CBS Sports

‘Buffalo still has the 2024 NFL Draft to improve its roster, and that starts with the No. 28 overall pick. With Diggs gone, could the Bills use that first pick on a receiver? Who would be available? Let’s take a look and rank the receivers the Bills could take in the opening round later this month.’

‘The writing was on the wall for this ultimately being the outcome between the Bills and Diggs over the last year or so. Despite that, Buffalo didn’t exactly brace for impact with the potential of cutting bait with its top receiver. Sure, the Bills used their first-round pick last year on tight end Dalton Kincaid, but the cupboard is almost completely bare at wide receiver, especially after letting Gabe Davis walk earlier in the free agency. Now, the Bills will need to either be aggressive and move up for a top-flight receiver prospect in the NFL Draft or hope one falls in their lap and neither is exactly an enviable position. In terms of the compensation, a second-round pick isn’t a horrendous haul considering Diggs’ contract.’

‘”I think we do have a lot of confidence in our offense,” Beane said. “And listen, we don’t play games until September. I would hope you know by now that I’m going to turn over every stone — and our staff — to continue to look to add depth and competition to all those rooms, so that when it’s time to play, we have a team we’re proud of that’s going to give us a chance to win.”‘

‘”Well I like the skill set of the guys in that room,” McDermott said at the NFL Annual Meetings Monday. “I like the addition of Curtis [Samuel], the speed element. The numbers of different guys we got in there, but you can certainly add [tight ends] Dalton [Kincaid] and Dawson [Knox] to that room with those guys. Them being able to block, being smart, being tough. Having the speed in there in addition to what Curtis brings to the table.”‘

‘Running back Damien Harris announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday at the age of 27. Harris spent last season with the Buffalo Bills, carrying 23 times for 94 yards and a touchdown before a neck injury suffered in the Week 6 matchup against the New York Giants prematurely ended his campaign. He was driven off the field in an ambulance after taking the big hit which led to his injury.’

‘”To say we haven’t had success or Josh hasn’t had success, I think would be kind of narrow-minded,” the head coach said (via NFL.com). “It’s hard to win in the NFL, so you kind of regroup every year, and you take it one game at a time. But we’re all looking for Josh to really be that face of the franchise, like he’s been, and continuing to evolve, like he’s always done.”‘

‘Johnson had one more year remaining on his deal, so this new extension carries him through 2027. The Bills were of course forced to cut ties with several defensive stars earlier this offseason in order to get under the set cap number, including safety Jordan Poyer and cornerback Tre’Davious White. But, Buffalo views the 27-year-old Johnson as a pillar on defense.’

‘To make things even more interesting, Diggs changed his Twitter bio to a picture of him waving goodbye — which could indicate his last time playing for the Bills. Diggs sent out a post with a heart emoji earlier Friday, which may be another indication he’s done in Buffalo.’

‘The former Ohio State receiver topped 60 catches and 600 yards in each of his last two seasons for the Commanders. He also gained nearly 200 yards as a runner in 2022, one year after a groin injury limited him to just five games in his Washington debut. Samuel spent the first four seasons of his NFL career in Carolina, where his production steadily rose as a multipurpose weapon alongside Christian McCaffrey. He had a career-high 77 catches for 851 yards in 2020.’

‘Dawkins previously signed a four-year, $58.3 million extension that covered the 2021 through 2024 seasons, and is headed into the final year of that contract. He carries a current base salary of $9.3 million along with a $16.6 million cap hit, according to Over the Cap, but those figures could change in conjunction with the new deal. The $20.17 million average annual value on Dawkins’ extension is fifth-highest among NFL left tackles, checking in behind only Ronnie Stanley, Andrew Thomas, Trent Williams and David Bakhtiari’s contracts.’

‘Trubisky spent the 2021 season as Josh Allen’s backup in Buffalo, throwing for 43 yards in six games played. He then scored a two-year, $14.25 million deal that included up to $27 million in incentives with the Steelers ahead of the 2022 season. The Steelers clearly targeted Trubisky in free agency, as he agreed to terms with Pittsburgh about an hour into the league’s legal tampering period.’

‘Trubisky spent the 2021 season as Josh Allen’s backup in Buffalo, throwing for 43 yards in six games played. He then scored a two-year, $14.25 million deal that included up to $27 million in incentives with the Steelers ahead of the 2022 season. The Steelers clearly targeted Trubisky in free agency, as he agreed to terms with Pittsburgh about an hour into the league’s legal tampering period.’

‘The Bills entered Wednesday dead last among all 32 teams in terms of cap space, according to Over The Cap, but they reportedly netted over $37 million with Wednesday’s transactions. They will gain an additional $10.2 million in June when the release of White becomes official. After these moves. the Bills are currently just $1,177,381 over the cap.’

‘Rapp made the play that secured the Bills’ fourth straight AFC East title this past season, as he intercepted Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with just over one minute remaining in the fourth quarter of their Week 18 showdown, securing a 21-14 victory for Buffalo. Now, the 26-year-old is locked in for three more years.’

‘This trade cannot become official until the New League Year on March 13, and the transaction is pending Bates’ physical. What’s interesting is that the Bears actually tried to poach Bates last offseason after Buffalo placed a restricted tender on the interior offensive lineman. However, Buffalo matched the offer — which was a four-year deal. Now, the Bears get Bates on the deal they initially offered.’