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Buffalo Bills: 3 Potential strategies for this offseason

By Kendall Mirsky

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane on the field before a game against the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field on October 20, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo beats Miami 31 to 21. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane on the field before a game against the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field on October 20, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo beats Miami 31 to 21. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 16: Matt Milano #58 of the Buffalo Bills reacts in the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Bills Stadium on January 16, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 16: Matt Milano #58 of the Buffalo Bills reacts in the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Bills Stadium on January 16, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /

Retain all key free agents

The first outcome for next year stems from retaining the key free agents mentioned above, including Matt Milano, Daryl Williams, and Jon Feliciano. With price tags around $11m, $8m, and $7m respectively, it would take a lot of roster shuffling to financially retain all three players.

By using the Spotrac roster construction tools, I figured out a way to retain all three key pieces while remaining cap compliant. Unfortunately, keeping Milano, Williams, and Feliciano will cost some depth on the roster.

For instance, in order to remain cap compliant, the Bills would have to free up approximately $22m on the current roster payroll. To make that kind of space, the Bills could cut John Brown, Mario Addison, Vernon Butler, and Tyler Matakevich. This would leave with Buffalo Bills approximately $3m to use on their upcoming draft picks heading into late April.

As much as I and the rest of Bills Mafia would like to retain all three of these key free agents, it isn’t a financially viable option in a year with the decreased salary cap. Yes, the Bills could decide to retain all three and fortify roster depth through the draft, but they would have zero financial flexibility throughout the season.

Beane has shown how valuable it is to have a salary cap cushion throughout the season, that way if anyone becomes available via trade the Bills could make a push for that guy without having to do significant roster gymnastics.

This scenario would likely result in the Buffalo Bills regressing in 2021 relative to their performance from this past season. Milano is great, but he can be replaced in the draft or free agency. Felciano is solid, but does he deserve $7 million in an economically depressed season, probably not. Williams might be the only one out of the three that would be worth his price tag this offseason given the positional value of an offensive tackle in the NFL.

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