The Buffalo Payments’ flurry of roster cuts made it clear they need to get youthful and cheaper as they give the impression of being to herald the subsequent wave of gamers with Josh Allen because the franchise quarterback. Common supervisor Brandon Beane all the time has believed firmly within the NFL Draft, which is the emphasis of Half 2 of our annual mock offseason.
With free company and re-signing achieved throughout Half 1, the main target turns to the draft. The Payments might do solely just a little in free company due to their cap house, however what can they add within the draft to maintain their profitable window open for years to come back?
And don’t overlook about post-draft free company, which could be an underrated piece of the Payments’ offseason. We included it on this train as effectively.
As a reminder, the roster under was constructed after free company and heading into this mock draft. You will discover all of the steps, together with restructures, mock contracts, potential cap hits and a operating log of cap house, in Half 1, which bought us up to now of the train.
Pre-draft mock offseason depth chart
*Yellow is a re-signing, blue is an exterior free agent.
2024 NFL Draft
Payments’ 2024 mock offseason picks, pre-draft (11): Nos. 28, 60, 127, 133, 143, 159, 162, 188, 199, 203, 248
Be aware: Draft simulation accomplished utilizing Professional Soccer Focus, controlling solely the Payments for the train.
Payments 2024 mock offseason: Picks 1-18
Decide | Group | Participant |
---|---|---|
1 |
QB Caleb Williams |
|
2 |
QB Drake Maye |
|
3 |
WR Marvin Harrison Jr. |
|
4 |
WR Malik Nabers |
|
5 |
TE Brock Bowers |
|
6 |
CB Quinyon Mitchell |
|
7 |
WR Rome Odunze |
|
8 |
QB Jayden Daniels |
|
9 |
DL Johnny Newton |
|
10 |
T Joe Alt |
|
11 |
DL Byron Murphy II |
|
12 |
CB Cooper DeJean |
|
13 |
CB Nate Wiggins |
|
14 |
T Taliese Fuaga |
|
15 |
T Troy Fautanu |
|
16 |
CB Terrion Arnold |
|
17 |
EDGE Jared Verse |
|
18 |
EDGE Dallas Turner |
Commerce!
The Payments commerce Nos. 28, 60, 127 and 203 to the Los Angeles Rams for Nos. 19, 83 and 195.
You didn’t suppose in an offseason with little cap house to work with, and having 11 picks complete, meant Beane would sit and await his flip, did you? Even with the quantity of roster shedding the Payments did this week, there doubtless will not be sufficient room for 11 rookies on the 53-man roster. So we’ve Beane doing what Beane typically does on draft day: buying and selling up for a participant he’s enthusiastic about. Whether or not we agree is a distinct dialogue. However the tendency is evident, and he would possibly have a look at the primary spherical as his finest likelihood to crack open that Tremendous Bowl window.
Buffalo has three picks within the fifth spherical, which might help it rise up earlier within the order within the fourth spherical and substitute the late fourth-round choose it’s transferring on this projected deal. Principally, the Payments drop 23 spots with their second choose and lose solely a fourth-round choose to maneuver up within the first and sixth rounds, getting a participant who might flip right into a core constructing block with their prime choose — particularly when there appears to be a drop-off from the participant they’re transferring up for to the subsequent one on the similar place.
On to the choose!
The choose at No. 19: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
The draft was about to get into an alley of groups that would go for a large receiver, which stands out as a possible necessity of a Day 1 or 2 choose for this roster construct. The chance that Thomas can be on the board on the Payments’ unique choice will not be excessive, particularly after his NFL Scouting Mix efficiency. Thomas combines all the abilities the Payments need most out of their new beginning X-receiver. He has an excellent dimension and pace mixture. He’s sturdy on the ball and performs to his dimension. He can take the highest off a split-safety protection. He wins beneath. He reveals glorious effort as a blocker. He can play inside to unlock some extra scheme versatility. And finest but, nonetheless solely 21, he has the potential to develop into a crew’s prime receiver.
