NYup/Parrino Mock Draft - rawwwrr

[Foxx]

5 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

I go the other way on Trent Murphy I am afraid. There is absolutely no way I am paying that man almost $10m in 2020. I don't care that we have the cap space. He is among the worst run defenders I have ever seen and his 5 sacks a year are not convincing me to part with $8m more than I need to (he costs just under $2m if cut) in order to keep him. I'd cut him and I'd do it tomorrow. I'd rather give his snaps to Darryl Johnson or Mike Love or any DE I find on the free agency scrap heap. I can't believe that there isn't a better use of $8m. 

i think we should let Hughes go as well. retain Lawson and bring in someone to replace Murphy (which wouldn't be that hard).

[LeGOATski]

5 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

I go the other way on Trent Murphy I am afraid. There is absolutely no way I am paying that man almost $10m in 2020. I don't care that we have the cap space. He is among the worst run defenders I have ever seen and his 5 sacks a year are not convincing me to part with $8m more than I need to (he costs just under $2m if cut) in order to keep him. I'd cut him and I'd do it tomorrow. I'd rather give his snaps to Darryl Johnson or Mike Love or any DE I find on the free agency scrap heap. I can't believe that there isn't a better use of $8m. 

Yup. Darryl Johnson is a sleeper. Could make a big jump this year with a good offseason.

[Happy]

26 minutes ago, Foxx said:

i think we should let Hughes go as well. retain Lawson and bring in someone to replace Murphy (which wouldn't be that hard).

 

Not this year, it wouldn't make sense.  Hughes can still be productive and his dead cap is $10.8M vs cap hit of $9.5M.  The potential out from Hughes' contract is after this upcoming season.

[GunnerBill]

9 minutes ago, Foxx said:

i think we should let Hughes go as well. retain Lawson and bring in someone to replace Murphy (which wouldn't be that hard).

 

Sadly that silly contract they did with Hughes makes it hard to let him go. I did say this before last season. I wanted to let him play out and if he was still performing franchise him for another year. When the wall comes for pass rushers it tends to come pretty fast.

[thebandit27]

Someone still needs to explain to me how this team is better in 2020 without Murphy.

[Happy]

1 minute ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Sadly that silly contract they did with Hughes makes it hard to let him go. I did say this before last season. I wanted to let him play out and if he was still performing franchise him for another year. When the wall comes for pass rushers it tends to come pretty fast.

 

Didn't Hughes essentially play with one hand this past season, due to fractured bones or something?  He definitely had an off year.

The biggest negative to keeping Hughes is that the LT can completely maul him and it never gets called.  I suspect this is because of Hughes shooting off his mouth while chasing after a referee in the tunnel after a game a few years back.

I hear you, the potential for Hughes to hit that wall is approaching.  Just hope he can make it through this season and be somewhat productive.

1 minute ago, thebandit27 said:

Someone still needs to explain to me how this team is better in 2020 without Murphy.

 

You let him go, save $8M, and get a FA.  Murphy is not hard to replace.  I don't understand those who think he's something special, because he's not.

[Matt Parrino]

17 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

I'm posting this 'cuz I like it

 

https://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/2020/02/nfl-mock-draft-2020-2-rounds-buffalo-bills-go-edge-rusher-receiver-in-pre-combine-mock.html

 

I claim no knowledge of how likely, best player, etc etc

 

The thing I don't get is the notion of cutting Trent Murphy to save $8M.  Why not hang on to him and keep a proven decent player and worry about cuts only AFTER we have proven players to replace him?

 

Here's what I wrote on Murphy last week @ https://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/2020/02/buffalo-bills-have-6-offseason-cut-candidates-what-to-do-with-trent-murphy-tyler-kroft-and-the-rest.html

 

I think keeping him on the roster is fine if the Bills can't upgrade in free agency. He's a nice rotational piece. I just think there are better options at that number. Almost $10 million for what Murphy brought in 2019 isn't good enough in my opinion. But that's just my opinion. Again, hanging onto him for 2020 with no other options, sure, that makes sense. If they re-sign Shaq and draft a pass rusher I think that $10 million would be better spent elsewhere. 

 

1. Trent Murphy, DE

2020 Cap Hit: $9.78 million

2020 Dead Cap: $1.75 million

Potential savings: $8.03 million

Murphy was solid in 2019 and his most significant contributions came in the biggest game of the season when he had two sacks against the Houston Texans in the playoffs. Murphy is a well-rounded edge player that left something to be desired as a consistent pass rusher.

