Extend 2017 draft picks
The Bills have three players left from their first draft class under McDermott in 2017. Those three guys are pivotal to keep around in terms of Buffalo’s future successes.
The top of the list is cornerback Tre’Davious White. Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane didn’t comment much on White’s future with the team, but did say “he’s a guy we want here for the long-term” during his end of season press conference.
But White might be third in line here. Linebacker Matt Milano and left tackle Dion Dawkins should be first in line and likely will be. It’s just the nature of the beast. White, a first-round pick, has a fifth-year option attached to his contract. The Bills are going to exerciser that to keep him around in 2021. As much as it’s important to do that because White’s good, it’s a sign of respect for a team to flex that fifth-year option in recent years.
Milano and Dawkins were not first rounders, so their contracts are only four-year deals. After 2020, they’re both free agents and the Bills can’t let that happen.
Milano is a big factor in Buffalo’s defense and perhaps one of the most underrated linebackers in the league. Dawkins is the only holdover from the 2018 offensive line, but he’s been a promising figure in the unit. Even PFF’s graded him as the 25th best tackle in the NFL this past season. Keep your young cornerstones.
This play by Matt Milano is something else… #Bills pic.twitter.com/GeCp7WFvlb
— Bradley Gelber (@BradleyGelber) November 17, 2019