2017 Roster Analysis

[YardRat]

CURRENT ROSTER-

QB-Tyrod Taylor,Cardale Jones
RB-LeSean McCoy, Jonathon Williams
FB-
WR-Sammy Watkins, Walter Powell, Marcus Easley, Kolby Listenbee
TE-Charles Clay, Nick O'Leary, Gerald Christian, Blake Annan
C-Eric Wood
G-Ritchie Incognito, John Miller, Patrick Lewis
OT-Cordy Glenn, Cyrus Kouandijo
DT-Marcel Dareus, Kyle Williams, Adolphus Washington, Jerel Worthy
DE-Jerry Hughes, Shaq Lawson
OLB-Preston Brown
ILB-Reggie Ragland
CB-Ronald Darby, Kevon Seymour, Nickell Robey-Coleman
SS-Corey Graham
FS-Aaron Williams
PK-Dan Carpenter
KOS-
LS-Garrison Sanborn
P-
KRPR-

RESERVE/FUTURES CONTRACTS-

QB Josh Woodrum....RB Cedric O'Neal....LS Reid Ferguson....LB Max Valles....CB Charles Gaines....S Joe Powell

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS-

WR Dezmin Lewis....S Shamiel Gray

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS-

RB Mike Gillislee, Dri Archer....TE Logan Thomas....OL Ryan Groy, Michael Ola....DT Deandre Coleman....CB Marcus Roberson....P Colton Schmitt

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS-

QB EJ Manuel....RB Reggie Bush....FB Jerome Felton....TE Chriss Gragg....WR Robert Woods, Marquis Goodwin, Percy Harvin, Justin Hunter....OT Jordan Mills
DL Corbin Bryant, Leger Douzable....LB Lorenzo Alexander, Zach Brown, Ramon Humber, Lerentee McCray, Brandon Spikes....CB Stephon Gilmore, Corey White....S Colt Anderson, Sergio Brown, Robert Blanton, James Idhedigbo, Jonathon Meeks
KR/PR Brandon Tate

DRAFT PICKS-

1-(10)-
2-(43)-
3-(76)-
5a-(139)-
5b-(156)-
6-(172)-

FREE AGENCY-

[YardRat]

http://overthecap.com/salary-cap/buffalo-bills/

Over the Cap has the cap room at $23,125,000 if Tyrod's option is picked up by the team, $36,598,344 if it isn't.

[sudzy]

33 players? (not counting the future contracts, players that shouldn't make the team.) $23 million for 20 players? On a 7-9 roster. And they retained all their front office? Your a moron if you think this was ALL Rex's fault (Terry Pegula). The media is right... this team is a dumpster fire.

[Night Train]

Kyle Williams retire ? He's a 6.8 Mil Savings. Corey Graham and Eric Wood could be cut. Those 2 together save another 7 Mil. Carpenter saves 2.4 Mil

The team has work to do, like every team. It's the off-season.

[swiper]

Geez. I know his age, but Kyle Williams is playing in the Pro Bowl. If I wished anybody to come back for one last year, it would be him. At almost any cost. Maybe he would agree to a pay shaving.

[YardRat]

There are going to be two, maybe three, major paths the team will follow this off season IMO...1)Sign Tyrod and Woods, let Gilmore walk...2)Sign Gilmore, let Taylor and Woods walk...3)Let all three walk and go cheap on beginning a rebuild.

One advantage (if you want to call it that) to having only 32-33 players signed is it gives the new staff plenty of room to bring in 'their guys' without having to cut current players and eat dead cap money.

[YardRat]

Allegedly (according to BillsDaily front office page) the team is already working on bringing back LorAx.

[YardRat]

I'm going to start down the path that indicates the team will either pick up Tyrod's option or renegotiate the deal with different terms and bring him back. Taking care of our own first...

RESERVE/FUTURES CONTRACTS-

QB Josh Woodrum....RB Cedric O'Neal....LS Reid Ferguson....LB Max Valles....CB Charles Gaines....S Joe Powell

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS-

WR Dezmin Lewis....S Shamiel Gray

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS-

RB Mike Gillislee, Dri Archer....TE Logan Thomas....OL Ryan Groy, Michael Ola....DT Deandre Coleman....CB Marcus Roberson....P Colton Schmitt

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS-

QB EJ Manuel....RB Reggie Bush....FB Jerome Felton....TE Chriss Gragg....WR Robert Woods, Marquis Goodwin, Percy Harvin, WR Justin Hunter....OT Jordan Mills
DL Corbin Bryant, Leger Douzable....LB Lorenzo Alexander, Zach Brown, Ramon Humber, Lerentee McCray, Brandon Spikes....CB Stephon Gilmore, CB Corey White....S Colt Anderson, Sergio Brown, Robert Blanton, James Idhedigbo, S Jonathon Meeks
KR/PR Brandon Tate

Some of these guys atm are just bodies (Ola, Meeks, White). Brown and Alexander are going to cost a little bit, but the rest should come reasonably cheaply. That brings the roster to...
CURRENT ROSTER- (46 players)

