Buffalo Bills - Free Agent Market & Potential Targets

Here's a primer of the top 10-12 players at each position this Free Agency. In parentheses next to the position is how big the need is in relation to the Buffalo Bills. The numbers will be attached from a 1-12 scale in which 1 is the biggest need and 12 is not a need at all. I will update the list as players are signed throughout the free agency period and add players as they are cut.

The Quarterback Market (8)

1. Josh McCown - Bears
2. Michael Vick - Eagles
3. Shaun Hill - Lions
4. Josh Freeman - Vikings
5. Tarvaris Jackson - Seahawks
6. Kellen Clemens - Rams

If the Bills do sign a QB, I think it will be very late in the process if at all. I don't see them signing Josh McCown or Michael Vick who are the top two targets this March. After those two, the options are underwhelming. Shaun Hill is a serviceable backup but I don't think expect him to come to Buffalo.

My Targets: Michael Vick
Pick One: Michael Vick
Comments: He's been linked to Buffalo before. Just make it happen already. Do I want him? No. Would I take him? Sure.

The Running Back Market (10)

1. Ben Tate - Texans
2. Knowshon Moreno - Broncos
3. Darren McFadden - Raiders
4. Maurice Jones-Drew - Jaguars
5. Rashad Jennings - Raiders
6. Andre Brown - Giants
7. LeGarrette Blount - Patriots
8. Darren Sproles - Saints
9. James Starks - Packers
10. Donald Brown - Colts

My Targets: James Starks, Darren Sproles
Pick One: James Starks
Comments: He's a local boy who has had success at the NFL level. He is the perfect backup RB who could be the #3 this year and potential #2 next year. Could take a hometown discount, round out the position and elate the fan base.

The Fullback Market (12)

1. John Kuhn - Packers
2. Le'Ron McClain - Chargers
3. Greg Jones - Texans
4. Vonta Leach - Ravens
5. Henry Hynoski - Giants

My Targets: Le'Ron McClain, Greg Jones
Pick One: Greg Jones
Comments: We won't pick up any of these players as I think the Bills are happy with Frank Summers & Evan Rodriguez but if they were to sign one player, I would want it to be Greg Jones. Why? Because of this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1MswhjbXmo and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wbO3ZOQMbQ.

The Wide Receiver Market (6)

1. Eric Decker - Broncos
2. Hakeem Nicks -  Giants
3. James Jones - Packers
4. Emmanuel Sanders - Steelers
5. Golden Tate - Seahawks
6. Julian Edelman - Packers
7. Dexter McCluster - Chiefs
8. Kenny Britt - Titans
9. Sidney Rice - Seahawks
10. Andre Roberts - Cardinals
11. Ted Ginn - Panthers
12. Santonio Holmes - Jets

My Targets: Eric Decker, Hakeem Nicks
Pick One: Hakeem Nicks
Comments: Eric Decker is going to demand a huge payday. I couldn't not put him on the list of my targets but it's not realistic. I don't even think Hakeem Nicks is realistic but he's big and in the mold of the WR that we need. He's too injury prone for my liking to get the money that he'll inevitably get. I'll gladly watch the Jets overpay for him. The rest of the WR's on the list are the same type of WR's that we already have. I'd rather invest in this position through the draft.

The Tight End Market (3)

1. Brandon Pettigrew - Lions
2. Jermichael Finley - Packers
3. Garrett Graham - Texans
4. Fred Davis - Redskins
5. Brandon Myers - Giants
6. Scott Chandler - Bills
7. Ed Dickson - Ravens
8. Dustin Keller - Dolphins
9. Andrew Quarless - Packers
10. Bear Pascoe - Giants

My Targets: Brandon Pettigrew, Jermichael Finley, Ed Dickson
Pick One: Brandon Pettigrew
Comments: Some have Jermichael Finley rated as the #1 TE on the market but his spine/neck injury really worries me. If you know me, you know I loved both of them out of college and had them frequently mocked to the Bills leading up to their draft years. Pettigrew has ties to Jim Schwartz who was coached him in Detroit just one year ago. If I had to choose between signing one of the above or drafting one of the top 3 TE's in the draft, I'm passing up on the veterans and drafting a youngster. The Bills will most likely re-sign Scott Chandler and remain mediocre at the position because that's such a Bills thing to do.