Heading into the final year of a three-year deal, Murphy is a contingency plan at this point. With Shaq Lawson entering free agency the Bills currently have Jerry Hughes, Murphy and 2019 seventh-round draft pick Darryl Johnson on the roster. If Lawson signs elsewhere and the Bills whiff on an edge rusher in free agency or on Day 1/2 of the draft, Murphy’s inclusion on the 2020 roster is basically guaranteed.

If the Bills are able to make a move or two and upgrade at the position (free agent edge rushers like Yannick Ngakoue and Robert Quinn come to mind) then saving the $8 million makes a lot of sense.

Edited February 18, 2020 by Hapless Bills Fan
Formatting

[thebandit27]

6 minutes ago, Happy Gilmore said:

 

Didn't Hughes essentially play with one hand this past season, due to fractured bones or something?  He definitely had an off year.

The biggest negative to keeping Hughes is that the LT can completely maul him and it never gets called.  I suspect this is because of Hughes shooting off his mouth while chasing after a referee in the tunnel after a game a few years back.

I hear you, the potential for Hughes to hit that wall is approaching.  Just hope he can make it through this season and be somewhat productive.

 

You let him go, save $8M, and get a FA.  Murphy is not hard to replace.  I don't understand those who think he's something special, because he's not.

You don’t need to let him go to get a FA. You can keep him AND get a FA.

 

He may not be something special, but he’s clearly better than their current DE4. 

[Matt Parrino]

1 hour ago, westside2 said:

I don't understand the two picks. He chose two guys he doesn't think will be there when they pick? Is this a mock draft or a wish list?

 

I've seen tons of mocks where they're there. I just don't think they will be in April. The Scouting Combine is going to change everything.

[Happy]

4 minutes ago, thebandit27 said:

You don’t need to let him go to get a FA. You can keep him AND get a FA.

 

He may not be something special, but he’s clearly better than their current DE4. 

 

He's not worth the $8-10M cap hit to keep as he is way overpaid.  Re-sign Shaq Lawson and use the money to get a FA, which shouldn't be too hard to do.  Worst case you have Hughes and Lawson with Johnson and Love as rotations (which I'm not exactly enamored with), but I don't think the worst case will come to pass.

[thebandit27]

1 minute ago, Happy Gilmore said:

 

He's not worth the $8-10M cap hit to keep as he is way overpaid.  Re-sign Shaq Lawson and use the money to get a FA, which shouldn't be too hard to do.  Worst case you have Hughes and Lawson with Johnson and Love as rotations (which I'm not exactly enamored with), but I don't think the worst case will come to pass.

Once again, you can do all of that AND keep Murphy, and you’ll be a better team than cutting him to gain cap space that you don’t need.

 

In your scenario, who would you rather have at DE4: Johnson, Love, or Murphy? Honestly it isn’t close.

[Happy]

Just now, thebandit27 said:

Once again, you can do all of that AND keep Murphy, and you’ll be a better team than cutting him to gain cap space that you don’t need.

 

In your scenario, who would you rather have at DE4: Johnson, Love, or Murphy? Honestly it isn’t close.

 

That's what I meant by not being enamored with the DE's behind Lawson and Hughes.  I get your point about not cutting a player who is better than your lower end depth, but keeping Murphy at his current pay rate is a waste of money.  Use it to get an upgrade in FA, which Beane should be able to do.

[thebandit27]

Just now, Happy Gilmore said:

 

That's what I meant by not being enamored with the DE's behind Lawson and Hughes.  I get your point about not cutting a player who is better than your lower end depth, but keeping Murphy at his current pay rate is a waste of money.  Use it to get an upgrade in FA, which Beane should be able to do.

You don’t need to make your team worse to get money for an upgrade. This team can basically get whatever they want done in FA (money-wise) without a single cut.

 

Unless you need the money, you shouldn’t make your team worse.