QB-Tyrod Taylor,Cardale Jones
RB-LeSean McCoy, Jonathon Williams, Mike Gillislee
FB-Jerome Felton
WR-Sammy Watkins, Walter Powell, Marcus Easley, Kolby Listenbee, Dez Lewis, Justin Hunter
TE-Charles Clay, Nick O'Leary, Gerald Christian, Blake Annan, Chris Gragg
C-Eric Wood, Ryan Groy
G-Ritchie Incognito, John Miller, Patrick Lewis
OT-Cordy Glenn, Cyrus Kouandijo, Jordan Mills, Michael Ola
DT-Marcel Dareus, Kyle Williams, Adolphus Washington, Jerel Worthy
DE-Jerry Hughes, Shaq Lawson, Lorenzo Alexander
OLB-Preston Brown, Zach Brown
ILB-Reggie Ragland
CB-Ronald Darby, Kevon Seymour, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Corey White
SS-Corey Graham, Jonathon Meeks
FS-Aaron Williams
PK-Dan Carpenter
KOS-
LS-Garrison Sanborn
P-Colton Schmitt
KRPR-

[Buffalogic]

I'd like to keep woods, hunter and felton from the ufas. Maybe zach brown too. The rest can walk.

[YardRat]

I'd like to keep woods, hunter and felton from the ufas. Maybe zach brown too. The rest can walk.

There isn't a lot of 'wow' with the UFA's, but IMO Gillislee and Groy are keepers also. Plus, a team has to have young guys for depth and development.

[YardRat]

DRAFT PICKS-

1-(10)-Jamal Adams, SS, LSU (or Jabril Peppers, SS, Michigan...Mike Williams, WR, Clemson)
2-(43)-Pat Elflein, C, Ohio State or Ethan Pocic, C, LSU
3-(76)-Chad Kelly, QB, Mississippi or Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
5a-(139)-Des Lawrence, CB, North Carolina
5b-(156)-Tashawn Bower, OLB, LSU
6-(172)-Jamari Staples, WR, Louisville

CURRENT ROSTER- (52 players)

QB-Tyrod Taylor,Cardale Jones, Chad Kelly
RB-LeSean McCoy, Jonathon Williams, Mike Gillislee
FB-Jerome Felton
WR-Sammy Watkins, Walter Powell, Marcus Easley, Kolby Listenbee, Dez Lewis, Justin Hunter, Jamari Staples
TE-Charles Clay, Nick O'Leary, Gerald Christian, Blake Annan, Chris Gragg
C-Eric Wood, Ryan Groy, Pat Elflein
G-Ritchie Incognito, John Miller, Patrick Lewis
OT-Cordy Glenn, Cyrus Kouandijo, Jordan Mills, Michael Ola
DT-Marcel Dareus, Kyle Williams, Adolphus Washington, Jerel Worthy
DE-Jerry Hughes, Shaq Lawson, Lorenzo Alexander
OLB-Preston Brown, Zach Brown, Tashawn Bower
ILB-Reggie Ragland
CB-Ronald Darby, Kevon Seymour, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Corey White, Des Lawrence
SS-Corey Graham, Jonathon Meeks, Jamal Adams
FS-Aaron Williams
PK-Dan Carpenter
KOS-
LS-Garrison Sanborn
P-Colton Schmitt
KRPR-

[Buffalogic]

There isn't a lot of 'wow' with the UFA's, but IMO Gillislee and Groy are keepers also. Plus, a team has to have young guys for depth and development.
Those guys are must keeps but they are RFA's

[YardRat]

Those guys are must keeps but they are RFA's

Good point.

[YardRat]

Potential Free Agent targets--defense-

ILB-AJ Klein, Carolina
OLB-Gerald Hodges, San Fran...Sio Moore, Arizona
S-Micah Hyde, Green Bay...Nate Allen, Oakland
CB-Captain Munnerlyn, Minnesota...Logan Ryan, New England
Dline-Bennie Logan, Philadelphia...Kyle Love, Carolina...Jarvis Jenkins, Kansas City...Justin Trattou, Minnesota

[YardRat]

Potential free agent targets - offense

OT - Earl Watford, Arizona...Nick Becton, Chicago
OG - Larry Warford, Detroit...Vlad Ducasse, Baltimore
WR - Aldrick Robinson, Atlanta...Jordan Norwood, Denver...Jeremy Ross, Arizona

[BillsImpossible]

The only thing that really matters is the Quarterback.

Without a great QB, the rest of the team does not matter.

[DraftBoy]

CURRENT ROSTER-

QB-Tyrod Taylor,Cardale Jones
RB-LeSean McCoy, Jonathon Williams
FB-
WR-Sammy Watkins, Walter Powell, Marcus Easley, Kolby Listenbee
TE-Charles Clay, Nick O'Leary, Gerald Christian, Blake Annan
C-Eric Wood
G-Ritchie Incognito, John Miller, Patrick Lewis
OT-Cordy Glenn, Cyrus Kouandijo
DT-Marcel Dareus, Kyle Williams, Adolphus Washington, Jerel Worthy
DE-Jerry Hughes, Shaq Lawson
OLB-Preston Brown
ILB-Reggie Ragland
CB-Ronald Darby, Kevon Seymour, Nickell Robey-Coleman
SS-Corey Graham
FS-Aaron Williams
PK-Dan Carpenter
KOS-
LS-Garrison Sanborn
P-
KRPR-


I identify my position needs going into the offseason as the following:
QB 1, FB, WR 2, TE 2, OC 2, OG 4, OT 3, OT 4, DE 3, OLB 1, OLB 3, MLB 2, MLB 3, MLB 4, CB 1, SS 1, FS 1, PK 1

The number next to the position indicates whether it's a starting or depth position I'm looking for.

