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2024 NFL mock draft: Bills chop away at pass rush in Round 1

Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images The Bills add a high-upside player with plenty of juice in this week’s mock Unfortunately, we’re all well aware that the Buffalo Bills suffered another early playoff exit by way of the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 AFC Divisional Round. It was a game in which the Bills’ defense offered little consistent resilience at any level of the field. Though riddled with injuries on the back seven, it was the pass rush’s failure to cause enough disruption to make a true impact against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ passing game. The Bills are once again scheduled to pick late in the first round of the NFL Draft, in possession of pick 28 overall. Of course, at this spot, teams are typically missing out on the blue chip players of the class. But this is a very strong draft year in general at a multitude of positions. One Bills Drive may in fact find themselves in an opportune spot late in the first round within a sweet spot of potential pass rushers. At this stage of the process, we’re looking at a pretty large sample set of players pre-NFL Scouting Combine, but let’s discuss a player who could be of interest to the Bills as a twitchy pass rusher. We used the 2024 NFL mock draft simulator from Pro Football Focus to complete a realistic first-round mock draft. As expected, the Buffalo Bills are selecting No. 28 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. With the 28th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select... Chop Robinson, EDGE (Penn State) If the Bills are willing to sacrifice some size on the edge in favor of pass-rush juice, Robinson would make a ton of sense for the organization to build across from defensive end Greg Rousseau (a very different archetype). Robinson, standing 6’3” and 254 pounds, has a build that better resembles edge rusher Von Miller. Of course, Miller has been a bit of an outlier as a strong run defender throughout his career despite living on the smaller side from a physical build perspective. Additionally, Buffalo has valued height, weight, and length over smaller, twitchy athletes. That changed some with the signing of Miller who strayed away from that philosophy. Perhaps the Bills are willing to dip their toe in those waters again with Robinson in this draft class. Chop Robinson vs. Iowa was a pass rushing clinic. First-step burst, bend, versatility, closing quickness pic.twitter.com/eMW3gaMjnX— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) September 26, 2023 Robinson, as an undersized pass rusher, embodies many of the common requisites you’re looking for in a rusher on the smaller side — twitch, first step-explosion, and ability to cause headaches with speed. He does well to clear hands off his frame with his rush and has some flexibility to flatten and gain the edge to finish plays. If you’re looking for any knocks on Robinson’s game, size is certainly one to identify off the hoof. Robinson will also need to expand his pass-rush arsenal as simple swipes and speed will be a baseline of floor but certainly not enough for him to reach his peak. A trend you’ll see more often with draft selections in this class than recent years is the sheer amount of transfers getting drafted. Robinson is one of those players. The former five-star recruit originally signed with Maryland out of high school in what’s being deemed as the “COVID class” of 2021. He then transferred to Penn State after just one year with the Terrapins. Robinson boasted a 21% pass-rush win rate in 2023 despite only having four sacks to show for it. Metrics are important to note for pass rushers, as sacks don’t tell the entire story and can perhaps skew thoughts and opinions one way or the other far too often. Win rate is one of several excellent metrics to determine how often a player is affecting the game. Big Ten Leader in Pass Rush Win Rate: Chop Robinson: 20.8% pic.twitter.com/Gd0reditOE— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 14, 2023 As it stands, the Bills currently have three defensive ends signed for 2024 — Von Miller, Greg Rousseau, and Kingsley Jonathan. This is a huge position of need especially with the questions that surround Von Miller on and off the field. On the field, Miller looked like a shell of himself coming off of ACL surgery in his mid-30s, which has (and should) spark red flags everywhere. The hope is that with a season now between Miller and the injury, he returns to form. Rousseau is a reliable presence as a versatile defensive end and is a plenty reasonable starter going into next season, while Jonathan has been a fringe roster player to this point. The opportunity, fit, value, and need all align for Chop Robinson with the Bills at this stage in the process. Of course, the NFL Scouting Combine, free agency, and other key offseason events soon come. But Robinson is a skill set puzzle piece the organization needs with the thin reliability of Von Miller going into year three of his lucrative contract.

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State of the Buffalo Bills’ roster: Interior offensive line

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports With one major decision looming, this group is otherwise in good hands The 2023 vintage of the Buffalo Bills had some terrible issues with injuries. However, one place where their injury luck improved over the 2022 version of the squad was along the interior offensive line. While Buffalo dealt with a plethora of injuries up front during the 2022 season, the Bills’ offensive line was healthy for essentially the entire 2023 season. The Bills started the same combination of offensive linemen all season long, including in the playoffs. That included starting a rookie, a new free-agent signee, and a veteran who spent some time out of the lineup in 2022 for all of the team’s 19 games. It’s no surprise, then, that the offensive line performed significantly better this year than the previous season given that the Bills were able to play the same group together all year long. In today’s edition of the state of the Buffalo Bills’ roster, we’ll discuss the interior offensive linemen. This is a group that could just as easily be set in stone as it could be one facing a slight facelift this offseason. Mitch Morse Contract status for 2024: Signed; final year of two-year, $19.5 million extension ($11.47 million cap hit; $3 million dead-cap charge if released or traded; 4.73% of total team cap) Age: 31 (32 on 4/21/2024) Playing time: 17 games (17 starts), 1,129 offensive snaps (97% of team total) Key statistics: Five penalties, one sack allowed Morse has long been my favorite member of the offensive line, as his steady contributions as both a run blocker and pass blocker have been of extreme importance throughout his time with the Bills. He’s at his best in the run game attacking second-level defenders when pulling, and he does a great job at the point of attack in the passing game, as well. This season, he was able to play in all 17 games for the Bills, which was a good sign after he missed three games last year due to various injuries. Morse isn’t as old as I thought he was, but given that he’s creeping upward in age and he’s one of the team’s highest-paid players at a position where they have some depth, it’s fair to wonder whether he’ll be with the club next season. The Bills essentially have two options: They either need to sign Morse to a contract extension that spreads his cap hit out over the course of a few years, or they need to release him in order to clear more space. The business of football can be a cold one, and Morse’s situation could well be a stark example of exactly that. David Edwards Contract status for 2024: Unsigned; UFA Age: 26 (27 on 3/20/2024) Playing time: 17 games, 80 special teams snaps (19% of team total), 148 offensive snaps (13% of team total) Key statistics: One penalty, zero sacks allowed Edwards was Buffalo’s “lineman eligible” in their heavy packages, and he did a great job playing as a sixth offensive lineman-slash third tight end. He signed a one-year deal at the veteran’s minimum last offseason — and if the Bills can re-sign him for a similar contract, it would certainly make sense to do so. Edwards may wish to explore other options, though, that might lead to a starting gig. He’s earned the right to test his market. Connor McGovern Contract status for 2024: Signed; second year of three-year contract ($7.9 million cap hit; $6 million dead-cap charge if released or traded; 3.26% of total team cap) Age: 26 (27 on 11/3/2024) Playing time: 17 games (17 starts), 1,136 offensive snaps (98% of team total), 79 special teams snaps (18% of team total) Key statistics: Four penalties, two sacks allowed, one fumble recovered For much of the season’s first half, it felt as if McGovern was underwhelming. What I mean by that is that he was hard to notice on the line, as the first-year member of the Bills was a steady, if unspectacular, performer. However, the more I thought about it as the season progressed, the more I thought about just how good a trait that is for an offensive lineman. McGovern quietly was very solid this past year, contributing greatly to the second-half surgery in the team’s rushing efficiency while also keeping quarterback Josh Allen upright. While McGovern’s Pro Football Focus grade was atrocious (58.5), I’m not going to pretend that I know how they determine what they call their “grades.” As the year wore on, it was apparent that McGovern was a solid addition to the line. O’Cyrus Torrence Contract status for 2024: Signed; second year of four-year rookie contract ($1,413,859 cap hit; $2,176,033 dead cap charge if released or traded; .58% of total team cap) Age: 24 (25 on 1/20/2025) Playing time: 17 games (17 starts), 1,164 offensive snaps (100% of team total), 80 special teams snaps (19% of team total) Key statistics: Six penalties, three sacks allowed, one fumble recovered Torrence was a draft crush of mine last year, and I even went so far as to advocate for the team selecting him in the first round. That would have been a bad choice, it turns out, since Buffalo was still able to snag Torrence with their second-round selection. He immediately stepped in as the starting right guard, and while his performance varied at times, he was quite strong for a rookie. He struggled against some high-level competition (Chris Jones, for one), but he was a solid presence on the right side of the line. In run blocking, Torrence was excellent. If he works on his technique in pass protection, combining that with study and extra work with right tackle Spencer Brown in communicating pass protection calls, he should take a big leap forward in 2024. The Bills had to hit on their draft choices last year, and Torrence definitely seems to be a “hit.” Ryan Bates Contract status for 2024: Signed; third year of four-year contract ($5.439 million cap hit; $4.006 million dead-cap charge if released or traded; 2.24% of total team cap) Age: 27 (28 on 2/14/2025) Playing time: 17 games, 79 special teams snaps (18% of team total), 35 offensive snaps (3% of team total) Key statistics: N/A Bates is a very valuable — and very expensive — reserve for a Buffalo Bills team that has some serious salary cap issues to solve this offseason. Do the Bills trust Bates to slide in as the starting center if they choose to release Morse? Would they attempt to redo Bates’ contract to add years and spread his salary cap hit out further down the line? Would they release Bates to save only a bit over $1 million on the 2024 salary cap? Much of the decision about Bates has nothing to do with the player himself and everything to do with what the Bills decide to do with Morse. Kevin Jarvis Contract status for 2024: Signed reserve/future deal on 1/22/2024 ($799,500 cap hit; $9,000 dead cap charge if released or traded; .33% of total team cap) Age: 25 (26 on 12/22/2024) Playing time: N/A Key statistics: N/A Jarvis spent the offseason with Buffalo, was released prior to the start of the 2023 season, and signed to the practice squad thereafter. He wasn’t active for any games this season. After the Bills lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs, Jarvis was signed to a reserve/futures contract, ensuring that he will start the 2024 league year under contract with the Bills. Greg Mancz Contract status for 2024: Unsigned; UFA Age: 31 (32 on 4/23/2024) Playing time: N/A Key statistics: N/A Mancz spent the offseason with Buffalo, was released prior to the start of the 2023 season, and signed to the practice squad thereafter. He wasn’t active for any games this season, and his contract expired at the conclusion of the Bills’ season. He was not offered a reserve/futures contract. Buffalo is just as likely to run it back next season with the same three starters, and perhaps even the same top two reserves, as they are to have a slightly new look in this grouping. Torrence and McGovern are locked in as starters, and Bates likely isn’t going anywhere since they’d owe essentially as much cap space to keep him as they would to release or trade him. The big decision comes down to what they’re going to do with Morse. During the season, and really up until writing this piece, I assumed it would be a bad move to move on from their center regardless of the cap hit. Morse has plenty in the tank, and the offensive line was a strong point, so the team likely wants to keep the band together for at least one more season. However, the interior line is a place of strength for the Bills. Ryan Bates is a very good offensive lineman, and while he did fine work at right guard, he’s likely best suited to play center. He’s younger than Morse by five years, he costs less on the cap, and he’s been with the offense long enough where he knows the calls inside and out. While I hate myself a little bit for thinking this way, based on the financials, I think that the Bills may find themselves in a situation where their best option to ensure that they can add at positions of need is to release Morse. That move saves over $8 million in cap funds. Some of that can be spent re-signing David Edwards to a low-cost contract if he can’t find a starting gig elsewhere. A two-year deal worth up to $6 million in incentives could allow the Bills to keep his cap hit low this year while also making it worth his while to remain on as a high-quality reserve and part-time contributor in heavy packages on offense. The Bills could look elsewhere on the veteran’s minimum market, as well, to add some interior depth. Whether the team keeps Morse or releases him, drafting a center in the late-to-mid rounds is a good idea. Delmar Glaze from Maryland has the kind of positional versatility that the Bills covet, as he’s played both tackle positions in his college career but also has the versatility to play inside. If Bates, who has played everywhere along the line at some point, moves into the starting lineup, adding someone with a great deal of versatility would be a good move. Wisconsin’s Tanor Bortolini and NC State’s Dylan McMahon profile as solid multi-positional backups, while Florida’s Kingsley Eguakun is a fit if the team wants a dedicated center late in the draft. We’ll know Buffalo’s direction once they make a decision on Morse’s contract, but either way, this is a positional group where the Bills likely already have their starting group on the roster. Whether that group involves Mitch Morse or Ryan Bates will come down less to football than it will to financials.

