Basing it on basic roster management. You don't waste 2 roster spots on developmental DEs. Keeping 5 DEs means you're dumping a player from another position group. Which depth would you be willing to sacrifice to keep Mike Love on the roster?
Darryl Johnson will not clear waivers if they are going to cut him. Too much raw talent for a DE starved team to pass on. He looked decent against true backups and it's just a matter of time until he pushes Murphy & Shaq.
Just watched the first half again, and my opinion hasn't changed too much. Murphy looked better than in the first two games, but not enough to ease concern about that side of the DL.
As a side note I won't be surprised if Bam Johnson doesn't supplant Murphy as starter by week 4.
Actually no
The OP was made after the first two games, and Murphy was a relative nonfactor in both, except for the 4th down sack.
I haven't rewatched the Lions game to provide an opinion, but midway through preseason, Shaq has outplayed him
To me that's a higher long term risk. Bills OL was horrendous last year, and you can't blame Beane for bringing in an army to compete. So in addition to the FAs, both Teller and Boettger look better. Spain and Long are not on cap killing long term deals. If both 2nd year players show good potential, you don't cut them.