HEADLINES

Month: September 2022

Latest On New Bears OL Alex Leatherwood

September 4th, 2022 at 9:57pm CST by Ely Allen

Chicago landed quite the haul in waiver claims last week. Perhaps the most intriguing of the six claims they made is former-Raiders offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood. After being selected 17th-overall in last year’s draft, the Alabama product failed to survive this year’s 53-man roster cuts, much to the benefit of the Bears’ offensive line group. 

The move could also benefit the 23-year-old, as well, as some in league circles see Chicago as a better scheme-fit for Leatherwood, according to Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus. The improved fit doesn’t exactly mean that we can expect Leatherwood to become an immediate starter in Chicago, though.

The guard spots are currently manned by Cody Whitehair and Teven Jenkins. Rookie fifth-round pick Braxton Jones has exploded onto the scene and seized the starting job at left tackle, pushing Riley Reiff to right tackle and Larry Borom to the bench as a backup. So where exactly does Leatherwood fit into the picture?

To start his career with the Bears, Leatherwood has been practicing at right tackle, according to Adam Jahns of The Athletic. General manager Ryan Poles asserted that they expect to work Leatherwood at guard, too, though.

“We all believe in player development here, and we’ve put pieces in place to allow players to be their best selves,” Poles told reporters. “So we’re going to approach that in many different ways, and we’re going to give (Leatherwood) an opportunity to develop and grow. Forget the draft pick thing. That’s over. So let’s start from the ground floor. Let’s build you up and take your time and whatever that is, we want to put him in the best position to succeed.”

The good news for Leatherwood is that his versatility allows him more positions in which to find success. In college, Leatherwood began as the primary backup to starting left tackle Jonah Williams. Unable to keep him off the field, Nick Saban and company decided to start him at right guard as a sophomore. He moved back to left tackle for his junior and senior seasons winning the Outland Trophy as a senior. The Raiders attempted to start Leatherwood at tackle as a rookie but, after some persistent struggles, the team moved him inside to guard, where he started the remainder of the season.

It will likely be an adjustment for Leatherwood to be forced into a backup role, but the change may be just what he needs to develop and learn to play at the NFL level. And Chicago may be the perfect place for him to do so. The Bears are in a bit of a rebuilding stage and do not expect to be in contention enough to require immediate success out of Leatherwood. Additionally, we’ve seen very recent success stories of offensive line development from the Bears with young players like Jones and Jenkins making impressive progress in their short time with the team.

So this is where we’re at with Leatherwood: the second-year lineman has been given a second chance in a scheme better fit for him and on a roster that doesn’t pressure him for immediate success. Putting it all in this perspective makes it easy to see how the addition can be a win-win scenario for Leatherwood and the Bears.

Latest Following Deshaun Watson Settlement

September 4th, 2022 at 8:32pm CST by Ely Allen

The reactions have been plentiful concerning the settlement reached between the NFL and the NFLPA last month on the punishment for Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. The settlement came after the NFL decided to appeal the initial ruling from retired judge Sue Robinson of a six-game ban. Many thought the ban too lenient but the NFLPA threatened to take the matter to court if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell decided to make the ban last for a full season. Thus, the two parties arrived at the negotiated settlement for an 11-game ban, a $5MM fine, and mandatory counseling. 

There is still one victim of Watson’s actions who, unlike the NFL, refuses to settle with the new Browns’ quarterback. Lauren Baxley is the only one out of 24 plaintiffs who refuses to settle with Watson. In a statement article released by TheDailyBeast.com, Baxley delineated what keeps her from signing the dotted line.

“I have rejected all settlement offers, in part because they have not included any sincere acknowledgment of remorse and wrongdoings,” Baxley explained. “Watson still refuses to admit that he harassed and committed indecent assault against me. Any settlement offer he has made has been a dismissal of his evil actions.”

This is not an uncommon sentiment. An NFL senior advisor offered similar remarks in an article by Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. Rita Smith, a former 23-year executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence who now advises the NFL on matters of domestic violence and sexual assault, was disturbed by the heel-turn Watson made last month. Watson appeared to offer an apology to his accusers before the team’s preseason game on August 12, but, in a press conference about the settlement six days later, continued to remark on his own innocence in the matter, effectively wiping out any good will from what seemed to be an apology less than a week before. Smith told cleveland.com that she feels “like he’s playing us.”

