Priority Free Agents for Buffalo? Early Draft talk..

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

10 hours ago, Governor said:

It’s pretty hard

 

[juno999]

On 12/22/2024 at 11:02 PM, GASabresIUFan said:

You do realize that all these guys are under contract for next year, and don't forget Bernard as well.  

 

McGovern is under contract for next season for 9.385 and would be the 9th highest paid Bill according to Spotrac.  I can see him being extended for a year or two to actually bring down his cap hit next year.

 

Groot's deal has him at 13.387.  Again like McGovern can be extended and reduce his cap hit next year.  

 

The other 3 plus Bernard, I can see Beane not extending them until after the next season.  Cook's 2025 cap hit is 1.856, Bernard is 1.633, Benford is 1.148 and Shakir is 1.186.  With limited cap space, it doesn't make to much sense to extend them and increase their 2025 cap hits.  

 

 

Beane has a tendency to extend players, especially ones they drafted, prior to their contracts expiring.  They won't extend everyone on this list (Benford, Bernard, Cook and Shakir) but could see Benford and one other.  The Bills CB situation is a little shaky after this season. I believe Douglas is gone and Elam hasn't looked all that great.  

[GASabresIUFan]

1 minute ago, juno999 said:

Beane has a tendency to extend players, especially ones they drafted, prior to their contracts expiring.  They won't extend everyone on this list (Benford, Bernard, Cook and Shakir) but could see Benford and one other.  The Bills CB situation is a little shaky after this season. I believe Douglas is gone and Elam hasn't looked all that great.  

Cap space will dictate what Beane can and cannot do.  With only 9 mill in projected cap space and only 40 players under contract, Beane has his work cut for him.

 

  I’m sure he’d love to get some of the young core locked up, but without cap space that’s hard to do.  Also the players have to want to extend.  The 2nd contract is where the guys make their money.  They may not want to re-sign now in order to maximize their next deal. 

[Dopey]

On 12/22/2024 at 10:50 PM, gonzo1105 said:

Might get a little flak for this because we're still in season but I'm all for it.

 

I wont get into who's # 1 vs # 4 in the priority list but I believe the Bills will try to re-sign Rousseau, Benford, Shakir, and Bernard. Cook might be playing himself into a contract but not sure how high the Bills will go to retain him. I expect Douglas to walk for sure and I think they will offer Cooper a contract and we'll see if his happy to just be winning schtick is for real or not but seems like a genuine likable guy who cares about it more than stats. We shall see.

 

As for the draft, its very early because we dont have a clear picture of who is declaring yet but my priorities for the Bills are

 

High Priority:

Defensive End

Defensive Tackle

Cornerback

 

Medium Priority:

Wide Receiver

Linebacker

Safety

 

Low Priority:

Tight End

Running Back

Backup QB

 

I have not done a full fledged scout obviously as its still early and we don't have near enough information yet on prospects but some players I like are:

 

Mike Green DE Marshall

Danny Stutsman LB Oklahoma

Jordan Burch DE/DT Oregon

Nic Scourton DE Texas A&M

Andrew Mukuba SAF Texas

Mason Taylor TE LSU (Can return to school)

Shavon Revel CB East Carolina (Wouldn't make it to Bills pick but got seriously injured so there is a chance)

Tre Harris WR Miss

Tory Horton WR Colorado State

Omarion Hampton RB North Carolina

Fadil Diggs DE Syracuse

Jackson Woodard LB UNLV

 

 

He might care more about winning than stats, but does he like it more than the money? He’s following the money. It’s naive to think otherwise. 
Sincerely,

Ryan Bates

[gonzo1105]

6 minutes ago, Dopey said:

He might care more about winning than stats, but does he like it more than the money? He’s following the money. It’s naive to think otherwise. 
Sincerely,

Ryan Bates

 

I dont understand the example. Bates was a Restricted Free Agent and had an offer from the Bears, the Bills matched it and kept Bates and then traded him later to the Bears. Bates didn't have a choice in the matter at all like Cooper will.

[Dopey]

Just now, gonzo1105 said:

 

I dont understand the example. Bates was a Restricted Free Agent and had an offer from the Bears, the Bills matched it and kept Bates and then traded him later to the Bears. Bates didn't have a choice in the matter at all like Cooper will.

