Bills 2026 Cap Situation

[Mikey152]

5 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

This is certainly the easiest way to get ahead of it. I know FA comes before the draft so this example isn’t perfect but it’ll make the point. Use WR as an example. Say that the Bills used a 3rd round pick on Chimere ***** instead of Landon Jackson. Having ***** would prevent you from having an $11M cap hit on Josh Palmer. You’d get the same production (more actually) PLUS $10M of cap space. 
 

The best way, imo, to manage the cap is to let role players walk and replace them in the draft. Sign stars and top of the roster players to big deals. You should never have $20+M of cap space allocated to Samuel & Palmer. For that same cap space you could have Justin Jefferson, Chimere ***** AND $4M of space (or something like that).
 

Don’t spend on the middle of your roster. Do not use FA to buy role players looking for a big raise. Unless you’re really undermanned somewhere or see a potential star (like Poyer at the time) resist. You don’t need to spend on guys like Taylor Rapp when there are guys like Darnell Savage out there that can give your similar play for a fraction of the cost.

I agree, but to be fair to the Bills FO, I don't think they saw Palmer or (especially) Samuel working out like they did.

 

Samuel was pretty productive w/Joe Brady in Carolina and posted some elite separation metrics in Washington. Sometimes it is just bad luck or bad fit, but he should of worked.

 

Palmer I don't understand as much, but I won't pretend that I knew much about him.  I will say, whenever I watch the all-22 of Bills games, he does seem to have a step on his defender quite often. I just don't know if he is doing the little things well or maybe Josh doesn't trust him to win those 50/50 balls against man.  IDK. 

Edited January 15 by Mikey152

[Alphadawg7]

19 hours ago, GASabresIUFan said:

I saw this article on Spotrac.com and I thought it would be worth a discussion considering how many threads we are already seeing about going after this guy (Mack for example) or that guy (Addison) etc...  

 

https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/3213/2026-financials-buffalo-bills

 

 

Also time to exercise the 5th year option on Kincaid (approx 8.8 million).  Biggest omission is discussion of an extension for Torrence especially in light of FAs McGovern and Edwards.

 

The Bills are going to have to find away to create an additional 60 mill in cap to be able to afford any free agents and somehow keep of the Oline intact (if that is the goal).  Personally I believe at least one of the McGovern or Edwards (or possibly both) will be allowed to walk in favor of Anderson, SVPG and/or Grable.  I trust Kromer to make good decisions on the line.  

 

I also don't want Beane to spend another nickel on a FA WR, unless it's keeping Cooks on a bargain deal.  With Palmer, Coleman and Shakir already under contract for next season, it's time to bring in youth and SPEED at the position in the draft.

 

Of the UFAs I can see Wishnowsky, White, Thompson, Cooks, Gilliam and Poyer returning.  Milano, Edwards, AJE, Trubisky and McGovern are maybes.  I don't see D Jones, Bosa, Prater, Ogunjobi or Hamlin returning.   Not sure I care whether or not Cam Lewis or Franklin return.  

 

 

So if Beane can make a trade for a Waddle, Addison, Jefferson, AJ Brown, Wilson, DJ Moore, etc…your preference is not to and instead only look to the draft given you don’t want to use anymore cap space on the position?  Also, I think Keon being on the roster next year is a toss up and entirely dependent on how the post season goes at this point.  I think they are done with him long term unless he plays his way back into their plans.  1 catch last week wasn’t enough to assure him a roster spot after all his healthy scratches.
 

I get not spending in FA unless it’s to round out the end of the roster cheaply, especially since there isn’t a lot expected to be there in FA.  But if we can add a proven quality to top tier WR via trade, I think we need to find a way to do that.  
 

That being said, doesn’t mean any of those guys will be available or obtainable, but I do think exploring the trade market for a proven commodity at WR is a must given Allen be entering his 30’s and the draft is uncertain.  I don’t want to waste the remaining prime years chasing a solution if we can make a trade and assure the solution.  

[GASabresIUFan]

Here is a breakdown of what we are spending right now before anybody is waived, traded or restructured

 

Offense (17 players) 170.5

QB (1) 56.4

WR (5) 32.3

RB (3) 10.2

TE (3) 22.4

OL (5) 49.2

 

Defense (17 players) 90.1

DL (7) 51.3

LB (3) 8.3 

DB (7) 30.5

 

Specialists (2) 6.6

 

Dead Cap 2026 - 33

 

For 36 players we are currently slated to spend cap wise 267.2 with another 33 mill in dead cap.  These 36 players include the injured Carter, Bass, Rapp, L Jackson, Shavers and Strong.  We are going to need starters at OL Guard and Center plus at least one starting WR, a starting DE, a starting LB and a starting safety.  Also needed depth at WR, a QB2, depth in the OL, CB, S and LB

 

Looking at all this work, $60 mill might not be enough.  Please note cutting Knox, Rapp, Bass and Samuel saves 22.3 while only adding 11.6 in dead cap while opening 4 roster holes. 