Once again, this is not an uncommon sentiment. Reportedly, a high-ranking owner has become increasingly provoked by Watson’s lack of contrition, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. Volin reports that one of the terms of the settlement was that Watson would “publicly show remorse” while Watson continues to “stand on [his] innocence.” Like Smith above, this owner also claims to “feel played by Watson.” The owner asserts that, should Watson continue not to show remorse, they may push for Goodell not to reinstate Watson at the conclusion of his 11-game ban.

The sentiment to push for a full-season ban is one not all owners share, though, according to Peter King of NBC Sports. According to King, some owners didn’t want Watson suspended for the full year. Instead, they preferred a suspension shorter than 17 games so that the Browns might be penalized for the fully-guaranteed structure of Watson’s contract. If Watson were to be suspended for all of the 2022 season, his contract would rollover one year, through the 2027 season. If Watson becomes eligible for some of the season, though, the Browns will owe him $40MM despite him only appearing in what is currently six games, and his contract will expire on time after the 2026 season.

All of this is yet to be seen. He may in the future show remorse, allowing him to settle with Baxley, the last remaining plaintiff, and endearing him to the league’s advisor on domestic violence and sexual assault. He may continue to stand on his innocence and provoke the NFL to extend his ban for not upholding the terms of the settlement.

For now, though, it appears that Watson has begun his league-mandated counseling, according to a more recent King article from NBC Sports. The hope seems to be that, through counseling, Watson will be able to understand “why he sought treatment from 66 massage therapists in 18 months;” that there’s a very real possibility that he did something wrong. While it may take years to reach any closure on the matter, Watson fulfilling the counseling mandate is as productive an action as we can hope to expect at this time.

Release Candidate: Jackson Carman

September 4th, 2022 at 6:34pm CST by Ely Allen

The Bengals fell just short of their first ever Super Bowl win this past year and many blamed the loss on a less than stellar offensive line. This issue is something that the Bengals have certainly been attempting to address in the last few drafts selecting four offensive linemen in the last two years and seven in the last four. One of those draft investments may be nearing the end of his opportunities, despite the fact that he is only headed into his second NFL season. 

In a recent roundtable discussion for The Athletic, Bengals writer Jay Morrison put forth the idea that Cincinnati may be losing patience with 2021 second-round pick Jackson Carman. The guard out of Clemson was brought in with the expectation that he would take over at right guard as a rookie. Carman was unable to unseat Quinton Spain and, perhaps even more concerning, was unable to provide an improvement anywhere on an offensive line that continued to struggle throughout the season.

The Bengals set out this offseason to nearly completely renovate their offensive line. The team brought in Ted Karras on a three-year, $18MM deal to start at center and signed guard Alex Cappa to a four-year, $40MM contract to start on the left side of the line. In a third big free agency signing, The Bengals were able to ink tackle La’el Collins to a three-year, $21MM deal to start opposite the only bright spot of the offensive line last year, blindside tackle Jonah Williams. Williams became an immediate starter for the Bengals after being selected 11th-overall in 2019 and, after missing six games due to injury as a rookie, Cincinnati was happy to see him start in every game but the season finale last year.

With four spots effectively manned for the 2022 season, that left only the right guard spot left to fill. Once again the door to a starting spot was left wide open for Carman. With a year of NFL conditioning under his belt, all the former second-round pick had to do was step in and not let the job slip through his fingers.

Yet, in the weeks leading up to the regular season, that seems to be exactly what we’re seeing, with reports that fourth-round rookie Cordell Volson seems to be pushing Carman out of the starting role. The lineman out of North Dakota State has experience playing both tackle and guard in college and turned heads early at camp. After impressing the coaching staff in practices and the team’s first preseason game, Volson was offered more of an opportunity to receive first-team reps. Carman certainly didn’t help his own case after testing positive for COVID-19 and granting more playing time for his competition.

The latest danger for Carman’s roster spot comes just after the 53-man roster cuts, when the Bengals made claims on three players, one of them being former second-round pick Max Scharping. Scharping has underwhelmed a bit, as well, in his young career, but has extensive experience over Carman after starting 33 games for the Texans.

Carman has lost two position battles in as many years despite the odds being stacked in his favor. His lack of ability to clinch either of those starting jobs could certainly have resulted in a loss of trust from his coaches. According to Morrison, if Scharping comes in and can quickly get up to speed with the offense, Cincinnati may have no need to retain Carman.

