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His combine comments do. But his post-season presser, as alluded to above, were more circumspect. When you are talking about a 1st round draft pick "getting better in year 5" and talking about areas he needs to be better that is not exactly effusive praise. A couple of things could be going on. One that did occur to me was whether Tremaine was one of those who failed to execute at the end in KC? Maybe there was emotion in Beane still when for the first, and basically only, time he seemed not to be all in on Edmunds going forward. It will tell a story though if he plays on the option. You never have a player you are all in on play on the 5th year option. If the Bills are still all in on Edmunds as their guy (which is what Beane suggested at the Combine) then they will extend him this summer. If he plays on the option they are at least open to the idea he is gone after 2022. I don't, however, give much credence to the idea they will trade him this spring / summer.

Beane's made plenty of mistakes. I'm not arguing that. Trading up for Cody Ford being his biggest thus far and they had no problem relegating him to a backup role last season. A competent GM (which I think Beane is) should be well aware of not letting his own personal ego/biases impact his personnel decisions. If it wasn't for the unforeseen opt out season Star was able to take advantage of I don't think he's on the team last season given his contract. Hell, they cut him this year and ate up all that dead cap. Epenesa is on the team because he's on a cheap rookie deal and it takes some players longer to develop. Ask Beane if he regrets trading Wyatt Teller right before his second season. The point is based off his comments made after this season his track record points to him re-signing Edmunds.

That's fair and I agree. How Edmunds plays this year will go a long way on whether he remains a Bill. Imho, I'm hoping for an upgrade. I'd be ecstatic if the Bills could get a 2nd round pick for him. Sometimes it's hard to see your own mistakes and cut ties before it's too late. It took them a long long time with Star. Beane and Coach McD pounded the table for him on numerous occasions. Look at AJ Epenesa a second round draft choice. He has 2.5 sacks in 2 years as a Bill. Why is he even on the team? Beane obviously isn't always correct. His biggest accomplishment is swinging for Allen and hitting a grand slam! As a fan, I think it's ok to criticize and praise Bills' management.

I've yet to see him go to bat for a player and then trade him (or not re-sign him). If he does with Edmunds then that's something new I'll learn about Beane. Right now I'm just going off his track record.

Remember he drafted him. I'd say he isn't the most objective person evaluating Edmunds. Beane can talk him up all he wants and deflect the negative criticism as well. I mean do you expect him to say he hasn't performed at the level that we expected especially for a 1st round pick. We are hoping he can make more big plays and improve his football instincts. Of course not. The only thing he can do is to "talk him up" for trade capitol or to justify his draft choice.

I would just add that Beane drafted him and may not be completely objective. I'm not saying Edmunds completely sucks. I'll concede he's a good play caller for arguments sake. However, I find it difficult to believe the Bill's couldn't find a solid replacement. Edmund's range is excellent but his instincts are poor. He's out of position often, disappears in many games, and NEVER makes a big play. After four years it's clear he's not even close to being elite. Watch Micah Parsons for eliteness or Bobby Wagner in his prime. I think it's generous to say Edmunds is above average. I see him as mediocre. I'd be surprised and disappointed if he's a Bill next year. I don't even think he's worth 10 mil a year. I see him as a stop gap LB for this year.

This is spot on and why I doubt they move on from Edmunds. The compliments Beane gave him at the combine surprised me because it just gave Edmund's agent more leverage.