[DraftBoy]

RESERVE/FUTURES CONTRACTS-

QB Josh Woodrum....RB Cedric O'Neal....LS Reid Ferguson....LB Max Valles....CB Charles Gaines....S Joe Powell


Only guys I see here with some potential are Woodrum and Valles, the rest are camp fodder.


EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS-

WR Dezmin Lewis....S Shamiel Gray

Re-sign both as camp competition.


RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS-

RB Mike Gillislee, Dri Archer....TE Logan Thomas....OL Ryan Groy, Michael Ola....DT Deandre Coleman....CB Marcus Roberson....P Colton Schmitt

I'm a right of first refusal tender on Gillislee and Groy and hope to bring back every RFA by Archer. I like Groy's versatility inside and out and I think Gilly is a good backup to Shady.


UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS-

QB EJ Manuel....RB Reggie Bush....FB Jerome Felton....TE Chriss Gragg....WR Robert Woods, Marquis Goodwin, Percy Harvin, Justin Hunter....OT Jordan Mills
DL Corbin Bryant, Leger Douzable....LB Lorenzo Alexander, Zach Brown, Ramon Humber, Lerentee McCray, Brandon Spikes....CB Stephon Gilmore, Corey White....S Colt Anderson, Sergio Brown, Robert Blanton, James Idhedigbo, Jonathon Meeks
KR/PR Brandon Tate

For me my top targets are: Justin Hunter, Corey White, and Brandon Tate. I would likely let the rest walk either due to value exceeding talent (Woods and Gilmore) or just a general lack of talent. I'd also not pick-up the option for Taylor.

My roster headed into Free Agency would be at 44 players:

QB-Cardale Jones
RB-LeSean McCoy, Jonathon Williams, Mike Gillislee
FB-
WR-Sammy Watkins, Walter Powell, Marcus Easley, Kolby Listenbee, Dezmin Lewis, Justin Hunter
TE-Charles Clay, Nick O'Leary, Gerald Christian, Blake Annan, Logan Thomas
C-Eric Wood
G-Ritchie Incognito, John Miller, Patrick Lewis
OT-Cordy Glenn, Cyrus Kouandijo, Ryan Groy, Michael Ola
DT-Marcel Dareus, Kyle Williams, Adolphus Washington, Jerel Worthy, Deandre Coleman
DE-Jerry Hughes, Shaq Lawson
OLB-Preston Brown
ILB-Reggie Ragland
CB-Ronald Darby, Kevon Seymour, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Marcus Roberson, Corey White
SS-Corey Graham, Shamiel Gray
FS-Aaron Williams
PK-Dan Carpenter
KOS-
LS-Garrison Sanborn
P- Colton Schmitt
KRPR- Brandon Tate

[coastal]

Seriously when r u guys going to learn?

[DraftBoy]

FREE AGENCY-

My targets:
QB Ryan Nassib - Competition with Jones and Woodrum to make the team.
RB Zach Line - Younger FB who can also carry and catch the ball out of the backfield.
WR Terrell Pryor - I'm not sure Cleveland will let him the market, but if he does he should be a top target.
WR Russell Shepard - Bit of a low-risk, high-reward type player, Shepard is a shift WR who is still learning the position. Could play outside or in the slot.
WR Cordarelle Patterson - Patterson was dynamic as a rookie but has been on a bit of downward trend since then. He's got the size and speed you want, plus he's a dangerous return guy.
TE Mychal Rivera - Ideal #2 TE who can run, catch, and block.
OT Matt McCants - Young OT with some upside, primarily a RT who could fill in at LT in a pinch.
OC JC Tretter - Young OC who can play any position on the OL, has some injury history which could lower his price.
DE Jabaal Sheard - Ideal rotational DE for the McDermott system. He can rush the passer and set the edge against the run. Be a nice steal from the Pats.
DE Damontre Moore - Another low-risk, high-reward guy. In 2014 and 2015 he looked well on his way to establishing himself as a good pass rusher but off-field issues derailed his career.
OLB Nick Perry - He's my top target of anybody on this list, I can't imagine GB let's him go but if they do then I want him.
OLB Jelani Jenkins - Ideal Cover 2 OLB with good speed and size. Likely a WLB in our system who can also cover and blitz.
MLB Kevin Minter - Prototype run stuffing MLB, would likely push Ragland to a reserve role.
CB Morris Claiborne - Probably not a #1 CB at this point but he's done pretty well in Dallas since being labeled a bust.
CB AJ Bouye - Love the game of Bouye who is still developing. He could immediately be a starter for us, 63 tackles and 16 passes defended in 2016.
FS JJ Wilcox - Former QB/RB converted to FS. He has the athleticism and size to play the CF position in the McDermott defense.
SS Tony Jefferson - Jefferson was the total package at OU and has really turned it on this season after dealing with injuries. He can play in coverage, he can play in the box, and he can blitz.

[DraftBoy]

DRAFT PICKS-
1-(10)- WR Mike Williams, Clemson - Assuming we miss out on Pryor, we need a top level WR opposite Watkins.
2-(43)- QB Pat Mahomes, Texas Tech - Lots of upside to Mahomes who has size, speed, and a nice arm. His mechanics are wonky but they work for him.
3-(76)- OC Ethan Pocic, LSU - Ideal interior OL guy who could be an eventual replacement for Wood.
5a-(139)- RB James Conner, Pitt - Great kid, great story and an amazing athlete as well. Likely pushes Williams and Gilly for the #2 RB spot.
5b-(156)- DT Eddie Vanderdoes, UCLA - 5 Star HS Recruit who never put it all together at UCLA. He's an attacking DT who can split the gap and get into the backfield.
6-(172)- OLB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee - Ideal Cover 2 LB who can do it all, injuries need to be checked though.