The Offensive Tackle Market (1)

1. Eugene Monroe - Ravens
2. Branden Albert - Chiefs
3. Jared Veldheer - Raiders
4. Anthony Collins - Bengals
5. Roger Saffold - Rams
6. Austin Howard - Jets
7. Zach Strief - Saints
8. Michael Oher - Ravens
9. Tyson Clabo - Dolphins
10. David Stewart - Titans
11. Eric Winston - Cardinals
12. Charles Brown - Saints

My Targets: Anthony Collins, Austin Howard, Zach Strief
Pick One: Austin Howard
Comments: You'll remember Austin Howard as the no-name RT who shut down Mario Williams when we played the Jets. Howard has steadily improved since then and would be the team's immediate starter at RT and any time you can steal a player away from a divisional rival, that's a good day.

The Offensive Guard Market (2)

1. Roger Saffold - Rams
2. Jon Asamoah - Chiefs
3. Zane Beadles - Broncos
4. Travelle Wharton - Panthers
5. Geoff Schwartz - Chiefs
6. Davin Joseph - Buccaneers
7. Kevin Boothe - Giants
8. John Jerry - Dolphins
9. Uche Nwaneri - Jaguars
10. Daryn Colledge - Cardinals

My Targets: Jon Asamoah, Geoff Schwartz, Davin Joseph
Pick One: Davin Joseph
Comments: Davin Joseph immediately comes in and starts at LG. He got cut by the Bucs to save money after he got bit by the injury bug but he was very good in seasons prior which led to the big contract he signed with Tampa Bay. I'll gladly sign this medium-risk, high-reward player and strengthen the left side between Cordy Glenn and Eric Wood.

The Center Market (11)

1. Evan Dietrich-Smith (Packers)
2. Brian De La Puente (Saints)
3. Rich Ohrnberger (Chargers)
4. Jonathan Goodwin (49ers)
5. David Baas (Giants)

My Targets: Nobody
Pick One: No
Comments: We're not going to sign a Center.

The Defensive Tackle Market (9)

1. Lamarr Houston (DE) - Raiders
2. Arthur Jones (DE) - Ravens
3. Jason Hatcher - Cowboys
4. Linval Joseph - Giants
5. Henry Melton - Bears
6. Randy Starks - Dolphins
7. BJ Raji - Packers
8. Paul Soliai - Dolphins
9. Tyson Jackson - Chiefs
10. Pat Sims - Raiders
11. Vance Walker - Raiders
12. Ziggy Hood - Steelers

My Targets: Pat Sims, Vance Walker
Pick One: Vance Walker
Comments: The Bills aren't going to invest much money into the DT market. If they do, my targets are players who might stick around for a bit and could leave to a nice value signing for Buffalo. I enjoyed watching Vance Walker while at Georgia Tech and think he would be a nice depth signing for the club.

The Defensive End Market (9)

1. Lamarr Houston (DT) - Raiders
2. Michael Johnson - Bengals
3. Jared Allen - Vikings
4. Justin Tuck - Giants
5. Anthony Spencer (OLB) - Cowboys
6. Willie Young - Lions
7. Corey Wootton - Bears
8. Robert Ayers - Broncos
9. Shaun Phillips - Broncos
10. Jason Babin - Jaguars

My Targets: Corey Wootton, Robert Ayers
Pick One: Corey Wootton
Comments: Wootton and Ayers are both good at stopping the run but mediocre pass rushers. I don't see the Bills spending too much money on this position. Wootton had 7 sacks two seasons ago and I'll take a chance on him. He is tall and has some serious length, reminding me of Manny Lawson in that aspect. Played at Northwestern in college under a great coach in Pat Fitzgerald so you know he's smart and well-coached.

The Outside Linebacker Market (4)

1. Wesley Woodyard (ILB) - Broncos
2. LaMarr Woodley (ILB) - Steelers
3. Calvin Pace - Jets
4. Parys Haralson - Saints
5. James Anderson - Bears
6. O'Brien Schofield - Seahawks
7. Keith Rivers - Giants
8. Dekoda Watson - Buccaneers
9. Jo-Lonn Dunbar - Rams
10. Ernie Sims - Cowboys

My Targets: Wesley Woodyard, Keith Rivers
Pick One: Wesley Woodyard
Comments: This is an underwhelming group. This makes me think that the Bills will search for an ILB to take over for Kiko, moving him outside to OLB to create the most optimal starting talent at the LB position. If I have to sign one person, it's Woodyard who is a versatile LB.