Ascending: Rousseau, Basham. I like them both. Gabriel Davis for sure. I think Howard could have his best season yet if he's healthy. We could see a lot of 2 TE formations in '22. Hopefully Spencer Brown will take a huge step this year because he's got a long way to go. He will need help protecting Allen from our TE's, RB's or FB. That limits our options on offense. Singletary was playing the best ball in his career at season's end. His fumbling wasn't an issue either. He'll never be great, but the biggest problem with our run game was the blocking. Everyone is writing off Moss. He can be a solid #2 if the right side of the OL is upgraded considerably. Both Moss and Singletary payed the price for a weak OL as well as Josh. I think Bass is 1 game winning FG away from greater recognition. Also, Gilliam isn't special, but he's still one of the better FB's in the league. Stuck in neutral: Oliver, Edmunds. Edmunds has reached his peak. He doesn't have elite instincts and he's a so-so tackler. Oliver is decent, but hasn't shown significant improvement even if a few people talked about him taking a big step last year. Neither is a bust, but they aren't what I was hoping for. Descending: I am not a fan of Bates or Boettger. They're just OK as backups, but both could be easily replaced. I hope neither one has to play in '22. Dane Jackson will make the roster, but if we add a couple CB's in the draft, he'll be riding the pine nearly all year. Shocking: No one. Packing: Ford. He actually played OK last year in limited snaps, but the die has been cast. He will be replaced in the draft on day 1 or 2. Sweeney may get the axe too. Same with Jerry Hughes and that will be a tough one for the fans. After all, he's been here the longest. Haak is gone.

Edmunds for sure. I like Poyer a lot, but I don't know if we can afford him. Oliver is not playing at a top 10 pick level. He and Edmunds are OK, but they can be replaced fairly easily with day 2 picks when their contracts expire. Knox will be Bill for years to come and should be in this conversation as well. Singletary will perhaps move on, but that depends on his price tag.

Gave up next years 3rd and 6th. Traded down a couple times for extra ammo to move back up. Overall like the draft. Dotson is immediately a playmaker on O, immediate replacement for Poyer, replacement for Edmunds, likely a 2nd CB opposite White with Emerson, but if he doesn’t work out then you have a chance with Kendrick who is a bit of a wild card, but his talent is there. Potential future starter at RB, swing tackle, 2nd TE, a work in progress at G, and a swing for the fences WR 36. Jahan Dotson WR Penn State 57. Jalen Pitre S Baylor 73. Chad Muma LB Wyoming 81. Martin Emerson CB Mississippi State 91. Daniel Faalele OT Minnesota 130. Jerome Ford RB Cincinnati 133. Jelani Woods TE Virginia 168. Thayer Munford OG Ohio State 185. Amare Barno EDGE Virginia Tech 203. Darion Kendrick CB Georgia 231. Velus Jones Jr. WR Tennessee

I believe the Bills have given themselves a TWO year window (2022 and 2023 seasons) and they will retain all these high paying players. The purge will happen in 2024 season. In between, they have to figure out how to pay Edmunds, Knox, Gabe Davis, Edmunds, and Ed Oliver. Those four contracts will put pressure on them to cut at other positions... I think they will trade Edmunds this draft to get some draft capital back.

I don't think anything happens with Edmunds this year. I seriously doubt they would replace the QB of the defense (and both McD and Beane have praised Edmunds for his play and doing what he is asked to do) with a rookie on a learning not only how to play in the NFL, but also how to dissect plays pre snap and direct the defense accordingly. That being said, taking a rookie now to potentially replace him next year is not out of the question. Just doubt they would take a rookie and then trade Edmunds this year like some have speculated here.

In the unlikely scenario that Lloyd is available, I would draft him and keep both. Because Injuries happen. Competition is good. I don't think we survive really well with #44 as a starter. JMO. Though Dotson will probably get first crack if Edmunds gets hurt, He doesn't look like anything special. Depth in the middle and at CB seems like a logical goal early in the draft. Remember, there could be many cuts of RB's, CB's, and LB's after the draft. Bottom Line-----> I trust our staff to fill those holes with Buffalo type Men/Players.

Its really not about whether Edmunds sucks or not, its about if you want to pay Edmunds 17 million per year for the next 5 years, or draft a comparable and most likely better player in Lloyd who will be on a rookie contract for the next 5 years. If possible, I prefer option number 2.

I think it's pretty clear we have different views on Edmunds, I doubt you will convince me he sucks and I doubt I will convince you he is competent.

