Buffalo Bills The offseason begins

[NotABadPeriod]

22.8M per, just sayin'

Some of that cap hit would stay with Tennessee though. I believe (without restructuring) Simmons would carry an 18M cap hit if the Bills trade for him now.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Sources: Bengals Plan to Use Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag on Tee Higgins for Second-Straight Year

The 26-year-old played on the tag last year. This time feels different.

www.si.com

The free agents, cut candidates and potential trades that could make for a wild WR offseason

There are several veteran wideouts available this offseason who could put a contender over the top. Here's how 17 could make an impact.

www.espn.com

 

[Jim Bob]

Franchise tag according to OTC is projected to be 13.6M for this year, so it'll probably tick up a little higher next year. I think that's a little too rich for my liking anyways.

Let Cook walk in FA and then grab the comp pick for him.

That would be the most likely outcome as long as Cook doesn't force things by threatening to hold out and then Beane responds by trading him.

2025 NFL Mock Drafts: All of PFF's mock drafts in one place

This page will be a home base for PFF’s 2025 NFL mock drafts, which include analysis of individual draft prospects, trade scenarios and NFL team needs.

www.pff.com

PFF's Mock Draft Simulator: Most-picked 2025 NFL Draft prospects for every team

To get a sense of where each franchise might be leaning, we turned to the PFF Mock Draft Simulator to identify the most popular selections among fanbases.

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Buffalo Bills: ​

Tyleik Williams​

DI

Williams brings a compact, powerful frame that allows him to play both nose tackle and 3-tech. His explosive first step helps him shoot gaps and generate power, while his improved hand speed and technique in 2024 make him an even more disruptive interior presence.

 

[Dirty Dog]

I’m not a huge “pay the RB” type guy. But the distinction between 13 and 15 million is nothing. If you’re willing to pay a RB 12 or 13 million, you should be willing to pay him 15 million. The question is if you’re willing to pay him at all or not.

That 2 to 3 million dollar difference between 12/13 and 15 million in 2026 is going to be like half a percent of the salary cap. That’s not the issue. If it’s you want to spend about five percent of the cap on a RB

 

[Jim Bob]

I’m not a huge “pay the RB” type guy. But the distinction between 13 and 15 million is nothing. If you’re willing to pay a RB 12 or 13 million, you should be willing to pay him 15 million. The question is if you’re willing to pay him at all or not.

That 2 to 3 million dollar difference between 12/13 and 15 million in 2026 is going to be like half a percent of the salary cap. That’s not the issue. If it’s you want to spend about five percent of the cap on a RB

$9-10M per is the top end for me in general.

There is a way to structure a 3-4 year deal that has $60M in totals, but without a huge signing bonus and guarantees, it could be a way to give him a contract that looks good in a tweet and is still team friendly.

That is the only way I see Beane extending him.

 

[TehDoak]

I'm curious to see how drawn out the Cook situation gets. I imagine that they want to get it resolved before the signing period.

 

[Jim Bob]

PFF projects an absolute dream scenario for Bills in latest mock draft

Bills get DL reinforcements

www.buffalorumblings.com

My reaction to the idea of the Bills getting an impact DT like Grant:

Thank you, sir! May I have another?

 

[Jim Bob]

I'm curious to see how drawn out the Cook situation gets. I imagine that they want to get it resolved before the signing period.

I doubt this gets sorted out that quickly.

In all likelihood, Cook is probably down the priority order for the Bills with respect to the 8 offensive and defensive starters that are entering the final years of their current deals in 2025 and will be set to become UFAs in 2026. But, Cook may be trying to agitate himself to the front of that line ahead of guys like Shakir, McGovern, Benford, and Bernard.

 

[TehDoak]

I doubt this gets sorted out that quickly.

In all likelihood, Cook is probably down the priority order for the Bills with respect to the 8 offensive and defensive starters that are entering the final years of their current deals in 2025 and will be set to become UFAs in 2026. But, Cook may be trying to agitate himself to the front of that line ahead of guys like Shakir, McGovern, Benford, and Bernard.

It SHOULD be relatively simple:

"Hey Jimbo, do you want more money now or do you want to hit the market next year and maybe get more money"

if he's willing to go to market and risk a down year next year (or injury). Or he can take guaranteed money now and take a haircut on his market rate.

 

[Jim Bob]

It SHOULD be relatively simple:

"Hey Jimbo, do you want more money now or do you want to hit the market next year and maybe get more money"

if he's willing to go to market and risk a down year next year (or injury). Or he can take guaranteed money now and take a haircut on his market rate.

It won't be simple if he wants a new deal immediately that averages $15M per year along with a large signing bonus and a large amount of guarantees and he threatens to hold out of training camp if the Bills do not meet his contract demands.

 

[Selanne00008]

I'd probably use and abuse Cook before trading him, unless he refuses to play. Cook for 1 year + Comp pick is almost certainly worth more than whatever the trade comp is

Seems like a pragmatic approach to me and I think you are right. Only caviet would be adding in the drama (scrubbing social media, possible TC hold out or hold in, then could get injured if not in shape). Just something to think on.

I know some others have been traded and it's likely a 4th or 5th but, Cook played very well, is still young, and hasn't had any injury concerns.

 

[Der Jaeger]

That would be the most likely outcome as long as Cook doesn't force things by threatening to hold out and then Beane responds by trading him.

2025 NFL Mock Drafts: All of PFF's mock drafts in one place

This page will be a home base for PFF’s 2025 NFL mock drafts, which include analysis of individual draft prospects, trade scenarios and NFL team needs.

www.pff.com

PFF's Mock Draft Simulator: Most-picked 2025 NFL Draft prospects for every team

To get a sense of where each franchise might be leaning, we turned to the PFF Mock Draft Simulator to identify the most popular selections among fanbases.

www.pff.com

Grant would be ideal because of his ability to stack double team blocks.