The Inside Linebacker Market (4)

1. Karlos Dansby - Cardinals
2. Daryl Smith - Ravens
3. Brandon Spikes - Patriots
4. Perry Riley - Redskins
5. Wesley Woodyard (OLB) - Broncos
6. LaMarr Woodley (OLB) - Steelers
7. Erin Henderson - Vikings
8. Jon Beason - Giants
9. Pat Angerer - Colts
10. Desmond Bishop - Vikings
11. Jameel McClain - Ravens
12. Arthur Moats - Bills

My Targets: Brandon Spikes, Wesley Woodyard, Jon Beason, Pat Angerer, Jameel McClain
Pick One: Brandon Spikes
Comments: Brandon Spikes is the type of player you hate playing against but you love on your team. I think the key to getting Brandon Spikes to sign here is Pepper Johnson who was hired by the Bills after being on the Patriots staff last year. He may be able to recruit Brandon Spikes to man the middle of the defense in between Kiko Alonso and Manny Lawson.

The Cornerback Market (7)

1. Alterraun Verner - Titans
2 . Aqib Talib - Patriots
3. Vontae Davis - Colts
4. Captain Munnerlyn - Panthers
5. Tarrell Brown - 49ers
6. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - Broncos
7. Walter Thurmond - Seattle
8. Corey Graham - Ravens
9. Antonio Cromartie - Jets
10. Nolan Carroll - Dolpins
11. Charles Tillman - Bears
12. Chris Cook - Vikings

My Targets: Tarrell Brown, Corey Graham
Pick One: Corey Graham
Comments: I don't see the Bills signing one of the big three but Corey Graham has starter experience, playoff experience and Buffalo happens to be his hometown. I think he would be a reasonably priced, underrated signing for the Bills this off-season.

The Safety Market (5)

1. Jairus Byrd - Bills
2. TJ Ward - Browns
3. Donte Whitner - 49ers
4. Malcolm Jenkins - Saints
5. Chris Clemons - Dolphins
6. Major Wright - Bears
7. Stevie Brown - Giants
8. Antoine Bethea - Colts

My Targets: Jairus Byrd, Malcolm Jenkins
Pick One: Malcolm Jenkins
Comments: Jairus Byrd isn't coming back and the Bills have always loved OSU DB's so they bring in Malcolm Jenkins to start across from Aaron Williams to soften the blow of letting Byrd fly the coop (pun intended). He's a typical FS which we lack currently on the roster.

Buffalo Bills Team Needs (Heading into Free Agency)

Buffalo Bills Team Needs

FIRST TIER

1. OT - The Bills are all set at LT but RT is unsettled with a declining Erik Pears and a question mark in Chris Hairston coming back from an injury. With a QB who had three knee injuries in his first season at the helm, he needs to be protected and kept off the ground. The Bills will look into upgrading the right side first in free agency and if they need to, in the draft. There are quite a few solid options to make that happen in both avenues.

2. OG - As bad as the Bills were at RT, they were equally bad at LG. Keith Williams and Doug Legursky were awful. With a lethal combination at the RB position and a rookie QB who needs time to make decisions, the Bills need to be strong all across the OL if they want to be successful.

3. TE - The Bills need to get EJ Manuel a legitimate threat at the TE position. TE's are to QB's what defensemen are to goalies in hockey and what catchers are to pitchers in baseball. They block and help you out on the line, they are prime 3rd down targets when trying to move the chains and are reliable check down options when in trouble. I think an athletic TE will go a long way in improving the development of EJ Manuel. I expect them to look towards the draft to fill this need otherwise they'll have to rely on Lee Smith, Tony Moeaki and Chris Gragg. Very underwhelming.

4. LB - They have one of the best LB's in the league in Kiko Alonso but not much of a supporting cast. Do they keep him at MLB and find an OLB to compliment him or do they move him to OLB and get someone to man the middle at the MLB position? Thanks to Alonso, they have options and can express both avenues instead of having to focus in on just one, limiting their options at finding an impact player.

5. S - With Jairus Byrd gone, the Bills will need to find a veteran to start across from Aaron Williams or else they'll have to rely on either Duke Williams or Da'Norris Searcy to man the position. If the Bills let Byrd walk, they can't deal with such a big downgrade at the position so they'll have to soften the blow a bit by bringing in someone that has less question marks and somewhat of a proven track record in the league.

SECOND TIER

6. WR - The Bills have two solid average sized receivers known more for their route running than physicality and two smaller, faster receivers known more for their speed and elusive than their physicality. What the Bills lack is clearly the physicality at the WR position. The Bills need the big bodied, box out the defender, throw the ball up and get it at the point of attack type of receiver.

