The Buffalo Bills will have a ton of questions to find answers for this offseason and unfortunately, those answers could prove difficult to find, given their salary cap situation. Per overthecap.com, the Bills are more than $43.7 million over the cap; however, that does not include whatever the cap increase winds up being for 2024 but regardless, Buffalo will have to be very creative to get back under the cap and field a Super Bowl contender again.
One thing many fans probably don't want to hear is that the Bills will likely be rolling things back in 2024 with largely the same roster, with a few new faces from the NFL Draft in April and GM Brandon Beane will probably sign a few low-key depth pieces on the cheap. Don't expect any splashy, big-name signings this offseason, as the team will mostly be focused on retaining their own.
One name you won't find on this list is wide receiver Gabe Davis. I know many think the team should move on from him and find a new number two and I agree with part of that sentiment. I do think the Bills need to find a new number two, which I'm hoping comes from the draft but Buffalo needs Davis back. He's a solid threat down the field and as the team's number four wideout, after Diggs, slot receiver Khalil Shakir, and whoever the new number two is, Davis could have a huge impact, playing as number four. Let's get into the five players I don't expect to see on the Buffalo Bills roster in 2024.
Nyheim Hines - Running Back
It's an unfortunate situation for Nyheim Hines but I don't think Bills Mafia is ever going to get to see Hines as a significant part of this team. He's got incredible speed and is great out of the backfield but in year one, he came in mid-season and never got rolling in Ken Dorsey's offense. Year two was taken away by a freak accident and now there won't be a year three, with the emergence of Ty Johnson.
Hines is under contract for 2024 and his salary is another reason he won't be on the Bills roster next season. His cap hit next year is $5.16 million; however, releasing him before June 1, would cost the Bills only $500,000 and save them $4.66 million on next season's cap. That's going to be a big part of the Bills' decision-making process this offseason.
Micah Hyde - Safety
Micah Hyde has played his heart for the Buffalo Bills for the last seven seasons. Unfortunately, he may have played his last game with this team or any team. He's already said he's considering retirement and there is talk that Jordan Poyer, though under contract next season, he too could potentially retire. Something tells me Poyer returns but we'll see.
Back to Hyde though, he didn't look the same this season and even if he did want to play another season, I don't know that the Bills will have the money to resign him unless he's willing to do it for the vet minimum. That said, with the neck injuries and age, I think Hyde decides to hang up the cleats. He'll go down in Bills' history as one of the best to have ever played the position.
Latavius Murray - Running back
Latavius Murray had a solid season with the Bills, particularly in pass-blocking situations. At age 34, he is the oldest running back in the league, and don't forget, Damien Harris is still around too, albeit a free agent but the Bills might be able to get him back on a one-year deal for the minimum; however, I think the more likely scenario is using the draft to grab a late-round running back as the team's third option.
Murray finished the season with 79 carries and 300 yards for only a 3.8 yards per carry average, the lowest of his career. He also chipped in 17 receptions for 117 yards and four total touchdowns. As I mentioned, I think the Bills will look to the draft this season for a late-round running back to slot in behind James Cook and Ty Johnson.
Tyrel Dodson - Linebacker
First of all, I hope that Tyrel Dodson resigns with the Bills. He's worked his tail off to prove he can play and be a starting linebacker in this league and deserves an opportunity to continue doing so. My concern is just that though, he's going to want to start on a defense, and with Matt Milano returning next season and Terrel Bernard entrenched as the middle linebacker, I don't think Dodson will get much of an opportunity to start in Buffalo.
If would be a huge asset to the Bills if they can retain him and would give the Bills solid depth behind Milano and Bernard but he's likely going to want to start and he's played very well this season. Enough that another team is going to be willing to pay him more than the Bills can or even would be willing to, given they would be bringing him back as a backup.
Deonte Harty - Wide receiver
Deonte Harty never materialized into the player many Bills fans were hoping or expecting. He had a few nice plays here and there, particularly the 96-yard punt return that saved the Bills against the Miami Dolphins a couple of weeks ago. That aside, he only caught 15 passes on 21 targets for 150 yards and a touchdown. He also averaged only ten yards per reception, and he was supposed to be a big play threat, someone who could stretch the field and he just never became that guy.
However, Harty is under contract for the 2024 season but if he's released before June 1, he'd cost the Bills a dead cap of $1.6 million but a net savings of $4.06 million. Again, every dime the Bills can save this offseason will be needed. Even in the punt return game, take away the 96-yard return and he only amassed 227 yards on 25 punt returns for an average of only 9.08, which not counting 2022 when he only had three returns due to injury, would have been the lowest of his career.