Alright BillsMafia, a few days have now passed since the 2021 season officially came to a crashing halt on Sunday night. I think it’s officially time to move into the “acceptance phase” of grief and start looking ahead to next year. I think that I am finally over it. Do I take it too seriously? Absolutely, but who doesn’t? The whole city hurts and now needs to come together for a look ahead because this team remains darn good.
There are holes on the roster to fill, there are current players with expiring contracts that need to be brought back. The Bills could have coaching spots that need to be filled as well as both coordinators have moved into a second round of interviews with NFL teams for head coaching positions. There could be a lot that is different with the Bills when the 2022 season kicks off. With all of that factored in… here are some of the things that should be done.
Resign Harrison Phillips, Levi Wallace, and Ryan Bates
The Bills have a list of unrestricted free agents that runs a total of 16 players deep. This is not to say that the other 13 not mentioned in the heading aren’t important. I just believe that the three mentioned are crucial to this team’s success. Harrison Phillips became an anchor on the defensive line from the second he started to receive more snaps. His presence on the inside jumps off the screen, as he may finally be healthy after an ACL tear two seasons ago. Those things are never easy to bounce back from, and can really take some time. Fellow defensive tackle Ed Oliver also had his best season as a pro. Playing next to Harrison Phillips surely only benefitted him. The two play well off one another and need to do so again in 2022.
Speaking of ACL injuries and how tough they are to bounce back from, cornerback Tre’Davious White will soon see just that. His rehab is going well, per general manager Brandon Beane, but there are still a lot of hurdles to clear. Whether or not he will be ready for the 2022 season remains unknown, which makes Levi Wallace all the more important. He played well as the team’s number one corner in the absence of White. So well that he may have played himself into a bigger deal elsewhere. But, he made it clear last offseason that he loves being in Buffalo, and I believe Brandon Beane can pull the strings to make it work, as he alluded to in his end of season presser. I’d feel comfortable starting the season with Wallace and Dane Jackson on the outside until Tre recovers, if need be.
Resigning Ryan Bates is simple. The line just simply worked much better as a unit once he was entered into the starting lineup in Week 16 in New England. He surely waited his turn, serving as a backup lineman on this team for three seasons. There are some other moves that will probably be made along the offensive line, but retaining Bates should be at the forefront of the Bills moves this offseason.
Cut Ties With Cole Beasley and Darryl Williams
It is no secret that the Bills may need to cut some ties with veteran players to create cap space. We saw them do it with wide receiver John Brown last offseason. Cutting Beasley saves the team $6 million towards the cap. We all love the guy, but, he’s aging, slowing down, and can be replaced in the slot. Brandon Beane spoke on Beasley in his end of season presser and says he sees him coming back next year. Could it just be a smoke screen? I think it is because saving the money may just be more important at this point. Do this and resign Isaiah McKenzie, and you’re in a good spot. Maybe Beasley restructures and takes a pay cut, but I really don’t see him on this team in 2022.
Cutting Darryl Williams saves the Bills $7 million in cap space, which is a no brainer. The guy had a great 2020 season at right tackle and signed a lucrative deal that reflected that to play right tackle in 2021. The problem? He was terrible on the outside in 2021. Williams was replaced by rookie Spencer Brown in week 4, which forced him to right guard. He had to start at tackle a few more times down the stretch as Brown dealt with covid and the offensive line dealt with other injuries, and it didn’t go well. Williams is a good guard, but he signed a deal making tackle money, and it just hasn’t worked out. As long as they resign Bates, you’ll have Bates, Feliciano, and Ike Boettger eventually returning from his achilles injury on the inside. They will be sure to draft a guard as well.
Target Pass Rush Help (Again)
The Bills did the best they good last offseason when it came to addressing their lack of pass rush. They drafted Greg Rousseau and Boogie Basham in rounds 1 and 2 in effort to repair a defensive line that needed it. Well, the line improved, but still wasn’t great. I think Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes would agree, as he ran from “pressure” all night in the Divisional Round. Mario Addison and Jerry Hughes are both free agents who are on the older side, and they led the Bills defensive ends in snaps this season. I think the Bills may try to keep one of the two (probably Hughes), but even then they need to make upgrades due to Hughes’ age.
I think the move needs to be for a veteran via trade or free agency, as drafting pass rushers hasn’t really seemed to work out, at least not yet. The team would be enthralled with an A.J. Epenesa breakthrough season in his third year. It would solve a lot of problems, but let’s not hold our breath. A name that keeps coming up on Twitter is Jaguars pass rusher Josh Allen (Yes, Josh Allen). He will be entering the final deal of his rookie year (also an option for another year) in Jacksonville. People seem to believe that the Jaguars would benefit by trading him now before he can walk in free agency.
That may not be realistic, but it would be fun having our best player on offense and defense named Josh Allen. Realistically, expect the Bills to explore the free agent market for a veteran pass rusher. Names like Emmanuel Ogbah, Haason Reddick, Dante Fowler Jr. etc…
I could go on and on with moves that the Bills could make in the 2022 NFL Draft in April. As that starts to get closer, I am sure that we will all have more of an idea of what direction the Bills would like to go in. For now, we will wait and see what happens to Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll and Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier as they are considered for head coaching jobs around the NFL. Sunday night’s loss really stings, and will for awhile. But, there will always be peace in knowing that Josh Allen will be the quarterback of this team for years to come.