I actually had a choice to sign a contract offer from another team. The Bears offered a substantial raise, so I accepted it. Money over wins. The Bills decided to match the offer. I only got a raise from Buffalo cuz of the Bears offer. Beane didn’t want to pay me my worth. A lot of people here thought I should sign here on the cheap cuz the Bills organization is better. Take care of the family. Pretty simple. Cooper is following the money, like I did. Hope this helps. 
Ryan 

[juno999]

52 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Cap space will dictate what Beane can and cannot do.  With only 9 mill in projected cap space and only 40 players under contract, Beane has his work cut for him.

 

  I’m sure he’d love to get some of the young core locked up, but without cap space that’s hard to do.  Also the players have to want to extend.  The 2nd contract is where the guys make their money.  They may not want to re-sign now in order to maximize their next deal. 

True.  It takes two to make a deal, only 40 guys on roster, Beane has his work cut out, and Bills have $9 M in cap space.

 

IIRC, the salary cap has gone up every year except for Covid year and the Bills have $9M before any reworking by Beane.  They're usually starting the offseason over the cap.  So I actually feel pretty good about cap space.

 

Bills currently have 8 draft picks (1, 2, 2, 4, 4, 6, 6, and 6).  They will likely get a comp pick for Davis and Floyd.  However many draft picks the Bills actually make, pretty good chance most make next year's 53 roster.

 

Whatever the cap space number is, I believe Bills will spend most of it on players currently on team.  Tough decisions loom.  No doubt.  They can't keep everyone as we all know.  Hopefully they can get comp picks for players who do leave.

[PBF81]

Perhaps see how these guys do in the playoffs first.  To date no one has stepped up in the playoffs with even a remote level of consistency besides Allen.  That includes coaching.  Half of Cook's games have been during the regular season have been non-notable, the other half split between excellent and good.  In his four playoff games to date Cook has averaged 3.6 yards-per-carry and done nothing notable, with 1 total TD rushing or receiving in those four games.  

 

We need players to step up starting in two weeks.  It might be wise to see who does before handing out contracts.  

[stuvian]

Hassan Reddick is not committed to the Jets beyond this season. 

[gonzo1105]

3 hours ago, Dopey said:

I actually had a choice to sign a contract offer from another team. The Bears offered a substantial raise, so I accepted it. Money over wins. The Bills decided to match the offer. I only got a raise from Buffalo cuz of the Bears offer. Beane didn’t want to pay me my worth. A lot of people here thought I should sign here on the cheap cuz the Bills organization is better. Take care of the family. Pretty simple. Cooper is following the money, like I did. Hope this helps. 
Ryan 

 

But Beane did pay him his worth, he just let someone else put in the work for him before doing it. Thats in his power when a player is a restricted free agent. He could have retained him for much cheaper with the restricted offer he gave him. Thats just smart general managing. The situation is different because Cooper isn't restricted

 

[T master]

On 12/22/2024 at 8:10 PM, ghostwriter said:

Amari Cooper and Rasul Douglas are our high profile FAs this offseason, I’d argue against signing either of them..

 

Mack Hollins and Ty Johnson I would welcome back at the right price.. As I would Damar Hamlin and Alec Anderson..

 

But with $61M in cap space, I would argue that Buffalo should get an early jump on our 2026 free agent crop.

 

I see our FAs in this order priority wise:

 

1.) Greg Rousseau | He’s closing in on 10 sacks and 20 TFL.. He’s probably the pick of the litter and our trusty stalwart on defense.

 

2.) James Cook | I am usually against signing RBs to big money but this guy is just so good and he consistently takes some of the pressure off Josh. 

3.) Khalil Shakir | If we can get this guy signed to a $10M-$12M per year contract, he would be a great signing. I would not pay him big money.

 

4.) Connor McGovern | Why not? He won’t cost a lot and he’s good.

 

5.) Christian Benford | Is he a system corner? Or is he good? In a DB happy system, do we let him walk?

 

I think if we can lockdown Rousseau, Cook and Shakir at the right price, we are in a good place going into the Draft…

 

Who do you guys think Buffalo should target in Free Agency/Draft?

 

Any early Draft prospects we should keep an eye out for?

 

That is a good list they need to get those guys signed and then worry about other FA's . Plus fill gaps in the roster with new rookies that can be taught the Bills way !! 

[The Jokeman]

3 hours ago, stuvian said:

Hassan Reddick is not committed to the Jets beyond this season. 

