Cap Space
The situation is ugly. The Bills have a lot of money committed to a lot of players. It is going to take some finesse, luck, good negotiations, and stellar accounting to free up some cap space for the off-season. The Bills just got done restructuring overpaid Charles Clay’s contract, which gives the Bills a projected cap space of about $9 million. Another great move that they could make and has been rumored to happen is the release of defensive end Mario Williams. The Bills free $12.9 million with that move, plus have $4.46 million left over from last year’s off-season, so that puts their cap space at almost $25 million, and if they re-structure a couple more contracts, they could stretch it all the way to $30 million, an enormous improvement to what it was a day ago.
2016 Buffalo Bills Off-Season Outlook
Position Needs
Offensive Line
The Bills two main goals should be retaining Cordy Glenn and Richie Incognito. Incognito was the second-best rated guard last year, and Glenn was the tenth-best tackle, according to Pro Football Focus. With limited money, it will be hard to keep both, but it is possible. Glenn will be very expensive because of his position and age (26). Incognito is 33 so he will be cheaper to keep. However, even if they resign both players, they will still have a hole at the right tackle position. Jordan Mills, Seantrel Henderson, and Cyrus Kouandjio are not the answers. The right tackle spot needs to be addressed in the draft, but the Bills might have to draft more than one offensive lineman if they don’t sign both Incognito and Glenn.
Linebackers
Except for Manny Lawson, every Bills linebacker graded out negatively. Rex Ryan’s Jets defenses had some very good linebackers, so for the Bills defense to play well. they need to get much better at that unit.
Best Options: Zach Brown, Rolando McClain
The top options in free agency at the linebacker position are Von Miller, Bruce Irvin, Jerrell Freeman, Derrick Johnson, and Danny Trevathan. However, these guys will be way too expensive for the Bills to have a shot at. Their two best options are probably Zach Brown, and Rolando McClain as they will be cheaper, and upgrades over their other two linebackers.
Conclusion: The Bills have a pretty complete team, but it’s not enough. They have some holes on the offensive line and defense, as well as a lack of depth. They are good at many positions, but still have too many holes and not enough money to fix these holes. The perfect off-season would include freeing up enough cap to resign Glenn and Incognito, as well as giving them the opportunity to sign one or two linebackers, and maybe another edge rusher. Addressing their need at right tackle and wide receiver would probably best suited for the draft, as well as their other positions of need.