7. CB - Not a huge need but a position that hasn't been stable in quite some time. The reason why it's in the middle of the list is because we saw what happened when Stephon Gilmore and we were forced to rely on players such as Justin Rogers. Gilmore, McKelvin and Robey did fine last year but having competition at the CB position is never a bad thing, especially with how quick offenses run, how big, fast and physical receivers are and how versatile TE's are.

8. QB - I don't think the QB position is a need and I'm someone that's not sold on Manuel. The Bills aren't going to draft a QB high but they have been linked to a veteran QB to help Manuel. I hate that train of thought. You don't bring in a veteran QB to coach, you bring in coaches to coach. That is the job of the QB coach, offensive coordinator and the head coach. Are you going to bring in someone so much better than Thad Lewis for a better price that is going to win us games if Manuel goes down? Thad Lewis won us games when he went down. He's a fine backup. We're going to live and die by Manuel. If someone can lead us to the playoffs if Manuel does down, then they should be the starter from the beginning. There isn't anyone on the market like that other than maybe Vick or McCown (who lucked out with the offense he was thrust into leading).

THIRD TIER

9. DL - The DL starters are solid. I like the depth in the middle at the DT position and Mario Williams/Jerry Hughes are a solid 1-2 combo on the outside but could use some depth, like most teams. With Jerry Hughes a FA next year, they could invest a mid-round pick on the DE position or sign someone who fell through the cracks in the early wave of free agency.

10. RB - The Bills have one of the best RB combinations in the league. With Fred Jackson a FA next year, they could look into using a late round pick on the position in the draft. I've seen too many late-round and undrafted RB's have successes at the NFL level to want to spend a pick on the position, especially since it's not currently a need.

11. C - Eric Wood is locked up and came off a healthy season last year. Legursky can back him at the position as I'm sure a few other OG's can so there's no need to look into signing a C this off-season.

12. P - Brian Moorman could use some competition as he is aging and in his last year of his contract but the position is not worth a draft pick. Plenty of veterans out there to bring in as a camp body to push Moorman into earning his spot on the team.

13. K - The Bills will bring in a veteran like they did with Dan Carpenter last year to compete with Dustin Hopkins and have under team control if he gets hurt. Plenty of options.

14. FB - I like the two options they have and if they Bills don't they may just get rid of the position like many other teams have around the league. With that being said, if they come across an injury or want an upgrade, since so many teams got away from the FB position, there are plenty of players who are willing to go helmet to helmet with an opposing LB to open up a hole for their RB. The only reason they spend a pick on this position is if they feel they found the next Larry Centers.

15. LS - Keep on keeping on Garrison Sanborn. Keep your name out of the announcers mouth unless you're making tackles downfield. The position remains his as long as he continues to hike spirals into the belly of Brian Moorman.

Buffalo Bills Impending UFA's

Buffalo Bills Impending Free Agents

Jairus Byrd - FS

• Chances of returning: 3%
• What we're missing: 48 total tackles, 37 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 4 interceptions for 85 yards.
• Comments: Jairus Byrd is a hell of a player and he will continue to be a hell of a player, for another team. I think the Bills rubbed him the wrong way with the Franchise Tag last year and the inability to come to a long-term agreement prior to free agency this year. Frankly, unless the Bills vastly overpaid for Byrd, he was a goner. His heart just doesn't seem to be in Buffalo. He held out last year until late in the summer, was put on the shelf due to a mysterious foot injury and was a part of some of the coldest interviews I've ever witnessed. Rumor has it the Bills offered him $10 million a year and he turned it down. Some fans wanted us to franchise him but the Bills front office knew that it was going to be a repeat of last year and probably felt it would be best to go our separate ways, wash our hands clean of the situation and spend that $10 million on player(s) that want to be here. It's been real Jairus. I anticipate him ending up in PHI, CLE, STL or ATL.

Dan Carpenter - K

• Chances of returning: 7%
• What we're missing: 33 of 36 FG's made for a 91.7% success rate, the best of his career. A perfect 32 for 32 on XP's and plenty of touch backs on kickoffs.
• Comments: Carpenter was a pleasant surprise last year. He was always known to have a big leg but accuracy was never his thing. You figure kicking in Buffalo, NY wouldn't help the accuracy with all the wind, snow and other elements but it seemed to work well for him. He earned himself a nice contract this off-season, from another team. The Bills drafted Dustin Hopkins and will roll with him going forward. I'll miss you looking like Kid Rock everyday Danny boy, good luck wherever you land.