 

Edited January 15 by GASabresIUFan

[Kirby Jackson]

6 minutes ago, Mikey152 said:

I agree, but to be fair to the Bills FO, I don't think they saw Palmer or (especially) Samuel working out like they did.

 

Samuel was pretty productive w/Joe Brady in Carolina and posted some elite separation metrics in Washington. Sometimes it is just bad luck or bad fit, but he should of worked.

 

Palmer I don't understand as much, but I won't pretend that I knew much about him.  I will say, whenever I watch the all-22 of Bills games, he does seem to have a step on his defender quite often. I just don't know if he is doing the little things well or maybe Josh doesn't trust him to win those 50/50 balls against man.  IDK. 

Totally fair. Samuel is one of my favorite Buckeyes. I never really saw him as a WR though. He’s Deebo. I liked adding that versatile skill set. I still believe the plan was always for him to be used like that but others were unable to succeed on the outside. 
 

Neither had a track record of success. It was certainly betting on, “they’ll be better in our system.” That’s strange to me when you’re pushing a guy up the depth chart. Palmer was 4 on the Chargers depth chart last year? Was he behind Allen, McConkey, and Johnston? To pay a guy like that and then count on him to succeed as a 2 is a bad idea. Now if you want to get a DJ Moore or someone like that with a track record of success as the focal point of the offense, I get it. 

[Kirby Jackson]

17 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Here is a breakdown of what we are spending right now before anybody is waived, traded or restructured

 

Offense (17 players) 170.5

QB (1) 56.4

WR (5) 32.3

RB (3) 10.2

TE (3) 22.4

OL (5) 49.2

 

Defense (17 players) 90.1

DL (7) 51.3

LB (3) 8.3 

DB (7) 30.5

 

Specialists (2) 6.6

 

Dead Cap 2026 - 33

 

For 36 players we are currently slated to spend cap wise 267.2 with another 33 mill in dead cap.  These 36 players include the injured Carter, Bass, Rapp, L Jackson, Shavers and Strong.  We are going to need starters at OL Guard and Center plus at least one starting WR, a starting DE, a starting LB and a starting safety.  Also needed depth at WR, a QB2, depth in the OL, CB, S and LB

 

Looling at all this work, $60 mill might not be enough.

 

That’s not how it works though. Simple, simple levers alter that so much. For example, if they decide to write Josh Allen a check and pay him today, they get $12M of space. The void years being counted is misleading if you’re bringing those guys back. You’re calling it “dead money” but it isn’t. They can actually bring those players back AND have a lower cap hit on them. The Bills can EASILY bring everyone that they want back AND a number 1 WR. It’s ALL about contract structure.

 

Some things that WILL happen:

- Josh restructure

- Dawkins extension

- Samuel, Rapp, Bass cut

My rough math, without looking at the chart is $30M of space there.

 

Some things that likely happen:

- Oliver extension

- Taron Johnson paycut

- Bosa, Milano, Knox extended 

 

That’s another $20M+ of cap space there.

 

Some things that may happen:

- McGovern extended 

- Epenesa extended

- Brown extended

- Torrence extended 

- Palmer post June 1 cut

 

Those 4 moves probably end giving you a few million of cap space (maybe like $5M). 
 

Again, that’s an inexact way of looking at it but the Bills ARE NOT in a tough cap situation in 2026. The ONLY way that changes is if Terry stops writing the checks. They can add void years, restructure, extend, and create LOTS of space. 
 

Once the season ends I’m sure Joe Marino and Greg Tompsett will cover it in greater depth. I don’t think that the Bills will extend McGovern, Torrence AND Edwards but that’s more about % of money on OL vs. other places. It’s not because they can’t afford it. 

 

 

Edited January 15 by Kirby Jackson

[Kirby Jackson]

32 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

So if Beane can make a trade for a Waddle, Addison, Jefferson, AJ Brown, Wilson, DJ Moore, etc…your preference is not to and instead only look to the draft given you don’t want to use anymore cap space on the position?  Also, I think Keon being on the roster next year is a toss up and entirely dependent on how the post season goes at this point.  I think they are done with him long term unless he plays his way back into their plans.  1 catch last week wasn’t enough to assure him a roster spot after all his healthy scratches.
 