Final Roster after FA/Draft, 67 players:
QB-Cardale Jones, Ryan Nassib, Pat Mahomes, Josh Woodrum (4)
RB-LeSean McCoy, Jonathon Williams, Mike Gillislee, James Conner (4)
FB- Zach Line (1)
WR-Sammy Watkins, Walter Powell, Marcus Easley, Kolby Listenbee, Dezmin Lewis, Justin Hunter, Mike Williams, Russell Sheppard, Cordarelle Patterson (9)
TE-Charles Clay, Nick O'Leary, Gerald Christian, Blake Annan, Logan Thomas, Mychal Rivera (6)
C-Eric Wood, Ethan Pocic, JC Tretter (3)
G-Ritchie Incognito, John Miller, Patrick Lewis (3)
OT-Cordy Glenn, Cyrus Kouandijo, Ryan Groy, Michael Ola, Matt McCants (5)
DT-Marcel Dareus, Kyle Williams, Adolphus Washington, Jerel Worthy, Deandre Coleman, Eddie Vanderhoes (6)
DE-Jerry Hughes, Shaq Lawson, Jabaal Sheard, Damontre Moore (4)
OLB-Preston Brown, Nick Perry, Jelani Jenkins, Jalen Reeves-Maybin (4)
ILB-Reggie Ragland, Kevin Minter (2)
CB-Ronald Darby, Kevon Seymour, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Marcus Roberson, Corey White, Morris Claiborne, AJ Bouye (7)
SS-Corey Graham, Shamiel Gray, Tony Jefferson (3)
FS-Aaron Williams, JJ Wilcox (2)
PK-Dan Carpenter (1)
LS-Garrison Sanborn (1)
P- Colton Schmitt (1)
KRPR- Brandon Tate (1)

[EDS]

DRAFT PICKS-
1-(10)- WR Mike Williams, Clemson - Assuming we miss out on Pryor, we need a top level WR opposite Watkins.
2-(43)- QB Pat Mahomes, Texas Tech - Lots of upside to Mahomes who has size, speed, and a nice arm. His mechanics are wonky but they work for him.
3-(76)- OC Ethan Pocic, LSU - Ideal interior OL guy who could be an eventual replacement for Wood.
5a-(139)- RB James Conner, Pitt - Great kid, great story and an amazing athlete as well. Likely pushes Williams and Gilly for the #2 RB spot.
5b-(156)- DT Eddie Vanderdoes, UCLA - 5 Star HS Recruit who never put it all together at UCLA. He's an attacking DT who can split the gap and get into the backfield.
6-(172)- OLB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee - Ideal Cover 2 LB who can do it all, injuries need to be checked though.

Final Roster after FA/Draft, 67 players:
QB-Cardale Jones, Ryan Nassib, Pat Mahomes, Josh Woodrum (4)
RB-LeSean McCoy, Jonathon Williams, Mike Gillislee, James Conner (4)
FB- Zach Line (1)
WR-Sammy Watkins, Walter Powell, Marcus Easley, Kolby Listenbee, Dezmin Lewis, Justin Hunter, Mike Williams, Russell Sheppard, Cordarelle Patterson (9)
TE-Charles Clay, Nick O'Leary, Gerald Christian, Blake Annan, Logan Thomas, Mychal Rivera (6)
C-Eric Wood, Ethan Pocic, JC Tretter (3)
G-Ritchie Incognito, John Miller, Patrick Lewis (3)
OT-Cordy Glenn, Cyrus Kouandijo, Ryan Groy, Michael Ola, Matt McCants (5)
DT-Marcel Dareus, Kyle Williams, Adolphus Washington, Jerel Worthy, Deandre Coleman, Eddie Vanderhoes (6)
DE-Jerry Hughes, Shaq Lawson, Jabaal Sheard, Damontre Moore (4)
OLB-Preston Brown, Nick Perry, Jelani Jenkins, Jalen Reeves-Maybin (4)
ILB-Reggie Ragland, Kevin Minter (2)
CB-Ronald Darby, Kevon Seymour, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Marcus Roberson, Corey White, Morris Claiborne, AJ Bouye (7)
SS-Corey Graham, Shamiel Gray, Tony Jefferson (3)
FS-Aaron Williams, JJ Wilcox (2)
PK-Dan Carpenter (1)
LS-Garrison Sanborn (1)
P- Colton Schmitt (1)
KRPR- Brandon Tate (1)

Even if you cut Taylor I don't think the Bills could afford all those free agents. Plus, with that QB depth chart the team would be better off keeping its powder dry.

[DraftBoy]

Even if you cut Taylor I don't think the Bills could afford all those free agents. Plus, with that QB depth chart the team would be better off keeping its powder dry.

Quite possible, it'd going to cost you some money to bring in Rivera, Tretter, McCants, Sheard, Minter, Jefferson, Perry, and Wilcox.

But we have the cap room and the ability to find extra cap room with additional roster moves.

