By Justin DiLoro / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills have approximately $80 million in cap space heading into the 2020 offseason, according to Spotrac. While that seems like a good chunk of change, there are various considerations that Buffalo’s brass will consider before spending that dough.
Buffalo’s front office has done a tremendous job of putting the Bills in a great fiscal situation. But with players such as Josh Allen, Tre’Davious White, Matt Milano, and Tremaine Edmunds due for contract extensions in the near future, the team will be conscientious with their unrestricted free agent spending this spring.
In addition, the Bills could create some cap space by releasing some players in the offseason.
Here are four Bills players who could be among those cap causalities this offseason:
TE Tyler Kroft
2020 Cap Hit: $6,412,500
2020: Dead money: $1,600,000
Tight end Tyler Kroft missed part of his first season in Buffalo with a foot injury. When he returned to the lineup after the injury seemed to linger on for a while, he lost snaps to rookie Dawson Knox. In 11 games, Kroft caught six passes for 71 yards and one touchdown reception.
The tight end room is a bit crowded for the Bills too, as Kroft, along with Knox, Lee Smith, Tommy Sweeney are under contract for next year. Jason Croom is an ERFA, so the Bills will probably hold onto his rights in the offseason as a training camp body, at least. With the Bills reported interest in former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, there might be limited space for Kroft.
RB TJ Yeldon
2020 Cap Hit: $1,900,000
2020: Dead money: $250,000
TJ Yeldon dressed in only six games in 2019, carrying the ball in only three of those, as Yeldon couldn’t find that field. He flashed some moments in the preseason but also was not a lock for the 53-man roster, but he did make it. His regular-season performance was greatly reduced throughout the season. The emergence of rookie Devin Singletary relegated Yeldon to the sidelines. The Bills also continued to opt for Frank Gore over Yeldon in the later stages of the season when Gore wasn’t really producing at all.
In total, Yeldon carried the ball 17 times for 63 yards this year. Yeldon caught 13-of-15 targets for 124 receiving yards as well.
The Bills may look for a downhill runner to complement Singletary and in the same manner that Frank Gore did this year over the offseason. With Yeldon viewed primarily as a receiving back, he may lose out in the number’s game once again.
DE Trent Murphy
2020 Cap Hit: $9,775,000
2020: Dead money: $1,750,000
Defensive end Trent Murphy flashed a few moments that made him a target in free agency two seasons ago, playing in all 16 games and registering five sacks. He was part of a rotation at the left defensive end spot with Shaq Lawson. The Bills’ decision on whether or not to re-sign Lawson may impact if they decide to keep Murphy around.
But overall him Murphy’s tenure with the Bills, he’s failed to produce. Heck, even last year’s numbers are skewed a bit as he had two of his five sacks in a meaningless Week 17 outing against the Dolphins. But to his credit, he also had two in the Bills’ playoff loss.
OL Spencer Long
2020 Cap Hit: $4,075,000
2020: Dead money: $700,000
Spencer Long’s contract is a bit of a different situation for the team, as the Bills hold a club option for the offensive lineman. The veteran provided some depth and flexibility on the interior of the offensive line. The six-year veteran played in 16-percent of the team’s snaps last season.
The Bills will make a decision on whether Long’s cap hit of just north of $4 million is worthwhile for a depth offensive lineman.
Grading as a guard in Pro Football Focus’ metrics, Long recorded a 57.0 overall grade last season. That did not qualify for their overall rankings, but does fall in their “average” category. The Bills could stand to get worse numbers out of a backup who is also versatile enough to fill-in at center, but Buffalo could opt to use one of their nine draft picks to fill Long’s shoes.