WGR

‘”The math has been very hard here. This new [collective bargaining agreement]; when we took those guys back in ’18, the projected rate [for Allen] was around $18 million and Tremaine around $9 million. Now you’re talking $27 [million], and if we don’t have the pandemic, the cap was supposed to be well into the $200 [million range], probably $215-$220 [million]. You add the CBA change to where that ’18 draft class became the class that it’s based on Pro Bowl and various recognitions that you can increase your numbers. So Tremaine’s number went from $9-something [million] to $12.8 [million], and Josh went from $18 [million] to $23 [million]. That’s a big difference anyway, and then you add the fact that the cap went the other way has made it a tighter constraint.”‘

‘“I’m in the shopping market,” Beane told “One Bills Live” hosts Chris Brown and Steve Tasker on Wednesday on WGR, also acknowledging that there isn’t much salary cap room two play with. “I’ve got a small bank account, though. I’m not at the Mercedes-Benz dealership.”’

‘For Allen, the fifth-year option will cost the Bills $23.016 million. For Edmunds, it will cost $12.791 million.’

‘I wasn’t surprised the Bills went with a defensive end with their very first selection but I didn’t expect back-to-back picks at that position. But those picks can easily be explained by looking at the depth chart at defensive end and taking into account the Bills tight salary cap space next offseason. It is much more about that than following the Tampa Bay model as to how to beat Kansas City.’

‘Doyle stands in at 6-foot-8 and 320 pounds, adding to the bulking stature of Brown, who is also listed at 6-foot-8 and 311 pounds. He showed up to college at 6-foot-7 and 270 pounds, having not played much on the offensive line before. With his imposing frame, Doyle said he’s a player who’s always going to give it his all.’

‘Stevenson amassed quite a versatile college resume in his four seasons playing for the Cougars. As a receiver, he hauled in 147 receptions for 2,269 receptions, good for 17th and 13th in program history, respectively. His 22 touchdown catches are nothing to scoff at, as well.’

‘The native of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania was selected as a red-shirt senior out of Pittsburgh, where he put up respectable numbers with the Panthers. In 46 career games in college, Hamlin registered 275 total tackles, 10 of which coming for loss, while also defending 21 passes, collecting six interceptions and recovering a fumble.’

‘During his 24 games with the Badgers, Wildgoose recorded 57 tackles, one interception, 14 passes defended and three fumble recoveries. Wildgoose elected to forgo the 2020 season due to COVID-19 restrictions, and his 2019 season was cut off early due to a broken scapula in his shoulder.’

‘The 6-foot-4, 314-pound guard played a total of 38 games with the Red Raiders in four years, starting immediately at guard as a true freshman in 2017. As a junior, Anderson played the first three games in 2019 before missing the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury.’

‘“I think we’ve got guys that are going to be part of the equation in 2021,” Beane said in his post-draft Zoom conference call. “Gregory Rousseau, Carlos Basham, I’m not going to promise either one of them the starting job, but they’ll have an opportunity to start and I expect them to be a part of the gameday rotation. Spencer Brown will come in there and compete. I’m not saying he’s going to win a starting job but he’s an injury away from being in the game. … Some of these moves are long term but there’s a lot that will have an impact on the 2021 season.”’

‘In fact, offensive tackles Spencer Brown and Tommy Doyle, both standing 6-foot-8, and defensive end Greg Rousseau, at 6-foot-7, are now the three tallest players on the roster.’

‘Basham Jr. weighs in a 6-foot-3, 274 pounds with a ton of experience playing for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. In four years at Wake Forest, Basham Jr. notched 20.5 sacks, 173 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries in 45 games.’

‘“They’re definitely a hard-nosed defense,” Basham Jr. said. “…even when I play Madden, I play with the Bills. The defense is something I really love, I’m glad I’m a part of it now. That was the main thing I was thinking about when it was first going through my head. It’s a dream come true.”’

‘Before the 2020 season was postponed, Brown was named a preseason FCS All-American. In the years prior, Brown started 33 of the 34 games he played for Northern Iowa. Brown lined up as the starting right tackle for the Northern Iowa Panthers in every game during the 2019 season.’

‘“I know it’s a hardworking organization, hardworking team, and blue-collar,” Brown said. “That’s what I’m anxious to be a part of, it’s part of my background. I grew up on a farm in Lennox [Iowa], then went to Northern Iowa in a blue-collar city. Being a part of Bills Mafia is perfect for a kid that grew up in a small town in Iowa.”’