[YardRat]

Seriously when r u guys going to learn?

Neither one of us has blown a first round pick on a bust QB and doubled down two #1's on a complimentary WR, so we've got that going for us.

[YardRat]

Adding 9 free agents to compete for roster spots and in some cases starting positions...MLB Klein, OLB Hodges, S Hyde, CB Munnerlyn, DT Love, DE Jenkins, OT Watford, OG Warford, WR Norwood. Looking at guys that new coaches are familiar with to varying degrees and in a cap position to have to go relatively cheaply). Would fill out the 90 with youngsters, scrubs from our own lists, other teams scrub FA's that weren't tendered, and UDFA's.

CURRENT ROSTER- (61 players)

QB-Tyrod Taylor,Cardale Jones, Chad Kelly
RB-LeSean McCoy, Jonathon Williams, Mike Gillislee
FB-Jerome Felton
WR-Sammy Watkins, Walter Powell, Marcus Easley, Kolby Listenbee, Dez Lewis, Justin Hunter, Jamari Staples, Jordan Norwood
TE-Charles Clay, Nick O'Leary, Gerald Christian, Blake Annan, Chris Gragg
C-Eric Wood, Ryan Groy, Pat Elflein
G-Ritchie Incognito, John Miller, Patrick Lewis, Vlad Ducasse
OT-Cordy Glenn, Cyrus Kouandijo, Jordan Mills, Michael Ola, Earl Watford
DT-Marcel Dareus, Kyle Williams, Adolphus Washington, Jerel Worthy, Kyle Love
DE-Jerry Hughes, Shaq Lawson, Lorenzo Alexander, Jarvis Jenkins
OLB-Preston Brown, Zach Brown, Tashawn Bower, Gerald Hodges
ILB-Reggie Ragland, AJ Klein
CB-Ronald Darby, Kevon Seymour, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Corey White, Des Lawrence, Captain Munnerlin
SS-Corey Graham, Jonathon Meeks, Jamal Adams
FS-Aaron Williams, Mycah Hyde
PK-Dan Carpenter
KOS-
LS-Garrison Sanborn
P-Colton Schmitt
KRPR-

[EDS]

Quite possible, it'd going to cost you some money to bring in Rivera, Tretter, McCants, Sheard, Minter, Jefferson, Perry, and Wilcox.

But we have the cap room and the ability to find extra cap room with additional roster moves.

I don't know. Bouye, Claibourne, Perry and Jefferson alone will be close to $30 million annually. Add $5 million for draft picks and the Bills are capped out and have no QB. I would go young and much cheaper until they know they have a QB (assuming the QB depth chart looks something like what you are suggesting).

[YardRat]

I'd love to have Bouye and Clairborne too, but I don't think we can afford it.

[DraftBoy]

I don't know. Bouye, Claibourne, Perry and Jefferson alone will be close to $30 million annually. Add $5 million for draft picks and the Bills are capped out and have no QB. I would go young and much cheaper until they know they have a QB (assuming the QB depth chart looks something like what you are suggesting).

It's possible, my completely uneducated guesses are as follows:

Bouye - 4 Years, $16 Million ($4.0/Yr)
Clairborne - 3 Years, $17 Million ($5.6/Yr)
Perry - 5 Years, $45 Million ($9.0/Yr)
Jefferson - 5 Years, $30 Million ($6.0/Yr)

So total of $24.6 on just averages which can be weighted and adjusted to balance out cap hits in different years. You have to keep in mind all of these guys are either coming off tenders (Perry and Jefferson) or one year deals (Bouye and Clairborne).

Here is what each made in 2016:
Bouye - $1.67
Clairborne - $3.0
Perry - $5.05
Jefferson - $1.67

The deals I'm offering are substantial improvements for each player and don't break the bank.

Now how do the rest of them fit in? Not sure quite sure, but the Bills have more room to maneuver than just the $36 million without Taylor.

[EDS]

It's possible, my completely uneducated guesses are as follows:

Bouye - 4 Years, $16 Million ($4.0/Yr)
Clairborne - 3 Years, $17 Million ($5.6/Yr)
Perry - 5 Years, $45 Million ($9.0/Yr)
Jefferson - 5 Years, $30 Million ($6.0/Yr)

So total of $24.6 on just averages which can be weighted and adjusted to balance out cap hits in different years. You have to keep in mind all of these guys are either coming off tenders (Perry and Jefferson) or one year deals (Bouye and Clairborne).

Here is what each made in 2016:
Bouye - $1.67
Clairborne - $3.0
Perry - $5.05
Jefferson - $1.67

The deals I'm offering are substantial improvements for each player and don't break the bank.

Now how do the rest of them fit in? Not sure quite sure, but the Bills have more room to maneuver than just the $36 million without Taylor.

I think Bouye and Perry are going to be looking to get Janoris Jenkins and Bruce Irvin money respectively, so it would not surprise me if each gets a deal making $9m+ annually. There are just too many teams with massive amounts of cap space.

[DraftBoy]

I think Bouye and Perry are going to be looking to get Janoris Jenkins and Bruce Irvin money respectively, so it would not surprise me if each gets a deal making $9m+ annually. There are just too many teams with massive amounts of cap space.

I could see that with Perry potentially, but somebody would need to pay way above market to give Bouye that money. Bouye was a slot CB for the Texans with Jackson and Joseph outside.