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Buffalo Bills allowed contracts of several players to void Monday

Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images The bill always comes due. On Monday, several Buffalo Bills starters from the 2023 NFL season saw their contracts void. As such, One Bills Drive saw those dead-cap charges officially hit the books for the 2024 NFL season. To be clear, these contracts were specifically designed to void, so none of this is surprising. Instead of extending the contracts of edge rusher Leonard Floyd, safety Micah Hyde, plus defensive tackles DaQuan Jones and Tim Settle, general manager Brandon Beane and the Bills allowed them to expire. Here is the list of players and their salary cap charges whose contracts void today. These charges now become dead money pic.twitter.com/IFwTawMp4V— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) February 19, 2024 What exactly is a void year in terms of an NFL contract? Void-year contracts have become more common since the end of the 2020 NFL season, when for the first time in a decade the salary cap actually decreased — giving general managers and all 32 teams less money to work with year over year. Void years are “dummy seasons” teams add to the end of a player’s contract, where teams leverage a player’s signing bonus over more years than are currently left on that player’s deal (allowing it to be spread out up to five years). At the point when a player approaches the void year(s) of their current contract and they aren’t re-signed to a new deal with the team, their pro-rated years of signing bonus kicks in to the current year’s cap. Let’s revisit the situation with Micah Hyde from March of 2022, when the Bills restructured Hyde’s contract to spread out his salary cap hit over multiple seasons. I’ll summarize our work from that article, but click through to the original work for more information. In March of 2022, Hyde had only two years left on his current deal, and Beane wanted to leverage the maximum amount of salary cap relief. To do so, three void years were added to Hyde’s deal, turning his contract into a five-year deal. By restructuring Hyde’s deal in 2022, the Bills took money already allocated on their books in roster bonus and base salary and reallocated it. In these negotiations, both parties mutually benefit: Hyde received most of his 2022 money up front, while the team was able to clear cap space in the 2022 season. It’s important to note that these restructures are only done with players that the team knows will be on the roster during the upcoming season (and often more). Additionally, players whose contracts already have guaranteed money are often given this type of a restructure. Why? With money that’s already guaranteed, it simply accelerates the clock on payment. What happens next for the Buffalo Bills? What does this mean for the Bills and each of these four players? Again, it locks in those numbers — a total of $10,967,584 — to the team’s books as dead cap for the upcoming season. That total broken down by player is as follows: Floyd — $4,376,250 Hyde — $3,408,000 Jones — $1,833,334 Settle — $1,350,000 The Bills theoretically could have extended one of these players to keep the multiple void years in place as the Baltimore Ravens did with Nelson Agholor this weekend, but that’s not particularly common. The next few months will involve heavy bookkeeping by Brandon Beane and the rest of the front office. Time will tell if any among Micah Hyde, Leonard Floyd, DaQuan Jones, and/or Tim Settle Jr. suit up for the Buffalo Bills in 2024. Remember, it’s not a foregone conclusion that any of them move on. What do you believe happens next?

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PFF: James Cook's five worst-graded games for the Bills in 2023

PFF: James Cook’s five worst-graded games for the #Bills in 2023:

Nick Wojton
billswire.usatoday.com
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AFC East Roundup: What went wrong?

Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images What was at the root of each team’s downfall during the 2023 season? Unless your favorite football team was fortunate enough to win the Super Bowl, the offseason is usually full of regret. Whether it be one game, one injury, or one play, fans are usually left wondering what went wrong that led to their team’s season ending. As Buffalo Bills fans, we’re a group that’s become all too familiar with early postseason exits. When it comes to the AFC East, two teams missed the playoffs, one team didn’t make it out of the Wild Card round, and the remaining team did not make it out of the divisional round. So, what went wrong for each club? For the Buffalo Bills the story was much the same as it has been in previous seasons. Once again the defensive line failed to show up late in the season, and especially during the team’s biggest moment. After coming back from an ACL tear during the 2022 NFL season, edge rusher Von Miller appeared to be a shell of his former self as he recovered while playing. It wasn’t until the playoffs where he showed any flashes of making an impact. Fellow edge rusher Leonard Floyd was on a tear to start the season with 9.5 sacks after 10 weeks, but then only had one sack the rest of the way — including the playoffs. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver had a career season after a contract extension, but his impact was minimal in the divisional round of the playoffs against the Kansas City Chiefs. The offense led by quarterback Josh Allen continues to be successful late in the season, but if this team wants to take that next huge step then the defensive line needs to show up in the postseason. A lot of the time in the NFL it’s not about who the best team is that decides the winner, but rather which team finds the most luck as it relates to injuries. Unfortunately for the Miami Dolphins, they got hit with the injury bug late in the season. Their defense seemed to be picked off piece by piece after it appeared Miami was on the path to an AFC East Division title. Cornerback Xavien Howard suffered a foot sprain that kept him out of the playoffs, while safety Jevon Holland was kept out due to a knee injury. In the front seven, Bradley Chubb tore his ACL in Week 17 while Jaelan Phillips tore his Achilles weeks prior. It’s no doubt that Miami has one of the best offenses in the league, so the key for next season may just be staying healthy. It didn’t take long for the New York Jets’ season to go awry. Their season was basically over during the first series of Week 1 when Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles. Now, with their dominant defense, one injury shouldn’t have derailed their season — but the problem was that Gang Green didn’t have a clear plan at backup quarterback. All of their chips were in the hands of Rodgers leading the team to success. Even though Zach Wilson could still become a decent quarterback, it was clear throughout the season that management didn’t have faith in the young signal caller — which clearly affected him mentally. The result was a wasted season with a talented young roster, and now uncertainty heading into next season. If Rodgers cannot regain his form before the Achilles injury, a lot of these talented young players may be looking elsewhere for their second contract. What went wrong for the New England Patriots? One can point to the offense as a whole, quite honestly. Quarterback Mac Jones didn’t play up to standards and was benched multiple times for Bailey Zappe throughout the season. To make matters worse, it was clear that the Patriots don’t have a dominant number=one receiver, which has been an issue the past couple of seasons as well. Without a quarterback the likes of Tom Brady to elevate the surrounding players on offense, New England was bound to be exposed. It will certainly be interesting what the direction the team goes with the third overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft. A top quarterback won’t immediately solve every issue unless the team goes out and signs some talent on the outside.

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What would moving on from Von Miller look like for Buffalo Bills’ salary cap?

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images Can the Bills cut or trade Von Miller’s contract this offseason? We have the salary cap implications. Earlier this month, we took at look at Stefon Diggs and his contract. I’d always planned on doing a similar article for Buffalo Bills’ defensive end Von Miller, but a good chunk of the comments included people asking for the Miller numbers. I think it’s unlikely the Bills move on from either Miller or Diggs, for the record. Here are some numbers why. The financial implications would be massive. Let’s dive in. There is a March 18 deadline Like Diggs, Miller’s salary for 2024 will fully guarantee on March 18th. Right now, only $10.71 million is guaranteed, but on March 18th, nearly $6.5 million more becomes fully guaranteed. If they were to trade him after March 18, the new team would inherit the guaranteed money or negotiate a new contract before the season starts. Once that salary guarantees, Buffalo won’t release him (for performance reasons anyway), since they’d be on the hook for the contract money whether he was on the team or not. So much dead-cap money Miller has been paid tens of millions of dollars in bonuses that have yet to be accounted for on the Bills’ cap. Known as his dead-cap hit, this would accelerate onto the 2024 cap if he’s moved off the roster by trade, release, or retirement. Those hits are currently set to be collectively accounted for over the next four seasons. If he’s released before that new guaranteed money kicks in, his dead-cap hit would be $32.5 million. After March 18, it would be $39 million. This is why restructuring contracts to push the cap hit into future seasons limits a team’s flexibility down the line. It’s also why I opined that the Bills shouldn’t restructure Miller’s contract this offseason, so as to leave more flexibility in the 2025 offseason if he doesn’t rebound. For reference, incurring a $39 million dead-cap hit would be the third-largest in NFL history, just a smidge behind Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers. The Bills don’t want to add that to their 2024 salary cap, as they are currently projected to be more than $50 million over. Releasing or trading Miller now is salary-cap possible So if the Bills can’t add a $32.5 million cap hit, how can they trade or release Von Miller? In his current salary cap number, Miller accounts for roughly $23.8 million in cap space, so a release/trade would “only” add $8.7 million to their cap commitment. It’s something they could absorb if they really wanted to. Like, really wanted to. If they were able to trade him, the new team must be willing to take on Miller and his soon-to-be-guaranteed $17 million salary in 2024 or negotiate some sort of new deal with the pass rusher. Post-June 1 release is another option Another option would be to designate Miller as a post-June 1 release. It’s an accounting tool that would allow them to release Miller prior to his March 18 contract guarantee deadline. He would still count on the cap at his current cap figure of $23.784 million until June 1. On that date, $15.4 million of cap space would become available for 2024 by shifting to 2025. The problem with that move is that the cap relief is so late, the Bills wouldn’t have many options to spend that cap amount on impact players. The best free agents would all be off the board in March, April, and May. If they waited until June to trade him, it would have the same effect of clearing $15.4 million in 2024 cap space. What should they do? I have no insight into the legal allegations against Miller, so I’ll just operate as if that isn’t going to factor in here. Miller wasn’t good enough last season, but they don’t have very many pass-rush options. Leonard Floyd, A.J. Epenesa, and Shaq Lawson are all free agents in addition to a bunch of defensive tackles. They probably hope he can get back to his form nearly two years following his injury with a full offseason of ramp up. I think the Bills should keep Miller in 2024 on his current contract while drafting a new pass rusher in the middle rounds. Greg Rousseau is ready to be thrown into the deep end and Kingsley Jonathan is a depth option, but they need to add some rotational pieces. Re-signing Lawson to a cheap one-year deal and drafting a developmental potential heir is a good start. If they feel like they have to move on from Miller, they should release him with a post-June 1 designation prior to March 18. After his 2023 season, no team is going to want to trade for Miller’s contract, so the best accounting for the cap space would be to spread it over two years.