Alex Carrington - DT

• Chances of returning: 22%
• What we're missing: 10 total tackles, 6 solo tackles and 4 assisted tackles.
• Comments: He was hurt last year but was a solid backup, rotational player the two years prior. I am hoping his injury will force him into taking a one year prove it deal with the Bills where he can backup Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus. If he plays well and Dareus walks next year, maybe the Bills can extend him longer at that point, but for now, a one year deal sounds like a good idea for both sides.

Scott Chandler - TE

• Chances of returning: 41%
• What we're missing: 53 catches for 655 yards and 2 touchdowns.
• Comments: He's sure handed but offers minimal YAC and is in the opposite mold of what the TE position is becoming. He's stiff and in my opinion, not an ideal starting TE, at least not for the team I'm cheering for. The thoughts of upgrading from Scott Chandler to an Eric Ebron, Jace Amaro or an Austin Sefarian-Jenkins is nothing short of a dream scenario for a guy like me, who loves having an athlete at the position.

Jim Leonhard - FS

• Chances of returning: 16%
• What we're missing: 41 total tackles, 30 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, 4 interceptions for 72 yards and 5 passes defended.
• Comments: Jim Leonhard made some plays as a late signing for the Buffalo Bills when Jairus Byrd's mysterious foot injury became public. I think Jim has one year left in the tank but I don't think it will be for the Buffalo Bills. He seemed over matched at times when trying to fill the lanes in the run game and catching up speedier receivers both deep and across the middle of the field.

Arthur Moats - LB

• Chances of returning: 27%
• What we're missing: 54 total tackles, 30 solo tackles, 24 assisted tackles and no turnovers.
• Comments: He was solid but not spectacular. He lost some snaps late to Nigel Bradham and just seemed too slow at times. He's smart and instinctive but is best suited for a backup LB role. There's a chance he returns to the Bills but he may be looking for a fresh start somewhere with a team promising a starting spot.

Thomas Welch - OT

• Chances of returning: 12%
• What we're missing: Nothing
• Comments: I believe he caught a TD pass in the pre-season last year but was also the source of way too many penalties for someone trying to make a team, especially a team that had positions for the taking. He had a good college background but lacks the discipline to be trusted throughout a full game.

Future Free Agents

The Bills got lucky with their free agent class this year. Other than losing Byrd, they shouldn't be losing sleep over any other free agent departures. Next year they are losing a few more people. The silver lining in that is that the Bills have a handful of players heading into their contract year which tends to lead to a bit better production and some additional fire that may have been absent from their game in previous years. Here is a list of players in the final year of their contract that will be free agents this time next year:

• Marcell Dareus - DT
• Jerry Hughes - DE/OLB
• Fred Jackson - RB
• Kevin Kolb - QB
• Erik Pears - RT
• Da'Norris Searcy - SS
• Chris Hairston - RT
• Tony Moeaki - TE
• Garrison Sanborn - LS
• Doug Legursky - OG
• Marcus Easley - WR =/
• Lee Smith - TE
• Thaddeus Lewis - QB
• Mark Asper - OG
• Kevin Elliott - WR
• Brian Moorman - P
• Evan Rodriguez - FB
• Corbin Bryant - DT
• Chris Hogan - WR
• Antoine McClain - OG
• Frank Summers - FB

That's a lot of players. Some good, some decent, some replaceable but at the end of the day, that's still a lot of roster spots the Bills would have to fill. Look for the Bills to sign some free agents and draft some players tailored to softening the blow of next years free agency period. The Bills have a good amount of cap space so extending some of these players above may be in the works as the Bills try to alleviate some pressure on themselves next March

State of the Buffalo Bills Roster - Offensive Depth Chart

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK (5) - Critical Condition

1. EJ Manuel

• 2014 Salary - $2,019,386
• Under Contract - 3 Years through 2016-1017
• Comments - The QB position is considered in critical condition until EJ Manuel can prove that he can remain healthy and productive. Three knee injuries in his first season and plenty of inconsistency are two huge red flags. I understand that he is a rookie and I'll give him the benefit of the doubt but I remain one of his biggest critics. I don't think he's the answer but I would love for him to prove me wrong. While I personally don't think he's the answer, I believe the Bills front office remains high on him and will do everything they can to help him succeed and warrant the 1st round pick they spent on him. This off-season will not be about finding a new QB, but rather improving the pieces around the one they already have. The Bills need to upgrade their OL, bring in a big bodied WR and get Manuel an athletic TE.