My goal with this mock was to make all 8 selections the Bills currently hold, but on players that I think would all make the 53-man roster. Big risks in rounds 2 and 3 on "traits" guys that need to be coached up, but we can't say that Beane doesn't like to roll the dice on these types in real life (Allen, Edmunds, Knox)

This article is behind a paywall. It's excellent, and is representative of the great stuff that the Athletic publishes regularly. If you can get one of those $1 per month trial deals, especially around draft season, I highly suggest you do it. As for this article, I find the discussion of the ever evolving monetary and roster value of various positions fascinating, particularly linebacker. This article pertains to the Bills in three ways: it talks about the escalating prices of retaining premiere linebackers, it discusses Edmunds specifically, and it goes into detail about two top linebacker prospects that might be available to the Bills in the first round. I'll post some snippets, but it's a long piece. https://theathletic.com/3244619/2022/04/12/nfl-draft-devin-lloyd-nakobe-dean/ The NFL draft is the perfect nexus of contextual value. Each pick requires teams to consider not just how good a prospect is, but also how valuable the player is given the position, team needs and the dollar amount attached to that pick under the rookie wage scale. As contracts balloon for cornerstone positions such as quarterback, offensive tackle, edge rusher, cornerback and wide receiver, how a team invests capital into less glamorous positions greatly affects a franchise’s trajectory. No defensive position has been hit harder by the changing financial landscape than linebacker, once a glamorous and lucrative position to play. Stars will always be paid — the five largest linebacker contracts are still commensurate with elite role player contracts — but the threshold for what it costs to acquire starter to plus-starter talent at the second level of the defense is arguably beneath other positions that spend the majority of the game aligned between the hashes. The current threshold for acquiring guards who can perform at a starter to plus-starter level falls around $3-5 million annually. For tight ends, expect to pay $5-7 million for reliable veteran production. Running backs, for all the depression in that market and the depth of talent available, still command $4-6 million for starter-level returns. But at linebacker, nearly every player slated to earn north of just $4 million in 2022 has played at or near a Pro Bowl or All-Pro level in their career. What does that mean, in the context of previous drafts? Unless peak Fred Warner is in the green room, it doesn’t make much sense to spend a top-15 pick on a linebacker — if a team ought to pick a linebacker in the first round at all. The first round of Dane Brugler’s latest mock draft features two linebackers, Georgia’s Nakobe Dean and Utah’s Devin Lloyd. But the last five years of first-round linebackers is a testament to the crapshoot nature of looking for franchise cornerstone-level performers in the first 32 picks. From 2017 until now, here’s how first-round linebackers have panned out: • Jarrad Davis, 2017, no. 21 overall: Davis’ snaps have shrank each season since 2018, and Detroit declined his fifth-year option. After spending the 2021 season playing for the Jets, Davis is returning to Detroit on a one-year, league-minimum deal. • Reuben Foster, 2017, no. 31 overall: Foster has not played an NFL snap since 2018, following legal trouble (stemming from separate arrests centered on drug and weapon offenses and a domestic dispute, respectively) and torn knee ligaments that landed him on injured reserve for two consecutive seasons. Most recently, Foster was invited to workout for the Miami Dolphins, but there has been little reporting suggesting a return to the league is imminent. • Roquan Smith, 2018, no. 8 overall: Smith has started 59 of the 61 games he’s been on the active roster in Chicago, and he’s logged more than 90 solo tackles and 10+ tackles for loss in each of the last two seasons, making second team All-Pro both times. The Bears picked up Smith’s fifth-year option, which covers this coming season, and all signs indicate he will be a mainstay in Chicago’s defense through at least one more contract. • Tremaine Edmunds, 2018, no. 16 overall: Edmunds has been the Bills’ starting middle linebackers in each of 61 games he’s made the active roster. Edmunds had his fifth-year options picked up by the Bills, and he made a pair of Pro Bowls (2019, 2020). I’d expect Edmunds to receive a second contract in Buffalo after the 2022 season. • Leighton Vander Esch, 2018, no. 19 overall: Vander Esch has lost most of the shine from his breakout rookie campaign, when he logged 102 solo tackles and made second team All-Pro. Nearly half of his career solo tackles came in his first 16 career games, and the Dallas Cowboys declined his fifth-year option before resigning him to a one-year, $2 million dollar contract. • Rashaan Evans, 2018, no. 22 overall: Evans started 50 of the 59 games while on the Titans’ active roster, but mostly middling production