Browns To Sign TE Jesse James

September 4th, 2022 at 5:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Browns have already made one major financial commitment at the tight end position, but they entered today lacking depth on the 53-man roster. They have added a veteran, signing Jesse James to a one-year deal (Twitter link via ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler). 

A fifth-round pick of the Steelers in 2015, James’ most productive years came in Pittsburgh. Between the 2017 and 2018 seasons, he totaled 73 catches, 795 yards and five touchdowns. That led him to the Lions in free agency, though his two seasons in the Motor City yielded little in the way of production. Only halfway through his four-year, $22.6MM contract, he was released.

The Penn State alum spent last season in Chicago. Despite starting nine of 14 games, however, he made just seven catches, as he took on a lesser offensive role and transitioned more into a blocker than a pass-catcher. Facing stiff competition for targets in the form of Cole Kmet, it came as little surprise that the Bears were uninterested in a reunion.

A return to the AFC North was in the cards, after James worked out for the Browns last week. He will help in the blocking department, allowing David Njoku to focus on his play as a pass-catcher. Expectations are higher than ever for the latter, after he signed a four-year, $56.75MM deal in May. The only other tight end on the 53-man roster prior to this signing was 2020 fourth-rounder Harrison Bryant.

James won’t see much in the way of targets behind Njoku and Bryant, but head coach Kevin Stefanski‘s affinity for multi-tight end sets could lead to an increase in playing time compared to last year.

Latest On Vikings Rookies Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth

September 4th, 2022 at 4:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Vikings used their top two selections in this year’s draft to bolster their secondary, though the prospects they landed may not be seeing major snaps right away. According to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, neither safety Lewis Cine nor cornerback Andrew Booth are likely to play starting roles to begin the season. 

Cine went No. 32 overall, the slot Minnesota took over as a result of their swap with the Lions which allowed Detroit to move up to the 12th position. The fifth and final member of Georgia’s elite defense to hear their name called on Day 1, Cine was a key contributor on the backend for the Bulldogs throughout his three-year college career.

Taking a step forward with each successive campaign, the six-foot-one, 200-pounder totaled 73 tackles last season, adding an interception and nine pass breakups. Known more for his physicality than his range or ball skills (dropping him below the likes of Kyle Hamilton and Daxton Hill in the position’s draft rankings), Cine has been competing with 2021 fourth-rounder Camryn Bynum for a first-team role. It appears the latter will get the nod to partner with Harrison Smith at least to start the season.

Booth was also selected in the wake of a trade, but in his case, the Vikings moved up to secure him. Hernia surgery may have hurt his draft stock, as he was considered a borderline first-rounder, but the Clemson product is healthy in time for Week 1. He registered 37 tackles (including three for a loss), along with five passes defensed in his final year with the Tigers.

He also ranked tied for second in the ACC with three interceptions, showcasing his ball skills which, combined with his athletic profile, give him a high upside. Instead of Booth, though, the Vikings are poised to use 2020 third-rounder Cameron Dantzler (who almost found himself being traded last offseason) as a bookend to Patrick Peterson on the perimeter.

The Vikings’ pass defense ranked 28th last season, allowing 253 yards per game through the air. While that makes their commitments to Cine and Booth understandable, familiar faces will prevent them from seeing full-time duty to start their respective careers.

Bills S Jordan Poyer Expected To Play Week 1

September 4th, 2022 at 2:17pm CST by Adam La Rose

Jordan Poyer has remained in the headlines throughout the offseason due to his contract status, but a more positive piece of news has come about today. The veteran safety is expected to be available when the Bills open the season against the Rams on Thursday. 

When asked whether or not Poyer would be on the field, head coach Sean McDermott said, “I’ll be surprised if he isn’t” (Twitter link via Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic). That would certainly be a welcomed development for Buffalo, though not an entirely unexpected one.

The 31-year-old hyperextended his elbow one month ago, leaving his regular season availability in doubt. While he has yet to practice, it was originally presumed that he would recover in time to start the campaign. Any absence would be critical for the Bills’ secondary, of course; Poyer has become a consistent, highly productive playmaker during his five years with the Bills, earning All-Pro honors in 2021. That performance led to his decision to approach the Bills in April regarding an extension.

