Have the 2 D collapses this season changed Beane’s 2024 off-season agenda?

[GASabresIUFan]

Even without the D failures at LA and Baltimore, the defense was going to be the focal point of this coming off-season as DB starters Hamlin and Douglas are FAs and Groot is up for his 5th option.  

 

However, those two collapses have centered on the performance of the D line as it got gashed against Balt’s run offense and then failed to get any qb pressure vs the Rams.  That raised questions about the viability of Epenesa, Miller, D Jones and even Oliver.  I believe those performances will echo in Beane’s mind as he tries to find ways to improve the rushing defense and pass rush and some of the signed vet players will be replaced.  

 

Is there a chance no one returns except Groot and the two kids Carter and  Solomon?  

I also wonder about Milano’s viability beyond this season.  Is Williams ready to take over? 
 

The Bills have a ton of money invested in these defensive players.  Miller’s 2025 cap is  23.874 (dead cap 15.415), Oliver’s is 20.75 (dead cap 26.475), Milano is 16.122 (DC 17.253), Jones is 9.048 (DC 7.632) and AJE is 6.287 (DC 4.148). 
 

Given the extra cap space gained, I can see Miller, Jones and AJE all getting cut.  Even If cut how do the Bills afford the upgrades?   
 

 

 

[CNYfan]

I think AJE will be a Bill next year.   

The DL will be the focus of one larger FA acquisition and a day 1 or 2 draft pick.   

Then some other minor fortifications.    

That is how I think it will go.   Jones and Miller?  Not sure

[dave mcbride]

44 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Even without the D failures at LA and Baltimore, the defense was going to be the focal point of this coming off-season as DB starters Hamlin and Douglas are FAs and Groot is up for his 5th option.  

 

However, those two collapses have centered on the performance of the D line as it got gashed against Balt’s run offense and then failed to get any qb pressure vs the Rams.  That raised questions about the viability of Epenesa, Miller, D Jones and even Oliver.  I believe those performances will echo in Beane’s mind as he tries to find ways to improve the rushing defense and pass rush and some of the signed vet players will be replaced.  

 

Is there a chance no one returns except Groot and the two kids Carter and  Solomon?  

I also wonder about Milano’s viability beyond this season.  Is Williams ready to take over? 
 

The Bills have a ton of money invested in these defensive players.  Miller’s 2025 cap is  23.874 (dead cap 15.415), Oliver’s is 20.75 (dead cap 26.475), Milano is 16.122 (DC 17.253), Jones is 9.048 (DC 7.632) and AJE is 6.287 (DC 4.148). 
 

Given the extra cap space gained, I can see Miller, Jones and AJE all getting cut.  Even If cut how do the Bills afford the upgrades?   
 

 

 

It is apparently a very good draft for d line, with 5 of the top 10 graded players edge rushers. 7 of the top 33 are edge rushers and 5 are DTs in this ranking. #1 overall is edge and #2 overall is DT. https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/bestavailable

[strive_for_five_guy]

38 minutes ago, CNYfan said:

I think AJE will be a Bill next year.   

The DL will be the focus of one larger FA acquisition and a day 1 or 2 draft pick.   

Then some other minor fortifications.    

That is how I think it will go.   Jones and Miller?  Not sure

Agree, I’d be shocked if AJE is released, they already will have enough holes to fill.  They just resigned him last offseason and he’s continued to be exactly what they should have expected.  Would not be surprised if the Bills move on from Miller, Jones, and Douglas.  I think they should prioritize resigning guys like Benford and Bernard first.  Try to fortify the DL in free agency, MAYBE resign Douglas at that point if a reasonable deal can be worked out.  Then further fortify DL in the draft, along with CB and potentially safety.  But I also want the Bills to draft a WR in the early rounds as well, just to get Josh another weapon.

[RiotAct]

Offense, offense, offense.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Epenesa extension was a terrible decision. He will be cut.  Can't pay your 10th DL that kind of money.

Oliver and Rousseau will be back. At this point I'd make Rousseau play out his 5th year guarante and I would not extend him. He's just too inconsistent to pay big dollars.