2. Thaddeus Lewis

• 2014 Salary - $645,000
• Under Contract - 1Year through 2014-2015 (RFA)
• Comments - I was a fan of what Thad Lewis did last year as a Bill. Despite awful OL play, he was tough as nails and made the best of the opportunity he was forced into. One of my favorite memories of last year was him staying in the pocket, making a throw to the far side of the field and taking a helmet to helmet hit in the process. He completed the pass, got up, helmet spun halfway around his head and banged on his chest. In that very moment, I wanted to run through a brick wall head first. I think he's the backup QB heading into the 2014-2015 season.

3. Kevin Kolb

• 2014 Salary - $3,600,000
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015
• Comments - I fully expect him to either get cut or retire on his own terms. He's injury prone, not much better than Thad Lewis if even better at all and carries a cap hit that can be better spent elsewhere. That last concussion really may have did him on although wearing a ball cap, holding a clipboard and collecting a $3.6 million dollar check doesn't sound like a bad life.

4. Jeff Tuel

• 2014 Salary - $496,666
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016 (RFA)
• Comments - That pick-six against Kansas City. Ugh, enough said. I'd rather see what Dennis Dixon can do in our offense as the #3 QB.

5. Dennis Dixon

• 2014 Salary - $730,000
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016
• Comments - As stated above, I would love to see what Dennis Dixon can do as our #3 QB. With an additional pre-season game thanks to the Bills playing in the HOF game, I think he'll get plenty of snaps to show his worth to the organization. My advice, just don't throw a pick-six on the one yard line against an undefeated team mid-season at home in front of your fans. Ugh, Jeff Tuel

RUNNING BACK (4) - Good Condition

1. CJ Spiller

• 2014 Salary - $5,916,916
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016
• Comments - Not a day has gone by that I haven't gone to bed at night, dreaming of a fully healthy CJ Spiller for the 2014-2015 season. If you ever wondered what lightning would look like in human form, it would be CJ Spiller. He's an absolute stud and will be the focal point of our offense heading into the season and rightfully so.

2. Fred Jackson

• 2014 Salary - $3,850,000
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015
• Comments - Fred Jackson is the Tim Duncan of the NFL. The definition of a true professional. I have been tough on this guy over the years, waiting for him to falter or the gas to run out of the tank but he just keeps on trucking along. He does everything and he does it well. No weaknesses in his game and no excuses no matter how battered or bruised he is. A great compliment to CJ Spiller.

3. Ronnie Wingo

• 2014 Salary - $495,000
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016 (RFA)
• Comments - 6'3 and 231 pounds of former SEC production. This is a guy I would love to see get the ball more at various points in the season. He had a couple carries last year but could carve out a role on the team after mainstay Tashard Choice was let go late in the season. I expect some competition to be brought in by way of the UDFA scene.

4. Anthony Allen

• 2014 Salary - $570,000
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016
• Comments - A former Georgia Tech athlete so I, of course, like Mario Butler, will be pulling for him as he tries to crack the 53 man roster but he won't be a threat to get consistent carries. He'll try to carve out a role as a Special Teams player. Good size, scored a touchdown for the Ravens in 2012.

FULLBACK (2) - Good Condition

1. Frank Summers

• 2014 Salary - $495,000
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015 (ERFA)
• Comments - The bowling ball Frank Summers. I like the guy. He can catch the ball, he can run a bit and comes very cheap. Also a good Special Teams player.

2. Evan Rodriguez

• 2014 Salary - $570,000
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015 (RFA)
• Comments - I liked watching Evan Rodriguez at Temple. He's more of a hybrid FB/TE who can run and catch better than Frank Summers but isn't quite big enough or polished to play the TE position. Not a lock to make the team but I'm interested to see how they use him with a full off-season together.

WIDE RECEIVERS (10) - Stable Condition

1. Stevie Johnson

• 2014 Salary - $8,500,000
• Under Contract - 3 Years through 2016-2017
• Comments - He's a great WR. He runs the best routes in the NFL but he has hamstring issues, isn't the most sure handed and has been labeled as immature. I am a big fan of Stevie Johnson as a person and love him in the slot. He's not the type of #1 WR you see in the NFL these days, not in the mold of Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones or Brandon Marshall but he's getting paid like one. He would be an ideal #2 WR but Buffalo doesn't have that luxury at this point in time. Robert Woods is a very similar player who can take over Stevie's role so #13 becoming a cap casualty is not an impossible thought.