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PFF: Leonard Floyd named Bills' top pending free agent

Should the #Bills re-sign?

Nick Wojton
billswire.usatoday.com
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Ryan Bates hopeful to stay with Bills and earn his spot

Ryan Bates hopeful to stay with #Bills and earn his spot:

Nick Wojton
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4 Bills players in line for contract extensions during the 2024 offseason

4 #Bills players in line for contract extensions during the 2024 offseason:

David De Cristofaro
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Buffalo Bills 2024 NFL Draft: Analysis of WR Keon Coleman

Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images What sort of role might Keon Coleman play with the Buffalo Bills? We’ve now entered the NFL offseason, with our focus shifting to discussions about next season’s roster for the Buffalo Bills. While free agency is first up for all 32 teams, the expectation is that the Bills won’t be major players in the exercise this year. While things can and often do change, the preferred route seems to be building through the NFL Draft, with an eye on players who can come in and immediately contribute to what should continue to be a championship-contending Buffalo squad. There are plenty of cases to be made that the team’s defense needs as much help as ever, but perhaps the bigger need is at wide receiver. With Gabe Davis set to enter free agency in March, the Bills could be looking for his replacement. Khalil Shakir blossomed in his second season, but his role is best found within the slot. There are those arguing for Shakir to replace Davis and play primarily outside. One Bills Drive would be wise to look elsewhere for a more immediate WR2, and perhaps a player who could develop into the team’s next WR1. There are plenty of wide receivers set to be available in the NFL Draft this April, and right now one name seems to be holding stock with many draft gurus and their mock picks for the Bills. As such, a name to keep an eye on for the Buffalo Bills at pick 28 is Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman. Let’s see what the film says about the potential first-round pick! Keon Coleman makes a one-handed catch We see Coleman’s ability to make highlight-real catches on this play. Prior to the snap, Coleman is operating out of the slot. Once the play starts and Coleman is down the field in a hurry, cutting in towards the center of the field. Coleman jumps in the air to high-point the football, catching it with one hand just as a Syracuse defender hits him. An impressive catch. Keon Coleman shows an ability to play through physicality In the NFL making tight-coverage catches and playing through physicality from cornerbacks represent two of the tougher tasks for a receiver. During this play, we see Coleman do both well. Initially, Coleman doesn’t allow the jam to knock him off his route (in fact he plays through it). Then, as the corner stays in Coleman’s hip pocket while in a trail position, he still comes down with the contested catch. Keon Coleman brings potential as a punt returner Special teams often provide important opportunities for NFL rookies to make an immediate impact. Against Miami, this punt return started with Coleman making the first defender miss in open space as he’s securing the football. Coleman then slid his feet right and cut left, outrunning most of the Hurricanes’ special teams unit until he made it to around the 10-yard line. Keon Coleman possesses speed and elusiveness in spades Here, Coleman was lined up on the outside with the corner backed off of him to, in theory, prevent a big play. At the snap, Coleman went inside and caught the ball — and then outran the angle the corner had on him. Coleman then made the next defender miss and ran untouched into the end zone. Keon Coleman goes alpha dog for this red zone TD In the NFL, the red zone is where the best wideouts make their money — for obvious reasons. After the snap, Coleman ran his route and battled for position against the cornerback in man coverage. He then boxed out the corner, jumped up, and caught the ball on the edge of the end zone against very tight coverage. Keon Coleman shows a willingness to block Perhaps the most underrated facet to any receiver’s game is the willingness to block. At the snap, Coleman aggressively pushed the defender back — getting right inside of his shoulder pads. Coleman the proceeded to buzz his feet and mirror the cornerback’s movements. In summary Keon Coleman can do it all, and there’s reason to expect that will continue at the NFL level. Coleman is versatile as a receiver, being able to play outside or inside. Additionally, he makes a variety of high-degree difficulty catches, has plenty of speed, sound footwork, brings a willingness to block, and has shown well when playing special teams. Coleman also has size at 6’5” and 215 pounds — and the production to match, totaling 11 touchdowns last year. After transferring to Florida State for his junior season, Keon Coleman made an immediate impact for the Seminoles as the team’s WR2, making 50 catches for 658 yards and those aforementioned 11 TDs. His sophomore season at Michigan State played out similarly to the 2023 CFB season, with Coleman making 58 receptions for 798 yards and seven TDs. Tell us, Rumblers... What kind of addition do you believe Keon Coleman would represent for the Buffalo Bills if he were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft? (All stats courtesy of Sports Reference)

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Buffalo Rumblinks, 2/18: ICYMI this week on Buffalo Rumblings

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports The cost of moving on from WR Stefon Diggs, Damar Hamlin deserved Comeback Player of the Year and more! Today’s edition of the Buffalo Rumblinks catches you up on the week that was in Buffalo Rumblings content. We explore the potential salary cap ramifications if the Buffalo Bills move on from wide receiver Stefon Diggs and make the argument for safety Damar Hamlin winning the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award. We also get to know the latest assistant coaches to join Buffalo’s staff, examine whether LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. would be a worthy pick with the No. 28 pick in the NFL Draft, continue with our State of the Buffalo Bills roster series, and more! Recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings Wednesday What does moving on from Stefon Diggs look like for Buffalo Bills’ salary cap? - Buffalo Rumblings State of the Buffalo Bills roster: Running backs - Buffalo Rumblings Opinion: Buffalo’s Damar Hamlin deserved Comeback Player of the Year - Buffalo Rumblings Thursday Buffalo Bills name DJ Mangas offensive quality control coach - Buffalo Rumblings Scott Booker hired as nickel coach/senior defensive assistant with Buffalo Bills - Buffalo Rumblings Steve Christie’s SB record FG broken twice during SB LVIII - Buffalo Rumblings Friday State of the Buffalo Bills’ roster: Linebackers - Buffalo Rumblings What if... Josh Allen Quarterbacked the 2004 Buffalo Bills? - Buffalo Rumblings Look: Josh Allen and Tiger Woods are a Pro-Am pair at the Genesis Invitational - Buffalo Rumblings Saturday Mock mocking or mock marveling: Ian Cummings gives Bills Mafia what they want - Buffalo Rumblings

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Report card: Bills offense in 2023

Grading the #Bills offense by position:

Nick Wojton
billswire.usatoday.com
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Mock mocking or mock marveling: Ian Cummings gives Bills Mafia what they want

Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images What’s the catch? It’s the offseason again, and that means it’s time for the return of “Mock Mocking or Mock Marveling.” Buffalo Bills fans understand that mock drafts are thought exercises. Very rarely are they intended to be predictive before the week of the actual NFL Draft is upon us, and mock drafts before free agency are especially volatile. They are intended to generate not just clicks, but also individual reactions to a multitude of different possibilities. Mock drafts are also much better after free agency has slowed down. Prior to contracts being signed and trades being made, mock drafts can sometimes be exercises in fans yelling about which needs are more important using only their team’s first-round selection as ammunition. Thought exercises after needs have been partially or fully addressed can be of narrower focus. But that doesn’t stop the mock drafts from coming early in the offseason and in this instance, we’re reviewing a pre-free agency mock draft that’s sure to get some people in Bills Mafia buzzing with its potential impact. Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network released a mock draft on Saturday, February 17 and here’s who he had the Bills taking in the first round: 28) Buffalo Bills: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU Josh Allen is capable of putting an offense on his back, but the Bills need to be proactive in giving him weapons, especially given the fact that Stefon Diggs faded late in 2023. At 6’4″, 205 pounds, with elite explosiveness, speed, and lateral fluidity, Brian Thomas Jr. fits the WR1 physical profile, and he has the ball tracking and body control to convert. This article series is titled “mock mocking or mock marveling” for a reason. It’s about the gut and initial reaction that I have to the player being selected for the Bills in the selected mock draft — and in this case, the coin lands on “marveling.” When I outlined the needs for the Buffalo Bills going into the 2024 offseason on a recent pod, I didn’t say “wide receiver.” I said “wide receivers who can be explosive down the field and with the ball in their hands.” I interpret the need as much more qualitative than just a roster position. And Brian Thomas Jr. fits the Bill(s). Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers are the next in a storied line of LSU receiver duos like Odell Beckham Jr./Jarvis Landry and Justin Jefferson/Ja’Marr Chase. Nabers is projected to go in the top 10 in most current mock drafts, but Thomas represents the skill set that a lot of Bills fans have been clamoring for. At 6’4” and 205 pounds, Thomas gives the Bills a size component that they currently lack, though that size currently represents more potential than reality. His contested-catch abilities are still in development, so those anticipating jump-ball fades into the end zone as being wins because of his height will likely be disappointed. (Whether you should be throwing goal line fades at all as an offense is an entirely different discussion.) Where Thomas shines is with his blazing speed, ball tracking. and release package. Just being fast is not good enough to be a consistent vertical threat in the NFL; you need to be able to get off press coverage on the outside and threaten stacking defensive backs early in the route, and Thomas has shown instances of being able to do that — which gives you hope for his development. That same speed pays off on crossing routes where he can run away from coverage and get yards after the reception. He’s much less of a complete player than his LSU running mate (signified by their projected draft spot differential), but he fits exactly the type of receiver I think the Bills could utilize. There’s potential for him to be an upgraded version of Gabe Davis, who also wins most often on routes that don’t require sinking of the hips (a tougher ask for taller players) and getting separation at the top of the route. Martavis Bryant, who averaged over 21 yards per catch as a rookie for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014, has been a noted player comparison that feels appropriate for their play styles. ...and that’s the way the cookie crumbles. I’m Bruce Nolan for Buffalo Rumblings. You can find me on Twitter and Instagram @BruceExclusive and look for new episodes of “The Bruce Exclusive” every Thursday on the Buffalo Rumblings podcast network!

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Report card: Bills defense in 2023

Report card: #Bills defense in 2023:

Nick Wojton
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Should the Bills try to trade for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk?

Should the #Bills try to trade for #49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk?

Bills Wire
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One free agent each NFL team (including the Bills) should want to sign in 2024

One free agent each NFL team (including the #Bills) should want to sign in 2024:

Nick Wojton
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What if... Josh Allen Quarterbacked the 2004 Buffalo Bills?

Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images What if Mike Mularkey had the chance to work with Josh Allen? A common refrain among Bills Mafia during the 2023 NFL season and continuing now is the sentiment that Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott should be replaced. By whom? Many don’t seem to care — with the idea that Josh Allen is a generational talent who creates an “easy button” for a head coach. That got me thinking. What if we plugged Josh Allen into the underachieving Bills teams of the past? What if... Josh Allen Quarterbacked the 2004 Buffalo Bills? Overview Following the departure of Gregg Williams, the Buffalo Bills hired a young offensive hotshot coordinator from the Pittsburgh Steelers going by the name “Mike Mularkey.” Because that was his name. It likely still is. This infamous Buffalo squad went 9-7, and faced a “win-and-in” contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers to end the season. They lost. To backups. The one-seed Steelers were resting pretty much everyone. A win would have tied the New York Jets’ overall record and thanks to a split division record, forced a common opponent tiebreaker with Pittsburgh a common opponent and sealing the deal. Coaches and Stats Mularkey kept many things the same for Buffalo, including retaining defensive coordinator Jerry Gray from Williams’ staff. The team remained a 4-3 scheme on defense with an Erhardt-Perkins scheme on offense. Mularkey brought in Tom Clements for offensive coordinator. Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images Despite an offensive-minded head coach, Buffalo’s offense only averaged 1.73 points per drive — 13th in the league. They held the same position in drives ending with a score, at 32.1%. Turning over the ball on 14.4% of drives, Buffalo was 18th in the league in that measure. This was mostly an interception problem with the ball lost 17 times that way and 12 due to fumble. The defense was fifth-best in preventing points, allowing 1.37 points per drive. They allowed scores on 27.3% of drives — 12th in the league. Buffalo was incredible taking the ball away with the third-best rate in the league. The Bills had a take-away on 19.3% of drives. Buffalo generated plenty of pressure. The team was fourth in total sacks with 45, and third best in rate. Between defense and special teams, Buffalo had a preposterously high 10 touchdowns. Four interception returns, three kickoff returns, two punt returns, and one blocked punt. Supporting Cast This was Drew Bledsoe’s final year in Buffalo before moving on to the Dallas Cowboys. I mention the Cowboys as Bledsoe’s first season there showed that his 2004 season in Buffalo was not up to his capabilities. It was overall fine as far as years go but had room for improvement. At running back, Willis McGahee made his debut and was fine. He was backed up by Travis Henry who was also fine. The biggest name on the offensive line helping the running (and passing) game along was Mike Williams. For the receiving threats, Buffalo focused on two targets just like I’m about to here. Eric Moulds and Lee Evans. The latter of the two was in his rookie season but shone brightly in his debut season. Despite higher targets for Moulds, Evans had the better touchdown, catch rate, and yards-per-target numbers. To be clear, I’m not suggesting Moulds had a bad year. Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images The defense had enviable talent in 2004. Looking at the names on the list, the numbers above are no surprise. On the defensive line Sam Adams (Pro Bowl), Pat Williams (TD on interception), Chris Kelsay, and Aaron Schobel made up a heck of a starting unit. The linebackers featured both Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher. Spikes had an All-Pro season that year. Terence McGee and Nate Clements made the Pro Bowl from the defensive backfield at corner. Lawyer Milloy did not, but his numbers suggest maybe he should have. The Josh Allen Effect I’ll start with my idea of “defensive ripple” first. It’s unlikely Allen has any noticeable effect on the defense throughout the year. That unit was already playing at a very high level, dare I say “elite.” In addition, Buffalo had good time-of-possession numbers. There may have been some effect in individual games, but the aggregate shouldn’t change a whole lot. Buffalo’s big issues on offense were the lack of star power after the tandem of Moulds and Evans. That’s not to say everyone else dragged the team down, but that duo is a tough act to follow. This extended to the running back room with a pair of backs who were, as noted, “fine.” Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images What would Josh Allen be capable of with two legitimate WR1-caliber players and a host of other guys who were fine? I’d love to see it. Would Mike Mularkey have let Josh Allen be Josh Allen? Mularkey was the offensive coordinator for the Steelers in 2001. In that year, Kordell Stewart had 96 rushing attempts. That was the highest in his career. Allen running would have been a thing in 2004. Season Results Will there be any reader surprised that Josh Allen gets the Bills to the playoffs with this 2004 squad? The only question really is seeding and what happens when they reach the dance. As a quick note on overall team talent, after dropping the first four games that year Buffalo only lost three more. That included a six-game win streak toward the end of the season. In Week 1 I’m tempted to make a joke about Allen being cursed against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but Buffalo had plenty of chances to score that were wasted. At the end of the game, Mularkey went time-killing mode and punted from the opponent’s 38 (and looked like he meant to do it from the 33). While I think miscues such as terrible head-coaching decisions keep this one closer than I like, Allen finds another touchdown at some point in the game for the win. Against the Oakland Raiders in Week 2, Bledsoe sacks killed a ton of drives. The more mobile Allen should find another score in this game as well, adding another win to their total. Sorry everyone, they still lose to the New England Patriots in Week 4. Allen keeps it close by avoiding sacks that Bledsoe couldn’t, but touchdown Tom still walks away with the win. In Week 10 we have a similar result but at least Buffalo isn’t embarrassed in our thought experiment. By Week 5 against the Jets the league has seen Allen’s scrambling ability. First-half negative plays in the run game don’t happen as the Jets’ defense can’t key in on Travis Henry as closely. Allen finds another win. I’d like to say Buffalo pulls out a win against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7, but the slew of turnovers and stifling Baltimore defense aren’t something I can safely say don’t occur with Allen on the team. Most QBs have a letdown game each season, and this is Allen’s in our hypothetical 2004. In their six-game winning streak, the Bills dominated the opposition with the closest game being a 10-point win over the Miami Dolphins. It makes the Week 17 loss to the Steelers’ backups perplexing and all the more horrifying looking back. Speaking of that Week 17 game. Our Allen-led team enters the game with 12 wins. Still no threat of taking the one seed from the Steelers, Pittsburgh still plays their backups. With the Patriots still leading the division and the fifth seed set in stone, Buffalo also plays backups. With the game mostly being lost on the defensive side of the ball, somehow maybe the Bills’ backups on that side find a way to win. I’ll leave this game as a choose your own adventure. It makes no difference to the prediction below, so for our purposes the Bills end the season 12-4 or 13-3 depending on your choice. The Bills’ win over the Jets knocks NY out, but otherwise retains the playoff bracket. As a reminder: Pittsburgh Steelers (14-1-? and had head-to-head over NE if you’re curious) New England Patriots (14-2) Indianapolis Colts (12-4) San Diego Chargers (12-4) Buffalo Bills (12-4) Denver Broncos (10-6) PREDICTION: Loss to New England in the AFC Championship. Now here’s the full rationale: The Buffalo Bills travel to San Diego where they handle business. Chad Pennington had a good game in a win over San Diego and playoff Josh Allen does as well. The Bills’ defense recovers from whatever the hell Week 17 was all about and it’s on the Divisional Round. While the Steelers had a better defense than even Buffalo that season, the Pennington-led Jets managed to force overtime where they lost by a field goal. Nothing against Pennington, but I’ll take the Allen-led Bills in this one in regulation. In the AFC Championship the short version is that Buffalo falls to the New England Patriots, just as the Steelers did. Even though this was Ben Roethlisberger’s rookie season, he had a ton of success passing and I don’t believe Allen can reasonably do much better here. Big Ben wasn’t famous for rushing and Jerome Bettis had fallen off the cliff, so Allen’s mobility is an advantage. Despite that, New England arguably had the best defense in football this season. Allen perhaps makes this a one-score game, but can’t find two more touchdowns to force OT or a win. If Buffalo finds a way past New England, I see the Super Bowl against the Eagles as a toss-up. For the second time in this article, I’ll let you choose your own adventure here. Note: This series is intended as nothing more than a thought experiment to open up discussion on the Buffalo Bills. Hope you enjoy it and feel free to disagree and add your own best guesses into the mix in the comments. Go Bills!

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State of the Bills roster: linebackers

Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images Oh, what could have been if not for a series of unfortunate events Entering the 2023 NFL season, the Buffalo Bills had one sure thing at linebacker, and one huge question mark next to him. By the end of the season, Buffalo had linebackers on the field that were nowhere near the team’s main plans — or their secondary plans, for that matter — as injuries decimated the group. While injuries at the linebacker position aren’t the only reason the Bills were unable to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round of the playoffs this past season, those injuries certainly created some big mismatch advantages in Kansas City’s favor. That’s the negative. The positive? The Bills now know that they have two legitimate studs at linebacker under contract for next season, and a third player who emerged as a tremendous asset as the year progressed. In today’s look at the state of the Buffalo Bills’ roster, we discuss the linebackers — a group in need of some depth, but not a major overhaul. Terrel Bernard Contract status for 2024: Signed; third year of four-year rookie contract ($1,399,872 cap hit; $456,496 dead-cap charge if released or traded; .58% of total team cap) Age: 24 (25 on 5/7/2024) Playing time: 17 games (17 starts), 999 defensive snaps (93.2% of team total), 56 special teams snaps (13% of team total) Key statistics: 143 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 9 QB hits, 6.5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, 5 pass breakups, 3 interceptions Entering the season, Bernard was one of the biggest question marks on the Bills’ roster. After missing the entire preseason with a hamstring injury, there were series doubts about Bernard and his ability to step into the middle linebacker role held by Tremaine Edmunds for the previous five years. As the season progressed, it was clear that Bernard not only could hold his own in Edmunds’ place, but that he was a much better fit for Buffalo’s stop unit than Edmunds ever was. Bernard was an absolute revelation, and when Matt Milano was injured, Bernard continued to thrive in his new role as the team’s middle linebacker. There’s an argument to be made that, if Bernard hadn’t re-injured his ankle against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Buffalo’s Wild Card victory, we might have been covering the Super Bowl rather than writing the postmortem on the 2023 Bills’ season. Alas, that’s not how it went down, and the Bills will instead have to settle for an offseason where they know that the top of their depth chart at linebacker is in excellent shape. Tyrel Dodson Contract status for 2024: Unsigned; UFA Age: 25 (26 on 6/25/2024) Playing time: 17 games (10 starts), 549 defensive snaps (51.2% of team total), 184 special teams snaps (42.8% of team total) Key statistics: 74 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 6 QB hits, 2.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble, 2 pass breakups If you would have told me that Tyrel Dodson was needed to start for most of the season for the Bills, I’d have assumed that the team was in rough shape. If you’d have told me that Dodson would not only start, but that he would grade out as one of the NFL’s best linebackers — I’d probably have asked about whatever drugs you were taking. However, that’s exactly what happened, as Dodson thrived in his role as a full-time starter. He was excellent against the run, he showed improvement in pass coverage, and he was consistently one of the bright spots on Buffalo’s defense. He’s likely earned the right to go start elsewhere next season, and while I hope that he sees that opportunity come to fruition for his sake, there’s definitely part of me that hopes he’d prefer to stay with the Bills as a top-tier reserve, a third linebacker to match heavier personnel, and a special teams stalwart. Either way, Dodson was outstanding in 2023, and he was a huge part of the reason why Buffalo’s banged-up defense didn’t completely collapse in the wake of numerous injuries. Tyler Matakevich Contract status for 2024: Unsigned; UFA (Void year cap hit of $667,500; .28% of total team cap) Age: 31 (32 on 12/22/2024) Playing time: 17 games, 343 special teams snaps (79.8% of team total), 16 defensive snaps (1.5% of team total) Key statistics: 7 tackles All you need to know about Buffalo’s view on Matakevich as a linebacker is that they signed A.J. Klein, who was readying for an RV trip to Florida, to play in a playoff game before they considered playing Matakevich in the game. Then, after Klein was injured against the Chiefs, they taped his ankle up and sent him back out there on one leg. Matakevich is a great leader and a valuable special teams player, but the Bills can — and should — look to find those traits in a younger player who can also contribute to the defense. Baylon Spector Contract status for 2024: Signed; third year of four-year rookie contract ($1,010,931 cap hit; $51,862 dead-cap charge if released or traded; .42% of total team cap) Age: 25 (26 on 10/20/2024) Playing time: 9 games, 141 special teams snaps (32.8% of team total), 25 defensive snaps (2.3% of team total) Key statistics: 6 tackles Spector made his first career start in a huge spot, as he slotted in as the starting linebacker next to Dodson for Buffalo’s Wild Card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He took a knee to the back in that game and missed the Bills’ loss against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he played significant snaps in the team’s final two victories of the year. He played plenty against the Miami Dolphins after Dodson injured his shoulder, and he acquitted himself quite well throughout. Spector is well positioned to fill Tyler Matakevich’s role as the Bills’ top linebacker on special teams, and he could also slide into Dodson’s role as one of the top defensive reserves should No. 25 move on this offseason. Dorian Williams Contract status for 2024: Signed; second year of four-year rookie contract ($1,253,365 cap hit; $686,076 dead-cap charge if released or traded; .52% of total team cap) Age: 22 (23 on 6/28/2024) Playing time: 17 games (2 starts), 261 special teams snaps (60.7% of team total), 211 defensive snaps (19.7% of team total) Key statistics: 40 tackles, 2 QB hits, 1 pass breakup Speaking of young players who could take a big leap next season, Williams is a fantastic athlete who will absolutely benefit form another season in the Bills’ defensive system. At times, it seemed like Williams relied more on his athleticism than his processing of offenses, which led to some issues in coverage. He had limited opportunities on the defensive end, but he flashed in Buffalo’s final game against the Chiefs in some of those opportunities. Entering his second year, the goal for Williams should be to take a firm hold on the top backup job to Matt Milano while also contributing on special teams. If Dodson moves on this spring, Williams will likely be in the mix, along with Spector, for a third linebacker role should the Bills choose to match heavier personnel with a heavier defensive grouping. There’s definitely room for improvement, but Williams showed flashes of what could be a great future this year. Matt Milano Contract status for 2024: Signed through 2026 season (Milano signed a four-year extension prior to the 2021 season, and then signed an additional extension prior to last season. The two contracts overlap this year). Milano’s cap hit for 2024 is $12,437,000, which is 5.13% of the team’s total cap. Age: 29 (30 on 7/28/2024) Playing time: 5 games (5 starts), 211 defensive snaps (19.7% of team total), 1 special teams snaps (.23% of team total) Key statistics: 30 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hit, 1 forced fumble, 2 pass breakups, 2 interceptions Milano was the third major injury on defense, and the second in the same game, when he suffered what appeared to be a tibial plateau fracture in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Up until that point, Milano had been having a stellar season, and the linebacker duo of Milano and Bernard seemed to be the perfect pair for the Bills. Buffalo can feel reasonably confident that, even though Milano turns 30 this summer, he’ll be ready to roll and as good as ever come September. A.J. Klein Contract status for 2024: Unsigned; UFA Age: 32 (33 on 7/30/2024) Playing time: 2 games (in the regular season), 19 special teams snaps (4.4% of team total) Key statistics: None in the regular season; however, Klein notched 16 tackles in Buffalo’s two playoff games Buffalo’s linebackers were so banged up in the playoffs that Klein started and played all but one snap in the Divisional Round. He led the team in tackles against the Steelers in the Wild Card round. Klein is a solid veteran presence who is and always has been a team-first guy. He isn’t a player that the Bills should look to retain as a first option, but if he wants to play and is okay with a spot on the practice squad, the Bills should definitely keep him in mind. If you had told me at the beginning of the season that the linebackers would be the group on defense that I think would be least in need of changing come season’s end, I’d have thought you were a liar. However, that’s exactly how things shook out as the year progressed. Buffalo has two legitimate studs in Bernard and Milano, and they have two young players under contract who are more than capable of performing both on special teams and defense in Williams and Spector. If you had told me that Dodson would not only become a viable starter this season, but that he’d also become one worth re-signing, and that he also might have played himself into a larger contract elsewhere, I’d have thought you were certifiably insane. However, that’s exactly what Dodson did in replacing Milano in the lineup. Sure, he still has limitations in coverage, but he proved that he can play extremely well on two downs. If he’s interested in returning as a reserve, the Bills should absolutely look at what that would cost them. However, I think it’s likely that Dodson is elsewhere next year as a full-time starter. He’s earned the opportunity, and he isn’t going to be guaranteed that chance in Buffalo for the foreseeable future. If Dodson is elsewhere, then the Bills will still have Milano, Bernard, Williams, and Spector under contract — a solid core group of linebackers who all do multiple things well. If they retain Dodson, then there’s little need for high-end depth, as the Bills could instead add to the back end of the group with a late-round draft choice or a UDFA who can excel on special teams. One young player who fits the Bills fairly perfectly is Notre Dame linebacker Marist Liufau, as he seems to fit the athletic and coverage-ability profile of the last few linebackers Buffalo has drafted. NFL Draft Buzz even lists Dorian Williams as one of the top three player comps for Liufau, so it’s likely that the Bills would have some interest. Liufau’s draft projection is all over the place right now, so I can’t rightly advocate for the Bills adding him without feeling a little better about where he’s projected to go in the draft. If Buffalo were to draft him in the third round, for example, that’s not a move I’d like, as the Bills have far more pressing needs (wideout, defensive line, and safety, to name a few). Now, if it’s the fifth round and he’s still available? That’s a deal I’ll take. Other later-round linebackers whose athletic profiles I like include UTEP’s Tyrice Knight, Missouri’s Ty’Ron Hopper, and Ohio State’s Steele Chambers (Have you ever heard a more perfect name for a linebacker than that?). Somebody like Mason Cobb out of USC doesn’t quite have the athleticism of some of Buffalo’s ‘backers, but he definitely has the situational football awareness, especially in coverage. As for adding veteran free agents, I just don’t see the need to pour tremendous resources into the position. Sure, some of you might think I’m crazy given the number of injuries that decimated the team at the end of the season, but the way I see it, no amount of disaster planning could realistically keep the Bills out of that situation again. Relying on second-year Williams and third-year Spector as the top end of the depth should be the plan. If they do supplement here, I’d expect it to be a low-end veteran who’s been in with the team before. Someone like Del’Shawn Phillips or Travin Howard, for example, who can be with the team through camp and the preseason in the event of injury issues early. If I’m the Bills, I have no interest in retaining Matakevich. His leadership, while important, doesn’t make up for the fact that he’s a complete nonfactor on the defense — which is an issue when planning for injury situations. The Bills need someone who can play special teams as a secondary characteristic. A.J. Klein is also someone I wouldn’t look to retain. If he wants to play again, he knows that he can slide in for the Bills in a pinch. He shouldn’t be a Plan A, Plan B, or even a Plan C. Basically, the plan here is simple: Add some young, athletic depth players who fly around on special teams, continue to develop the three young guys on the roster with Milano, and let this group shine in 2024 and beyond.

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10 Bills players who could restructure their contract during 2024 offseason

10 #Bills players who could restructure their contract during 2024 offseason :

David De Cristofaro
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Updates on Bills 2024 season ticket member renewals and opening of Bills Stadium Experience

The Buffalo Bills had another record-breaking year of fan support during the 2023 season

Alec White
www.buffalobills.com
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Former Bills kicker Steve Christie had Super Bowl record broken... twice

Boooooooooooooo

Nick Wojton
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PFF: Stefon Diggs' five-lowest graded games for the Bills in 2023

PFF: Stefon Diggs’ five-lowest graded games for the #Bills in 2023:

Nick Wojton
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Scott Booker hired as nickel coach/senior defensive assistant with Buffalo Bills

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images Booker comes to One Bills Drive having spent the previous four seasons coaching safeties for the Tennessee Titans The Buffalo Bills announced Wednesday, February 14, that the they’ve hired Scott Booker as the team’s nickel coach/senior defensive assistant. Booker comes to the Bills via the Tennessee Titans, with whom he spent six seasons (2018-2023) — and the last four as safeties coach for the Titans’ defense. As noted in the Buffalo Bills’ official news release detailing the addition of Scott Booker to the coaching staff: “Booker helped coach safety Kevin Byard to 20 interceptions and 46 passes defensed during the six seasons he was with Tennessee. Byard also earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors during the 2021 season.” We’ve named Scott Booker our nickel coach/senior defensive assistant.#GoBills | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/f036wSWvpq— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) February 14, 2024 Prior to joining the Titans in 2018 as a defensive assistant, Booker coached in various capacities at the college level for 15 years. Booker’s coaching career began with him as a graduate assistant for Kent State’s football program (2003-2004), which led to his promotion to defensive backs coach with the Golden Flashes (2005-2008). In 2009, Booker landed with Western Kentucky as the Hilltoppers’ secondary coach. Scott Booker would then go on to spend the next seven years with Notre Dame’s football program. From 2010-2011, Booker was an offensive intern with Notre Dame. Following that, Booker was named tight ends coach/special teams coordinator (2012-2016). In 2017, Booker headed for Nebraska, accepting the role of safeties coach/special teams coordinator with the Cornhuskers. As a former college football defensive back, Booker played under then head coach Dean Pees at Kent State. Booker was a four-year letter winner with the Golden Flashes (1999-2002), and in 2001 he was named to the MAC all-academic team. A Native of Pittsburgh, PA, Scott Booker earned his bachelor’s in business administration in 2003, and his master’s in sports studies in 2006 (both from Kent State). You can read more in-depth about Scott Booker’s six-year coaching career with the Tennessee Titans by clicking here.