Also that Janoris Jenkins contract is a little nuts, the Giants had to get really creative due to cap numbers. His base salary in 2016 was $1.4 million, but it becomes $12.9 in 2017. His dead cap number also drops from $20.9 million in 17 to only $6.0 million in 2018. Jenkins will likely never see the last three years of his deal.

[YardRat]

I think both Bouye and Clairborne will be looking for $8-10mil per, especially if Gilmore cashes in on something well north of that.

[The Jokeman]

Potential free agent targets - offense

OT - Earl Watford, Arizona...Nick Becton, Chicago
OG - Larry Warford, Detroit...Vlad Ducasse, Baltimore
WR - Aldrick Robinson, Atlanta...Jordan Norwood, Denver...Jeremy Ross, Arizona

Two names that are on my list for offensive UFAs are two Ravens (I don't like Ducasse as he was horrible with the Jets) are WR Kamar Aiken and OT Ricky Wagner. Wagner has been an above average player since being drafted and could be the answer we've been looking for at RT. Aiken has his ups and downs in Baltimore and think he's one of those under the radar type signings that if given more playing time should produce like he did in 2015.

[YardRat]

Two names that are on my list for offensive UFAs are two Ravens (I don't like Ducasse as he was horrible with the Jets) are WR Kamar Aiken and OT Ricky Wagner. Wagner has been an above average player since being drafted and could be the answer we've been looking for at RT. Aiken has his ups and downs in Baltimore and think he's one of those under the radar type signings that if given more playing time should produce like he did in 2015.
Yeah I like those guys also, especially Wagner. Again, I stayed away from them because I think they are going to be too expensive to bring in. Spotrac has his expected market value at just under $7mil/year.

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/baltimore-ravens/ricky-wagner-12450/market-value/

[Mace]

Two names that are on my list for offensive UFAs are two Ravens (I don't like Ducasse as he was horrible with the Jets) are WR Kamar Aiken and OT Ricky Wagner. Wagner has been an above average player since being drafted and could be the answer we've been looking for at RT. Aiken has his ups and downs in Baltimore and think he's one of those under the radar type signings that if given more playing time should produce like he did in 2015.

Never understood why we didn't try and hang on to Aiken besides practice squad. Marquise Goodwin (born to linger) and the unused Mike Williams make the roster instead.

[The Jokeman]

Yeah I like those guys also, especially Wagner. Again, I stayed away from them because I think they are going to be too expensive to bring in. Spotrac has his expected market value at just under $7mil/year.

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/baltimore-ravens/ricky-wagner-12450/market-value/

Not bringing back Tyrod and Dan Carpenter could free up nearly $16m alone, you can use the $7m on Wagner, you sign a Cutler or Foles to about $3m and sign Aiken for $2m and maybe a guy like Blair Walsh for $1m and you still have $3m to play with the Tyrod/Carpenter and other free money to bring in a starting CB. You then bring in vets like we did this offseason to shore up depth, I'd even see if can bring back Felton, Humbler and Tate. I have looked intensely at the UFA lists for DBs but Roman Harper might prove a valuable depth S as he had some time in Carolina and at the very least could be a veteran backup that could be had on the cheap that use to shore up depth. I'll take some time to do more studying and format an offseason plan in the next few days.

[The Jokeman]

Never understood why we didn't try and hang on to Aiken besides practice squad. Marquise Goodwin (born to linger) and the unused Mike Williams make the roster instead.

Aiken was here during the Stevie Johnson/David Nelson days not the Goodwin days.

[Mace]

Aiken was here during the Stevie Johnson/David Nelson days not the Goodwin days.

Absolutely. Think I'd better take nyquil and go to bed.

[YardRat]

I think Wood, Carpenter and Graham have 'cut targets' on their backs.

[DraftBoy]

I think both Bouye and Clairborne will be looking for $8-10mil per, especially if Gilmore cashes in on something well north of that.

I just can't see that for two guys who are above average. Let's assume that Gilmore gets his $12-$15M per year deal he's looking for. That's going to put him Top 5 in the NFL.

The remaining five are:
6. Trumaine Johnson - 13.952
7. Joe Haden - 13.5
8. Janoris Jenkins - 12.5
9. Darius Slay - 12.0
10. Byron Maxwell - 10.5

I don't put either Clairborne or Bouye into that category, not do I put them into the Carr, Shields, Smith, Alford, Talib, Flowers, Davis Tier 2 category. I think at best each player is looking at a sub $8/year deal probably similar to what DRC got with the Gieants which was five years and $35 million. Even then Bouye could be closer to Jeremy Lane's contract of 4 years and $23 million.

Also let's not forget these two are not the top CB's on the market with Johnson, Carr, Amukamara, Munneryln, and Hayden all also available.

[DraftBoy]

I think Wood, Carpenter and Graham have 'cut targets' on their backs.

Robey-Coleman too.

[YardRat]

Adding 9 free agents to compete for roster spots and in some cases starting positions...MLB Klein, OLB Hodges, S Hyde, CB Munnerlyn, DT Love, DE Jenkins, OT Watford, OG Warford, WR Norwood. Looking at guys that new coaches are familiar with to varying degrees and in a cap position to have to go relatively cheaply). Would fill out the 90 with youngsters, scrubs from our own lists, other teams scrub FA's that weren't tendered, and UDFA's.

