Which Bills players are “Make-It or Break-It” for 2023?

[JohnNord]

Here’s my choices:

 

Spencer Brown - This is Brown’s second consecutive season to show improvement.  He failed last year…if he fails again, you’ll likely see Buffalo replace him next offseason and move on the following season.   Time is ticking.
 

Ed Oliver - He’s never been able to consistently live up to his potential yet he’ll want a deal similar to Dexter Lawrence and Jeffrey Simmons - players who outperformed him despite being drafted later in 2018.  But he’s not going to get anything close from the Bills or any other team if he doesn’t step it up in 2023.  
 

Gabe Davis - Davis had a good..not great season in 2022.  Like Oliver he’s a FA in 2023 and the contract offer will likely depend on his performance in 2023.  An improved season should secure a very lucrative contract at or close to WR1 money.  Another 2022, and he’ll sign somewhere for modest WR2 money.  

Taylor Rapp - Rapp had options to sign a contract where he’d start or compete to start.  He chose to sign in Buffalo to back up Poyer and Hyde.  A good season could lead to a new contract with Buffalo to replace Hyde.  Otherwise he’ll be back on the FA market in 2023.

 

Poona Ford - same as Rapp.  Ford allegedly took less money for an opportunity in Buffalo.  With so many expiring contracts on the interior DL, a good season could help Ford cash in on a lucrative long term deal in Buffalo or elsewhere.  
 

Who else did I miss?

 

[Southern_Bills]

I think Oliver is gone regardless. He will want top 5 money and even if he plays top 5 this year Beane won't trust him to do so going forward.

 

The rest of them I see being here for multiple years as long as they want to be and their salary demands match their contributions to the team.

[Rico]

Tre White needs to be back-to-form to justify the $.

[Allen2D̶i̶g̶g̶s̶TBD]

I think Epenesa and Basham are in the same boat. They both need to be more consistent if they want to be a part of the D-line rotation. 

 

If Von Miller wasn't injured, I think one of them would have been traded for a late round pick.

[JohnNord]

6 minutes ago, Southern_Bills said:

I think Oliver is gone regardless. He will want top 5 money and even if he plays top 5 this year Beane won't trust him to do so going forward.

 

The rest of them I see being here for multiple years as long as they want to be and their salary demands match their contributions to the team.

It seems like the Bills really like Oliver and want to re-sign him but he hasn’t done enough to justify the contract he’ll want.  I see him in Edmunds territory, though the difference is that DT is a more premium position than LB.  But yeah he’s really going to have to show he’s worth it.  
 

Bills might be able to re-sign Davis is he has another year like 2022.  But will they want to? 

10 minutes ago, Rico said:

Tre White needs to be back-to-form to justify the $.

Good point… he actually has a potential out in  contract after 2023, and given his contract, I wouldn’t put it past the team to exercise 

[JohnNord]

11 minutes ago, Allen2Diggs said:

I think Epenesa and Basham are in the same boat. They both need to be more consistent if they want to be a part of the D-line rotation. 

 

If Von Miller wasn't injured, I think one of them would have been traded for a late round pick.

I totally forgot about these two, but you are right - especially for Epinesa who will be a FA.  
 

If a DE like Jonathan Kingsley, Kameron Cline or Shane Ray balls out in the preseason, I would not be shocked to see a trade late in the preseason with one of these players.  

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Almost the entire DL.

[Virgil]

51 minutes ago, Southern_Bills said:

I think Oliver is gone regardless. He will want top 5 money and even if he plays top 5 this year Beane won't trust him to do so going forward.

 

The rest of them I see being here for multiple years as long as they want to be and their salary demands match their contributions to the team.

 

I agree that he may want it, but I don't know that anyone is going to give it to him.  

[Bigvinny]

Ed Oliver,  dude disappears way too much to be a top 10 pick.

[I'm Spartacus]

Ken Dorsey

[Augie]

A thread about failure. Again. Yay…..

[Southern_Bills]

13 minutes ago, Virgil said:

 

I agree that he may want it, but I don't know that anyone is going to give it to him.  

 

If he can have a break out year and enter the FA market someone will pay it, they always do.

[billsbackto81]

1 hour ago, Rico said:

Tre White needs to be back-to-form to justify the $.

He's a big part of our success moving forward. I know he was a little tenative after coming back from his injury but he was getting absolutely roasted last season. 

[Dablitzkrieg]

30 minutes ago, Augie said:

A thread about failure. Again. Yay…..

We all need your opinion.

[julian]

31 minutes ago, Augie said:

A thread about failure. Again. Yay…..

Waiting until divisional round is too long for some folks

[Mark Vader]

Dane Jackson. He will be a free agent at the end of the season. Is he good enough to stay with us in the future?

 

Mitch Morse. The concussions are a concern. He's been solid, but age is becoming a factor.

[Augie]

16 minutes ago, Mark Vader said:

Dane Jackson. He will be a free agent at the end of the season. Is he good enough to stay with us in the future?

 

Mitch Morse. The concussions are a concern. He's been solid, but age is becoming a factor.

 

I’m just happy Dane Jackson can walk after that neck injury. This puts life in perspective. I almost threw up when I saw that. 

[NewEra]

[BuffaloBillyG]

In a VERY small way...Coach McDermott. 

 

Him taking over the defense is him betting on himself. Not saying that is a bad idea because he was a HECK of a DC. We win it all or come close with amazing defense and he is even more secure in his spot (if it's possible because his job security may be among the safest in the NFL).

 

But, a poor result couples with poor defense in the playoffs and perhaps Pegula starts questioning things a bit. It's pretty well documented that Terry loved Mahomes coming out and McD was a main driving force not to take him at the spot. Pegula has already seen Mahomes send the Bills home from the playoffs twice. Not saying he's on the hot seat...but another defensive failure with him at the helm to the guy that McD talked Pegula out of...it just may get a bit uncomfortable for Sean.

[wppete]

Ed Oliver

Tre White