I get not spending in FA unless it’s to round out the end of the roster cheaply, especially since there isn’t a lot expected to be there in FA.  But if we can add a proven quality to top tier WR via trade, I think we need to find a way to do that.  
 

That being said, doesn’t mean any of those guys will be available or obtainable, but I do think exploring the trade market for a proven commodity at WR is a must given Allen be entering his 30’s and the draft is uncertain.  I don’t want to waste the remaining prime years chasing a solution if we can make a trade and assure the solution.  

Spot on. They aren’t going to let the clock run out on Allen’s career with a remade version of “everybody eats.” They’re going to move heaven and earth to get him a number 1.

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

I hate saying it but cutting Dawson Knox gets us $10 million in cap space, and is easily the single biggest potential purge.

 

He's ok as a TE, but not worth the money and I don't know how much more we are getting out of him than we are Hawes

[BillsVet]

4 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Spot on. They aren’t going to let the clock run out on Allen’s career with a remade version of “everybody eats.” They’re going to move heaven and earth to get him a number 1.

 

I believe they've learned their lesson at WR, but a need arises go another level deeper evaluating what they're doing wrt the roster.    

 

Because I can see them getting a WR1 and then going with lower-end solutions at WR2 and WR3.  Somewhat like they did in 2021 when prime-Diggs was there, but they put the retirement bound Sanders and Gabe next to him.  The following year with Gabe at WR2.  Not going to work anymore.    

 

This is why the operating philosophy wrt roster investment needs an overhaul.  Specifically, that McBeane gotta compromise a little on the defensive side and do more for the offense so they have the resources to remake the WR group.  I just don't think McD will be open to getting to this level and, by association, Beane. 

[FireChans]

52 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

So if Beane can make a trade for a Waddle, Addison, Jefferson, AJ Brown, Wilson, DJ Moore, etc…your preference is not to and instead only look to the draft given you don’t want to use anymore cap space on the position?  Also, I think Keon being on the roster next year is a toss up and entirely dependent on how the post season goes at this point.  I think they are done with him long term unless he plays his way back into their plans.  1 catch last week wasn’t enough to assure him a roster spot after all his healthy scratches.
 

I get not spending in FA unless it’s to round out the end of the roster cheaply, especially since there isn’t a lot expected to be there in FA.  But if we can add a proven quality to top tier WR via trade, I think we need to find a way to do that.  
 

That being said, doesn’t mean any of those guys will be available or obtainable, but I do think exploring the trade market for a proven commodity at WR is a must given Allen be entering his 30’s and the draft is uncertain.  I don’t want to waste the remaining prime years chasing a solution if we can make a trade and assure the solution.  

Welcome to the club! 

[Kirby Jackson]

2 minutes ago, BillsVet said:

 

I believe they've learned their lesson at WR, but a need arises go another level deeper evaluating what they're doing wrt the roster.    

 

Because I can see them getting a WR1 and then going with lower-end solutions at WR2 and WR3.  Somewhat like they did in 2021 when prime-Diggs was there, but they put the retirement bound Sanders and Gabe next to him.  The following year with Gabe at WR2.  Not going to work anymore.    

 

This is why the operating philosophy wrt roster investment needs an overhaul.  Specifically, that McBeane gotta compromise a little on the defensive side and do more for the offense so they have the resources to remake the WR group.  I just don't think McD will be open to getting to this level and, by association, Beane. 

They might have accidentally stumbled into a reasonable floor. If Cooks maintains this play, and wants to go for a couple more years, he’s a safe floor at 2. You could do better but you could do worse. 

[GASabresIUFan]

1 hour ago, Kirby Jackson said:

That’s not how it works though. Simple, simple levers alter that so much. For example, if they decide to write Josh Allen a check and pay him today, they get $12M of space. The void years being counted is misleading if you’re bringing those guys back. You’re calling it “dead money” but it isn’t. They can actually bring those players back AND have a lower cap hit on them. The Bills can EASILY bring everyone that they want back AND a number 1 WR. It’s ALL about contract structure.

 

Some things that WILL happen:

- Josh restructure

- Dawkins extension

- Samuel, Rapp, Bass cut

My rough math, without looking at the chart is $30M of space there.

 

Some things that likely happen:

- Oliver extension

- Taron Johnson paycut

- Bosa, Milano, Knox extended 

 

That’s another $20M+ of cap space there.