Poyer has one year remaining on his current pact, and is due $5.6MM. The fact that his cap hit is nearly double that figure, however, made him a prime candidate for a new deal during the summer. The safety market has seen a major upward trend this offseason, with the likes of Minkah Fitzpatrick and Derwin James taking the position to new financial heights. Poyer’s age would prevent the kind of mega-deal those two signed, and the Bills have little in the way of cap space, but a short-term extension could free up some room while reflecting his value to the team.

In the immediate future, Poyer being able to suit up would be particularly helpful for Buffalo considering the absence of All-Pro corner Tre’Davious White. The Bills placed White on the PUP list last week, keeping him sidelined for at least a month as he recovers from a torn ACL. He will be missed against Cooper Kupp and Co., but a healthy Poyer could help make up for his loss for the presumed AFC favorites.

Browns Sign OL Joe Haeg

September 4th, 2022 at 9:59am CST by Rory Parks

The Browns are signing veteran offensive lineman Joe Haeg, as Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network tweets. Haeg was released by the division-rival Steelers at the end of August.

Pittsburgh signed Haeg in March 2021, and the North Dakota State product wound up seeing action in 12 games (two starts) last year. His 307 offensive snaps represented his highest total since 2018, and he spent a little time at all O-line positions except for center.

It appeared as if the Steelers would keep Haeg around as a depth piece in 2022, but the club recently acquired fellow OL Jesse Davis in a trade with the Vikings, and that transaction cost Haeg his roster spot. He became a popular free agent upon his release, and he lined up visits with multiple teams, including the OL-needy Raiders, before opting to sign with Cleveland.

Browns RT Jack Conklin is working his way back from a torn patellar tendon, and as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com tweets, head coach Kevin Stefanski has not yet indicated whether Conklin will be ready to suit up for the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Panthers next Sunday. Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal adds that Chris Hubbard — who played in just one game in 2021 due to a triceps issue — has not practiced in more than a week, so the Browns are clearly in need of some RT insurance.

Haeg, 29, can provide that, and he can also play guard if necessary. A fifth-round pick of the Colts in 2016, Haeg started 29 games over his first two years in the league, lining up at both RG and RT. He earned solid PFF scores of 67.9 and 64.1 for his work during those two seasons, but his play slipped a bit in 2018, and an ankle injury limited him to just eight games that year. In 2019, the final year of his rookie contract, he was used almost exclusively as a special teamer.

He hooked on with the Bucs in 2020 and earned a Super Bowl ring, though he was on the field for just 127 offensive snaps.

Jaguars Re-Sign DL Adam Gotsis, Add DL Mario Edwards To P-Squad

September 4th, 2022 at 9:53am CST by Rory Parks

The Jaguars released DL Adam Gotsis during final cutdowns, but the veteran defender will be returning to Duval. Per a team announcement, Jacksonville is re-signing Gotsis to its active roster.

Considering how thin the club is along its defensive line, retaining Gotsis is certainly a logical move to make. A second-round pick of the Broncos in 2016, the Georgia Tech product saw 25 starts over the 2017-18 campaigns. During that time, he averaged 39.5 tackles and 2.5 sacks per season while earning solid overall grades from Pro Football Focus.

Things began to go south in 2019, as Gotsis struggled to adjust to the scheme implemented by Vic Fangio, who had been hired as Denver’s head coach earlier that year. Gotsis was also battling knee trouble at the time, trouble that ultimately necessitated surgery. He has spent each of the past two seasons with the Jaguars, and it looks as if he is in line to have another significant role on the Jags’ defense after appearing in 52% of the team’s snaps in 2020 and 43% in 2021. He will operate behind starters Roy Robertson-Harris and Folorunso Fatukasi.

In addition to bringing Gotsis back into the fold, the Jags have supplemented their practice squad with some veteran D-line help. According to the same announcement, Mario Edwards — who was released by the Bears last week — has agreed to join Jacksonville’s taxi group. The former Raiders second-round pick had settled into a rotational role in the Windy City over the past two seasons, but he joins most of Chicago’s front-seven vets of recent years in being jettisoned by a new-look front office.

Edwards, 28, recorded six sacks during his two-year Bears tenure, logging 26% and 27% defensive snap rates during that span. However, he did miss time due to injury during this year’s training camp.