CURRENT ROSTER- (61 players)

QB-Tyrod Taylor,Cardale Jones, Chad Kelly
RB-LeSean McCoy, Jonathon Williams, Mike Gillislee
FB-Jerome Felton
WR-Sammy Watkins, Walter Powell, Marcus Easley, Kolby Listenbee, Dez Lewis, Justin Hunter, Jamari Staples, Jordan Norwood
TE-Charles Clay, Nick O'Leary, Gerald Christian, Blake Annan, Chris Gragg
C-Eric Wood, Ryan Groy, Pat Elflein
G-Ritchie Incognito, John Miller, Patrick Lewis, Larry Warford
OT-Cordy Glenn, Cyrus Kouandijo, Jordan Mills, Michael Ola, Earl Watford
DT-Marcel Dareus, Kyle Williams, Adolphus Washington, Jerel Worthy, Kyle Love
DE-Jerry Hughes, Shaq Lawson, Lorenzo Alexander, Jarvis Jenkins
OLB-Preston Brown, Zach Brown, Tashawn Bower, Gerald Hodges
ILB-Reggie Ragland, AJ Klein
CB-Ronald Darby, Kevon Seymour, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Corey White, Des Lawrence, Captain Munnerlin
SS-Corey Graham, Jonathon Meeks, Jamal Adams
FS-Aaron Williams, Mycah Hyde
PK-Dan Carpenter
KOS-No
LS-Garrison Sanborn
P-Colton Schmitt
KRPR-
12 cuts brings the roster down to 49, some (Listenbee, Ola) may stick on practice squad. Kyle gets re-structured to stay around for a season of two.

Need to fill out the four spots with a kicker and another safety, at least. Maybe a return man. A WR. Either another corner or yet another safety. Not thrilled with WR's and TE's, might look for another and put Annan back on PS.

[GingerP]

Those guys are must keeps but they are RFA's

What level do you tender them at, given they want to protect their limited cap space? The original round tender is $1.671M, but since Gillislee was a 5th rounder and Groy an UDFA they would take a risk that someone would grab them (see Hogan, Chris). The 2nd round tender is $2.553M and the 1st round tender is $3.635M.

[YardRat]

In the spirit of collegiality and with full understanding that a front office must work as a team as much as the players have to on the field I'm going to round out my roster by bringing in DraftBoy's guys---Cordarelle Patterson WR/KR...TE Mychal Rivera to replace Annan on the 53...both Wilcox and Jefferson at S (especially if Aaron walks away from the game, and he should)...a free agent kicker. If we can manage to have cap room for another corner, bring in Bouye or Claiborne to replace NRC or White.

[EDS]

In the spirit of collegiality and with full understanding that a front office must work as a team as much as the players have to on the field I'm going to round out my roster by bringing in DraftBoy's guys---Cordarelle Patterson WR/KR...TE Mychal Rivera to replace Annan on the 53...both Wilcox and Jefferson at S (especially if Aaron walks away from the game, and he should)...a free agent kicker. If we can manage to have cap room for another corner, bring in Bouye or Claiborne to replace NRC or White.

I still do not see the cap room for all these moves, particularly since the Bills are a team in transition that should save some powder for the future. Salaries are going up because of the increasing salary cap and there are a ton of teams with money to burn. That means that good but not great players will be making top ten money.

I do still think there will be deals to be had (like Alexander and Brown this year) but the front office will have to be patient and wait out the first few weeks of free agency spending and hope there are players that remain that fit a need.

I would throw some cheddar at Micah Hyde and a right tackle, as others have suggested.

[Mace]

In the spirit of collegiality and with full understanding that a front office must work as a team as much as the players have to on the field I'm going to round out my roster by bringing in DraftBoy's guys---Cordarelle Patterson WR/KR...TE Mychal Rivera to replace Annan on the 53...both Wilcox and Jefferson at S (especially if Aaron walks away from the game, and he should)...a free agent kicker. If we can manage to have cap room for another corner, bring in Bouye or Claiborne to replace NRC or White.

Get rid of journeyman Munnerlyn, the scrub J. Williams at RB and I might even agree with you.

[YardRat]

I still do not see the cap room for all these moves, particularly since the Bills are a team in transition that should save some powder for the future. Salaries are going up because of the increasing salary cap and there are a ton of teams with money to burn. That means that good but not great players will be making top ten money.

I do still think there will be deals to be had (like Alexander and Brown this year) but the front office will have to be patient and wait out the first few weeks of free agency spending and hope there are players that remain that fit a need.

I would throw some cheddar at Micah Hyde and a right tackle, as others have suggested.
In all honesty I probably agree with you, the cap room most likely isn't there especially if Tyrod, Brown and Alexander are brought back. I tried to go low-ball for the most part but will have to do more number-crunching to make it more feasible.

[YardRat]

Get rid of journeyman Munnerlyn, the scrub J. Williams at RB and I might even agree with you.

OK. Who do you want to replace them with?

[Mace]

OK. Who do you want to replace them with?

Well, obviously besides Jordan Gay, I'd look for UDFA's. There are always a lot of backs and spread season CB's coming out of college. That won't work with your more specific model though.

It's not going to be hard to replace J. Williams nonexistent contributions, and while I'd prefer a stud CB in the draft, (higher than Lawrence, have to figure on a Tampa-2 with more priority to the position), looking through the nfl.com draft grades teams are getting starts from UDFA's. You'll probably get better bang for your buck though with a CB rounds in rounds 1-3 this draft (though Cookie won't like it) than nearly any other position besides one of the top safeties, imho.