2. Robert Woods

• 2014 Salary - $1,106,085
• Under Contract - 3 Years through 2016-2017
• Comments - A solid, young WR out of USC. Very productive in college and solid as a first year WR. He can run routes, has good hands and deceptive speed. I think he will grow very well EJ Manuel and become his #1 WR in no time.

3. TJ Graham

• 2014 Salary - $777,813
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016
• Comments - I am so low on TJ Graham. I would not mind seeing him get cut this off-season. I think Marquise Goodwin handles the role as deep-threat speedster much better than Graham.

4. Marquise Goodwin

• 2014 Salary - $674,719
• Under Contract - 3 Years through 2016-2017
• Comments - I didn't particularly like the Goodwin draft pick at the time because we already had TJ Graham in that role. After realizing that Marquise Goodwin is much better in that role, I immediately took a liking to him. I'm excited to watch Goodwin the track star become more of Goodwin the football player.

5. Marcus Easley

• 2014 Salary - $730,000
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015
• Comments - My man crush. A special teams demon and a WR I would like to see get more snaps on offense. He has a great size/speed combo but I'm convinced he slept with someone's wife on the coaching staff and they're holding a grudge against the Connecticut grad. He should be the 5th/6th WR and make a case to be a Special Teams captain this year.

6. Chris Hogan

• 2014 Salary - $495,000
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015 (ERFA)
• Comments - Good hands, runs good routes. If Stevie gets cut, his stock will soar. I wouldn't mind him losing his roster spot to a big bodied WR through the draft though. Mike Evans anyone? If we're looking internally, watch out for Ramses Barden.

7. Ramses Barden

• 2014 Salary - $730,000
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016
• Comments - He's the big bodied WR that the Bills need. 6'6 and 224 pounds got stuck behind a good WR core in New York (Giants). He'll be battling Kevin Elliott and Chris Hogan for the 6th and final WR spot.

8. Kevin Elliott

• 2014 Salary - $570,000
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015 (RFA)
• Comments - Good size at 6'3 and 205, chiseled like a statue, he is physical and wins at the point of attack. He was hurt in the pre-season last year and is a bit of an enigma but I think he'll gain some fans over the summer.

9. Brandon Kaufman

• 2014 Salary - $420,000
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016 (RFA)
• Comments - I liked Brandon Kaufman last year. He made some plays but just got caught in a numbers game. I wish he could put on 30 lbs. and play TE but it's not that easy. Oh, yes it is. I've put on 30 lbs. in a few months like it was nothing, but my 40 yard dash time doubled from 5.5 seconds to 9.0 seconds so I could see how this could backfire for Mr. Kaufman. Practice Squad candidate.

10. Cordell Roberson

• 2014 Salary - $495,000
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016 (RFA)
• Comments - Doesn't stand a chance. Will be vying for a role on the Practice Squad.

TIGHT ENDS (3) - Critical Condition

1. Lee Smith

• 2014 Salary - $688,401
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015
• Comments - I hate Lee Smith. A blocker with a nasty streak who can't make consistent plays in the passing games and always seems to be sending us 15 yards backwards with his penalties. The fact that he is currently our #1 TE is very worrisome to me.

2. Tony Moeaki

• 2014 Salary - $1,350,000
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015
• Comments - Eclipsed 500 receiving yards before. Is athletic but has been injury prone. He's not someone that should be relied upon but may have to be if the Bills fail to update the TE position. Drafting a stud TE and having Moeaki return to his 2010 form would go a long way for the Buffalo Bills.

3. Chris Gragg

• 2014 Salary - $509.793
• Under Contract - 3 Years through 2016-2017
• Comments - Very similar to Moeaki. Could be good but has to work on his hands and his concentration. Drops too many easy passes but is a typical new age TE who can make a play when he actually does catch the ball. I love the SEC background. Caught the only TD vs. Pittsburgh last season. Hopefully it was the first of many for #89.

OFFENSIVE LINE (10) - Critical Condition

1. Cordy Glenn - OT

• 2014 Salary - $1,326,867
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016
• Comments - An absolute stud. He does his job and he does it well. There were some questions when the Bills drafted him about whether he'd stick at LT or would be kicked inside at OG but the Bills believed in him and it paid off. The value was tremendous in the 2nd round and I expect him to keep getting better.

