolis Colts had a higher waiver priority and were awarded McLaughlin, who was with the Bills during training camp. So it’s clear the Bills were at least looking to bring in some competition for Hauschka, who had a nice bounce-back second half. His leg doesn’t seem to have the strength it did even just a couple years ago. After going 7-for-9 on field goals of 50-yards or more in 2017, he’s only 5-for-12 over the last two years, including only 1-for-5 last season.’

‘Marlowe has developed into a reliable backup for the team in his two seasons on the active roster, including being called upon to start three games over that time. He entered the league in 2015 with the Carolina Panthers when McDermott was their defensive coordinator, spent two seasons there, then was on the Bills’ practice squad in 2017 before making the club the last two years, so he’s been with McDermott and in his defensive system for five straight years now, which is a big reason they trust him to fill-in when called upon.’

‘Jackson was a seventh round pick of the team back in April. I really liked him when I saw him at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama in January. He just looked like he belonged on an NFL field. He was patient and didn’t overreact, and played solid man-to-man defense. The Bills play a lot of nickel packages, and injuries always seem to pop up, so he will certainly have a chance to make the team and have a role, especially since he can play both outside and inside.’

‘Matakevich has made more special teams tackles than any player in the NFL over the past four seasons combined, with 37. He entered the league as a seventh round pick of the Steelers out of Temple in 2016 and was almost exclusively used in that role for them, playing in 63 out of a possible 64 games, picking up 77 combined tackles and a pass defended. The Bills have state they believe Matakevich can play a backup linebacker role for them, but he should be one of the main, core special teams players for the team in 2020.’

‘The Bills used their first pick of this year’s draft on Epenesa. He was thought by many to be a first round talent, but fell to the 22nd pick of the second round before the Bills selected him. The 6-foot-5, 275 pounder led the Big Ten in sacks in 2018 (10.5) and finished third last season (11.5). He ranks sixth all-time in the conference with 26.5 career sacks. Epenesa also finished 10th in the Big Ten with 14 tackles for loss last season. Analysts have raved about Epenesa’s use of hands as a pass-rusher. He’s more of a bull-rusher than one who relies on speed to get around the edge, but still has a good first step and instincts. He’ll have to learn how to set the edge as a run defender better in the NFL, but the Bills can use him immediately as a situational pass rusher.’

‘White will be entering the fourth-year of his rookie contract, set to earn $1.8 million in base salary this season. The Bills have also exercised their fifth-year option on White for 2021, meaning he is under contract for two more seasons. He’s set to earn over $10 million in 2021 if he plays on his current contract. However, White is most likely looking at a massive extension some time soon. The team has publicly stated they would like to lock him up long-term.’

‘The 25-year-old will have until 4 p.m. on Thursday to notify the team and the league in writing if he does elect to opt out of the 2020 season.’

‘With that being said, losing White would be a monumental loss that could change what kind of contender the Bills are this season. There aren’t a lot of players that would have that kind of impact on a well-coached team with so many starting jobs filled with good to great players.’

‘To make room for Neal and Brown on the roster, the Bills have released running back Antonio Williams and defensive end Jonathan Woodard.’