Thomas is the kind of participant who will excite Beane sufficient for a transfer up like this one. And don’t overlook what’s doubtless sitting behind the GM’s mind. The Payments sat round just a few picks too lengthy, considering they might wait and make a small transfer up for cornerback Trent McDuffie in 2022, solely to see their archrival, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, come out of nowhere to commerce up for him. The Chiefs are within the large receiver market this yr, too, in case Beane wants some other motivation. I might even see the Payments buying and selling up larger than No. 19. For this mock, although, it’s Thomas at No. 19 with out a second thought.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler on Thomas: A former basketball recruit, Thomas has distinctive physique actions for his dimension (earlier than and after the catch), with focus and coordination to make performs above the rim. He constantly will get on prime of protection with fast acceleration, though crisper cuts and improved leverage will assist him create higher separation out of breaks. Thomas took his recreation to a different degree in 2023, posting an FBS-best 17 landing grabs, essentially the most by a Energy 5 receiver since DeVonta Smith (23) in 2020.
2024 Payments mock offseason: Picks 19-59
Decide | Group | Participant |
---|---|---|
19 |
WR Brian Thomas Jr. |
|
20 |
C Jackson Powers-Johnson |
|
21 |
T Olumuyiwa Fashanu |
|
22 |
T Amarius Mims |
|
23 |
EDGE Laiatu Latu |
|
24 |
S Tyler Nubin |
|
25 |
T Graham Barton |
|
26 |
T JC Latham |
|
27 |
WR Ladd McConkey |
|
28 |
LB Payton Wilson |
|
29 |
WR Adonai Mitchell |
|
30 |
T Tyler Guyton |
|
31 |
CB Kool-Support McKinstry |
|
32 |
WR Troy Franklin |
|
33 |
T Jordan Morgan |
|
34 |
QB Bo Nix |
|
35 |
C Zach Frazier |
|
36 |
CB Mike Sainristil |
|
37 |
EDGE Chris Braswell |
|
38 |
CB T.J. Tampa |
|
39 |
EDGE Adisa Isaac |
|
40 |
EDGE Darius Robinson |
|
41 |
DL Braden Fiske |
|
42 |
QB J.J. McCarthy |
|
43 |
EDGE Chop Robinson |
|
44 |
QB Michael Penix Jr. |
|
45 |
CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. |
|
46 |
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders |
|
47 |
WR Ricky Pearsall |
|
48 |
S Javon Bullard |
|
49 |
CB Kamari Lassiter |
|
50 |
T Kingsley Suamataia |
|
51 |
WR Jermaine Burton |
|
52 |
S Jaden Hicks |
|
53 |
DL Kris Jenkins |
|
54 |
WR Roman Wilson |
|
55 |
WR Ja’Lynn Polk |
|
56 |
WR Xavier Worthy |
|
57 |
WR Keon Coleman |
|
58 |
EDGE Jonah Elliss |
|
59 |
LB Edgerrin Cooper |
The choose at No. 83: EDGE Austin Booker, Kansas
For these ready for the primary huge defensive finish piece of the mock offseason, right here it’s. The Payments take an enormous swing with the choice of Booker, an inexperienced however high-ceiling go rusher. Booker has the peak, size, pace and play energy the Payments covet on the place, plus room so as to add to his body and get nearer to the 250-260-pound mark they like. He would even be a proper defensive finish within the Payments protection, which enhances Greg Rousseau’s ability set effectively. Booker was productive in his one yr at Kansas, and regardless of an absence of faculty snaps, he reveals as excessive of an upside as you’ll get at this level within the draft.
The Payments additionally aren’t afraid to take an enormous swing on a defensive finish with a low snap depend. In accordance with Professional Soccer Focus, Rousseau had solely 545 defensive snaps in faculty and has been essentially the most profitable choose the Payments have made on the place beneath Beane. At this level on Day 2, there received’t be an ideal prospect. The Payments have tried the protected route at defensive finish earlier than on Day 2, and the alternatives of A.J. Epenesa and Boogie Basham didn’t fairly dwell as much as what they’d hoped for. This time, it’s all about potential and excessive upside. They’ll have a minimum of two gamers — Rousseau and Von Miller — to work forward of Booker for 2024 as he learns and will get greater, and Booker can be taught from Miller for a complete season with the objective of beginning in 2025.
Brugler on Booker: With solely 505 defensive snaps in his faculty profession (95 p.c of these coming in 2023), Booker continues to be a piece in progress and must develop his play energy and rush plan. However he’s tall, lengthy and twitched up with sufficient promising flashes. For a affected person crew keen to put money into his potential, Booker shall be an fascinating developmental prospect.
