Jarius Wynn

Bills Cut Jarius Wynn, Add 14 UDFAs

The Bills have fortified their rookie class, adding to their seven-man draft class by agreeing to terms with another 14 undrafted free agents, the team announced today. Here are the 14 undrafted rookies who have agreed to sign with Buffalo:

In addition to adding over a dozen rookies to their roster, the Bills also cut ties with some veteran players, per a press release. The most notable name in the trio of players released is edge defender Jarius Wynn, who perhaps became more expandable after Buffalo used its first-round pick on outside rusher Shaq Lawson. Wynn last played in 2014, recording 17 tackles and two sacks for the Bills.

The club also cut cornerback Merrill Noel and offensive lineman Ronald Patrick.

Bills Place Jarius Wynn, Ty Powell On IR

The Bills have made a handful of roster moves in the wake of a pair of season-ending ACL injuries, the team announced today in a press release. In addition to confirming the previously-reported signing of linebacker Quentin Groves, the Bills announced they’ve signed running back Ricky Seale, waived defensive lineman Erik Williams, and placed defensive end Jarius Wynn and linebacker Ty Powell on injured reserve.

Wynn and Powell both suffered ACL injuries that will prematurely end their 2015 seasons, creating some depth issues among the Bills’ front seven. Groves, a former second-round pick, will have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot and could be a solid veteran backup for Rex Ryan‘s squad. The 31-year-old has played in 100 regular season games for a total of five teams in his NFL career.

Although the Bills removed three players from their active roster and added just two, it doesn’t appear there will be a new opening on their 90-man roster. Prior to the first set of roster cutdowns, players with less than four years of NFL experience must pass through waivers before they can be placed on injured reserve. Since there’s no indication that Powell was waived/injured, which would have given another team the chance to claim him, it seems he’ll still count against the Bills’ 90-man roster for now, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com tweets.

Bills’ Jarius Wynn Likely Done For 2015

After tearing his ACL in Friday’s preseason game against the Panthers, Bills defensive end Jarius Wynn is likely to miss the 2015 season, reports Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. While Buffalo hasn’t officially announced anything regarding Wynn’s status, such a severe knee injury likely ensures that Wynn won’t see the field this year.

“Obviously that’s a devastating loss to us and to him,” coach Rex Ryan told Rodak today.

The 28-year-old Wynn appeared in 11 games in 2014, his first season with the Bills. He played on more than 300 snaps, acting as a key backup to starting defensive ends Jerry Hughes and Mario Williams. Wynn, who’s also spent time with the Packers, Titans, Cowboys, and Chargers, re-signed with Buffalo this March, agreeing to a two-year, $2.2MM deal.

Per Rodak, Wynn’s absence could aid fellow defensive end IK Enemkpali — recently claimed off waivers from the Jets — in his effort to make the 53-man roster. Another offseason addition, Michael Buchanan, could see more time, as could veteran Alex Carrington, as he’s capable of playing all along the defensive line.

Bills Sign Tyrod Taylor, Easley, Wynn

SATURDAY, 5:14pm: Taylor reportedly turned down more money from the Broncos in favor of the Bills deal, ESPN Bills reporter Mike Rodak tweets. Taylor’s contract runs for three years, voiding to two if he emerges as a starter.

SATURDAY, 11:13am: The Bills have officially announced Wynn’s deal.

THURSDAY, 5:38pm: Taylor’s deal is for two years and can be worth up to $7MM, Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun tweets. The deal is worth $1.2MM guaranteed.

9:26am: The Bills have confirmed to Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News (Twitter link) that they have indeed signed Taylor.

9:23am: The Bills have reached agreements with three players to new contracts, including two of their own free agents, according to reports today. Head coach Rex Ryan confirmed on The Fan 590 in Toronto that his team has added quarterback Tyrod Taylor (link via Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550), while Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports (via Twitter) that Buffalo has re-signed special-teamer Marcus Easley and defensive end Jarius Wynn.