For me, it’s that simple.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

15 minutes ago, Matt Parrino said:

 

Here's what I wrote on Murphy last week @ https://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/2020/02/buffalo-bills-have-6-offseason-cut-candidates-what-to-do-with-trent-murphy-tyler-kroft-and-the-rest.html

 

I think keeping him on the roster is fine if the Bills can't upgrade in free agency. He's a nice rotational piece. I just think there are better options at that number. Almost $10 million for what Murphy brought in 2019 isn't good enough in my opinion. But that's just my opinion. Again, hanging onto him for 2020 with no other options, sure, that makes sense. If they re-sign Shaq and draft a pass rusher I think that $10 million would be better spent elsewhere. 

 

1. Trent Murphy, DE

2020 Cap Hit: $9.78 million

2020 Dead Cap: $1.75 million

Potential savings: $8.03 million

Murphy was solid in 2019 and his most significant contributions came in the biggest game of the season when he had two sacks against the Houston Texans in the playoffs. Murphy is a well-rounded edge player that left something to be desired as a consistent pass rusher.

Heading into the final year of a three-year deal, Murphy is a contingency plan at this point. With Shaq Lawson entering free agency the Bills currently have Jerry Hughes, Murphy and 2019 seventh-round draft pick Darryl Johnson on the roster. If Lawson signs elsewhere and the Bills whiff on an edge rusher in free agency or on Day 1/2 of the draft, Murphy’s inclusion on the 2020 roster is basically guaranteed.

If the Bills are able to make a move or two and upgrade at the position (free agent edge rushers like Yannick Ngakoue and Robert Quinn come to mind) then saving the $8 million makes a lot of sense.

 

Hi Matt, nice to hear your thoughts.

 

I completely agree that if the Bills upgrade in FA and the draft. Murphy becomes expendable.  What wasn’t clear to me from the Mock Draft I linked, was your sequence “If....Then”.

Rookies are always an unknown wrt how quickly they’ll pick up the pro game and even if they look great in pre-season, that doesn’t always guarantee.

 

So IMHO it would make no sense to cut ties with Murphy until the cut-down to the 53 man (unless he becomes expendable and someone offers to trade).  Keep him, and if he’s outplayed by various additions OR if we truly are at a point where we need his space, then cut ways.

 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

17 minutes ago, Happy Gilmore said:

 

That's what I meant by not being enamored with the DE's behind Lawson and Hughes.  I get your point about not cutting a player who is better than your lower end depth, but keeping Murphy at his current pay rate is a waste of money.  Use it to get an upgrade in FA, which Beane should be able to do.

 

If they upgrade, for sure Murphy becomes expendable.  But until cap space does become limiting, I think there’s a point in looking at skill level alone, and not skill level/$$.

I would agree with you about being able to find higher skill level/$$ around the league, but then we get into is it a big step or an increment, and what’s value to place on a guy who already knows the system?

 

I would say the same holds true of Lotulelei.  Is he value for $$?  Even after the pay cut, maybe not....but until we have enough other players proven to be better or we’re tight with the cap, why not?

[Foxx]

2 hours ago, Happy Gilmore said:

 

Not this year, it wouldn't make sense.  Hughes can still be productive and his dead cap is $10.8M vs cap hit of $9.5M.  The potential out from Hughes' contract is after this upcoming season.

 

2 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Sadly that silly contract they did with Hughes makes it hard to let him go. I did say this before last season. I wanted to let him play out and if he was still performing franchise him for another year. When the wall comes for pass rushers it tends to come pretty fast.

i didn't realize Hughes cap hit was so large this year. it looks like we will be retaining him another year. lets hope he was one handed for most of last year and he has a better year this go round.

[John from Riverside]

29 minutes ago, Foxx said:

 

i didn't realize Hughes cap hit was so large this year. it looks like we will be retaining him another year. lets hope he was one handed for most of last year and he has a better year this go round.

Get the guy a better edge on the other side and watch Hughes flourish

[Happy]

1 hour ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

If they upgrade, for sure Murphy becomes expendable.  But until cap space does become limiting, I think there’s a point in looking at skill level alone, and not skill level/$$.

I would agree with you about being able to find higher skill level/$$ around the league, but then we get into is it a big step or an increment, and what’s value to place on a guy who already knows the system?

 

I would say the same holds true of Lotulelei.  Is he value for $$?  Even after the pay cut, maybe not....but until we have enough other players proven to be better or we’re tight with the cap, why not?

 

If Beane finds a FA who is and increment better than Murphy, I think you get rid of Murphy as he is overpaid for his middling production.  I personally don't think the guy is that good and see why the Redskins parted ways with him, aside from injury history.