WR Jaylon Moore has also been added to the p-squad. Moore signed with the Ravens as a UDFA in 2020, and he spent each of the last two years on Baltimore’s practice squad. He obviously intrigued the team enough to stick around, but he never earned a look during a regular season contest. The Ravens waived him several weeks ago, and he was claimed by the Giants. Big Blue sent him to the waiver wire again, only to add him to the practice squad before waiving him a second time.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com first reported that Edwards and the Jaguars had agreed to terms (Twitter link).

Cowboys “Working Towards Deal” With Jason Peters

September 4th, 2022 at 7:38am CST by Sam Robinson

SEPTEMBER 4: The Cowboys and Peters are “working towards a deal,” as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter). Rapoport says Peters’ Dallas visit was a positive one, and he adds that there is mutual interest in getting a contract hammered out. An agreement could be in place by tomorrow.

AUGUST 31: One of the top free agents will meet with the Cowboys about their sudden left tackle issue. Jason Peters is scheduled to visit with the team, Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets.

The Cowboys are set to be without All-Pro Tyron Smith for months — perhaps the season — after he suffered a severe leg injury last week. Smith is now on Dallas’ in-season IR. Peters would be an interesting replacement, given his accomplishments and age. The Cowboys have been viewed as hesitant to trade for a Smith replacement.

Although Peters turned 40 earlier this year, he expressed a desire to keep playing. Should the former Eagles All-Pro land a gig for 2022, it will be his 19th NFL season.

Peters has lingered in free agency for several months in each of the past three offseasons. In 2020, he made a belated return to the Eagles to play guard. But their tackle depth chart soon changed, leading the team to ask Peters to return to his old position. Last year, Peters signed with the Bears after Teven Jenkins‘ summer back injury.

That Chicago commitment did not generate too much publicity, given the Bears’ 2021 struggles, but Peters played 15 games. Pro Football Focus also rated him as a top-25 tackle. Considering Peters’ age and injury history, that participation rate and performance level is quite an accomplishment. It also has kept him on the radar for tackle-needy teams.

Dallas has the option of kicking rookie Tyler Smith outside. That is the organization’s long-term plan, but the first-round pick was slated to begin his career alongside Tyron Smith at left guard. Tyler Smith battled Connor McGovern for the guard gig during training camp. While the younger player should be expected to see time, Mike McCarthy said at the time of Tyron’s injury McGovern was leading the competition. And left tackle on short notice would be a big ask for the rookie, though situations like this have impacted teams’ plans for young O-linemen in the past. That said, McCarthy confirmed the younger Smith will get extensive left tackle work before Week 1, via Archer (on Twitter).

The Cowboys could also move right tackle Terence Steele to the left side, but that would create a right-edge void. Peters coming in and playing opposite Steele — who is the Cowboys’ preferred La’el Collins successor — and alongside either McGovern or Tyler Smith could be Dallas’ best option. It just depends on how much the former Eagles stalwart has left.

And, given what Duane Brown signed for with the Jets, money will likely be a factor here, too. In the wake of Mekhi Becton‘s avulsion fracture — the injury Tyron Smith has since encountered as well — the Jets signed Brown to a two-year, $20MM deal with $9MM guaranteed. Although Peters has a more decorated resume than the former Texans and Seahawks left tackle, he is also three years older. Peters did sign with the Bears for one year and $1.75MM, but it would surprise if he accepted something on that level now, as he is coming off a mostly healthy season and the Cowboys are in need. Dallas’ $18.7MM in cap space ranks third in the NFL.

Offseason In Review: Buffalo Bills

September 3rd, 2022 at 10:00pm CST by Ben Levine

Following a 2020 campaign that saw them win 13 games before losing in the AFC Championship Game, the Bills were primed for a Super Bow run in 2021. Unfortunately, the team couldn’t match that success; after winning 11 games during the regular season and destroying the Patriots in the wild-card round, they fell to the Chiefs during the divisional round.

After falling short in two straight postseasons, the Bills are all-in, and that was clear from their moves this offseason. The team committed a lot of money and years to Von Miller, who provides both a pass-rushing prowess and a championship pedigree. Otherwise, the Bills were able to capitalize on their contender status and ink a number of starting-worthy players to reasonable contracts. Yes, the Bills did lose a number of contributors, but when the dust settled, GM Brandon Beane was able to fill most of those vacancies via free agent and the draft.

