Free Agents and Offseason Situation

[John from Riverside]

1 hour ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

Jordan Poyer and Tremaine Edmunds get all the attention as far as our upcoming Free Agents go. But taking a look today, I was a little taken aback at the amount of bodies that we will have to bring back or find replacements for:

 

QB:
Case Keenum

 

RB:
Devin Singletary
Taiwan Jones

 

WR:
Jamison Crowder 
Jake Kumerow

 

TE:
Tommy Sweeney

 

OL:
Rodger Saffold
David Quessenberry
Greg Van Rotten
Ike Boettger
Bobby Hart
Justin Murray

 

DE:
Shaq Lawson 

 

DT:
Jordan Phillips

 

LB:
Tremaine Edmunds
Tyrel Dodson
A.J. Klein
Tyler Matakevitch

 

CB:
Dane Jackson
Cam Lewis

 

S:
Jordan Poyer
Dean Marlowe
Jaquon Johnson 

 

P:
Sam Martin

 

It's simple to say we let most of them walk for being JAG's or whatever. But for everyone we let walk, we have to get a replacement to fill out our roster. 

 

And depending on where you look, we're sitting at either 3.5-8.5 million over the cap. Just like the "let 'em walk" crowd - I've heard we can cut a number of players to create cap space. But then those bodies will also have to be replaced.

 

We also only have 6 draft picks this offseason (1 1st, 1 2nd, 1 3rd, 1 4th, and 2 5th's), once again picking low at 28 - given our regular season record.

 

The long and short of it is, Brandon Beane is going to have to get REALLY creative this offseason to fill out the roster. I see so many people say "we need improvements (here or there)" and "they can make cap space whenever they want". But it's going to be very difficult to fill out the 53 with improvements and good depth across the board.

 

He's really going to have to hit on all our Draft picks, find some diamonds in the rough, and get lucky on some Undrafted prospects as well.

I’m probably too emotional to talk about this right now, but I’m of those players of cut themselves today a lot of those players of cut themselves today

7 minutes ago, Johnnycage46 said:

 

That's one of our big issues though. And lack of talent.

A defensive coach should be able to coach up defensive players and not need to spend premium pics and money at those positions that’s their bag
 

Improve Josh, Allen’s protection, improve the running game get better weapons

[Milanos Milano]

5 minutes ago, Johnnycage46 said:

 

That's one of our big issues though. And lack of talent.

I’m leaning towards Beane being the bigger issue. Outside of Allen, he hasn’t drafted well enough. This team is starved of elite talent. We either need a total rebuild of the oline, or we need to trade up and grab another star WR to help Diggs. 

[Trogdor]

46 minutes ago, iccrewman112 said:

Special team aces shouldn’t make up more than minimum level contracts in my opinion. Other than long snapper.

I like Hines and think he was underutilized, but he gets paid more than a lot of good RBs. 

[iccrewman112]

1 minute ago, Trogdor said:

I like Hines and think he was underutilized, but he gets paid more than a lot of good RBs. 

he’s gone in my book. The new NFL has so few kick returns that his position’s value lessens. Just need someone who can reliably fair catch the ball. Cook should get his catches.

Edited January 23, 2023 by iccrewman112

[Big Turk]

32 minutes ago, iccrewman112 said:

he’s gone in my book. The new NFL has so few kick returns that his position’s value lessens. Just need someone who can reliably fair catch the ball. Cook should get his catches.

 

Yeah he is making $4.8 million next year and has $0 guaranteed so they can cut him and realize full cap savings.

[Virgil]

Digg and Allen can save a ton of money just by converting their salary to bonus. 

 

Everyone on that list, I'm bringing back on min deals at best.  I'm not paying Edmunds, but maybe he can be franchise and traded.  Oliver still has his 5th year coming up.  I'm trading anyone on the offensive or defensive line that I feel I can get of value. 

 

Just having Jones, Oliver, Miller, back, plus pry Phillips and Lawson back on cheap deals is enough to work with.  Boogie and AJ have probably no trade value, so we are probably going to trot the same guys right back out there next year and hope for a different result.  

 

The entire offensive line should be blown up, maybe even moving Dawkins to RT.  Spencer can battle for a spot, thanks to his low cap number.  The rest can be released.

 

Poyer, sorry buddy, but we can't afford you.

 

But here's the thing.  If we don't get a better scout team that knows how to evaluate offensive lineman, nothing is going to change.  I trust the FO to draft linebackers and secondary, but not offensive or defensive lineman.  We also are going to need another receiver.  

 

With all that being said, I don't want to see any front 7 players drafted unless it's a replacement MLB or after the 5th round.  1-4 rounds should be offensive lineman and WR.  

 

48 minutes ago, iccrewman112 said:

he’s gone in my book. The new NFL has so few kick returns that his position’s value lessens. Just need someone who can reliably fair catch the ball. Cook should get his catches.