 

Some things that may happen:

- McGovern extended 

- Epenesa extended

- Brown extended

- Torrence extended 

- Palmer post June 1 cut

 

Those 4 moves probably end giving you a few million of cap space (maybe like $5M). 
 

Again, that’s an inexact way of looking at it but the Bills ARE NOT in a tough cap situation in 2026. The ONLY way that changes is if Terry stops writing the checks. They can add void years, restructure, extend, and create LOTS of space. 
 

Once the season ends I’m sure Joe Marino and Greg Tompsett will cover it in greater depth. I don’t think that the Bills will extend McGovern, Torrence AND Edwards but that’s more about % of money on OL vs. other places. It’s not because they can’t afford it. 

 

 

My post, if you read it, is exactly the current Bills cap situation for 2026 today.  As I wrote before waivers, trades and restructuring.  You say that's not how it works and then suggest restructuring Josh's contract to create cap space.  LOL, this is exactly what I said must be done to create $60 mill in cap space to complete the roster.  I've already written about restructuring Dawkins, Oliver and Knox.  I've already discussed waiving Rapp, Bass, and Samuel, but if cut those 3 someone else must get their job.  I've said it before and say it again, the Bills only have 36 players under contract for 2026 right now.  Some of those current players won't be on the roster come kickoff 2026.  The question is creating enough cap space through various moves to afford to fill the key roster holes and hopefully find some upgrades.

 

I'm on record as saying that I don't think bringing in another vet at WR is the long-term or short solution at the position.  I don't want to invest 39 mill in cap is Justin Jefferson or anyone similar.  I also don't want another Samuel or Palmer level FA.  We need to draft and develop our own wideouts.  There are 1000 yard receivers draft every year.  We don't have any because, besides the terrible Coleman pick, Beane has never properly invested in WRs in the draft.  In Beane's entire tenure in Buffalo Coleman is the only WR he drafted in the top 3 rounds.  He has drafted 4 other receivers in the last 5 years, but all 5th rd or later.  Contrast that to GB who has drafted 5 WRs in the top 3 rounds in the last 5 years plus 4 other wideouts including Wicks and Doubs.  That's how you support your franchise QB, not with other teams castoffs.

Edited January 15 by GASabresIUFan

[ColoradoBills]

13 minutes ago, WhitewalkerInPhilly said:

I hate saying it but cutting Dawson Knox gets us $10 million in cap space, and is easily the single biggest potential purge.

 

He's ok as a TE, but not worth the money and I don't know how much more we are getting out of him than we are Hawes

 

I'm not going out on a limb by saying Dawson is Josh's best friend.  He is not going anywhere.

He will sign a 3-year extension and his cap hit for next year will end up being around $8M.

[Kirby Jackson]

3 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

My post, if you read it, is exactly the current Bills cap situation for 2026 today.  As I wrote before waivers, traded and restructuring.  You say that;s not how it works and then suggest restructuring Josh's contract to create cap space.  LOL, this is exactly what I said most be done to create $60 mill in cap space to complete the roster.  I've already written about restructuring Dawkins, Oliver and Knox.  I've already discussed waiving Rapp, Bass, and Samuel, but if cut those 3 someone else must get their job.  I've said it before and say it again, the Bills only have 36 players under contract for 2026 right now.  Some of those current players won't be on the roster come kickoff 2026.  The question is creating enough cap space through various moves to afford to fill the key roster whole and hoepfully find some upgrades.

 

I'm on record as saying that I don't think bringing in another vet at WR is the long-term or short solution at the position.  I don't want to invest 39 mill in cap is Justin Jefferson or anyone similar.  I also don't want another Samuel or Palmer level FA.  We need to draft and develop our own wideouts.  There are 1000 yard receivers draft every year.  We don't have any because, besides the terrible Coleman pick, Beane has never properly invested in WRs in the draft.  In Beane's entire tenure in Buffalo Coleman is the only WR he drafted in to top 3 rounds.  He has drafted 4 other receivers, but all with 5th rd or later.  Contrast that to GB who has drafted 5 WRs in the top 3 rounds in the last 5 years plus 4 other wideouts including Wicks and Doubs.  That's how you support your franchise QB, not with other teams castoffs.

You’re extending Knox, Dawkins and Oliver not restructuring. 
 

The ONLY way that they don’t bring in a vet number 1 is if they trade up for a surefire top 10 player in the draft at WR. That may only be Tate.