Reddick is 30 and has had 0.5 sacks in 8 games with the Jets. Not good at all. 

[North Buffalo]

On 12/22/2024 at 10:36 PM, Franchiseneedsme said:

Are we able to cut Milano in the off-season? Would we save some money? Give me D Williams at this point and save some money. I like Milano but he's average at best. Can't keep big money on mediocre  players. Got to make hard decisions

He is very good but his body is starting to break down..

[machine gun kelly]

On 12/22/2024 at 9:10 PM, ghostwriter said:

Amari Cooper and Rasul Douglas are our high profile FAs this offseason, I’d argue against signing either of them..

 

Mack Hollins and Ty Johnson I would welcome back at the right price.. As I would Damar Hamlin and Alec Anderson..

 

But with $61M in cap space, I would argue that Buffalo should get an early jump on our 2026 free agent crop.

 

I see our FAs in this order priority wise:

 

1.) Greg Rousseau | He’s closing in on 10 sacks and 20 TFL.. He’s probably the pick of the litter and our trusty stalwart on defense.

 

2.) James Cook | I am usually against signing RBs to big money but this guy is just so good and he consistently takes some of the pressure off Josh. 

3.) Khalil Shakir | If we can get this guy signed to a $10M-$12M per year contract, he would be a great signing. I would not pay him big money.

 

4.) Connor McGovern | Why not? He won’t cost a lot and he’s good.

 

5.) Christian Benford | Is he a system corner? Or is he good? In a DB happy system, do we let him walk?

 

I think if we can lockdown Rousseau, Cook and Shakir at the right price, we are in a good place going into the Draft…

 

Who do you guys think Buffalo should target in Free Agency/Draft?

 

Any early Draft prospects we should keep an eye out for?

Interesting take Ghost, but for me as a fan, I’ll worry and talk about this topic in mid February and beyond, as I’m invested in this year.  For me, and me a,one, there is no reason for me to be thinking about something that’s not over this year.

[BADOLBILZ]

1 hour ago, machine gun kelly said:

Interesting take Ghost, but for me as a fan, I’ll worry and talk about this topic in mid February and beyond, as I’m invested in this year.  For me, and me a,one, there is no reason for me to be thinking about something that’s not over this year.

 

Why are there always a few people who feel the need to inform the OP that they don't want to talk about a topic if it isn't of interest to them at the moment?  Whether it's looking ahead at the schedule or the offseason, whatever.   It's presumed that if you don't respond you don't care.   So is it superstition?  Do you think you are part of the team and shouldn't be looking ahead?    A general lack of understanding that this is all just meaningless discussion for entertainment purposes?  

[Bills!Win!]

I don’t know if this has been said. But we can’t attract quality free agents. We have taxes not palm trees

[machine gun kelly]

23 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

Why are there always a few people who feel the need to inform the OP that they don't want to talk about a topic if it isn't of interest to them at the moment?  Whether it's looking ahead at the schedule or the offseason, whatever.   It's presumed that if you don't respond you don't care.   So is it superstition?  Do you think you are part of the team and shouldn't be looking ahead?    A general lack of understanding that this is all just meaningless discussion for entertainment purposes?  

No Badol, just simply we’re going to talk about these topics non stop from February - June.  What’s the rush?

[chongli]

41 minutes ago, Bills!Win! said:

I don’t know if this has been said. But we can’t attract quality free agents. We have taxes not palm trees

 

Von Millers begs to differ. 

 

They will come if they want to play for a perennial playoff contender and future SB winner.

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

On 12/22/2024 at 6:28 PM, ghostwriter said:

Rousseau is arguably our best player on defense and outside of Josh Allen, James Cook has been our biggest difference maker on offense.. I think you sign these two men first.. Both are apex players.

 

My problem with Shakir is I’m seeing $19M/yr averages and I think that’s an absolutely ridiculous amount of money to pay a #3 guy. Without Josh his production falls way down. Why not take that money and sign a true #1 or even just draft one? I mean, for $10M-$12M sure! But $19M? C’mon man.

I disagree strongly that Shakir’s production falls without Josh. I actually like think it is the opposite. Shakir is the kind of WR that probably actually has more production with lesser QB’s in systems more friendly to his style of play.

 

I’d let Cook walk. Probably pay Rousseau.