 

I think Motor is gone.  It'll be Cook and Hines next season

[PauleeeWalnuts]

I said this earlier, the Bills are now closer to a rebuild than they are a championship. Way too many holes, way too many FA, no cap space to

sign anyone. They wasted their window 

[davefan66]

Kinda worried, but Beane will be Beane and fill the roster.  Concern is, the estimated increase of 11-12 million doesn’t fix our problems.  Will need to restructure some contracts to gain space enough to keep this team viable as a Super Bowl contender.

A running theme with Beane is picking guys up and hope they become diamonds in the rough.  One of those is Hines.  Hines didn’t flash as a runner, but did great in returns.  Not sure he lands a roster spot based on that.  I believe Beane had hope he’d be a good backup to Cook next year.  That now leaves a decision on Singletary.  You can’t sign him for what he will want.  Although I don’t believe he will get a huge deal in FA, but it will be more than Buffalo will be willing to offer.

Need to spend time getting Shakir ready as a 3rd WR.  Also need to draft another in the higher rounds.  Davis needs to get his act together as well.

 

Not interested in journeyman offensive line any more, but don’t see any change in that philosophy. Q, Ike and Van Roten will be brought back. Saffold showed his age and don’t see him back unless it’s as a backup and cheap.  Need to spend a higher round pick on an offensive lineman.  Someone you can groom to start.

 

Id like to keep Phillips.  Although he may have done well enough to demand more than Beane is willing to pay.  Shaq can be had at lower amount.  Need the other guys to be more consistent.  Groot should take another leap.

 

Don’t see how Edmunds is resigned.  My concern is spending big bucks on guys who have their best seasons in the last year of the contract.  I’d like this years Edmunds back, not the guy from previous seasons.

 

Need to sign Poyer. Our backup FS and SS are not ready to start.  I’d draft a backup in the higher rounds.

 

No doubt Bills are in the window.  Salary cap is an issue.  Current backups are not ready to step up in starter rolls.  Beane will probably work his magic and keep this roster largely intact.  Not sure that will be enough.

Edited January 23, 2023 by davefan66

[BillMafia716ix]

 

38 minutes ago, PaulieYayo said:

I said this earlier, the Bills are now closer to a rebuild than they are a championship. Way too many holes, way too many FA, no cap space to

sign anyone. They wasted their window 

Eh..I wouldn’t go that far. As long as we got Josh our window is still open. But they need to help him by giving him a running game and a OC who doesn’t call deep passing routes on 3rd and short. 

[Utah John]

There are some improvements already in the pipeline.  Next year we get Hyde back, and we finally get Tre White back to being Tre White. His injury often takes two years to recover from.  He certainly wasn't playing like he used to, this year.  He was often a liability rather than a dominant strength.  

 

We also get Von Miller back, but he will be in the first year after the same injury White had, so he might not be as good as he was at the start of this year, right away.

 

Expect Rousseau to continue to develop.  I think his selection in the draft was a win.  Not so much Oliver, who has never been the impact player we were told he'd be.  Certainly not Epenesa or Basham, either.  Those last three players will stay on the team until their cheap rookie contracts run out, and then they'll get their big second contract somewhere else.

 

As for Poyer and Singletary, they're both looking for big contracts, but I think they'll be disappointed in the offers they get.  Who's going to give a high dollar long term contract to a 30+ year old safety who's entered injuryville?  It's sad because he's been so good for us.  And, who's going to give a high dollar long term contract to the 8th or 10th best RB in the league, with a lot of workload in his past?  Very few RBs make a lot.  So I wouldn't be at all surprised if both of them came back on team-friendly, two-year contracts.  I think they both make the team better.  

 

If Frazier leaves for another job, expect Edmunds to go with him as a FA.  Frazier loves Edmunds, who fits exactly into the role Frazier wants as the center of his D scheme.  If Frazier is replaced, the new guy probably will want to rebuild the D with a more conventional LB, one who doesn't just limit damage, but who makes proactive plays.  

[RocCityRoller]

3 hours ago, IronMaidenBills said:

Yep. Like I’ve said , we are going into a mini rebuild. We have to. The trenches are not good enough. The oline is not were it needs to be, and our WRs are not were they need to be. We are a good team with a few missing pieces, but we have to make a change of direction away from defense for a bit. 

I agree and suggested similar a few days back. Too many holes due to FA/ Age/ bad cap situation.

Focus on building a nasty offense and hope the defense can make a stop or a few plays.

There are also a bunch of young Defenders still under contract that need to gear it up if they want a second contract.

Go earn it.

 

The Von Miller contract will be an albatross too (I wanted Hassan Reddick younger/ cheaper/ more impact)

1 hour ago, PaulieYayo said:

I said this earlier, the Bills are now closer to a rebuild than they are a championship. Way too many holes, way too many FA, no cap space to

sign anyone. They wasted their window 

correct. They blew Allen's 5 year window. 5 years in still no OL or offensive balance. One legit NFL weapon who is approaching 30.