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Buffalo Bills name DJ Mangas offensive quality control coach

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images One Bills Drive continues fine-tuning its coaching staff ahead of 2024 NFL season The Buffalo Bills named DJ Mangas as offensive quality control coach, officially promoting him within the team’s coaching ranks. Mangas joined Buffalo’s coaching staff during the 2023 NFL season during the team’s bye week, shortly after Joe Brady was promoted to interim offensive coordinator. With Brady as interim OC and there being no true named quarterbacks coach, the team saw an opportunity to bring Mangas in as an offensive aide. While no official title was given, it was a chance for Mangas to unofficially join the Bills’ coaching ranks. That decision has now paid off for DJ Mangas. We've hired DJ Mangas as our offensive quality control coach.Details: https://t.co/9YLv3MxL5L pic.twitter.com/Ig7WGhq6Cn— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) February 12, 2024 Before Mangas joined the Bills last season, he was with the University at Buffalo working as the football program’s offensive coordinator/tight ends coach. Mangas has a connection with Joe Brady, most recently while the pair worked together (Mangas as offensive analyst, Brady as passing game coordinator) for the LSU football program in 2019, the team’s national championship season. But their relationship goes back to their playing days at William & Mary (W&M) (2008-2011). At W&M, Mangas was a walk-on who played wide receiver and functioned as the Tribe’s emergency quarterback. Photo by Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images DJ Mangas has a fairly diverse 12-year coaching history, mainly at the college level. Mangas began with Hampden-Sydney as the program’s quarterbacks coach (2012), before heading to Georgetown in 2013 to coach the Hoyas’ running backs. Mangas then made his way back to William & Mary as the Tribe’s running backs coach (2014-2016). Mangas received a promotion with W&M, being named offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (2017-2018). In 2019, Mangas left to become an offensive analyst with LSU, a year later making his first stop in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers as a coaching assistant (2020). Mangas would head back to LSU in the role of passing game coordinator for the 2021 college football season. Then in 2022, Mangas joined the UCF Knights football program as a defensive analyst — his lone opportunity on that side of the ball to this point in his career. It was in 2023 that Mangas landed in Buffalo, NY and with the University at Buffalo Bulls football program as the team’s offensive coordinator/tight ends coach. Following the Bulls’ season, Mangas joined One Bills Drive, an opportunity that eventually led to his promotion as a fulltime coach with the Buffalo Bills beginning with the 2024 NFL season.

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2024 NFL draft: Georgia's Ladd McConkey is Bills' first pick in mock

McConkey:

Nick Wojton
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PFF: Stefon Diggs' five-highest graded games for the Bills in 2023

Here were Diggs’ best game in 2023, per PFF:

Nick Wojton
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2024 NFL draft: 321 prospects invited to upcoming scouting combine

2024 NFL draft: 321 prospects invited to upcoming scouting combine:

Nick Wojton
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8 Bills players who could have played their last game with the team

8 #Bills players who could have played their last game with the team:

Nick Wojton
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What does moving on from Stefon Diggs look like for Buffalo Bills’ salary cap?

Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images Since the talk remains out there, let’s look at Stefon Diggs’ contract. During the week leading up to the Super Bowl, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs was asked repeatedly about his future with the team. For whatever reason, he said he’s keeping an open mind and will let what happens happen. (Quarterback Josh Allen was much more optimistic on Diggs returning to the Bills, for what it’s worth.) “I can tell you I’m prepared” - @stefondiggs on his future pic.twitter.com/sRC0qjXjkv— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) February 8, 2024 With the possibility apparently there for the Bills to move on from Diggs (at least according to the player himself), the financial implications would be massive. Let’s dive in. There is a March 18 deadline When Diggs signed his contract extension in 2022, only his 2022 and 2023 salaries and bonus were fully guaranteed. All of his 2024 money is currently unguaranteed, so the Bills have until March 18 to determine their course of action with Diggs. Once that date hits, Diggs’ $18.5 million salary for 2024 fully guarantees. That gives them a month to all make up their minds. If they trade him after March 18, the new team would inherit the guaranteed money or negotiate a new contract before the season starts. They won’t release him (short of an Antonio Brown situation), since they’d be on the hook for the contract money whether he was on the team or not. $31 million in dead-cap money Diggs has been paid $31 million in bonuses that have yet to be accounted for on the Bills’ cap. Known as his dead-cap hit, this would accelerate onto the 2024 cap if he’s moved off the roster by trade, release, or retirement. Those hits are currently set to be collectively accounted for over the next four seasons. This is why restructuring contracts to push the cap hit into future seasons limits your flexibility down the line. It’s also why I opined that the Bills shouldn’t restructure Diggs’ contract this offseason, so as to leave more flexibility in the 2025 offseason if he doesn’t rebound. For reference, incurring a $31 million dead-cap hit would be the fourth-largest in NFL history. The Bills simply can’t afford to add that to their 2024 salary cap, as they are currently projected to be more than $50 million over. Releasing or trading Diggs now is salary-cap possible So if the Bills can’t add a $31 million cap hit, how can they trade or release Stefon Diggs? In his current salary cap number, Diggs accounts for nearly $28 million in cap space — so a release or trade would only add $3.2 million in cap commitments to their 2024 cap number. It’s something they could absorb if they really wanted to. If they were able to trade him, the new team must be willing to take on Diggs and his soon-to-be-guaranteed $18.5 million salary in 2024 or negotiate some sort of new deal with the receiver. Post-June 1 release is another option Another option would be to designate Diggs as a post-June 1 release. It’s an accounting tool that would allow them to release Diggs prior to his March 18 contract guarantee deadline. He would still count on the cap at his current cap figure of $27.854 million until June 1. On that date, $19 million of cap space would become available for 2024 by shifting to 2025. The problem with that move is that the cap relief is so late, the Bills wouldn’t have many options to spend that cap amount on impact players. The best free agents would all be off the board in March, April, and May. If they waited until June to trade Diggs, it would have the same effect of clearing $19 million in 2024 cap space. What should they do? I’m not in the building, so I don’t know how much of this is smoke and how much of this is fire. At the end-of-year press conference, head coach Sean McDermott referred to Diggs on the Bills in the past tense. This was probably more of a McDermott speaking flub than anything else, but McDermott was clearly pissed off at Diggs last offseason, too. McDermott didn’t do a whole lot to tamp down the Diggs rumors back in January, now Diggs is fanning the flames in February. I think the Bills should keep Diggs in 2024 on his current contract while drafting a new alpha receiver. The new guy competes with Diggs this offseason and replaces him in 2025. A transition of power with a WR1 and WR1a that flips in Year 2, or they can move on from Diggs a lot more easily on the 2025 salary cap. If they feel like they have to move on from Diggs, they should release him with a post-June 1 designation. I don’t think a new team is going to want to pay him $18.5 million in salary plus trade a premium asset, so the best accounting for the cap space would be to spread it over two years.

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State of the Bills roster: running backs

Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images With an emerging star at the top, this is a positional group in need of supporting actors Entering the 2023 NFL season, the Buffalo Bills hadn’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since the 2017 campaign. That was the first year of head coach Sean McDermott’s tenure, and it was the final year where LeSean McCoy eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in a season, as he rushed for 1,138 yards and six touchdowns on his 287 carries. That streak of five consecutive seasons without a 1,000-yard rusher is actually the second-longest such streak in franchise history. After Cookie Gilchrist ran for 1,096 yards in 1962, no Bills player surpassed that barrier until O.J. Simpson ran for 1,251 yards in 1972. Even when the Bills were bad, they tended to have strong running backs. While the era of the “bell-cow back” may be gone, it’s still a luxury to have a clear-cut RB1 to lead the backfield. Buffalo entered the 2023 season unsure of whether it had that. They exit the season knowing that they do, in fact, have a stud to lead their rushing attack. In today’s look at the state of the Bills’ roster, we discuss the running back group. James Cook Contract status for 2024: Signed; third year of four-year rookie contract ($1,590,562 cap hit; $710,748 dead cap if cut or traded; .66% of total team cap Age: 24 (25 on 9/25/2024) Playing time: 17 games (13 starts), 634 offensive snaps (54.5% of team total) Key statistics: 237 carries, 1,122 yards, 2 TD, 54 targets, 44 receptions, 445 yards, 4 TD, 4 fumbles Cook showed promise as a rookie, and he showed flashes of tremendous growth in the first half of the 2023 season. However, once offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey was relieved of his duties, Cook saw more opportunity under new play caller Joe Brady. With Dorsey calling the plays, Cook averaged 12 carries for 62 yards and two receptions for 22 yards per game. With Brady running the show, Cook averaged 17 carries and 72 yards per game, with three receptions and 32 yards per contest receiving added to his ledger. It’s not a huge uptick in yardage—and it’s actually a slight downturn in efficiency—but it was clear that the team shifted their focus towards giving Cook the lion’s share of the touches on offense. He’s not going to be a guy who scores a lot of rushing touchdowns given that Buffalo’s best short-yardage back—quarterback Josh Allen—is one of the best goal-line rushers in the NFL. However, Cook seems to be exactly the kind of back that thrives in the modern NFL. He’s a dangerous receiver out of the slot or the backfield, he thrives in the open field, and he runs effectively out of both the shotgun and under-center situations. If he can cut down on the drops (he had six dropped passes this year on those 54 targets, an 11.1% drop rate), he’ll move squarely into “elite” territory. For now, the Bills can be content with having a Pro Bowl running back. Ty Johnson Contract status for 2024: Unsigned; UFA Age: 26 (27 on 9/17/2024) Playing time: 10 games, 65 special teams snaps (15.1% of team total), 91 offensive snaps (7.8% of team total) Key statistics: 30 carries, 132 yards, 7 targets, 7 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD, 1 fumble, 8 kickoff returns, 161 kickoff return yards Johnson spent the better part of the last three seasons in a limited role with the New York Jets, and this year, he showcased his speed with the Bills. Buffalo signed him to the practice squad after the preseason, and he eventually made his way onto the 53-man roster. First, he was the third running back behind Latavius Murray (and Leonard Fournette for a few games, as well), but due to his own explosiveness and effectiveness, Johnson eventually worked his way up to RB2 status. He is lightning-fast on the edge and he’s also tough enough to gain those gritty yards in between the tackles. Although he’s a free agent, there’s definitely a chance the Bills will want to bring him back next year, as he can probably be had for a one-year deal at or around the veteran’s minimum. Latavius Murray Contract status for 2024: Unsigned; UFA Age: 34 (35 on 1/18/2025) Playing time: 16 games (4 starts), 351 offensive snaps (30.2% of team total) Key statistics: 79 carries, 300 yards, 4 TD, 22 targets, 17 receptions, 119 yards Murray was a preseason favorite of mine, as he’s always been a player I’ve admired from afar. Buffalo loves their 30-plus running backs, and Murray did a good job throughout the season. Perhaps unsurprisingly given his age, he was much more effective and efficient in the beginning of the season than he was as the year progressed. I don’t imagine the Bills will bring him back, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he ends up on the practice squad in early September if Murray doesn’t see any offers he likes and he decides that he wants to continue chasing a Super Bowl ring. Damien Harris Contract status for 2024: Unsigned; UFA Age: 26 (27 on 2/11/2024) Playing time: 6 games, 34 special teams snaps (7.9% of team total), 60 offensive snaps (5.2% of team total) Key statistics: 23 carries, 94 yards, 1 TD, 2 targets, 2 receptions, 16 yards Harris was moderately effective as a short-yardage back early in the season, but he was taken off the field in an ambulance due to a neck injury against the New York Giants in October and missed the rest of the season. There’s always a chance that he and the team are interested in a reunion, but head coach Sean McDermott seemed to intimate that Harris might be considering life after football due to the injury. I can’t blame him. Nyheim Hines Contract status for 2024: Signed; final year of two-year contract ($5.48 million cap hit; $500,000 dead cap charge if cut or traded; 2.26% of total team cap) Age: 27 (28 on 11/12/2024) Playing time: N/A Key statistics: N/A Hines was injured while on a Jet Ski prior to the start of training camp, and his injuries were severe enough that he missed the entire season. He suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his left leg, and he had surgery to repair the ligaments in August. At his season-ending press conference, general manager Brandon Beane said that he expects Hines to be part of the roster in 2024. Darrynton Evans Contract status for 2024: Signed reserve/future contract on 1/23/2024 ($1.055 million cap hit per OvertheCap.com) Age: 25 (26 on 7/9/2024) Playing time: 7 games (5 with the Chicago Bears and 2 with the Miami Dolphins), 93 offensive snaps split between those two teams, 57 special teams snaps split between those two teams Key statistics: 32 carries, 121 yards, 1 TD, 12 targets, 7 receptions, 49 yards Evans was quite effective for the Bills in the preseason this year, rushing 21 times for 108 yards and a score. He caught both of his targets for ten yards, and he also averaged 21.5 yards per kickoff return on four attempts. Evans is still young, and the Bills could certainly do worse than someone with his speed and athleticism as their third or fourth running back. There’s not much need to overthink the position here. Buffalo has three running backs under contract, and they all possess plus traits for the position. Cook is the clear lead dog here, while Hines is a dynamic receiver and Evans is a strong, speedy back who can contribute on special teams. If the salary cap weren’t an issue, then I’d say the Bills could add a UDFA or or two in camp, sign someone like Murray or Johnson to a veteran’s minimum deal, and they’d be all set. However, the salary cap definitely is an issue, and even though general manager Brandon Beane directly said at his year-end press conference that Hines is in the team’s plans for next season, I wouldn’t have expected him to say anything less about a player who is under contract with the club. Buffalo can save nearly $5 million by releasing Hines, and while it may seem cold, it also seems like a no-brainer to release him. He’s coming off a major knee injury, and he’s someone who’s always relied on his quickness and change-of-direction ability to succeed. Buffalo can absolutely keep him through a portion of the offseason if they wish to give him a shot, but rostering an RB2 who makes more than the rest of your running backs combined doesn’t seem like solid asset management. The Bills could likely re-sign Johnson and add another veteran running back with the $5 million they’d save releasing Hines. They could also add a player late in the draft, someone like Tennessee’s Jaylen Wright or Southern Mississippi’s Frank Gore Jr., or via the undrafted free agent route, like a Carson Steele from UCLA or a Blake Watson from Memphis. Ultimately, I don’t think this is a position in need of much change. Buffalo already has two good options for a second back under contract for next year, and a third (Ty Johnson) would likely want to re-sign with the team and could be had at a reasonable contract. For once, maybe the Bills won’t be tied to every aging free agent running back this offseason, nor will pundits have them taking a running back early in the NFL Draft. For at least the next two seasons, Buffalo is set at the top of the running back depth chart. It’s what they do behind James Cook that will be the intriguing part this offseason.