We’ll go straight to the alternatives for rounds 4 by way of 7. Picks remaining: Nos. 133, 143, 159, 162, 188, 195, 199 and 248.
Commerce!
The Payments commerce Nos. 133, 159 and 248 to the New York Giants for No. 106.
The choose at No. 106: S Cole Bishop, Utah
The Ryan Bates commerce armed the Payments with three fifth-round picks, which permits them to maneuver up into the early fourth spherical. So on this commerce, the Payments transfer up 25 spots, ditch solely a fifth- and late seventh-round choose and nonetheless maintain eight complete alternatives of their pocket. The transfer up was to get what might develop into their sturdy security of the long run in Bishop. Together with his capacity to deal with and win close to the road of scrimmage towards the run, he appears effectively suited to probably take over the Jordan Poyer position whereas additionally holding his personal in protection. Taylor Rapp was a little bit of a disappointment final season and primarily has solely a one-year dedication from the crew, so it’s not exterior the realm of chance for Bishop to unseat Rapp sooner or later in 2024.
Brugler on Bishop: Utah’s defensive scheme calls for versatility from its safeties, and Bishop was up for the problem along with his capacity to play everywhere in the discipline. Irrespective of the place he begins on the snap, he’s all the time rallying to the soccer and covers a ton of floor. Some safeties play quick and others play managed — Bishop does each.
The choose at No. 143: DT Tyler Davis, Clemson
The Payments want a one-technique defensive deal with to develop and function the first backup to DaQuan Jones, and Davis matches these parameters. The Payments don’t want an enormous human being at one-technique, only one who performs huge and might occupy blockers. Regardless that he’s barely undersized at 301 kilos, Davis could make up for it along with his energy.
The choose at No. 162: CB M.J. Devonshire, Pittsburgh
With Tre’Davious White and Siran Neal out of the image, the Payments have room for a sixth cornerback on the 53-man roster. Devonshire would enter the equation, and the Payments would wish to determine the place he’s finest, whether or not it’s on the boundary or at nickel nook. However with an arm size of almost 33 inches, it can actually put him in consideration on the surface to start issues. The Payments have the roster room for both, particularly one who might do each.
The choose at No. 188: WR Anthony Gould, Oregon State
With large receiver class, it makes loads of sense to double dip and attempt to discover a fourth- or fifth-receiver sort on a rookie deal. Gould is small (5 toes 8, 174 kilos), however his pace and run after catch are an enormous a part of the draw. He might present some punt-returning operate as he learns the offense. At worst, he’s a developmental participant to maintain on the 53-man roster as a weekly wholesome scratch. At finest, he might fill the Isaiah McKenzie, Deonte Harty position because the fourth or fifth receiver.
The choose at No. 195: C Hunter Nourzad, Penn State
The Payments have room for a developmental offensive lineman, particularly at middle and offensive deal with, however a younger middle is one thing they’ve but to draft beneath Beane. Nourzad wouldn’t be relied on to be something apart from a wholesome scratch each week in yr one, with the hopes that he, like a number of different late-round facilities, might massively outplay his draft slot.
The choose at No. 199: LB Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri
The Payments want a linebacker to fill out their roster with some particular groups juice, and that’s what Hopper might help present, even in his first season. It’s all about choosing gamers late who might make the crew outright, and a fifth linebacker has a powerful case.
Put up-draft cap adjustment
A number of the trades shifted a part of the crew’s Prime-51 contracts and took a small quantity of cap house from the place they had been earlier than the draft. Quintin Morris can be re-added to the Prime 51, taking the place of No. 129, which was traded away through the mock draft.
Cap house earlier than the draft: -$298,000
Cap house after the draft: -$547,000
Tre’Davious White cap adjustment
As of June 1, the Payments could have entry to all of their funds gained from White’s post-June 1 designation. That may add the total $10.21 million in financial savings to their 2024 cap sheet, which might pave the best way for a second wave of free company.