led to Tennessee phasing him out of an every-down starter role. The Titans declined to pick up Evans’ fifth-year option, and he’s now playing on a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. • Devin White, 2019, no. 5 overall: Short of Fred Warner, White’s resume stands at or near the top of the position in his first three years. Finishing just short of 100 solo tackles in 2020, and 90 in 2021, White has made an All-Pro or Pro Bowl team in each of the last two seasons. I expect White to be the next linebacker to reset the top of the market following his rookie contract. • Devin Bush, 2019, no. 10 overall: 2022 is a pivotal season for Bush, after playing in just five games in 2020 and logging just 41 solo tackles and two tackles for loss in 16 games last year. Bush had a strong rookie season, but he’ll need to replicate a similar level of production to make the Pittsburgh Steelers comfortable with picking up his near-$11 million dollar fifth year option. • Isaiah Simmons, 2020, no. 8 overall: Simmons certainly needed to be walked slowly into his role as the Cardinals’ leading linebacker, but year two provided much more reason for optimism than his rookie campaign. Simmons effectively doubled his tackling production and started in all 17 games in 2021, but he will need a breakout year soon to justify Arizona retaining his contract through year five. • Kenneth Murray, 2020, no. 23 overall: The Chargers signed Troy Reeder this off-season after the departure of Kyzir White, which says plenty about the franchise’s internal evaluation of Murray. Given Murray logged just 337 snaps in 2021 — and one start after week 12 — it’s safe to assume that the Chargers aren’t expecting much beyond depth and special teams roles for Murray in year three. • Jordyn Brooks, 2020, no. 27 overall: The NFL’s solo tackle leader in 2021, Brooks showed enough to make Seattle comfortable with letting Seahawks legend Bobby Wagner walk in the offseason. I don’t expect perennial Pro Bowls or All-Pro selections for Brooks, but another 80-plus solo tackle season will give the Texas Tech product a strong argument for the Seahawks picking up his fifth-year option. • Patrick Queen, 2020, no. 28 overall: It’s difficult to evaluate (or even contextualize) the 2021 season for the Ravens, given the Baltimore’s poor injury luck. Queen’s tackle has production remained steady over two NFL seasons, but the Ravens will need him to take on a bigger role in coverage and show up more consistently in the run game in years three and four. • Micah Parsons, 2021, no. 12 overall: As it currently stands, Parson is the best football player to be drafted last year, making first team All-Pro as a rookie and finishing as the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year. Parsons logged production in the backfield consistent with a top-five pass rusher, and he only played on the line of scrimmage in obvious passing situations. Thirteen sacks and 20 tackles for loss per season is probably unsustainable, but playing for defensive coordinator Dan Quinn allows Parsons to maximize his athletic gifts. • Zaven Collins, 2021, no. 16 overall: He played just 205 defensive snaps last year, but Arizona losing Jordan Hicks in free agency signals the franchise is ready to put more on the young linebacker’s shoulders. However, last season’s tape showed a linebacker who was still a half-step behind the speed of the NFL game. • Jamin Davis, 2021, no. 19 overall: Davis started half of his 16 games in his rookie campaign and delivered average production. Washington drafted Davis in the hopes that his athleticism would lend itself towards a coverage-first linebacker with enough size to handle playing in the box when needed, but year one has not provided clarity as to whether that’s a long term role for the Kentucky product. Making no assumptions about breakout years or a linear, upward trajectory for any of these players, just six appear to be valuable enough for a long-term second contract with the franchise that drafted them — and each of these players is a star, or close to it. A 40% hit rate isn’t too far from what you’d likely find at other positions drafted in the first round, but at least five of these players either already signed or are tracking toward playing on a “prove-it” deal for their next contract, leaving a huge delta in potential outcomes. The top of this year’s linebacker class doesn’t do much to calm any anxiety about spending a first-round pick on a second-level defender. Dean and Lloyd are jack-of-all-trades types, essential in the modern game, but their play styles and body types aren’t all that similar, leaving some uncertainty about where the consensus may be for the two prospects. [The article then goes into detail about Lloyd and Dean's strengths, weaknesses, and whether either player is worthy of a first round pick. Suffice it to say that Lloyd seems like a fit for what the Bills like to do, but will likely be gone by 25, while Dean doesn't really seem like a fit for the Bills defense. His teammate, Quay Walker, not mentioned in this piece, is likely more to the Bills' tastes with regard to playing style].

