DE Trent Murphy
This one has been written, but we can also throw defensive end Darryl Johnson on here as well. With AJ Epenesa joining the Bills in the second round, his name will be written in pen on the depth chart with Mario Addison and Jerry Hughes. On paper, keeping Murphy makes plenty of sense because of the rotation the Bills run along the defensive line.
The salary cap is a different story, though. The Bills can certainly afford Murphy’s $9.75 million cap hit, the team isn’t in need of relief. But if Beane wants some comfort there, Murphy’s dead cap hit goes down to near $1.75M per Spotrac. Murphy’s standing will be one to monitor throughout training camp.
Winners
CB Levi Wallace
After adding EJ Gaines and Josh Norman to their cornerback room earlier this offseason, some still thought the Bills needed another younger cornerback in their locker room. Dane Jackson could surprise, but he’s a seventh-round pick. The Pitt product could just as easily be cut at the end of training camp.
Since the Bills didn’t add a defensive back with a higher draft pick, that spells well for Levi Wallace. He’ll certainly make Buffalo’s 53-man roster and will still have a chance to prove he can be that long-term option across from Tre’Davious White. Gaines and Norman are older and likely just short-term options. Heck, Wallace can still win that No. 2 role in the training camp battle that’s going to ensue this summer, don’t count him out just yet. Just worth noting the Bills didn’t use a higher pick on a cornerback.