Taylor, whose deal has only been confirmed by Ryan so far, was Joe Flacco‘s quarterback in Baltimore in recent years. Having paid a visit to Buffalo this week, he’ll likely be third on the Bills’ depth chart behind Matt Cassel and EJ Manuel, assuming he has in fact finalized a contract with the team, as the head coach suggests.

According to Wilson, Easley’s new deal is a four-year pact worth $7MM, with $2.2MM of that total guaranteed. While Easley is listed on the team’s roster as a wide receiver, he’s rarely used on offense, serving primarily as a special teams ace. In 2014, he had 11 tackles in kick and punt coverage after racking up 19 in 2013.

As for Wynn, his new two-year deal is worth $2.2MM, with a $250K signing bonus, per Wilson. With Jerry Hughes back in the fold, Wynn will likely once again serve as a reserve and part-time contributor, seeing occasional playing time on the ends behind Hughes and Mario Williams.

East Notes: Allen, Odrick, Bills, Giants

Eagles safety Nate Allen, who is set to reach the open market next month, has been cleared of any wrongdoing after being detained by police in Fort Myers, Florida last week, according to a report from ABC 6 in Philadelphia. Allen was adamant at the time that the accusation of indecent exposure was false, and encouraged police to continue investigating to clear his name.

Here’s more the East:

  • Charles Clay isn’t the only Dolphins free-agent-to-be whose next deal could be in the range of $6MM per year. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes that Jared Odrick‘s camp believes the defensive lineman has a floor of $6MM annually in free agency. Salguero also tweeted that the club would like to keep Odrick if the cost isn’t too prohibitive.
  • The Bills are interested in bring back both defensive end Jarius Wynn and linebacker Larry Dean, but there’s been “no movement” in talks with guard Erik Pears, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Pears spent the entire season as Buffalo’s starting left guard, while Wynn and Dean were reserve defenders.
  • The Giants will probably look to move a few veterans off their roster before free agency begins, and Dan Graziano of ESPN.com guesses (via Twitter) that linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka, offensive lineman J.D. Walton, and perhaps linebacker Jon Beason could be among that group. PFR’s Zach Links identified Kiwanuka and Beason as possible cap casualties in his preview of New York’s offseason.

Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.

Bills Sign Jarius Wynn To One-Year Deal

12:51pm: The Bills have officially signed Wynn, the team announced today in a press release.

11:46am: The Bills further fortified their defensive line today, agreeing to terms on a contract with free agent defensive end Jarius Wynn, according to Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News. Gaughan tweeted earlier today that the club was hosting Wynn on a free agent visit.

Wynn, 27, started his career with three seasons in Green Bay before spending the last two seasons with the Titans, Chargers, and Cowboys. The former sixth-round pick has never been more than a part-time player, though he has recorded at least two sacks in each of his last three seasons. In his five-year career, he has yet to receive a positive grade from Pro Football Focus, having earned a score of -11.0 in just 369 defensive snaps in 2013 (subscription required).

NFC Links: Tate, Cowboys, Wynn, Falcons

Free-agent-to-be Golden Tate suggested there’s mutual interest between him and the Seahawks in a new contract, but said “only time will tell” if he remains in Seattle, writes Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Tate added that he doesn’t consider Riley Cooper’s contract as a sign of what sort of deal he may get, since the two receivers’ situations are “very, very different.”

Here’s more from around the NFC on a busy day in the NFL:

  • In a piece for CBSSports.com, Jason La Canfora explains why offensive tackle Tyron Smith may be better off waiting on a long-term deal, whereas the Cowboys will look to lock him up as soon as possible.
  • Speaking of the Cowboys, they have interest in bringing back free agent defensive tackle Jarius Wynn, tweets Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
  • Despite the fact that offensive lineman Joe Hawley has never had an extended run as a starter in his four years in Atlanta, ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure thinks the Falcons will prioritize re-signing the prospective free agent.
  • McClure also reports (on Twitter) that offensive tackle Jake Matthews met with the Falcons at the combine in Indianapolis. Matthews is expected to be one of the first tackles off the board in May’s draft, and Atlanta holds the sixth overall selection.