Going into the 2023 offseason, the Buffalo Bills are in somewhat of a tough spot. They aren’t in the worst position comparatively, but there are a lot of teams ahead of Buffalo when it comes to cap space.
At the moment, the Bills will be starting the 2023 league year roughly $5-$8 million over the salary cap. That doesn’t give the team a whole lot of flexibility, considering they have some major needs to address.
Buffalo has clear needs across the offensive line and wide receiver, specifically, and must get younger and more explosive there.
If they are going to have any flexibility in free agency to sign a potential starter at a position of need, the Bills might consider parting ways with one of a few players in order to save against the cap.
Players the Buffalo Bills could cut to clear more cap space: DB Siran Neal
The Bills rarely use defensive back Siran Neal on defense, as evidenced by Neal playing in just six percent of all defensive snaps in 2022. However, he is a special teams staple, playing 77 percent of snaps in that area.
Still, the Bills could opt to cut Neal and save $2.2 million in the process. Neal made a ho-hum 19 tackles all of last season, and the Bills could use the money saved from cutting him to put into another position like the offensive line. Combining the savings of cutting Neal with another one or two players could net the Bills a starter up front.
For a player that doesn’t make much of an impact on defense and only plays special teams, the Bills should seriously consider saving the money and letting go of the 2018 fifth-round pick.
Players the Buffalo Bills could cut to clear more cap space: C Mitch Morse
Secondly, the Bills could cut veteran center Mitch Morse. if they do so, Buffalo will see a $6.1 million savings against the cap. At the moment, Morse is entering the second of a three-year deal worth a total of $19.5 million. His cap number in 2023 is just over $11.1 million, but if he’s cut, the Bills only see a dead cap number of $5 million.
The veteran lineman is a fair pass blocker, and graded out in the green last year via Pro Football Focus with a 67.1 mark in that category. However, he struggled in run blocking and the Bills should look to upgrade the position in this year’s draft.
One name to watch if Morse is cut would be Minnesota Gophers center John Michael Schmitz, who could be anywhere from an early second rounder to an early third-round pick. If Buffalo had the opportunity to draft him, he’d start from Day 1 and would be a long-term replacement for Morse.
Morse is set to turn 31 in April and is part of an offensive line that needs an overhaul in favor of youth. The Bills also have a pair of guards entering free agency who are both over the age of 32, with Rodger Saffold nearly 35 years old and Greg Van Roten nearly 33. Allowing those two to walk along with cutting Morse would put emphasis on getting younger and more talented.
Players the Buffalo Bills could cut to clear more cap space: WR Isaiah McKenzie
The wide receiver position, like offensive line, is another area the Bills need to turn over. It starts with possibly letting go of three aging veterans in Cole Beasley, John Brown and Jamison Crowder. But, they could also choose to cut ties with 2017 fifth-round pick Isaiah McKenzie, originally selected by the Denver Broncos.
McKenzie has been inconsistent since coming to Buffalo, and his skill set hasn’t really shined a whole lot. If the Bills were to cut McKenzie, they would see a $2.6 million savings against the cap. His cap number in 2023 is just over $2.9 million, but the dead cap if he was cut? That’s only $300,000.
McKenzie is an example of a few different guys the Bills have tried bringing in to play the slot and fill a specific role, but neither he, nor some of the above mentioned names have solidified that position.
In 15 games last year, McKenzie caught 42 passes on 65 targets for 423 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed nine times for 55 yards and a score. But, overall, his production is easily replaceable via the draft. Getting someone younger and more electric to work in as a third option within the offense should be a priority, and McKenzie just isn’t that guy.