 

From Beane's perspective, I would assume that a lot of it depends on A) re-signing Shaq Lawson, B) drafting an Edge who is more than SpT/depth, and C) FA upgrade.  If all three occur, I would expect Murphy gone.  If one of the three doesn't happen, I can see Murphy back on a short deal.

 

I expect Star to be back since it doesn't make sense to part with him until after the 2020 season, cap wise.  A poster mentioned that a team counting on Star and Murphy as starters on the D-line is not a team that will play for the SB; I completely agree with that sentiment since neither are better than middling talent.

[Westside]

2 hours ago, Matt Parrino said:

 

I've seen tons of mocks where they're there. I just don't think they will be in April. The Scouting Combine is going to change everything.

I understand. Who were your picks if both are gone?

[Matt Parrino]

29 minutes ago, westside2 said:

I understand. Who were your picks if both are gone?

 

I'd probably go Shenault for now. I'm hoping he can test next week. Higgins would be intriguing to once I get a chance to hear him talk and see how he runs. Delpit might be an intriguing option I saw suggested.

[Westside]

Just now, Matt Parrino said:

 

I'd probably go Shenault for now. I'm hoping he can test next week. Higgins would be intriguing to once I get a chance to hear him talk and see how he runs. Delpit might be an intriguing option I saw suggested.

Thanks Matt, I wouldn't mind Shenault or Higgens myself.

[GG]

3 hours ago, thebandit27 said:

Once again, you can do all of that AND keep Murphy, and you’ll be a better team than cutting him to gain cap space that you don’t need.

 

In your scenario, who would you rather have at DE4: Johnson, Love, or Murphy? Honestly it isn’t close.

That's not the reality, though.  

 

The choice for DE #4 should be Murphy vs veteran FA at $10 million.   So the proper Q is, Murphy or Quinn, or Addison?

[MasterStrategist]

1 hour ago, Matt Parrino said:

 

I'd probably go Shenault for now. I'm hoping he can test next week. Higgins would be intriguing to once I get a chance to hear him talk and see how he runs. Delpit might be an intriguing option I saw suggested.

Agree completely, Shenault seems like a great fit with his physicality, leadership, and overall talent.  He isn't Deebo Samuel, but he is multidimensional player that can be moved around alot.

 

For defensive end, I think it comes down to how much they think Darryl Johnson will develop in 2020 and 2021.  Hughes, fa def end, top 3 round draft pick. and either Murphy or Johnson is my best guess for this position group.  It is in desperate need of an athletic upgrade, and while I expect Hughes to be better than 2019 (due to injury), I think they need to start planning for 2-3 yrs down the road (no hughes, murphy).  I like Shaqs intensity and swag, but dont think he will be retained

[thebandit27]

1 hour ago, GG said:

That's not the reality, though.  

 

The choice for DE #4 should be Murphy vs veteran FA at $10 million.   So the proper Q is, Murphy or Quinn, or Addison?

How so? If assume that Hughes is on the team, then Murphy is, at the moment, no worse than DE2. If the team were to keep Shaq, then Murphy is no worse than DE3 (of course, this all ignores the fact that Murphy played more snaps than either Hughes or Shaq in 2019). If the team then also adds a FA, then Murphy is no worse than DE4.

 

So unless the plan is to sign 2 FA DEs at $10M plus and re-sign Shaq, then I don’t see how your situation comes to fruition.

[The Jokeman]

8 hours ago, Happy Gilmore said:

I don't understand how people could be satisfied with Trent Murphy.  He is the Star Lutulieltieieii of the DE position...depth, maybe some rotation, but should see little playing time since he is not an impact player.  Murphy is usually pushed clear out of the play by the RT, and you normally see him running to the pile on your screen when the play is blown dead because that is how far he was removed from the play.  Funny, I believe McD referred to Murphy as having 'that DNA' he's looking for.  I guess that is analogous to having a high motor ala Chris Kelsay.  Both were meh players.

 

No way do I pay Murphy $8M this year, and as pointed out, dead cap is less than $2M.  This is a clear cut and not too hard to replace a middling DE/edge rusher.

He's a list of DEs making $7M - $8M in 2020 and their sack numbers from 2019.