I've already said Milano will be a cap casualty.  He certainly is not playing well enough to keep on the roster so far. If he gets back close to form over the next 8 games then of course you keep him.

A lot hinges on how Cooper plays and if he stays of course too.

Next draft will be a McDermott *****. 

If Cooper stays you can make a legit argument for DE,DE,DT, and CB with the first four picks.

[GolfandBills]

I’m fully expecting Beane to go heavy early in the draft on defense.  

Edited 7 minutes ago by GolfandBills

[JohnNord]

2 hours ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Even without the D failures at LA and Baltimore, the defense was going to be the focal point of this coming off-season as DB starters Hamlin and Douglas are FAs and Groot is up for his 5th option.  

 

However, those two collapses have centered on the performance of the D line as it got gashed against Balt’s run offense and then failed to get any qb pressure vs the Rams.  That raised questions about the viability of Epenesa, Miller, D Jones and even Oliver.  I believe those performances will echo in Beane’s mind as he tries to find ways to improve the rushing defense and pass rush and some of the signed vet players will be replaced.  

 

Is there a chance no one returns except Groot and the two kids Carter and  Solomon?  

I also wonder about Milano’s viability beyond this season.  Is Williams ready to take over? 
 

The Bills have a ton of money invested in these defensive players.  Miller’s 2025 cap is  23.874 (dead cap 15.415), Oliver’s is 20.75 (dead cap 26.475), Milano is 16.122 (DC 17.253), Jones is 9.048 (DC 7.632) and AJE is 6.287 (DC 4.148). 
 

Given the extra cap space gained, I can see Miller, Jones and AJE all getting cut.  Even If cut how do the Bills afford the upgrades?   
 

 

 

Yes, while I still think WR and CB will be a priority the emphasis is going to be on the DL.

 

I’d assume that Miller is gone after this season.  I don’t see them moving on from Oliver or Milano.   Jones might stay if they can bring him back for a lower deal but I wouldn’t be shocked to see him gone either.   I see AJ as being in the bubble.  I can see them going either way with him. 
 

If the Bills don’t re-sign Amari Cooper to a short term deal they’ll really be in need of a new WR1.  Same with Rasul Douglas.

1 minute ago, GolfandBills said:

I’m fully expecting Bean to go heavy early in the draft on defense.  

 

They’ve been mediocre at best when drafting Defense high in the draft.  

Edited 6 minutes ago by JohnNord

[The Firebaugh Kid]

Theyll go heavy on the Dline in draft/FA. 

[BuffaloBillyG]

2 hours ago, CNYfan said:

I think AJE will be a Bill next year.   

The DL will be the focus of one larger FA acquisition and a day 1 or 2 draft pick.   

Then some other minor fortifications.    

That is how I think it will go.   Jones and Miller?  Not sure

I agree with this. AJE will not be cut. Though if someone offered them good value in a trade you never know 

 

It wouldn't shock me to see Jones and /Miller retire. But I don't see either back next year.

 

Other spots on defense: I don't think Douglas is back. Elam is a possible cut/trade candidate in his final year, but they may just keep him at his relatively cheap rate. Milano is definitely back as it costs more to cut him then just keep him.

[GASabresIUFan]

2 minutes ago, RiotAct said:

Offense, offense, offense.

Except Cooper and Hollins, nearly the entire offense is under contract or control for next season, including both QBs, the top 2 RBs, the entire starting OL, top 2 TEs plus Samuel, Shakir and Coleman.  Don’t expect big $ investments on offense other than re-signing Hollins and seeing if Cooper wants to comeback. OL depth beyond Grable and SVPG is a small need if Anderson and/or Van Denmark walk.

 

Unlike the offense, there are big questions on each level of the defense.  The entire DL is suspect.  Milano is an expensive question mark at LB.  Douglas, who is not having a good season, is going to be replaced but are Ingram or Elam really viable options.  Hamlin is also probably gone at safety.  Bishop likely slides into his slot, but  there is little depth beyond Rapp and Bishop.