I don't know which way Beane is leaning for 2023 with regards to Edmunds.........however, if the dline is improved, we could probably get by with a good rookie then. At a much cheap price. This draft is going to be interesting as hell. I feel Beane works really hard and will be prepared.

A:: Edmunds D:: Moss S:: Von Miller P:: Haack

I would not make that assumption regarding Edmunds. I wouldn’t have picked up his option, but we did so we are stuck with him this season. I let him walk after it. That makes other decisions a lot easier. DL: Oliver has already had his fifth year option picked up so he will be here through next season. He should be extended beyond that. Von Miller will be here for at least three seasons due to his contract. They are the only two DL players with big contracts. LB: Milano is making a sizable contract, but is worth it and should be kept. If the Bills let Edmunds walk, then Milano is the only big LB contract. I’d draft a player who could replace Edmunds on day 2 this month. DB: Tre has the biggest DB contract and isn’t going anywhere barring catastrophe. Taron Johnson is our Nickel. He just signed a contract that will keep him here. We need a CB2. Hopefully we get a solid, reasonably priced one in FA and another in the draft. Hyde is signed through 2023. I expect him to play it out. Poyer is the only real question mark. I don’t know what he’s asking for so I can’t say if we should extend him or not. If reasonable, then, sure. Do it and lock him up with guarantees for the next couple years. If not, we should trade home before the draft. Regardless the Bills should find a safety that can develop in this draft. It’s all manageable if we don’t squander our cap space.

I just hope Tre White will be back to the same level and Edmunds makes us wish Beane extended him this off-season.

Tough calls….the guy that really sticks out to me from that list is Milano. What has he done for us lately? I don’t think he was ever worth that kind of dough… I think Edmunds has to be replaced by a high pick so he might stay awhile if he agrees to a contract to stay….on the other hand, his contract is set to expire, all the work is done for us…. Hyde and Poyer unfortunately are getting old and perhaps we have to move on at the appropriate time there too… but I think there is a very little a young LB couldn’t do to replace Milano….Just got to find a smart one…I think defenses have found a way to nullify him…there is very little Milano can do about being blocked. I think teams have decided to put a hat on him to avoid his impact. Maybe if our DL is better this year, teams won’t be able to find Milano? I sure hope you’re right on regarding Groot. The 3 young DEs absolutely have to come on this year… I wonder what weight Groot is going to be this spring? He might be a Super big end. He has the frame that is for sure. He gained 30 LBs. last year…..It would be very interesting if he showed up ~ 300#…. Too heavy??? Is he athletic enough and explosive enough to get that QB at 265? His best bet might be to become a full power rusher at 300 like Super…. IDK? We’ll have to see….

Agreed. I would guess they may be doing a "wait and see" type approach before making a decision on Edmunds. Like maybe they have an eye on someone and waiting to see how things go for if/when available? Who knows.... Anyways, yeah I agree with you here

I agree. At this point, I don’t think it’s wise to extend Edmunds based on his position value + projected price tag + performance. That said, I think that they’ll likely see how Tremaine does with the revamped DL and go from there.

Tre isn't going anywhere unless there is a significant fall off in his play after the knee injury. Milano was our best LB last season, much better and more consistent than Edmunds. Milano won't be getting axed. Von Miller will be here for at least 3 years because of the guaranteed $$$. Hopefully there is at least one, if not multiple Lombardi's that come home in that time. Oliver will at least be here to play out the 5th year option in 2023 if nothing else. We have a bunch of 1 year deals along the DL, Edmunds in his 5th year option, and Poyer in the last year of his deal. The two I think are gone after this year are both Poyer and Edmunds. Poyer because I don't see Beane prioritizing a S over 30 with a big $$$ contract. Edmunds because he will price himself out of what they are willing to pay. If the light switch finally comes on for Edmunds, which I highly doubt, then the Franchise Tag is always an option as well. But Poyer and Edmunds are the most logical and likely players we let walk.