WGR

‘Matakevich has made more special teams tackles than any player in the NFL over the past four seasons combined, with 37. He entered the league as a seventh round pick of the Steelers out of Temple in 2016 and was almost exclusively used in that role for them, playing in 63 out of a possible 64 games, picking up 77 combined tackles and a pass defended. The Bills have state they believe Matakevich can play a backup linebacker role for them, but he should be one of the main, core special teams players for the team in 2020.’

‘The Bills used their first pick of this year’s draft on Epenesa. He was thought by many to be a first round talent, but fell to the 22nd pick of the second round before the Bills selected him. The 6-foot-5, 275 pounder led the Big Ten in sacks in 2018 (10.5) and finished third last season (11.5). He ranks sixth all-time in the conference with 26.5 career sacks. Epenesa also finished 10th in the Big Ten with 14 tackles for loss last season. Analysts have raved about Epenesa’s use of hands as a pass-rusher. He’s more of a bull-rusher than one who relies on speed to get around the edge, but still has a good first step and instincts. He’ll have to learn how to set the edge as a run defender better in the NFL, but the Bills can use him immediately as a situational pass rusher.’

‘White will be entering the fourth-year of his rookie contract, set to earn $1.8 million in base salary this season. The Bills have also exercised their fifth-year option on White for 2021, meaning he is under contract for two more seasons. He’s set to earn over $10 million in 2021 if he plays on his current contract. However, White is most likely looking at a massive extension some time soon. The team has publicly stated they would like to lock him up long-term.’

‘The 25-year-old will have until 4 p.m. on Thursday to notify the team and the league in writing if he does elect to opt out of the 2020 season.’

‘With that being said, losing White would be a monumental loss that could change what kind of contender the Bills are this season. There aren’t a lot of players that would have that kind of impact on a well-coached team with so many starting jobs filled with good to great players.’

‘To make room for Neal and Brown on the roster, the Bills have released running back Antonio Williams and defensive end Jonathan Woodard.’

‘In just one season in Buffalo, Long appeared in 14 games and was primarily used as a utility lineman who could play both guard and center. The 29-year-old had signed a three-year deal with the Bills back in February of 2019 worth $12.6 million.’

‘Butler was a 2016 first round pick of the Carolina Panthers out of Louisiana Tech when Bills head coach Sean McDermott was the team’s defensive coordinator. New Bills defensive line coach Eric Washington was his defensive coordinator for the past two seasons there. Although he failed to live up to his first round status through his first three years in Carolina, the 6-foot-4, 330 pounder had a breakout year in 2019, collecting six sacks and 32 total tackles. Like Jefferson, Butler projects to play the interior defensive line for the Bills but has the versatility to play outside, especially in a three-down lineman set, where he had much of his success last season in Carolina.’

‘”We like versatility, so we’ll move all of our guys around. Rarely do we have a guy that is a one-whole player. Mitch Morse is probably one of the only ones that is going to play center only. Dion Dawkins is going to play left tackle. But the rest of those guys are going to move around and play both guards or guard-tackle, center-guard… We’re going to put the best five out there, the same motto as we had last year. If it’s better with Cody at right guard, he’ll play there. If it’s better with him at right tackle, he’ll play there.”‘

‘According to an NFL Players’ Association email sent to players and obtained and published online on July 25 by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Aug. 3-11 will be referred to as the “acclimation period” and consist of a maximum of two hours of strength and conditioning, with one hour devoted to the weight room and the other hour to on-field conditioning. Only strength and conditioning coaches are allowed to be with players while they are participating in these two hour strength and conditioning periods.’

‘Winters has started 79 games over the course of seven years played for the Jets. He has had injury issues, being placed on injured reserves four times, including last season when he missed seven games. In nine games, Winters had a 64.6 grade from Pro Football Focus, had just one sack allowed, and two penalties.’

‘Ford is one of those internal options to replace Feliciano at right guard, if the organization wants to move him from right tackle, where he played all of his rookie season last year. In fact, Ford and Nsekhe rotated at right tackle every couple series all season until Nsekhe was injured Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins and missed the next five games. In that time, Ford manned the right tackle position by himself. The second round rookie was inconsistent, but got better as the season progressed. He had trouble with speed rushers on the outside. Head coach Sean McDermott told WGR on Monday that during training camp, they’ll have Ford take reps at both tackle and guard, a position he played plenty in college and many projected him to play in the NFL.’

‘”It’s a challenge. That’s what I have a great staff around me. We’ve got great ownership that gives us what we need to win and the resources we need. With that, it makes my job a whole lot easier. And I’m just fortunate to have good players as well that make my job easier. It’s been a team effort. For those that have been around here, the complexion of our building has changed, and again, I think it gives us the chance to be successful. I don’t know that it’s realistic to think that we’ll keep it 100%, in terms of the positive or negative cases, but I think that’s just being realistic about it. We’re trying to get ourselves focused on growing as a team, bringing our team together, getting to know one another because today is really our first day together as a full team.”‘

‘Although King’s main position is cornerback, he’s been primarily used on special teams over the last couple years. In 2018, King played 29.2% of Seattle’s special teams snaps compared to just 14.6% on defense. Last season, he played 35.5% on special teams and 29.5% on defense.’

‘”At the end of the day, we still have to hold ourselves to a high standard,” Beane told reporters via a Zoom conference Sunday morning. “Nothing’s changed here. We expect playoff caliber practices.”‘