WGR

‘McKenzie was scheduled to become a restricted free agent last week, but to retain his rights in that scenario, the Bills would have had to pay him at least $2.133 million, the lowest tender possible. That would have also allowed them the right to match any offers from another club or receieve a fifth round pick in return. By not tendering him a qualifying offer, McKenzie became an unrestricted free agent, able to sign with any club with no compensation for the Bills. It also allowed the team to re-sign him at a lower, negotiated price. Terms of the new deal were not disclosed.’

‘The Bills held the No. 22 overall pick in the draft, which will now go to the Vikings. The Bills’ first pick is currently scheduled at the 54th overall selection in Round 2. They now have a second, third, fourth, fifth, two sixth round picks, and a seventh round pick in this year’s draft.’

‘Marlowe has spent the last two seasons with the Bills after two years with the Carolina Panthers. He was an Unrestricted Free Agent.’

‘The biggest thing Allen struggled with in 2019 was his deep ball. Stefon Diggs was one of the best vertical threats in the game last season, compiling 1,130 yards on just 63 receptions. His average distance per target was 12 yards. Easily the highest of his career. If Allen can’t complete passes deep to the likes of Diggs and John Brown, he never will.’

‘In 2018, Jones was involved in a scary collision in the end zone during the Bills’ home game against the Los Angeles Chargers. His helmet came off and he was hit by another player. Jones was down on the turf bleeding for several minutes being tended to by doctors and trainers. Thankfully, he was able to walk off on his own power and even played the following week.’

‘Poyer was scheduled to become a free agent after the upcoming season. He will be 29 years old before the 2020 season and this deal will keep him through his age 31 season. The $10 million per year is a big pay raise from the roughly $3 million he was scheduled to make this year.’

‘Jefferson will turn 27-years-old at the end of this month. He entered the league as fifth round pick out of Maryland in 2016. After two years of playing only nine games for the Seahawks, he started 24 games over the last two seasons, collecting 59 total tackles and 7.5 sacks in his four-year career. In Seattle, the 6-foot-4, 291-pound Jefferson played both defensive tackle and defensive end in their hybrid 4-3/3-4 defense. In Buffalo, he’ll most likely fit in on the interior defensive line.’

‘Matakevich entered the league as a seventh round pick of the Steelers out of Temple in 2016 and has been almost exclusively a special teams player for them throughout his four-year career, collecting more special teams tackles than any player in the league over that time.’

‘Diggs is the piece they were missing. A receiver who can beat guys one on one but can also make contested catches. A guy you can count on even though he might be(and will be) double teamed. A speed guy, a deep threat, a receiver who can be moved around, who can run the full route tree and who has football smarts. Diggs covers it all. Diggs averaged 73 catches for 924 yards and six touchdown passes over five years as a Viking where his quarterbacks were Sam Bradford, Case Keenum and Kirk Cousins.’

‘It’s not just about the stats with the three wideouts. Diggs, Brown, and Beasley will complement each other in their roles really well in Brian Dabol’s 11-personnel offense. According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, the Bills used 11 personnel (three wide receivers) on 80% of their offensive snaps from weeks 11 through 17, the most in the NFL during that time.’

‘Diggs signed a 5 year contract extension woth $72 million prior to the 2018 season. He has four years remaining on his deal and, according to Spotrac, will count $11.5 milion on the team’s 2020 salary cap.’

‘Addison is goingto be 33 years old at the start of next season, but he’s been one of the most consistent defenisve ends in football over the past four years, and has a big connection to Bills head coach Sean McDermott, general manager Brandon Beane, and new defensive line coach Eric Washington.’

‘He’s considered a smart and instinctual linebacker. McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane really value portion flexibility, which Klein has, able to play all three linebacker spots, as well as special teams.’

‘Now, the vision is much more clear. The goals are far higher. This team is looking to win a championship and they appear to have an idea of how to do it.’

‘“The vote was a reflection of how diverse our membership is and how differently everyone will be impacted. We made positive strides in this deal for current and former players, even though we didn’t achieve all of our goals. As an Executive Committee member I’ll continue to lead to ensure we maximize our gains and improve our benefits process.”’