Tyleik Williams reminds me of a young Pat Williams.

 

[TehDoak]

It won't be simple if he wants a new deal immediately that averages $15M per year along with a large signing bonus and a large amount of guarantees and he threatens to hold out of training camp if the Bills do not meet his contract demands.

It's what, 40k a day holdout for someone who has made just over 4M (before taxes/agent fees) is actually pretty severe. A two week holdout would be almost half a million in fines.

The bills still have pretty good control here. What they don't want is a big distraction. They paid 32M in dead cap to get rid of Diggs problems. Curious to see how they handle this.

 

[Jim Bob]

It's what, 40k a day holdout for someone who has made just over 4M (before taxes/agent fees) is actually pretty severe. A two week holdout would be almost half a million in fines.

The bills still have pretty good control here. What they don't want is a big distraction. They paid 32M in dead cap to get rid of Diggs problems. Curious to see how they handle this.

I don't think Cook will actually hold out from mandatory OTAs and camp.

But, I could see him threatening it in an attempt to get Beane to do something sooner rather than later.

If I were Beane, I would call Cook's bluff and just say that if he wants a big payday, it would be in his best interest to go hard throughout the offseason and ball out in 2025.

 

[Jim Bob]

Tape > RAS

 

[TehDoak]

I don't think Cook will actually hold out from mandatory OTAs and camp.

But, I could see him threatening it in an attempt to get Beane to do something sooner rather than later.

If I were Beane, I would call Cook's bluff and just say that if he wants a big payday, it would be in his best interest to go hard throughout the offseason and ball out in 2025.

The issue is, Cook is the legit best RB we've had and the prices (and importance) of Running backs are going up. It might be more cost beneficial to try to get something done with Cook and refocus draft capital elsewhere rather than constantly cycling through running backs.

Also...I really don't understand what Cincy is doing. They are much better off trying to get away from the 2 WR/QB system. Show me a championship team that uses such a high % of cap on two WRs and a QB that is successful beyond the regular season. Their offensive and defensive lines are meh and their overall defense isn't great.

Last thing I'd do after finishing 9-8 is 'run it back'

 

[Jim Bob]

The issue is, Cook is the legit best RB we've had and the prices (and importance) of Running backs are going up. It might be more cost beneficial to try to get something done with Cook and refocus draft capital elsewhere rather than constantly cycling through running backs.

Also...I really don't understand what Cincy is doing. They are much better off trying to get away from the 2 WR/QB system. Show me a championship team that uses such a high % of cap on two WRs and a QB that is successful beyond the regular season. Their offensive and defensive lines are meh and their overall defense isn't great.

Last thing I'd do after finishing 9-8 is 'run it back'

The prices and importance of RBs is not going up when compared to most other positions. Just look at the difference in franchise tag numbers.

Franchise, Transition and RFA Tenders | Over the Cap

Franchise, Transition and RFA Tenders | Over the Cap

overthecap.com

The RB tags are the second lowest of any position and only above STs guys.

And while Cook's highlight reel and TD numbers popped in 2024, that doesn't tell the whole story.

He played less than 50% of the Bills offensive snaps and he saw his snap% and touches drop from 2023 to 2024.

I can see him getting extended if he signs to a much more team friendly deal than his $15M per social media shenanigans (and especially his brother's $20M per takes) suggest he is lobbying for. Especially with this year's draft class being touted as RB heavy and almost like two full RB classes in one.

 

[Fezzy126]

The prices and importance of RBs is not going up when compared to most other positions. Just look at the difference in franchise tag numbers.

Franchise, Transition and RFA Tenders | Over the Cap

Franchise, Transition and RFA Tenders | Over the Cap

overthecap.com

The RB tags are the second lowest of any position and only above STs guys.

And while Cook's highlight reel and TD numbers popped in 2024, that doesn't tell the whole story.

He played less than 50% of the Bills offensive snaps and he saw his snap% and touches drop from 2023 to 2024.

I can see him getting extended if he signs to a much more team friendly deal than his $15M per social media shenanigans (and especially his brother's $20M per takes) suggest he is lobbying for. Especially with this year's draft class being touted as RB heavy and almost like two full RB classes in one.

I'm torn because I really like the message it sends to the team (and players around the league) - say the right things, do the rights things, put your time in, work hard, and this franchise will take care of you.

On the other hand, strictly speaking from a roster building standpoint, I'd much rather keep drafting Day 3 rookie RBs every year, have low cost investment at the position, and get the minor comp pick when he leaves.

 

[Jim Bob]

I'm torn because I really like the message it sends to the team (and players around the league) - say the right things, do the rights things, put your time in, work hard, and this franchise will take care of you.

On the other hand, strictly speaking from a roster building standpoint, I'd much rather keep drafting Day 3 rookie RBs every year, have low cost investment at the position, and get the minor comp pick when he leaves.

The NFL is a limited resource environment regardless of how many times you hear people say the salary cap isn't real.

The Bills have roughly 8 starters that are entering the last year of their deals in 2025 and will be UFAs heading into the 2026 season. They cannot re-sign all 8 of them given the cap constraints they are operating under.

Personally, it is way easier to replace Cook compared to multiple others including Shakir, McGovern, and Benford. So, I have zero interest in giving Cook an extension which would be the 2nd biggest AAV for a RB in the NFL when he was outside the top 15 in carries and rushing yards in 2024.