We've spent the last nearly five months since the Buffalo Bills' early exit from the playoffs talking about Bills players that are pending free agency, potential trades, and of course, the 2024 NFL Draft. In all three of these scenarios, the Bills have an opportunity to improve the roster to continue their dominance in the AFC East, and hopefully make another run at a Super Bowl. Could we not end the 2024 season with a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs though?
I've written multiple articles in the last several weeks about the Bills pending free agents, such as DaQuan Jones, Dane Jackson, Leonard Floyd, and A.J. Epenesa. I've written about players that I don't believe will be on the roster for the start of the new season, as well as players I expect back for the 2024 season opener. We've asked AI to give us a mock draft and I've completed one of my own as well. Many of the national media have talked about the Bills trading Von Miller and Stefon Diggs but those scenarios are ridiculous and intended as nothing more than clickbait. Don't fall for it, the Bills aren't getting rid of those two. The money makes it impossible at this point. Now, when 2025 comes around, let's talk. That's assuming the Bills don't restructure those contracts but more on that later.
With so much uncertainty surrounding this offseason, it'll be very intriguing to see what Brandon Beane and the Bills do. They are currently more than $50 million over the cap, which I'm sure you've already heard. There is no doubt that Bean will get Buffalo below the cap because he doesn't have a choice. So, that will happen no matter what but at what cost? That's the real question, what do the Bills have to do to get there, while remaining one of the top Super Bowl contenders? I've outlined my five thoughts on this, so let's get into it.
The Bills need to get under the cap but with an eye beyond the 2024 season.
I know that if the Bills are going to get under the cap, the easiest and quickest way is to restructure both Stefon Diggs and Von Miller's contracts. These two players have been linked to multiple national media chatter about trading for massive cap savings. What they often fail to mention is the massive dead cap the team would incur with such a move. No, trading or releasing isn't an option. Buffalo has two choices here, restructure for cap relief in 2024, push money down the road again, or sit tight and do nothing with their contracts.
I hope that Buffalo doesn't restructure Diggs or Miller. I would prefer the team take their medicine this season, deal with their contracts, and find other ways to get the cap relief they need. According to Spotrac.com, these two account for more than 20% of the Bills cap percentage. Here's the thing, if you restructure, you're simply moving that money into the 2025 season and beyond, then we are back here again, trying to figure out what to do. Both of these players carry dead cap hits that exceed $30 million if they are released. Pushing the money down the road only complicates things in later years if you decide to move on then.
The Buffalo Bills need to fill out the defensive line.
We've talked a lot about the Bills having only one defensive tackle under contract for the 2024 season. This won't be the case once the season kicks off but what will the team do this offseason? I laid out my thoughts in an article the other day about a few of the defensive tackles that were invited to the NFL Combine but I'll follow up on that here as well. At this point, I'd prefer the Bills get younger on the defensive line; however, I do think it's important to bring back DaQuan Jones. I think he still has a year or two left in him of high-level play.
Once they get him re-signed, let's get Poona Ford back in here too. He's relatively young and won't cost much to retain for the 2024 season. I'd like to see what he can do after a full year and offseason with the team. The other part of this is the NFL Draft. There are a few players that pique my interest, including T'Vondre Sweat from Texas and Maason Smith out of LSU. I wouldn't have an issue at all if Buffalo selected both of these guys in this year's draft.
The Buffalo Bills need to address the safety position
It's most likely that Micah Hyde will retire but we don't know that for sure. There has also been speculation that Jordan Poyer could retire as well. That latter of which I have not heard anything from Poyer or his agents but fans and media will continue to speculate, he's under contract through the 2024 season. Regardless of what Hyde ultimately decides to do, Buffalo needs to find answers now and for the future. I'm not opposed to getting someone via free agency but I go back to my comment about the defensive line. Buffalo needs to infuse talent and youth, it's time to rebuild this defense, around the young talent currently in place.
I think the Bills defense could survive the rough patches of having rookies starting, given we currently have guys like Ed Oliver, Matt Milano, Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, Greg Rousseau, and Rasul Douglas. Tre White will return at some point as well and hopefully, he can ramp up pretty quickly back into form. If Buffalo plugs in a couple of rookies along the defensive line in a rotation, along with a safety, I think they'd be just fine, especially in the later part of the season, when it matters most.
The Buffalo Bills need to find answers in the receiving corps
There has been a lot of talk since the season ended regarding Gabe Davis and whether the Bills should bring him back if they can get a deal done. I'm not opposed to having Davis re-signed; however, I also think the Bills need to spend a couple of draft picks on wide receivers, preferably high picks too. I think Davis can be a weapon in this offense but not as the number two. Plus, Diggs isn't getting younger, so Buffalo needs to fill in the WR room with some new fresh, talented, young receivers.
There are a couple of free agent receivers I would not be against joining Buffalo as well; however, if the Bills do re-sign Davis, I don't think they spend too much on another free agent receiver. But for that reason, I don't think I would resign him. Like I said, I wouldn't be against it but I think Buffalo needs to save that money and bring in cheap options, such as receivers from the draft that would be on rookie deals. This will help save a few dollar signs, that can be used to hopefully retain guys like DaQuan Jones.
Buffalo needs to maximize the draft.
Seems like every time I suggest Brandon Beane and the Bills use all ten of their draft picks to select a player, fans laugh at me. I get it, Beane loves to trade up in the first round and I can see that happening again, but Buffalo can save a lot of money by utilizing all ten picks and filling in some need areas on rookie deals, rather than high-priced free agent contracts. Coach McDermott needs to lean on some rookies this coming season and let them learn on the fly. There will be some bumps along the way, but it will pay off in the end.
The 2024 NFL Draft is loaded with wide receiver talent, among other positions. There are some solid defensive tackles and safeties as well. The class of edge rushers isn't ideal but if they decide to go with edge in round one, they'll still be able to add some very good talent to the receivers, safeties, and defensive tackle positions in rounds two through five. Buffalo will have options but the more selections you have, the better your chances of hitting the lottery and finding a couple of gems in the draft.