For the only NFL team that truly plays in New York, tough decisions loom. The Buffalo Bills soon will find themselves backed against a wall. That wall being the NFL Salary Cap, which they are currently over going into the start of the 2016 season. General Manager Doug Whaley has publically stated that they will not be major players in free agency, so don’t expect Buffalo to pursue any high priced free agents this offseason. Buffalo’s top priority should be addressing their own free agents first before the draft and free agency begin. Cordy Glenn and Richie Incognito compose the entire left side of the Bills’ starting offensive line and both are free agents. These two men are crucial to the offense’s continued improvement. Yet with Buffalo up against the salary cap, where will the money come from?
Tough Decisions Loom During 2016 Buffalo Bills Off-Season
There are potentially positive contract moves that Whaley and company could, and in some cases should, make to free up some money. One would be to restructure the contract of tight end Charles Clay who currently carries a $13.5 million cap hit for this coming season. Converting his roster bonus to a signing bonus would allow Buffalo to spread the hit out over the life of the contract. It would reduce the cap hit for the current season, yet raise Clay’s cap number for the remainder of his contract. The immediate cap relief would be more beneficial than the long term in this case. Signing Stephon Gilmore to a long-term contract would potentially reduce his $11 million cap hit. While Gilmore is likely due a large contract, it could be structured in a way that is far more manageable this season for Buffalo. This would also lock up a talented defender key to Ryan’s scheme.
Far more likely to happen is the release of high paid players in an effort to generate cap savings. Here is a short look at the top five potential cuts that Buffalo could realistically make to free up some much needed cap space for the 2016 season.
DE Mario Williams
Super Mario carries a franchise quarterback-like $19.9 million cap hit for the 2016 season. Since it is unlikely that Mario starts lining up under center on the offensive side of the ball any time soon this number is untenable for a team that is in dire need of cost cutting maneuvers. Also working against Williams is his severely diminished production and his outspoken opinion of Ryan’s scheme and his role in it. Williams publically criticized Rex Ryan’s defensive schemes and game-plans multiple times during season, leaving doubt about his return to Buffalo next season. The frayed relationship between player and coach and the opportunity to open up $12.9 million in cap space leaves Williams’ departure highly likely.
CB Leodis McKelvin
Former starting cornerback Leodis McKelvin has been a scrutinized player for much of his tenure in Buffalo. He missed the beginning of the season recovering from off-season surgery on a broken ankle that took far longer to heal than initially anticipated. While McKelvin sat, Gilmore, rookie sensation Ronald Darby and overachieving nickel corner Nickel Robey make McKelvin look more and more dispensable. McKelvin spent some time playing safety until injuries to Gilmore and Darby forced him back into a starting role at cornerback. His play returned to the inconsistent levels that fans are used to discussing making Leodis a prime cut that could save $3.9 million. While McKelvin has publically stated that he would be willing to take a pay cut to remain in Buffalo, his injury history and younger corners on the roster likely make him expendable.
LB Manny Lawson
Lawson would have been a surefire cut if his performance matched the 2014 season where he played sparingly in Jim Schwartz’s wide-nine 4-3 defense. However, a return to a hybrid defense, allowed Lawson to return to the starting lineup. Lawson was one of Buffalo’s better linebackers through the season, often helping get players lined up and being a strong run defender and coverage linebacker. However, with a potential savings of $2.65 million upon his release, Whaley may choose the money over the leadership and production. Lawson is more unlikely given his production and Buffalo’s lack of depth and talent at the linebacker position.
G Kraig Urbik
Urbik has already taken a pay cut last season to remain with Buffalo yet a $2.625 million cap hit for a backup offensive guard is a steep price to pay for a player whose performance could be described as inconsistent. Urbik could survive, like Lawson, due to limited depth at the position he plays. Buffalo’s offensive line began to play better as the season went on yet still struggled in pass protection leaving starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor to scramble for his life. Releasing Urbik would generate $1.775 million of cash that could be used on either younger players or ones with a higher ceiling.
RB Anthony Dixon
A diminished role and poor production may have spelled the end of Anthony ‘Boobie’ Dixon in Western New York. He averaged 2.1 yards per carry at the end of the season, after starting the season closer to the 1.0 yards per carry mark. Dixon was used sparingly on offense even with all the injuries to the running back position endured by the Bills. While he offers special teams prowess, Buffalo has acquired more talented and explosive backs in Karlos Williams and Mike Gillislee that should make Dixon expendable. Cutting Dixon would free up $1.15 million, a ‘small’ amount yet every penny counts when you’re this close to the salary cap.