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2024 NFL draft: Full first round order including the Bills' pick

2024 NFL draft: Full first round order including the #Bills’ pick:

Nick Wojton
billswire.usatoday.com
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Bills won't be kicking off 2024 NFL season

#Bills won’t be kicking off 2024 NFL season:

Nick Wojton
billswire.usatoday.com
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Bills hire DJ Mangas as offensive quality control coach

Mangas worked with OC Joe Brady during the 2019 season at LSU

Alec White
www.buffalobills.com
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The most important plays of Super Bowl LVIII

The most important plays of Super Bowl LVIII:

Nick Wojton
billswire.usatoday.com
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Full list of Bills players who will be free agents this offseason

Full list of #Bills players who will be free agents this offseason:

Nick Wojton
billswire.usatoday.com
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Buffalo Rumblinks, 2/12: ICYMI this week on Buffalo Rumblings

Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports Introducing Buffalo’s four new assistant coaches, and which contract extensions could free up cap space. Today’s edition of the Buffalo Rumblinks catches you up on the week that was in Buffalo Rumblings content. We get to know new Buffalo Bills assistant coaches Jahmile Addae (cornerbacks), Ronald Curry (quarterbacks), Christian Taylor (defensive quality control), and Matt Edwards (assistant defensive line). We also identify potential contract extensions the Bills could offer up to free up some salary cap space for the 2024 NFL season, do a deep statistical dive into why Buffalo dominated in the regular season, continue with our State of the Buffalo Bills roster series, and more! Recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings Wednesday State of the Buffalo Bills roster: Safeties - Buffalo Rumblings 2023 Buffalo Bills season analysis: A look at some statistical dominance - Buffalo Rumblings Very minor correlation between NFL heavy personnel usage and offensive effectiveness in 2023 - Buffalo Rumblings Thursday Jahmile Addae named new CBs coach with Buffalo Bills - Buffalo Rumblings Buffalo Bills hire Ronald Curry as team’s new QBs coach - Buffalo Rumblings Buffalo Bills name Christian Taylor defensive QC coach - Buffalo Rumblings 13th annual NFL Honors Awards ceremony - Buffalo Rumblings Saturday Buffalo Bills salary cap: Contract extensions that could save 2024 space - Buffalo Rumblings Bills QB Josh Allen chose trivia, and dinner, over NFL Honors Awards - Buffalo Rumblings Buffalo Bills hire Matt Edwards as assistant DL coach - Buffalo Rumblings AFC East Roundup: NFL Honors Edition - Buffalo Rumblings Sunday Opinion: Buffalo’s Damar Hamlin deserved Comeback Player of the Year - Buffalo Rumblings Josh Allen hints at Stefon Diggs’ return to Bills on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ - Buffalo Rumblings Stefon Diggs waxes philosophical with Kay Adams during Super Bowl LVIII interview - Buffalo Rumblings What if...Josh Allen Quarterbacked the 2013 Buffalo Bills? - Buffalo Rumblings Should the Buffalo Bills prepare for a game on foreign soil in 2024? - Buffalo Rumblings

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5 pressing questions as the Bills head into the 2024 season

An early look at the Bills' free agency plans, their draft outlook and more

Alec White
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Buffalo Rumblings Live In Las Vegas with Stevie Johnson & Pigeons of New York

The Creators Summit hosted by Stevie Johnson, Pigeons of New York, and Club HBHF was a groundbreaking event that brought together some of the most innovative and influential figures in the world of sports and entertainment. This event, which took place in Las Vegas, NV during Super Bowl week, was a platform for creators to showcase their work, connect with fellow innovators, and explore new opportunities for collaboration. One of the highlights of the summit was the live podcast hosted by myself and Sara Larson. During the podcast, we had the opportunity to sit down with two incredibly inspiring individuals — Del Reid and Stevie Johnson. Del Reid, a true representative of Buffalo, was in attendance as Buffalo’s nominee for NFL Fan of the Year at the NFL Honors show. Del is one of the founders of Bills Mafia, our passionate group of Buffalo Bills fans known for charitable initiatives and unwavering support for their team. In addition to his work with Bills Mafia, Del also runs 26 Shirts, a non-profit organization that has raised nearly $2 million in donations. Del exemplifies the spirit of giving and has positively impacted countless lives in Western New York through his philanthropic efforts. While Del didn’t win the award for NFL Fan of the Year, he remains proud of the impact he’s had on the community. His dedication to making a difference in the lives of others is truly commendable, and his presence at the summit was a reminder of the extraordinary impact that individuals can have when they are driven by a genuine desire to help others. The star and host of the summit was Stevie Johnson, former Buffalo Bills wide receiver and the founder of Club HBHF. Club HBHF, an organization dedicated to empowering young athletes, has partnered with Pigeons of New York to provide scholarships and free camps for aspiring athletes in Western New York and across the country. The partnership between Club HBHF and Pigeons of New York has created invaluable opportunities for young athletes to hone their skills and pursue their dreams in the world of sports. The work of Stevie Johnson and Club HBHF is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship and support. By providing resources and guidance to young athletes, Club HBHF and Pigeons of New York are enabling the next generation of talent to thrive and succeed in their athletic pursuits. Their commitment to nurturing the potential of young athletes aligns perfectly with the spirit of the summit, which emphasized the importance of empowering creators and fostering a collaborative community. Overall, the Creators Summit hosted by Stevie Johnson, Pigeons of New York, and Club HBHF was a resounding success. The event brought together a diverse and influential group of creators who are making a positive impact in their respective fields. From Del Reid’s unyielding dedication to philanthropy to Stevie Johnson’s commitment to supporting young athletes, the summit showcased the remarkable work of individuals who are driven by a passion for making a difference. As the legacy of the summit continues to unfold, it’s clear that the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and empowerment that was celebrated at the event will continue to shape the future of sports and entertainment. Be sure to listen to the podcast to learn more about how you can get involved!

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Ranking all 32 NFL teams (including the Bills) by cap space for 2024

Ranking all 32 NFL teams (including the #Bills) by cap space for 2024:

Nick Wojton
billswire.usatoday.com
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Super Bowl 2025 odds: What the Bills' odds are to win it all next year?

Super Bowl 2025 odds: What the #Bills’ odds are to win it all next year?

Nick Wojton
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Buffalo Rumblinks, 2/10: Damar Hamlin snubbed for Comeback Player of the Year

Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Plus, the Bills hire a new assistant defensive line coach The NFL held its annual Honors Awards leading up to the Super Bowl, and it was a disappointing night for the Buffalo Bills, as quarterback Josh Allen finished fifth in the MVP voting, receiving just a single first-place vote. But the real shocker came in the Comeback Player of the Year category, where Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who died twice on the field against the Cincinnati Bengals, lost out to Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco for the award. Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by discussing Hamlin’s snub Safety Damar Hamlin snubbed for Comeback Player of the Year The whole country watched in horror as Damar Hamlin went into sudden cardiac arrest in the first quarter of the Buffalo Bills’ game on January 2, 2023 at the Cincinnati Bengals. He needed both CPR and a defibrillator to be resuscitated on the field. The incredible, quick-thinking work of the Bills’ training and medical staff saved his life. Hamlin spent several days in a hospital in Cincinnati, and once he was released he faced months of tedious rehabilitation not knowing if he’d ever be able to play football again. Just the fact that Hamlin played a single snap after dying should have been enough to clinch the Comeback Player of the Year Award. Instead, Joe Flacco, who came off the couch to quarterback the Cleveland Browns into the playoffs, brought home the honor. After the news, it came out that Chasing M’s, Hamlin’s foundation, is donating $100,000 worth of automatic external defibrillators to 47 Nevada high schools. In surprise, Joe Flacco wins AP Comeback Player of the Year Award over Damar Hamlin - Buffalo News Damar Hamlin snubbed for comeback player of the year in shocking vote - Democrat & Chronicle Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin Loses Comeback Player of the Year Award Race - Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills News, Analysis and More Joe Flacco wins comeback player of the year over Damar Hamlin - NBC Sports Joe Flacco beats Damar Hamlin for NFL Comeback Player of the Year - USA Today Hamlin’s foundation, NFL donating $100K worth of AEDs to Nevada schools - ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog C.J. Stroud wins Offensive ROY, Will Anderson Jr. earns Defensive ROY: Who else snagged NFL honors? - The Athletic (subscription required) Bills hire new assistant defensive line coach The Buffalo Bills continue to overhaul their defensive coaching staff, hiring former Las Vegas Raiders assistant Matt Edwards to serve as Buffalo’s defensive line coach. With the Raiders, Edwards was the team’s defensive assistant/pass rush specialist. Previously, he served as defensive assistant and assistant special teams coach on Mike Vrabel’s staff with the Tennessee Titans. Buffalo Bills hire Matt Edwards as assistant D-line coach - Buffalo News Bills hire Matt Edwards as assistant defensive line coach - BuffaloBills.com Even more Bills news We hear from star wide receiver Stefon Diggs about his future with the Bills, break down how Sunday’s Super Bowl matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers exemplifies how the Bills plan on utilizing tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox moving forward, learn how quarterback Josh Allen responded to not winning the 2024 NFL MVP award (he received exactly one first-place vote), and more! Stefon Diggs hints at future and whether he wants to stay with Buffalo Bills - newyorkupstate.com Super Bowl tight end matchup an example of what Bills hope to get out of Knox, Kincaid - Buffalo News Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid enjoys Super Bowl week, despite ping pong loss - Buffalo News Here’s how Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen reacted to not winning 2024 NFL MVP award - newyorkupstate.com Josh Allen earns one first place vote for NFL MVP - WGR 550 WNY woman wins ‘Wheel of Fortune’ tournament as a Buffalo Bills superfan - newyorkupstate.com Recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings Buffalo Bills salary cap: Contract extensions that could save 2024 space - Buffalo Rumblings Bills QB Josh Allen chose trivia, and dinner, over NFL Honors Awards - Buffalo Rumblings Buffalo Bills hire Matt Edwards as assistant DL coach - Buffalo Rumblings AFC East Roundup: NFL Honors Edition - Buffalo Rumblings

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Super Bowl 58: Bills connections on Chiefs, 49ers

Super Bowl 58: #Bills connections on #Chiefs, #49ers:

Nick Wojton
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Super Bowl 58 best bets: 9 favorite wagers for 49ers vs. Chiefs

Super Bowl 58 best bets: 9 favorite wagers for 49ers vs. Chiefs:

Bills Wire
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Bills QB Josh Allen chose trivia, and dinner, over NFL Honors Awards

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports It’s not just golf that can lure Josh Allen away from marquee NFL events. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen likes to have fun. Lots of it. Whether he’s in his groove on the gridiron, or moonlighting as a golfer, Allen knows how to have a good time. It would seem by his attendance record that Josh Allen doesn’t see the Pro Bowl as a good time. Who can blame him when Pebble Beach awaits? Most of Bills Mafia, perhaps much of those tuned in to the NFL, expected that Josh Allen and girlfriend Hailee Steinfeld would be in attendance at Thursday’s 13th annual NFL Honors awards ceremony. Then the red carpet pre-show event came and went without a glance of Allen and Steinfeld. Had Allen once again snubbed a premiere event for the NFL? Why yes, he in fact did. Whatever it was might seem trivial at best, because... well, it was. Perhaps the best of the sort. But the interesting discovery was that while Allen wound up with some now very well-publicized alternate plans, he had no intention of attending the NFL Honors event. Instead, Allen had dinner reservations. But just two hours before the live Sin City edition of The Dirty Dozen Trivia, Dan “Big Cat” Katz of Barstool Sports fame reached out to Allen in need of a favor, if you will. Allen accommodated, changing his dinner reservation. You see, Big Cat was suddenly in need of a famous NFL personality as his team’s fourth. As Big Cat shared on Twitter, “I called Josh 2 hours before the show was starting. He moved his dinner to help a friend in need. An all time hero move. Guys guy through and through.” I called Josh 2 hours before the show was starting. He moved his dinner to help a friend in need. An all time hero move. Guys guy through and through https://t.co/TK1qBpcQ9O— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 9, 2024 What ensued was a completely random night of trivia featuring Josh Allen going up against Greg Olsen. This was a game of trivia not for the faint of heart (nor those easily affended by language). Twelve rounds and plenty of categories. If you didn’t catch it, now’s your chance. Below, Allen’s entire appearance with Team Yak, timestamped for your convenience: Don’t worry, the boys kept Josh Allen up to date on his MVP status: We had to break the news to @JoshAllenQB that he didn’t win MVP pic.twitter.com/ZCoY9vQA0k— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) February 9, 2024

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Josh Allen hints at Stefon Diggs’ return to Bills on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’

Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports Could it be true, despite so many outlets and fans believing otherwise? Since last season, the media and Buffalo Bills fans have been speculating on the happiness of star wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Seeking for clues in his interviews and body language on the field, many believe that Diggs is hoping to get out of Buffalo sooner rather than later. On Thursday, however, quarterback Josh Allen joined The Pat McAfee Show where the topic of Stefon Diggs was ultimately brought up. Allen’s response was overwhelmingly positive. “Stefon Diggs,” McAfee began. “You hate him, he hates you.” Allen smiled while agreeing with a “yep” and stating jokingly that they’re enemies. Adding to the joke, McAfee states, “Enemies. He’s tried to DM you on socials — you delete your socials.” He continues by saying, “Everything you do is going to get talked about. On, the warmups, you guys are dancing.” Pretending to be the people talking about their relationship, he exclaims, “Oh look, Josh and Diggs are dancing!” He then tells Josh that if he has a frown on his face on the sidelines, people are going to judge him. He then asks, “You know that at this point, I assume?” “Absolutely,” Allen responds. “We’ve talked about it and literally anything that we do on the sideline, whether it’s good or bad, if it’s communicated the right way. Whatever it is, it gets put under the microscope and judged every certain way and every angle.” He then reiterates, “Again, we’re just trying to be the best teammates that we could be for each other. You know, I owe a lot of success in my career to him and I think he would feel the same way about me. But I love that guy like a brother. Always will.” In closing, Josh Allen makes an interesting statement with, “We’re gonna do some big things next year.” What do you think, Bills fans? Is Stefon Diggs returning for another year to play with Josh Allen? Leave your thoughts in the comment section. You can also check out the full clip below: Josh Allen says he’s going to do some big things with Diggs next year pic.twitter.com/nJ7b1E6Cgw— Kevin Massare (@KevinMassare) February 8, 2024

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Lamar Jackson wins 2023 MVP Award, where did Josh Allen finish?

Lamar Jackson wins 2023 MVP Award, where did Josh Allen finish?

Nick Wojton
billswire.usatoday.com
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Weekend Chat: What's your snub take?

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Hall of Fame. NFL Honors. Snubs. Welcome back to our weekend chat, Buffalo Bills fans. Josh Allen was fifth in MVP voting. Damar Hamlin was second in Comeback Player of the Year. Sigh. In the Hall of Fame voting, Antonio Gates didn't make it but Devin Hester did. (Maybe that means Steve Tasker has a chance eventually.) Anyway, what's your take on snubs? Chat about all of it in our comments section. You can also chat about literally any topic you’d like below. Just stick to the community guidelines. Welcome to the weekend, Buffalo Bills fans. After a long week, it’s time to blow off a little steam. Use this thread to talk about... well, whatever it is you’d like to talk about. Maybe you’d like to share a cool story from your week. Join the comments below!

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Here is the full 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

Here is the full 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class:

Nick Wojton
billswire.usatoday.com
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NFL analysts and Bills stars sound off on how the team should approach the offseason

Finding options at wide receiver and defensive line are among the Bills' top priorities going into the offseason.

Patrick Warren
www.buffalobills.com
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13th annual NFL Honors Awards ceremony

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images Will any Buffalo Bills players win an award tonight? Tonight’s annual NFL Honors Awards ceremony begins at 9 p.m. EST, bringing together some of the NFL’s best and brightest stars hoping to hear their name called during the 13th edition of this end-of-season celebration. There are a few Buffalo Bills players who are in contention for some of the event’s most prestigious awards. Quarterback Josh Allen was named a finalist for the Associated Press NFL MVP award, bolstered by his league-leading touchdown total (44) and for all that he means to his team on any given down. Subtract Josh Allen from the Bills and things look vastly different at One Bills Drive. Safety Damar Hamlin will be in attendance as a finalist for the Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year, following his return to the gridiron after recovering to play throughout the 2023 NFL season. Hamlin may not have the flashy stats of other finalists like quarterback Baker Mayfield, but there is no guidance in how voters select the Comeback Player — meaning stats and playing time might not be most important during any given vote. Hamlin played in seven games total (five regular season and both playoff games), contributing on special teams and as a reserve safety. Hamlin has already been selected as the Pro Football Writers of America 2023 Comeback Player of the Year. Instead of giving in, Hamlin made a full recovery and then chose to pay it forward, echoing the giving nature of Bills Mafia. Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation was founded as a resource “dedicated to the development, health & safety of youth through sports, engagement activities, training & programming.” As for left tackle Dion Dawkins, he’s a finalist for what many players believe to be the most significant personal and professional achievement in the NFL — the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. This is the second consecutive season Dawkins has been the Buffalo Bills’ nominee, and there may be no one better suited to represent the award. Dawkins is a natural people person, whose larger-than-life personality knows no limit — perhaps exceeded only by his generous heart. Dawkins is as genuine as it comes, and his philanthropy continues to build from a truly genuine place. Dion’s Dreamers continues to make a profound impact on the lives of young people in underserved communities and those dealing with mental, financial, or physical hardships. Dawkins’ charity also advocates for vulnerable communities whose populations are directly impacted by environmental issues that play a key role in their lives. Will Allen, Hamlin, or Dawkins win an award this evening — or perhaps all three? Will Taylor Swift announce another new album? Join us in the comments during tonight’s live event! This year’s Honors show airs live on CBS and NFL Network, and streaming on Paramount+ and NFL+. Comeback Player of the Year voting:Damar Hamlin (21) finished with more first-place votes than Joe Flacco (13).But Flacco won based off the new system with voters giving a first, second and third place winner. The breakdown:Flacco: 13-26-8 = 151 votesHamlin: 2107-14 = 140… https://t.co/AMIuOrTyyQ— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 9, 2024 It was a landslide, but not unanimous: Lamar Jackson received 49 first-place votes for MVP. Josh Allen got the other. https://t.co/uslDOJGuzH— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 9, 2024 AP NFL MVP voting Lamar Jackson 49-0-1-0-0 = 493 Dak Prescott 0-17-13-11-6 = 152 Christian McCaffrey 0-17-12-11-4 = 147 Brock Purdy 0-9-5-12-13 = 97 Josh Allen 1-5-11-3-6 = 80 Tyreek Hill 0-2-6-9-14 = 60 Patrick Mahomes 0-0-2-2-2 = 12 C.J. Stroud…— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) February 9, 2024

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