[YardRat]

Well, obviously besides Jordan Gay, I'd look for UDFA's. There are always a lot of backs and spread season CB's coming out of college. That won't work with your more specific model though.

It's not going to be hard to replace J. Williams nonexistent contributions, and while I'd prefer a stud CB in the draft, (higher than Lawrence, have to figure on a Tampa-2 with more priority to the position), looking through the nfl.com draft grades teams are getting starts from UDFA's. You'll probably get better bang for your buck though with a CB rounds in rounds 1-3 this draft (though Cookie won't like it) than nearly any other position besides one of the top safeties, imho.
Well if you come with anybody, let me know.

[Mace]

I won't, that's why I'd never attempt the detail you offer. I'd draft different, look for UDFA's and avoid temp FA's. I can't say my draft would work with UDFA's who spill over, or predict what FA's might bounce out for cuts and be available. What I want isn't necessarily the way even I think it could happen (like keeping Zach Brown), and grabbing an RT early in the 1st 3 rounds of safety/RT/corner in no order.

I love the read and the effort you guys put into it, but that level of detail is beyond me, even blue skies hopeful. Mostly I know what I don't want.

[EDS]

It's possible, my completely uneducated guesses are as follows:

Bouye - 4 Years, $16 Million ($4.0/Yr)
Clairborne - 3 Years, $17 Million ($5.6/Yr)
Perry - 5 Years, $45 Million ($9.0/Yr)
Jefferson - 5 Years, $30 Million ($6.0/Yr)

So total of $24.6 on just averages which can be weighted and adjusted to balance out cap hits in different years. You have to keep in mind all of these guys are either coming off tenders (Perry and Jefferson) or one year deals (Bouye and Clairborne).

Here is what each made in 2016:
Bouye - $1.67
Clairborne - $3.0
Perry - $5.05
Jefferson - $1.67

The deals I'm offering are substantial improvements for each player and don't break the bank.

Now how do the rest of them fit in? Not sure quite sure, but the Bills have more room to maneuver than just the $36 million without Taylor.

Check out the new deals for Bouye and Perry. Each getting $10+ million per.

[YardRat]

Potential Free Agent targets--defense-

ILB-AJ Klein, Carolina
OLB-Gerald Hodges, San Fran...Sio Moore, Arizona
S-Micah Hyde, Green Bay...Nate Allen, Oakland
CB-Captain Munnerlyn, Minnesota...Logan Ryan, New England
Dline-Bennie Logan, Philadelphia...Kyle Love, Carolina...Jarvis Jenkins, Kansas City...Justin Trattou, Minnesota


Potential free agent targets - offense

OT - Earl Watford, Arizona...Nick Becton, Chicago
OG - Larry Warford, Detroit...Vlad Ducasse, Baltimore
WR - Aldrick Robinson, Atlanta...Jordan Norwood, Denver...Jeremy Ross, Arizona

[Mace]

I'd have been more impressed had you mentioned the fullbacks...but no no no, you wanted you some Felton.

[YardRat]

Actual current roster to date---

QB-Tyrod Taylor,Cardale Jones...Josh Woodrum
RB-LeSean McCoy, Jonathon Williams...Cedric O'Neal, Joe Banyard (Mike Gillislee tendered RFA)
FB-...Patrick DeMarco, Mike Tolbert
WR-Sammy Watkins, Walter Powell, Kolby Listenbee, Dez Lewis...Andre Holmes, Philly Brown, Jeremy Butler, Corey Washington (Easley cut)
TE-Charles Clay, Nick O'Leary, Gerald Christian, Blake Annan
C-Eric Wood...Ryan Groy
G-Ritchie Incognito, John Miller, Patrick Lewis...Vlad Ducasse
OT-Cordy Glenn, Cyrus Kouandijo, Seantrel Henderson, Michael Ola...Jordan Mills
DT-Marcel Dareus, Kyle Williams, Adolphus Washington, Jerel Worthy, Deandre Coleman
DE-Jerry Hughes, Shaq Lawson...Ryan Davis
OLB-Preston Brown...Lorenzo Alexander
ILB-Reggie Ragland, Ramon Humber, Max Valles
CB-Ronald Darby, Kevon Seymour, Marcus Roberson, Leonard Johnson, Charles Gaines, Jonathon Dowling (Nickell Robey-Coleman cut)
SS-Micah Hyde, Shamiel Gray, Joe Powell (Corey Graham cut)
FS-Jordan Poyer, Colt Anderson (Aaron Williams cut)
PK-Steve Hauschka (Dan Carpenter cut)
KOS-
LS-Reid Ferguson (Garrison Sanborn cut)
P-Colton Schmitt
KRPR-

Up to 60 bodies so far by my count.

[TigerJ]

My two main concerns at this point: I don't see any proven depth at WR and I don't see much speed and athleticism at LB. Yeah, we could upgrade at QB, but that has been the case just this side of forever

[Night Train]

OLB, WR, QB and Secondary.

What I believe they will add to on Draft weekend.

[The Jokeman]

My two main concerns at this point: I don't see any proven depth at WR and I don't see much speed and athleticism at LB. Yeah, we could upgrade at QB, but that has been the case just this side of forever

Depth at TE a bit of a concern too. In a perfect world we'll be able to trade down to acquire a few more picks in the first four rounds.