[Wayne Cubed]

5 minutes ago, Utah John said:

There are some improvements already in the pipeline.  Next year we get Hyde back, and we finally get Tre White back to being Tre White. His injury often takes two years to recover from.  He certainly wasn't playing like he used to, this year.  He was often a liability rather than a dominant strength.  

 

We also get Von Miller back, but he will be in the first year after the same injury White had, so he might not be as good as he was at the start of this year, right away.

 

Expect Rousseau to continue to develop.  I think his selection in the draft was a win.  Not so much Oliver, who has never been the impact player we were told he'd be.  Certainly not Epenesa or Basham, either.  Those last three players will stay on the team until their cheap rookie contracts run out, and then they'll get their big second contract somewhere else.

 

As for Poyer and Singletary, they're both looking for big contracts, but I think they'll be disappointed in the offers they get.  Who's going to give a high dollar long term contract to a 30+ year old safety who's entered injuryville?  It's sad because he's been so good for us.  And, who's going to give a high dollar long term contract to the 8th or 10th best RB in the league, with a lot of workload in his past?  Very few RBs make a lot.  So I wouldn't be at all surprised if both of them came back on team-friendly, two-year contracts.  I think they both make the team better.  

 

If Frazier leaves for another job, expect Edmunds to go with him as a FA.  Frazier loves Edmunds, who fits exactly into the role Frazier wants as the center of his D scheme.  If Frazier is replaced, the new guy probably will want to rebuild the D with a more conventional LB, one who doesn't just limit damage, but who makes proactive plays.  

I think that's all a bit overly optimistic. How can you know you'll get Tre White back to being Tre? It may not happen. Who knows what we will get from a 34 year old Miller coming off an ACL. So no improvement there. 

As far as Poyer/Singletary taking team friendly deals, there is not a chance Poyer does and there's no need to bring back Singletary with Cook/Hines.

All of this ignores how badly the OL/DL played and that there are players who are FA's will need to be replaced there. Where does the improvement come from there? Where do the Bills add more weapons for Josh? 

I agree with the OP, Beane has A LOT to do this offseason and based on track record alone I would be a bit concerned.

[BillMafia716ix]

With Diggs approaching 30 next year. They need to make a move for another WR. Also the philosophy on offense needs to change. The Air Raid Josh Allen offense needs to end. Give the guy a running game

 

 

[machine gun kelly]

For me it’s too early to have these discussions.  I’m still upset about yesterday.  I was so disgusted with this team and the game plan they came up with for handling their offense.  
 

We were pathetic in every facet of the game.

 

It’s time for me to take a break from the Bills.  They ripped my heart out yesterday.

 

 

Edited January 23, 2023 by machine gun kelly

[Shortchaz]

There isn’t one player (MAYBE poyer) on that list that I care about. The defense needs a new philosophy, attitude, and players to match. the offense needs a new philosophy, attitude, and players to match. Get the corny people out the door and get some scary people on this roster. 

[jahnyc]

Even with the ability to restructure some contracts to create cap space, don't we have significant issues finding the resources to just fill out the roster, let alone improve the roster with some free agent signings or possibly re-signing one of more significant free agents (i.e., Edmunds or Poyer)?  You would expect most of the draft choices in 2023 to make the team, but don't we need at least $20 to $30 million to also fill out our roster after the departure of many of our free agents (and the re-signing of others)?  We are over the cap now and we also will need additional cap space to sign our draft picks.  Seems like we need to create a lot of cap space to do these basic things.

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

Trade for D. Hopkins. The more I think about that, the more I want it.

[TN Bills Fan]

Everyone of those can go.  Clearly Tre White is not the same player.  They are stuck with him so he’ll be moved to Poyer’s spot.  They need a player like Phillips but he never plays.  I think this might be a two/three year rebuild.  

[SCBills]

Bring in a new Defensive Coordinator and gut the Defense to invest heavy in the Offense this off-season.  It has to happen.  

 

Let Poyer and Edmunds walk.  Let Phillips walk.  I'd offer Shaq Lawson a modest contract.

 

New DC comes in with the following:

 

DE:   Von, Shaq, Rousseau, AJ, Basham

 

DT: Jones, Oliver, Settle

 

LB: Milano, Bernard

 

CB: White, Elam, Benford, 

 

SLOT: Johnson, Neal

 

S: Hyde

 

Fill in the holes/depth with modest contract vets and Day 3 picks. 

 

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Use the money you would've freed up for Edmunds and go after the best OL available in FA and/or a WR if it makes sense. 

 

All Day 1 and Day 2 picks should be on the Offensive side of the ball.

 

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If Oliver can bring back a 2nd Rounder, I'd move him as I can't envision a scenario where he gets paid after his 5th year option ends.

[GolfandBills]

A few Star players, lots of free agents and no cap money.  Going to be a long off-season