Which players on the Buffalo Bills could be on the roster bubble but their chances to make the 53-man roster are helped by their contract?
The Buffalo Bills front office is once again going to have the tough task of cutting their roster down to 53 payers before the 2023 season. General manager Brandon Beane has done a great job this offseason of adding depth across the positions but it creates a challenge because it means likely letting good players go.
One of the factors that goes into cutting players is how it impacts the salary cap as some players have fully guaranteed, or almost fully guaranteed contracts this upcoming season. If the Bills were to release these players it would not create any additional cap space and while some players may perform better it doesn't make sense to release them because of their contract.
These are four players that are likely to make the Buffalo Bills 53-man roster for this reason.
David Edwards
The Buffalo Bills signed David Edwards as a free agent this offseason and signed him to a one-year deal worth $1.77 million and if he were released would account for $1.72 million in dead cap with only $50,000 in cap savings.
Edwards was a fifth round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 and has started 45 games over his first four seasons. However, he suffered two concussions last season that limited him to only four games.
The Bills have really focused on the interior of their offensive line this offseason with Edwards being joined by Connor McGovern and O'Cyrus Torrence as new additions. These three will be competing with Ryan Bates, who started last year at right guard, and Ike Boettger.
The Bills may only keep four of these players but as long as Edwards doesn't show any lingering effects from the concussions, he should have a spot on the roster.