The Bills have loaded up and are ready to make a run to the Super Bowl. If they do make it, then the organization’s offseason maneuverings will have surely played a major role in that accomplishment:

Trades:

With Mitchell Trubisky off to Pittsburgh, the Bills needed a backup for Josh Allen. The team opted for Case Keenum, acquiring the veteran QB from the Browns for a seventh-round pick. The former starter served as a backup to Baker Mayfield over the past two seasons in Cleveland, with the Browns winning each of his two starts with the franchise. Keenum will slide in between Allen and Matt Barkley (who is currently stashed on the practice squad) on the depth chart.

Cody Ford was a second-round pick by the Bills in 2019. He started 15 of his 16 appearances as a rookie, but after being limited to only seven games in 2020, the lineman was in and out of the starting lineup in 2021. His inability to play offensive tackle ultimately cost him a spot on the Bills roster, but Buffalo was fortunate to receive a draft pick instead of outright cutting him.

Notable signings:

The Bills made one of the biggest free agent splashes of the offseason when they landed future Hall of Fame pass rusher Von Miller. Following a half-season stint with the Rams that saw him earn his second Super Bowl ring, Miller inked a $120MM deal to help guide the Bills to at least their first AFC Championship win since 1993. Miller, 33, missed the entire 2020 season and suffered a midseason injury to close out his Broncos tenure in 2021. However, following his midseason trade, he bolstered his value considerably with the Rams, recording nine sacks across the team’s final eight games, including two in Super Bowl LVI. His championship pedigree and pass-rushing ability should go a long way in Buffalo, and while the significant investment is certainly risky considering the edge rusher’s age and recent injury history, it’ll all be worth it if he leads the Bills to the promised land.

Other than their acquisition of Miller, the Bills stuck to one- or two-year deals for their other free agent acquisitions. DaQuan Jones is the best bet among those signings to see a significant role on defense. In seven seasons with the Titans, Jones started 93 of his 99 appearances, collecting 273 tackles and 10 sacks. He also saw time in four playoff games, collecting another nine tackles and 1.5 sacks. He joined the Panthers last offseason and started all 17 games for his new squad, ranking 34th among 108 qualifying interior defenders, per Pro Football Focus. Tim Settle will likely serve as one of the DT backups, with the former fifth-round pick compiling seven sacks during his four season with Washington.

Elsewhere on defense, the Bills welcomed back a pair of former defenders. Shaq Lawson was a first-round pick by the Bills back in 2016, racking up 16.5 sacks during his four years in Buffalo. He inked a three-year deal with the Dolphins in 2020, but he didn’t come close to matching his previous production and was shipped to Houston one year later. He didn’t even suit up for the Texans before he was shipped to the Jets, where he managed one sack before earning his walking papers. Jordan Phillips also left Buffalo in 2020 following a career year where he led the Bills with 9.5 sacks. That performance landed him a $30MM deal from Cardinals, but he only got into 18 games between two seasons with the organization before getting cut. The two veterans ultimately made the 53-man roster and will presumably provide some extra depth up front.

On offense, the team’s most notable changes came to their offensive line, with Rodger Saffold and David Quessenberry expected to slide into the starting lineup. Saffold has started 157 games during his 12-year career, and he earned his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2021 after starting 15 games for the Titans. PFF ended up ranking the veteran 31st among 82 qualifying offensive guards in 2022, and they gave him a particularly high grade on his run-blocking ability. Saffold ranked in or close to the top-10 in previous seasons, so it remains to be seen if the drop in 2021 was just an off year or an indication that age is catching up to him. Quessenberry also comes over from Tennessee following a 2021 campaign where he started a career-high 17 games. PFF was fond of his performance, ranking him 18th among 83 qualifying offensive tackles. Securing the duo on one-year pacts was a major win for the Bills. Greg Van Roten provides the team with some additional starting experience on the offensive line, with the veteran expected to serve as Buffalo’s swing guard.

Jamison Crowder had more than 50 catches in each of his three seasons with the Jets, and he was brought in to Buffalo to potentially fill the void left by Cole Beasley. That role ended up going to Isaiah McKenzie, leading some to wonder if Crowder’s roster spot could be in doubt. Instead, he’ll be sticking around to provide some veteran depth at the bottom of the depth chart. The same goes for Duke Johnson, although the veteran RB will have to wait for his turn while sitting on Buffalo’s practice squad.