 

 

Clelin Ferrell 4.5

Myles Garrett 10.0

Trent Murphy 5.0

Matthew Ioannidis 8.5

Solomon Thomas 2.0

DaQuan Jones 1.0

 

The fact replacing Murphy is no easy task, look over the list of UFAs and then come up with a list of guys you think we can sign for a salary less than or equal to Murphy who will produce the same sack totals at DE.  Remember that there are 31 other teams that are going to be competing with us for their services as well. 

Edited February 18, 2020 by The Jokeman

[GG]

52 minutes ago, thebandit27 said:

How so? If assume that Hughes is on the team, then Murphy is, at the moment, no worse than DE2. If the team were to keep Shaq, then Murphy is no worse than DE3 (of course, this all ignores the fact that Murphy played more snaps than either Hughes or Shaq in 2019). If the team then also adds a FA, then Murphy is no worse than DE4.

 

So unless the plan is to sign 2 FA DEs at $10M plus and re-sign Shaq, then I don’t see how your situation comes to fruition.

I misread the ranking, treating then as DEs #2. My position remains the same, the Murphy decision will be in the first week of FA.   If they add someone in the first week, he's gone.  

 

In any event, I imagine Bills reached out to him for a restructure.   He's due to make $10 million in 2020, which is above his market value.  It's best for both to cut that number down.  

[ALF]

They should restructure Murphy with incentives to a possible $10M

[formerlyofCtown]

On 2/17/2020 at 8:05 PM, The Jokeman said:

I'm a Murphy fan and agree cutting him makes no sense. I'm not opposed taking an Edge rusher in Round 1 but more to replace Shaq and eventually Hughes.

I would like to see Shaq back.  He’s a big deal to our run D.  We have a great secondary.  Bad run D makes that irrelevant.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

15 hours ago, Cripple Creek said:

Is there a roster bonus paid out at the beginning of the league year?

 

For Trent Murphy?  Yes, but it's pretty small - $500k

 

3 hours ago, Jaraxxus said:

Give me elite offense not second tier. I'd rather skimp on defense.

 

The way Beane and McDermott have built, they appear to hold the exact opposite view to yours, so you may be unhappy watching this.

[Happy]

4 hours ago, The Jokeman said:

He's a list of DEs making $7M - $8M in 2020 and their sack numbers from 2019.

 

 

Clelin Ferrell 4.5

Myles Garrett 10.0

Trent Murphy 5.0

Matthew Ioannidis 8.5

Solomon Thomas 2.0

DaQuan Jones 1.0

 

The fact replacing Murphy is no easy task, look over the list of UFAs and then come up with a list of guys you think we can sign for a salary less than or equal to Murphy who will produce the same sack totals at DE.  Remember that there are 31 other teams that are going to be competing with us for their services as well. 

 

Here you are.  I took the max age of 30 and didn't worry about salary.  Murphy's QB Hit number wasn't available, at least that I saw.  Statistically, he had a good year, only 2016 was better.  As I mentioned earlier, Murphy is usually pushed clear out of the play by the RT, which I gather just by eyesight as there is not a statistic for that.  For his salary, which is in the upper end, Murphy doesn't really stand out and shouldn't be too difficult to replace.  IMO, he is nothing special and is overpaid.

 

 

2020 UFA DE (from SpoTrac)

Player           Age             Tackles              Sack         QB Hit         FF               2019 AAV ($M)

 

Derek Wolfe   30              34                         7               13            1                    9.1

Rober Quinn  30               34                       12              24            2                    8.0

Vic Beasley   28                42                       8                12            2                     3.6

J Clowney     27                31                       3                13            4                    15.0

Leonard Williams   26     46                       1                16            1                     4.6

Arik Armstead    26         54                      10               19            2                     2.4

E Ogbah        26               32                       6                 11            1                     1.6

Chris Jones   26             36                        9                 20            1                    1.5

Y Ngakoue   25               41                        8                 17            4                    0.8

 

Trent Murphy    29          36                       5                 ?                  2                   7.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Paulus]

Trent Murphy remind me of that Kelsey fellow. 

 

 

 

 

I dont like him. 

[The Jokeman]

7 hours ago, Happy Gilmore said:

 

Here you are.  I took the max age of 30 and didn't worry about salary.  Murphy's QB Hit number wasn't available, at least that I saw.  Statistically, he had a good year, only 2016 was better.  As I mentioned earlier, Murphy is usually pushed clear out of the play by the RT, which I gather just by eyesight as there is not a statistic for that.  For his salary, which is in the upper end, Murphy doesn't really stand out and shouldn't be too difficult to replace.  IMO, he is nothing special and is overpaid.

