ColoradoBills

The rookies will cost about $3M in "additional" cap space from where they are now.

He signed a vet minimum contract with the Eagles last year. Was released and then signed to their PS. Was signed to the 53 a week later. I expect the same here in Buffalo. It's a guy who will fight for a depth LB spot. I don't see a problem.

Last year Beane signed a bunch of free agents at the $1.7M cost, which was under the amount that calculated out as FA gains for compensatory pick using the formula. I expect a number of those signing again this year. Beane still might go for a bigger $ FA, but only if it fits what he is doing.

The $6.7M is the cap hit for the rookies. Each one will replace a guy already on the Top 51. Figure $0.9M for the top 4 picks. That's a total of $3.6M offset from the $6.7. The rookie class when the dust settles will cost a little less than $3M in new cap needed.

Like I said, Beane will restructure the players he has left that are eligible when he needs it. He can agree to a contract with a FA player and do the restructure at the same time. He doesn't need to free the money up first. He did the same thing last season.

That's for all the players. Top 51 is +$883k.

Spotrac has AJE's 2024 cap hit at $3.9M. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/aj-epenesa-47649/

Exactly. If Josh does that, they will have to work an early extension. I don't think Josh will force Beane to do that. If Josh is OK with everything, they will keep doing what they are doing until after the 2026 season.

We have to wait for all the details, but it looks like Beane is just under the cap with everything that happened up to now. Beane IMO is not going to restructure other player until he needs the money. All the future guys under $1M don't really count against the Top 51 and the rookies will total around $3M tops. Nothing to worry about there. I wasn't expecting any big FA signings but you never know with Beane but he will get Tre Whites $10M June 1st. So, we got a long wait until we see who is exactly coming to camp. I recommend patience! LOL.

Didn't think anyone caught that. Well done.

I know a Josh signing an extension next year seems to be the talk on the board, but I don't see why it needs to be. He is signed through the 2028 season with a current cap hit that year of $45M. Beane could easily just restructure $20M or so again next year. I see Josh getting the extension at the end of the 2026 season. He would have $15M-$20M in void year money then. That's a good time for a new contract. Heck, Mahomes already has way more than that at the end of his contract.

One too many zeros.

I'm fine with Beane not taking every dollar out of Josh's contract. If he HAS to later, he can go back to the well. KC is doing the same with Mahomes. Mahomes has had $36M and $37M cap hits the last 2 years.

Your apology is recognized, but you still bought yourself a night in the box!

Late round comp picks are nice, like finding out your AARP card actually gets you a discount.

Why not? Because of the "void years"? https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2023/6/12/23758041/explaining-how-the-nfl-works-part-18-the-compensatory-formula-free-agents-draft-picks-steelers The first step is to determine if a player who signed with a new team is a CFA. First, they must be an unrestricted free agent and not a street free agent. Second, they could not be a player who potentially had more years under contract with the team. If there was a team option that was not exercised, or at any point in their contract a player renegotiated their deal for fewer years, they are not eligible to be a CFAs. If there are void years in a players contract, these do not preclude the player from being a CFA.

I'm sure Beane wishes he had $30M in cap to spend, but he doesn't. The comp pick discussion is driven by that fact. If Beane sees a deal, he will do it.

He had 36% of the total D snaps last season. I think it will be closer to 50%. Whether that equates to full time starter, we'll have to see.

Also, a chance a DL gets signed after June 1st when Tre's $10M cap clears.

AJE had 6.5 sacks last year. If he can keep his pace up with more snaps they will look to sign him long term IMO. This is a "prove you can do it" contract. I like it. If he fails, they can drop him next year.

That's a good deal if they think he can get more snaps (which he should) and up his game some. Fair for both sides.

I'm thinking he comes in cheaper than expected. Spotrac had him $5.6M AAV which seemed really low. I'm going with 2 years $12M with some sack incentives.

No rational GM is trading for Mack, so it's "fate" that he should come back to Buffalo to win a SB. Mack is 33 and has made over $150M. If I was Mack, I would do it on the cheap.

I don't think you need to worry about that.

Totally agree. I should have added that. I commented on Cousins signing by saying Josh is now 8th in AVV and that's without the now nulled Wilson contract. Some fans want Beane to re-do Josh's contract and that seems nuts to me.