Notable losses:

The Bills did an admirable job accounting for their major losses. Mario Addison had seven sacks for the Bills in 2021, but he played fewer than half the team’s defensive snaps while serving as a situational pass-rusher. Jerry Hughes got the majority of the starts on the edge, but he finished last year with only a pair of sacks. Von Miller obviously can’t replace two players, but his pass-rushing ability should more than make up for the departure of the two defensive ends. 2021 first-round pick Greg Rousseau will start opposite Miller, with former second-round picks Boogie Basham and A.J. Epenesa expected to slide into Addison’s situational role.

Levi Wallace can’t match his now-former teammate Tre’Davious White‘s impact on defense, but he still started each of his 45 games over the past three seasons. Former seventh-round pick Dane Jackson seems to be the best bet to temporarily replace Wallace in the starting lineup, but rookie first-round pick Kaiir Elam should eventually slide in opposite White. Free agent signing DaQuan Jones is expected to slide in at defensive tackle next to Ed Oliver, replacing Harrison Phillips and Star Lotulelei, who basically split that role in 2021. A.J. Klein saw a reduced role during his second season in Buffalo, and after starting only four games in 2021, he earned his walking papers.

Daryl Williams started every game for the Bills during his two seasons in Buffalo, but the team ended up saving some money after his play slipped. Jon Feliciano was also a consistent starter during his three seasons in Buffalo, but he was released following a 2021 campaign where he was limited to nine games (six starts). Rodger Saffold presents a potential upgrade to both of those departed players, although the team will have to rely on an inexperienced guard (like Ryan Bates) opposite the free agent acquisition. David Quessenberry doesn’t offer the same versatility of Williams, but the free agent addition is a capable starting tackle.

On offense, the team’s most notable departure was wideout Cole Beasley, who was released following three seasons in Buffalo. The veteran had 82 receptions in each of the past two seasons, but despite getting into 16 games in 2021 (the most during his Bills tenure), he had the fewest receiving yards (693) and touchdowns (one) during his Bills tenure. Emmanuel Sanders also produced for the Bills last season, hauling in 42 receptions for 626 yards and four touchdowns. The Bills are turning to internal options to replace the duo, with Gabriel Davis and Isaiah McKenzie expected to see larger roles in 2022.

Re-signed:

While the Bills had a long list of departed free agents, they did make sure to retain a handful of players. After inking a one-year deal to stick in Buffalo during the 2021 season, Isaiah McKenzie got a two-year pact this time around. The wideout hasn’t put up big numbers during his three-plus seasons in Buffalo, and his 2021 campaign was actually his worst in regards to counting stats (20 receptions, 178 receiving yards, one touchdown). However, the team clearly believes in his talent, and he’ll be counted on to contribute in 2022 following the departures of Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders.

Ike Boettger was also brought back after starting 17 games for the team over the past two seasons. The offensive lineman tore his Achilles in late December, and he naturally landed on injured reserve to being the campaign, knocking him out for at least the first four games of the season. However, when he comes back, he’ll provide the coaching staff with another experienced option on the offensive line.

Siran Neal has only missed one game for the Bills over the past four seasons, and he’s turned into one of the team’s most reliable special teams players. He’ll continue to see a secondary role on defense as a backup nickelback in 2022. Taiwan Jones has also mostly played special teams for the Bills over the past two seasons, garnering only five offensive snaps. Bobby Hart joined the Bills late during the 2021 campaign, his third stint with the organization. Despite re-signing with the organization, he may have a tough time sticking around for the entirety of the 2022 campaign.

Draft picks:

1-23:Kaiir Elam, CB (Florida)
2-63: James Cook, RB (Georgia)
3-89: Terrel Bernard, LB (Baylor)
5-148: Khalil Shakir, WR (Boise State)
6-180: Matt Araiza, P (San Diego State)
6-185: Christian Benford, CB (Villanova)
6-209: Luke Tenuta, OT (Virginia Tech)
7-231: Baylon Spector, LB (Clemson)

The Bills moved up two spots during the draft to select Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam, with GM Brandon Beane declaring the prospect as the last remaining player on their draft board with a first-round grade. It’s not hard to see why; Elam finished his Gators career with five interceptions, and he’s armed with a pro-ready frame (six-foot-two, 195 pounds). With Levi Wallace out of the picture, Elam could find himself playing a significant role sooner than later.

Read more

Load More Posts