 

They will take a run at Pickens if Dallas lets him hit the market. They MAY try to work out a short term deal with Evans. Otherwise, they will be on the phone making offers until someone accepts. They absolutely will not go into next year like they did this year. That’s why I expect it to be via trade. They aren’t going to gamble in the draft in case it is another Keon situation. They will make sure that they have a 1. 
 

It’s also misleading to throw around the temporary $39M cap figure on Jefferson. They will flip a switch and it’ll be $20M. That’s how elite player’s contracts are designed. That just shows though how easily the Bills could absorb that. They’ll be $50M or so under. Call it $20M on Jefferson. Now you have $30M of cap space, not actual dollars, to fill out your roster. 
 

Obviously they should be drafting WRs. They will. They just aren’t going to count on that to fill their biggest hole. They can’t with Josh turning 30. They tried to do it that way and missed. They can’t miss again. Ideally, you’d get a stud. Let’s use Jefferson for the example as he should be option 1. You then bring back Cooks for 2 years and draft a WR in rounds 3 or 4. Maybe it’s one of your IU boys? I’m seeing Sarratt in that range. Take another guy, with speed, that also returns punts.
 

Now your depth chart looks like this:

- Jefferson

- Cooks

- Shakir (slot)

- Sarratt

- Palmer (probably stuck with him)

- Antonio Williams

 

*Shavers maybe then starts on IR

 

You did that without really making any sacrifices to your roster. The one thing that you will have done in this scenario is traded a couple of 1sts for Jefferson.

[Einstein's Dog]

6 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

You’re extending Knox, Dawkins and Oliver not restructuring. 
 

The ONLY way that they don’t bring in a vet number 1 is if they trade up for a surefire top 10 player in the draft at WR. That may only be Tate.

 

They will take a run at Pickens if Dallas lets him hit the market. They MAY try to work out a short term deal with Evans. Otherwise, they will be on the phone making offers until someone accepts. They absolutely will not go into next year like they did this year. That’s why I expect it to be via trade. They aren’t going to gamble in the draft in case it is another Keon situation. They will make sure that they have a 1. 
 

It’s also misleading to throw around the temporary $39M cap figure on Jefferson. They will flip a switch and it’ll be $20M. That’s how elite player’s contracts are designed. That just shows though how easily the Bills could absorb that. They’ll be $50M or so under. Call it $20M on Jefferson. Now you have $30M of cap space, not actual dollars, to fill out your roster. 
 

Obviously they should be drafting WRs. They will. They just aren’t going to count on that to fill their biggest hole. They can’t with Josh turning 30. They tried to do it that way and missed. They can’t miss again. Ideally, you’d get a stud. Let’s use Jefferson for the example as he should be option 1. You then bring back Cooks for 2 years and draft a WR in rounds 3 or 4. Maybe it’s one of your IU boys? I’m seeing Sarratt in that range. Take another guy, with speed, that also returns punts.
 

Now your depth chart looks like this:

- Jefferson

- Cooks

- Shakir (slot)

- Sarratt

- Palmer (probably stuck with him)

- Antonio Williams

 

*Shavers maybe then starts on IR

 

You did that without really making any sacrifices to your roster. The one thing that you will have done in this scenario is traded a couple of 1sts for Jefferson.

My slight variation is Beane goes fast and furious for M Evans - $17-20M out of the gate to get him here in the first week.  This is the band-aid.  

 

Then work on the trade for either Addison, BTJ, or MHJ - this is the longer range solution, coming in as WR2 (or WR1a) with the idea they become WR1 as Evans ages out.  Those two have contracts that allow cap manipulations for several years.

 

If you go the J Jeff or A Brown route you are out draft capital and big money and get a prima donna, diva type WR and that is risky.

[Alphadawg7]

47 minutes ago, FireChans said:

Welcome to the club! 

Haha…well I have always been in the club, just also had context shape my understanding of the situation.  I’ve always wanted more at WR despite confidence in our ability to win in our system with what we have.  
 

 

[Alphadawg7]

1 hour ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Spot on. They aren’t going to let the clock run out on Allen’s career with a remade version of “everybody eats.” They’re going to move heaven and earth to get him a number 1.

Im a strong believer that Beane is misunderstood in this regard.  He wasn’t expecting to eat $31m being forced to trade a 29 year old lead WE he just extended in the same offseason as replacing our WR2.  He was saddled with a bad situation and a draft slot where little solutions proved available.

 

Then he watched that system and group put up the best offensive season in Bills history, Allen win MVP, and get a ref screw job and a blown blitz from the SB while our defense again faltered in the AFCCG.