 

 

2020 UFA DE (from SpoTrac)

Player           Age             Tackles              Sack         QB Hit         FF               2019 AAV ($M)

 

Derek Wolfe   30              34                         7               13            1                    9.1

Rober Quinn  30               34                       12              24            2                    8.0

Vic Beasley   28                42                       8                12            2                     3.6

J Clowney     27                31                       3                13            4                    15.0

Leonard Williams   26     46                       1                16            1                     4.6

Arik Armstead    26         54                      10               19            2                     2.4

E Ogbah        26               32                       6                 11            1                     1.6

Chris Jones   26             36                        9                 20            1                    1.5

Y Ngakoue   25               41                        8                 17            4                    0.8

 

Trent Murphy    29          36                       5                 ?                  2                   7.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So which two do you think we could get and pay less than Murphy? Since we might have to replace Shaq too. 

[GG]

34 minutes ago, The Jokeman said:

So which two do you think we could get and pay less than Murphy? Since we might have to replace Shaq too. 

 

Beane has to decide whether Bam Johnson is ready for an expanded role this season.  It was clear that he wasn't up to the rigors of run defense last year, and the hope is that with the off-season conditioning, he'll be more stout. 

 

But since hope is not a strategy, Bills need to address the DE position for the long term - Murphy is signed through 2020 and Hughes through 2021.  That's why the position should be a priority in first FA week and at the top of the draft.  

 

To answer Happy's question, Murphy was credited with only 9 QB hits in 2020, which is very low for the position he plays and benefits from the attention that Hughes gets.  

 

At this point, Murphy would be an adequate piece in a DE rotation, but not at a $10 million cost.  Bills would be better served to use that money on a long term deal with Shaq, add a bridge vet with a higher ceiling than Murphy and draft another DE early.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

9 hours ago, Happy Gilmore said:

 

Here you are.  I took the max age of 30 and didn't worry about salary.  Murphy's QB Hit number wasn't available, at least that I saw.  Statistically, he had a good year, only 2016 was better.  As I mentioned earlier, Murphy is usually pushed clear out of the play by the RT, which I gather just by eyesight as there is not a statistic for that.  For his salary, which is in the upper end, Murphy doesn't really stand out and shouldn't be too difficult to replace.  IMO, he is nothing special and is overpaid.

 

 

2020 UFA DE (from SpoTrac)

Player           Age             Tackles              Sack         QB Hit         FF               2019 AAV ($M)

 

Derek Wolfe   30              34                         7               13            1                    9.1

Rober Quinn  30               34                       12              24            2                    8.0

Vic Beasley   28                42                       8                12            2                     3.6

J Clowney     27                31                       3                13            4                    15.0

Leonard Williams   26     46                       1                16            1                     4.6

Arik Armstead    26         54                      10               19            2                     2.4

E Ogbah        26               32                       6                 11            1                     1.6

Chris Jones   26             36                        9                 20            1                    1.5

Y Ngakoue   25               41                        8                 17            4                    0.8

 

Trent Murphy    29          36                       5                 ?                  2                   7.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...Clowney is looking to "reset the market in free agency"...….Mack type money is being mentioned...……….

[The Jokeman]

29 minutes ago, GG said:

 

Beane has to decide whether Bam Johnson is ready for an expanded role this season.  It was clear that he wasn't up to the rigors of run defense last year, and the hope is that with the off-season conditioning, he'll be more stout. 

 

But since hope is not a strategy, Bills need to address the DE position for the long term - Murphy is signed through 2020 and Hughes through 2021.  That's why the position should be a priority in first FA week and at the top of the draft.  

 

To answer Happy's question, Murphy was credited with only 9 QB hits in 2020, which is very low for the position he plays and benefits from the attention that Hughes gets.  

 

At this point, Murphy would be an adequate piece in a DE rotation, but not at a $10 million cost.  Bills would be better served to use that money on a long term deal with Shaq, add a bridge vet with a higher ceiling than Murphy and draft another DE early.

