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 December 14 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 December 14 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. 

7 minutes ago, JohnNord said:

I see AJ as being in the bubble.

I kind of started this thread because of how butt awful AJE was against the Rams.   He needs to go.

[FireChans]

2 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

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. 

I kind of started this thread because of how butt awful AJE was against the Rams.   He needs to go.

Who are the big names on defense not under contract next year?

[GASabresIUFan]

1 minute ago, FireChans said:

Who are the big names on defense not under contract next year?

Besides starters Douglas and HamlIn?  The big names under contract, as listed in the OP, are the problem - Milano, Oliver, Miller, Jones and AJE.  We are paying big $ and getting replacement level play.  
 

Unlike the offense where the players are under contract and performing at a high level nearly across the board.  

[FireChans]

Just now, GASabresIUFan said:

Besides starters Douglas and HamlIn?  The big names under contract, as listed in the OP, are the problem - Milano, Oliver, Miller, Jones and AJE.  We are paying big $ and getting replacement level play.  
 

Unlike the offense where the players are under contract and performing at a high level nearly across the board.  

Yeah, but you said that “besides Hollins and Cooper” (who are basically both starters right now).

 

so it’s like the same amount of starters not under contract for offense/defense next year, right?

 

I would also argue guys like Curtis Samuel are getting paid big money for replacement level play lol.

[97bills]

I think the entire Dline needs a rebuild, I would let groot play out his contract, and probably let him walk. Can’t pay Oliver and him big money, and still not have any answers in the playoffs, when we get teams to 3 and 6. It really sucks feels like wash rinse and repeat. Maybe go all in like the rams trade some picks to get a sure thing. I don’t no I just want 1 Super Bowl please. 

[DrDawkinstein]

I dont think it changes the plan since the plan was always going to be to revamp the Defense.

 

Need to cut Miller and Jones after the season, same as we planned in September. Need to re-sign Groot, Benford, and Bernard. Need to add 3-4 new DL. Need to add 2-3 DBs.

 

AJE isnt going anywhere.

[FireChans]

6 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

I dont think it changes the plan since the plan was always going to be to revamp the Defense.

 

Need to cut Miller and Jones after the season, same as we planned in September. Need to re-sign Groot, Benford, and Bernard. Need to add 3-4 new DL. Need to add 2-3 DBs.

 

AJE isnt going anywhere.

DJ ain’t that cuttable.

 

Von is easy post 6/1 designation. $15M plus in space.

[Einstein]

The entire d-line as it is was built by Beane over the last several drafts and free agency.

 

Not sure why we should expect much different, even if the names on the back of the jersey change.

[DrDawkinstein]

8 minutes ago, FireChans said:

DJ ain’t that cuttable.

 

Von is easy post 6/1 designation. $15M plus in space.

 

DJ costs $9.5M to keep, or $7.5M to cut. As long as dead money < cap hit, anyone is cuttable.

[LEBills]

Yea it’ll be a Dline heavy draft. Luckily it’s going to be stacked at that position so need and value will meet. Might see 2 out of the top 3 picks at DL. maybe they go after a BJ Hill or a DJ Jones in FA too.

 

Miller will def be gone, I think DQ will too. AJE and Milano will be back for one more year. And Oliver and Groot definitely will be. back. 

Hopefully we don’t spend a ton of money or a high pick on a CB or another safety since we seem to get the best value out of those positions. 
 

DLine, protect Josh and get Josh weapons this year and every year please