Adjusted cap house after June 1: $9.66 million
Put up-June 1 free-agent strikes
Signal DE Jadeveon Clowney
Phrases: One yr, $8 million
The Payments struck gold final offseason once they introduced in Leonard Floyd throughout spring exercises and he wound up being one in every of their finest go rushers in 2023. The Payments will hope to do the identical with Clowney, who would stroll in and develop into the beginning proper defensive finish reverse Rousseau, pushing Miller right into a rotational position and serving to Booker, the second-round rookie, have a condensed position because the fourth go rusher on the depth chart. Clowney has a historical past of ready till later within the offseason to signal with a crew. He did so with the Tennessee Titans in 2020, signing in September, after which with the Baltimore Ravens in 2021, ready till mid-August. At 31 years outdated, he can be an immediate and short-term enhance to a defensive finish group that wants yet another piece.
Cap house after the transfer: $2.65 million
(TE Quintin Morris faraway from Prime 51)
Signal RB Nyheim Hines
Phrases: One yr, $1.33 million ($200,000 signing bonus, $1.19 million cap hit because of veteran wage profit)
The Payments stated Hines was of their plans this season, and that is simply the return of a possible backup runner to James Cook dinner and a particular groups piece. The deal can be principally assured to make sure his place on the roster.
Cap house after the transfer: $2.49 million
(DE Kingsley Jonathan faraway from Prime 51)
Signal OT Yosh Nijman
Phrases: One yr, $1.5 million
The Payments have an open spot for a ninth offensive lineman. Offering some insurance coverage for the inexperienced Ryan Van Demark within the occasion of harm is sensible, and Nijman has loads of expertise in a zone-blocking scheme. Nijman can be a deal with solely.
Cap house after the transfer: $1.94 million
(DT Eli Ankou faraway from Prime 51)
Signal G Sua Opeta
An athletic profession backup, Opeta can be a guard just for the Payments and supply some safety for prime inside reserve Alec Anderson, ought to he not make the progress the Payments are hoping to see. Opeta has performed on the proper and left aspect as a guard throughout his NFL profession. The Payments might simply hold 10 offensive linemen this yr, together with Nijman, Opeta and the draft choose Nourzad.
Cap house after the transfer: $1.88 million
(WR Andy Isabella faraway from Prime 51)
Put up-June 1 contract extension
LT Dion Dawkins
Dawkins had one in every of his finest seasons in 2023, and with solely a yr left on his deal, the crew faces a call about his future. With how a lot he has meant to the group and the way effectively he performed final season, it might be sensible to lock in a short-term extension to maintain him beneath contract all through his prime. This new deal can be a restructure to his 2024 cap hit ($16.61 million) to decrease that quantity to offer them simply sufficient room for the ultimate 53-man roster with some respiratory room ($14.28 million), and it might additionally lock in a two-year extension for $36 million with $18 million assured. The brand new contract has a filter out in 2026 to avoid wasting over $17 million on the cap, which means that is merely a two-year pact within the occasion Dawkins’ manufacturing falls off throughout his age-31 season in 2025. Finest-case situation, Dawkins continues at his present degree and the Payments have their franchise left deal with locked in for the subsequent three years.
Dion Dawkins mock offseason contract
12 months | Base Wage | Signing Bonus | Earlier Proration | Roster Bonus | Per Sport Bonus | Exercise Bonus | Cap Hit | Useless Cap | Cap Financial savings if minimize |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 |
$1,300,000 |
$3,000,000 |
$8,976,500 |
$500,000 |
$250,000 |
$250,000 |
$14,276,500 |
$38,039,500 |
-$23,763,000 |
2025 |
$8,000,000 |
$3,000,000 |
$5,381,500 |
$1,000,000 |
$500,000 |
$250,000 |
$18,131,500 |
$25,763,000 |
-$7,631,500 |
2026 |
$15,500,000 |
$3,000,000 |
$5,381,500 |
$1,000,000 |
$500,000 |
$250,000 |
$25,631,500 |
$8,381,500 |
$17,250,000 |
TOTALS |
$24,800,000 |
$9,000,000 |
$19,739,500 |
$2,500,000 |
$1,250,000 |
$750,000 |
$58,039,500 |
Cap house after the transfer: $4.22 million
Payments closing mock offseason depth chart
*Yellow is a re-signing, blue is an exterior free agent and inexperienced is a rookie.
(Prime pictures of Austin Booker and Brian Thomas Jr.: Michael Wade and Jonathan Bachman / Getty Photos)