My biggest concern was Shaq's numbers prior to last year weren't as good as they were last year. He has even said on social media that the Bills not taking his option fueled his play for 2019 to earn a contract. It just screams pay me and I go back to what I was, which was a solid run tackling DE. I don't mind adding another edge rusher to compete with Trent. Infact I'd add a veteran and am leaning toward drafting a kid in Round 1 too. 

[Happy]

2 hours ago, The Jokeman said:

So which two do you think we could get and pay less than Murphy? Since we might have to replace Shaq too. 

 

I'm hoping/optimistic we re-sign Shaq as I think it would be a good move.

 

Why is it that Murphy's pay is some type of benchmark that needs to be measured against?  I think Murphy is a middling talent who is overpaid, and whose stats this year were much better than he is.  Ngakoue or Armstead would be fine, and may even cost less than Murphy.  I'm on the fence about Clowney as there is no way he lives up to his contract, but he is a force that occupies the backfield and makes the QB uncomfortable.

 

Ultimately, I want to a) re-sign Shaq b) get a FA to replace Murphy, and c) draft a DE/edge early - above the 5th round, preferably.   Daryl Johnson was depth and special teams, he didn't meet any starting need at DE.

[The Jokeman]

7 minutes ago, Happy Gilmore said:

 

I'm hoping/optimistic we re-sign Shaq as I think it would be a good move.

 

Why is it that Murphy's pay is some type of benchmark that needs to be measured against?  I think Murphy is a middling talent who is overpaid, and whose stats this year were much better than he is.  Ngakoue or Armstead would be fine, and may even cost less than Murphy.  I'm on the fence about Clowney as there is no way he lives up to his contract, but he is a force that occupies the backfield and makes the QB uncomfortable.

 

Ultimately, I want to a) re-sign Shaq b) get a FA to replace Murphy, and c) draft a DE/edge early - above the 5th round, preferably.   Daryl Johnson was depth and special teams, he didn't meet any starting need at DE.

I can see Shaq wanting more than Murphy because he got more sacks but I don't think he's that much better. Armstead another one of those one year wonders I worry about and while he is a solid run stuffer not sure he an elite pass rusher. I'm not sold on Clowney either and Ngakoue likely going to command a top salary and doubt we pay it. 

[NewEra]

16 minutes ago, Happy Gilmore said:

 

I'm hoping/optimistic we re-sign Shaq as I think it would be a good move.

 

Why is it that Murphy's pay is some type of benchmark that needs to be measured against?  I think Murphy is a middling talent who is overpaid, and whose stats this year were much better than he is.  Ngakoue or Armstead would be fine, and may even cost less than Murphy.  I'm on the fence about Clowney as there is no way he lives up to his contract, but he is a force that occupies the backfield and makes the QB uncomfortable.

 

Ultimately, I want to a) re-sign Shaq b) get a FA to replace Murphy, and c) draft a DE/edge early - above the 5th round, preferably.   Daryl Johnson was depth and special teams, he didn't meet any starting need at DE.

LOL!!! now that’s the funniest thing I’ve read all month

[Hapless Bills Fan]

12 hours ago, Jaraxxus said:

 

I'm fully aware and prepared to be disappointed again. 

 

Fair

 

11 minutes ago, NewEra said:

LOL!!! now that’s the funniest thing I’ve read all month

 

I'm not sure what adjective I'd use.  How about "inconsistent with current market value of top pass rushing NFL DE"?

[Happy]

18 minutes ago, The Jokeman said:

I can see Shaq wanting more than Murphy because he got more sacks but I don't think he's that much better. Armstead another one of those one year wonders I worry about and while he is a solid run stuffer not sure he an elite pass rusher. I'm not sold on Clowney either and Ngakoue likely going to command a top salary and doubt we pay it. 

 

I really do think Beane tries to get a deal with Shaq done as I believe they want to keep him.  If Shaq wants Clowney type money, he's gone.

 

IIRC, McD made a comment at the end of the season that he would have liked to see more from the defensive line in terms of QB pressure; they were somewhere toward the middle of the league as far as that goes.  Murphy needed to step up and fill that role, which he did not do that good of a job at, and certainly below his pay level.  He may be a high motor guy, but you're not going to contend for the SB having guys like Murphy and Star being counted on as DLine starters, or even high percentage rotation since they're middling players.  I'd be fine with keeping both at a lower pay rate and depth/low rotation percentage.