 

And I’m supremely confident Beane is focused on upgrading the situation now with more to work with and more clear defined need as Keon hasn’t taken a step and Palmer was a let down.  
 

I am also confident that the only reason we didn’t make a trade at deadline was because Grier was fired after him and Beane had a trade in place and Miami led him to believe it was still happening until  after the guys got traded before they pulled the rug to try and fleece him and force his hand for Waddle.

 

So I’m entering the offseason very confident it’s the same priority to Beane as it’s been on this board.  

[Sierra Foothills]

2 hours ago, eball said:

Fair enough, but I guess I just fall on the side that thinks: (a) there's so much manipulation going on that the actual cap number doesn't mean much; and (b) if I do use the information for anything, it's simply to prepare myself for whether or not I think there will be some big splash move.

 

Other than that, I've got lots of other things to think about.  Just one man's opinion.

 

 

I don't have much interest in this topic but I do come here to get some reassurance that there will be enough cap space for the Bills to make a few significant improvements this offseason. 👍

 

[artmalibu]

9 hours ago, 4th&long said:

A lot of players they can cut ties with because of the amount of games they missed. Personally I would start with kincade, just a complete waste of a roster spot. He was in a walking boot after last weeks game and he didn’t have an injury. Who the hell ever heard of that? On one hand you have josh Allen who takes a beating and never complains and most of the rest of the roster is made of glass. 

 

Come on now, made of glass man was 16th in the league in yards of all TEs and if cut ZERO cap space is gained...  Good thing you are not the GM!!!!!

[Mikey152]

1 hour ago, GASabresIUFan said:

My post, if you read it, is exactly the current Bills cap situation for 2026 today.  As I wrote before waivers, trades and restructuring.  You say that's not how it works and then suggest restructuring Josh's contract to create cap space.  LOL, this is exactly what I said must be done to create $60 mill in cap space to complete the roster.  I've already written about restructuring Dawkins, Oliver and Knox.  I've already discussed waiving Rapp, Bass, and Samuel, but if cut those 3 someone else must get their job.  I've said it before and say it again, the Bills only have 36 players under contract for 2026 right now.  Some of those current players won't be on the roster come kickoff 2026.  The question is creating enough cap space through various moves to afford to fill the key roster holes and hopefully find some upgrades.

 

I'm on record as saying that I don't think bringing in another vet at WR is the long-term or short solution at the position.  I don't want to invest 39 mill in cap is Justin Jefferson or anyone similar.  I also don't want another Samuel or Palmer level FA.  We need to draft and develop our own wideouts.  There are 1000 yard receivers draft every year.  We don't have any because, besides the terrible Coleman pick, Beane has never properly invested in WRs in the draft.  In Beane's entire tenure in Buffalo Coleman is the only WR he drafted in the top 3 rounds.  He has drafted 4 other receivers in the last 5 years, but all 5th rd or later.  Contrast that to GB who has drafted 5 WRs in the top 3 rounds in the last 5 years plus 4 other wideouts including Wicks and Doubs.  That's how you support your franchise QB, not with other teams castoffs.

To be fair, GB and Buffalo run different offensive systems.

 

EP is not really young WR friendly. It's all concepts, not specific routes.  Some guys never get it. It also isn't exactly designed to get particular guys favorable matchups/open, so it doesn't really support lopsided/uneven WR investment. That said, I think a balanced approach like the Bills have been employing kinda makes sense...we just have to hope for a little better luck and, quite honestly, for Josh to embrace it a little more like he did this weekend after self-scouting.  Our WR room is fine if he resigns to playing like Brady instead of Favre.

 

Side note...I actually think EP is why Cooks looks pretty good here, since he is familiar with the system/process from his time in NE. 

Edited January 15 by Mikey152

[jahnyc]

I am still not understanding the signing of Palmer, but I would be shocked if he was cut this offseason.  At this point, I am fine adding dollars to the o-line by re-signing Edwards and McGovern, assuming they are our best options on the roster to give JA the o-line he deserves since he is our most important asset.

 

I also would be in favor of re-signing Epenesa (a solid third DE) and Bosa.  We have no other DEs on the roster that are even quality back-ups, and even if we draft a DE in round one in April, there will be no assurance that he will meaningfully contribute in his first year.  I don't think we can count on Hoecht to be back to full strength, certainly not at the start of the season.

 

Not sure what to do about Oliver.  Would be great if he can have a healthy, productive next season before extending him.  A big need for next season will be a run stuffing DT.