Re-sign players
Buffalo is the incredibly advantageous position of having a talented team with the majority of its core playmakers on rookie contracts.
All-Pro cornerback Tre’Davious White is slated to have a cap hit of just $3.2 million next season, according to OverTheCap. Middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds will have a cap hit of just $3.4 million. Quarterback Josh Allen, who showed flashes of brilliance in his sophomore campaign, will account for just $5.7 million of the team’s salary cap next year.
The fact that the majority of their core players are on rookie or incredibly team-friendly deals gives the Bills the flexibility to re-sign role players, something that should result in the re-signing of defensive tackle Jordan Phillips.
Phillips was near-dominant in his first full season in Buffalo, notching a career-high 9.5 sacks while also setting a career-high in tackles (31). Though playing on a defensive line that features heavy rotation, he took over as the team’s starting three-technique in Week 9, a testament to the progress he made throughout his fifth professional season.
Given his production, Phillips is likely in for a payday this offseason, whether that be from the Bills or another franchise. An annual salary of roughly $10 million is the number that’s being thrown around for the 27-year-old, and while it’s possible that he won’t ever match his 2019 production again, he’s also not a player whose impact could be replicated with a random free agent signing.
Phillips is a disruptive pass rusher and is reliable against the run. He also brings energy to Buffalo’s front-seven, and though he accomplishes the role in a different way, one could argue that he’s replaced Kyle Williams as the heart and soul of the Bills’ defensive line.
Buffalo would be wise to retain Phillips services, with a three-or-four year, front-loaded contract appearing to be its best option. By giving Phillips significant money when they have significant cap space, the Bills would retain a key contributor while also keeping some money available for a few years down the road, when players like Edmunds, Allen, and Dion Dawkins will need new contracts.
Defensive end Shaq Lawson is also set to hit free agency, and though his production was not as earth-shattering as that of Phillips, he was still incredibly productive in 2019. The 25-year-old set a career-high in sacks with 6.5 and was also a menace at the line of scrimmage, consistently playing well against the run while also batting down two passes.
Like Phillips, Lawson brings energy to Buffalo’s defensive line, with the latter telling ESPN that the two “set the tone” for the team’s line.
Lawson could realistically command $6-$8 million on the open market, and given his consistent improvement under head coach Sean McDermott, the Bills would be wise to pay him.
Quinton Spain, Kevin Johnson, and Isaiah McKenzie round out the list of impending free agents whom Buffalo should make a point out of re-signing. Spain played well throughout the 2019 season, starting all 16 games at left guard on an underrated Bills’ offensive line.
Johnson also played well in a rotational role, never looking out-of-place when asked to spell for Levi Wallace. Though he wouldn’t be a monumental loss, retaining depth at cornerback would not be a bad decision for Buffalo, should Johnson not command a monstrous contract.
A restricted free agent, expect McKenzie to be back with the Bills next season. This bodes well for Buffalo’s offense, as the former Georgia Bulldog added a different dimension to the unit throughout the season. When active, McKenzie was often in motion on offensive plays, either serving as a decoy or taking the ball on end-arounds or alley-oop passes. Don’t be shocked if his role in the Bills’ offense grows next season.
Shaq Lawson and Jordan Phillips have something they would like to say…#BUFvsDAL | #GoBills pic.twitter.com/RyFW6IEXyl
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 29, 2019