Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer (21) and cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) collide over Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) as they cover a deep pass in the fourth quarter of the NFL divisional playoff football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bengals won 27-10 to advance to the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
In less than 60 minutes, the Buffalo Bills drastically altered their roster, letting go of many elite veterans in advance of free agency and, therefore, the NFL Draft.
Fans of the Bills, take a deep breath. At least for the time being, it appears like the movements are finished. These roster changes will have a significant impact on both sides of the ball as well as how Brandon Beane and the front office approach free agency and the draft next month. Now let’s start the motions.
Bills Release Tre’Davious White, Mitch Morse, and Jordan Poyer, Among Other Star Veterans
The actions taken on Wednesday were unexpected. The Bills lost starter center Mitch Morse, wide receiver/punt returner/speedster Deonte Harty, special team member Siran Neal, and standout defenders Jordan Poyer and Tre’Davious White.
It was a difficult step to take, if not essential. Buffalo was around $40 million above the salary cap when the day started, so changes were unavoidable. Beane had the option to place Buffalo in a position for long-term success rather than continue to push the can down the road with restructures and force the Bills into a harsh predicament similar to what the New Orleans Saints are presently facing in a few years.
There have been other actions taken in addition to the reduction. with Connor McGovern is reportedly anticipated to shift to center with the departure of Morse, offensive lineman David Edwards inked a six-million dollar two-year contract deal. Edwards is slated to start at guard.
Recall that Buffalo has 11 selections going into the draft this year after the Chicago Bears traded a fifth-round selection for Ryan Bates.
Von Miller Restructures Contract Amidst Veteran Releases
Notably, Von Miller decided to forgo compensation in order to improve the present roster position. Miller’s $17.145 million basic salary was reduced to $1.5 million with a $7 million signing bonus through contract restructuring. Miller may be able to earn up to $20 million in total with incentives.
Miller is definitely taking a wage reduction and making a risk with himself. This is a shrewd, experienced move to clear cap space before free agency, which will enable Beane to make moves to add proven players to a squad that is competitive.
Following the Bills’ release of many star veteran players, free agency targets
Many cap spaces have been made available by the actions taken, but more spaces might be added. Although certain restructurings still look possible, extending Josh Allen seems to be the most likely choice in order to free up some cash for this year.
Allen’s contract is set to expire in 2028, when he will turn 32. At an estimated $48.5 million each season, his cap cost over the next five seasons will be substantial. That total would put him directly behind Jalen Hurts and ahead of Kyler Murray in the league right now.
Not that Allen doesn’t deserve his flowers; in fact, he does—but outstanding teams are constructed with cap space. Tom Brady consistently took less pay to assemble strong teams, and we all know how that turned out.
Observing his team’s composition, Allen may take a similar stance. Buffalo might be able to free up significant financial capital to try to compete right away by accepting a contract that might come with more guaranteed money and a lower annual cap cost.
Taking all into account, along with the immediate needs at wide receiver, safety, and defensive tackle, these three free agency targets would make sense.
Darnell Mooney, WR
The former Chicago Bears player Darnell Mooney is an intriguing wide receiver to take into consideration. The Bills will be looking for deals. Mooney would add depth to a room that lacks more skill because of his reliable hands and strong deep speed. Despite his lackluster performances in the previous two years, Mooney recorded 81 catches for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns in 2021. He has shown that he can deliver.
With Stefon Diggs and the developing Khalil Shakir, Buffalo is obviously solid, but this room needs more depth. Mooney looks like the kind of person who might be hired cheaply to help furnish a space.
Javon Kinlaw, DT
For the Bills, defensive tackle is a position of underappreciated necessity. Eli Ankou, who was inactive last season, is the only other defensive lineman on the depth chart except Ed Oliver. For the past two years, Ankou has failed to record a single tackle, sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery, or any other counting metric.
While Javon Kinlaw, who has played his whole four seasons in the NFL with the 49ers, would surely be an upgrade, none of the needy positions should be ruled out in the NFL Draft. Kinlaw, who struggles against the run, finished last season with 25 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He is a valuable member of the pass rush rotation.
With or without any free agency signings at the position, defensive tackle will be a major area of need for the Bills throughout this summer, and Beane and Co. will almost definitely look at it during the draft.
Xavier McKinney, S
Poyer was cut loose, and it appears that Micah Hyde won’t sign another contract during his free agency period. There is uncertainty in the defensive backfield that hasn’t been felt in years thanks to the disintegration of what is perhaps the finest safety tandem of the past ten years.
Safety will undoubtedly be a top need position in the draft, much like every other position this article discusses. However, Xavier McKinney, who just finished with 94 tackles, would offer a reliable tackler on the back end who is also excellent in coverage. McKinney would be a reliable presence in the back end as the Bills consider using a high draft selection on a defensive back-end mate, as he only allows a 52.1 passer rating in coverage.
The Bills are accustomed to having a dynamic pair at safety, and McKinney and a rookie could theoretically be Buffalo’s next great safety tandem despite his young age of 24.5.