2. Eric Wood - C

• 2014 Salary - $5,950,000
• Under Contract - 4 Years through 2017-2018
• Comments - He shedded the injury prone label and has been a rock for the Bills. He hasn't been snapping the ball to the most talented of QB's but that hasn't stopped him from being a stalwart in the middle of the line.

3. Kraig Urbik - OG

• 2014 Salary - $3,375,000
• Under Contract - 3 Years through 2016-2017
• Comments - Kraig Urbik has been a solid OG for the Bills. There's not much to elaborate on the matter. The less you hear about him, the better he's doing. Keep on keeping on Kraig.

4. Erik Pears - OT

• 2014 Salary - $3,450,000
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015
• Comments - Struggled mightily last year. Could be a candidate to be cut with his robust cap hit of $3.45 million and the return of Chris Hairston. I fully expect the Bills to address this position in free agency and if they fail to do so, in the draft. I would love, love, love Greg Robinson in the 1st round to be paired with Cordy Glenn at the T spots. Good luck getting to Manuel defenses.

5. Chris Hairston - OT

• 2014 Salary - $1,492,977
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015
• Comments - My dark-horse (shoutout to my girlfriend Katy Perry) candidate to start at RT. If Marrone believes in Hairston and likes what he saw on film before his injury, it could save the Bills $ or an important pick in the draft and that can go a long way in filling another hole on the roster.

6. Doug Legursky - OG

• 2014 Salary - $1,100,000
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015
• Comments - He was brutal last year. I like him much more as the 9th OL on the roster than I do as a starter. He's versatile but not very good. Maybe it was the gruesome injury he sustained early in the season, or maybe... he's just really bad?

7. Mark Asper - OG

• 2014 Salary - $570,000
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015 (RFA)
• Comments - He's a boy scout, er a man scout now that he's older and he once saved someone from choking at a restaurant. He's a good guy but not a guy I want starting on the Bills. He'll be fighting to be the 9th OL on the roster.

8. Antoine McClain - OG

• 2014 Salary - $495,000
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015 (ERFA)
• Comments - My dark-horse (shoutout to my girlfriend Katy Perry) to start at LG. The Bills really like him but they just might be saying that to make their OL sound more stable than it really is.

9. JJ Unga - OG

• 2014 Salary - $495,000
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016 (RFA)
• Comments - The Bills like him but they just might be saying that to make their OL sound more stable than it really is. Yeah, I think they're just trying to make their OL sound more stable than it really is.

10. Jamal Johnson-Webb - OT

• 2014 Salary - $420,000
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016 (RFA)
• Comments - Practice Squad candidate.

11. Edawn Coughman - OG

• 2014 Salary - $420,000
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016 (RFA)
• Comments - Practice Squad candidate.

State of the Buffalo Bills Roster - Defensive Depth Chart

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINE (8) - Good Condition

1. Mario Williams - DE

• 2014 Salary - $18,800,000
• Under Contract - 4 Years through 2017-2018
• Comments - Mario Williams is a productive player when healthy. He battled a wrist injury in his time as a Bill and seemed to struggle through it. He got surgery on the wrist and looked like a new man. He'll be a staple to the Bills success for years to come although living up to an $18 million dollar per year contract may be tough to live up to in the eyes of some fans.

2. Kyle Williams - DT

• 2014 Salary - $6,250,000
• Under Contract - 3 Years through 2016-2017
• Comments - Kyle Williams is as solid as can be. He's a mainstay in the middle, hard-nosed and plays his tail off. He is an established 1-2 punch along with Marcell Dareus on the inside and should help free up the rest of the front seven to make plays in both the run game and passing game.

3. Marcell Dareus - DT

• 2014 Salary - $6,493,232
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015
• Comments - Marcell Dareus has been an enigma since being drafted by the Buffalo Bills 3rd overall in the 2011 draft in front of the likes of AJ Green, Patrick Peterson, Julio Jones, Aldon Smith and JJ Watt. He was a productive player in the SEC and just hasn't lived up to the pick in my opinion, especially seeing the players that the Bills could have had. Hindsight is 50/50 though. I can't believe Dareus is in the final year of his contract. I thought he had a good season last year and would really like to see the Bills extend him long term. If they don't, a position of strength becomes a weakness and the drafting of Dareus 3rd overall looks even more disappointing.

4. Jerry Hughes - DE/OLB

• 2014 Salary - $3,995,000
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015
• Comments - The Bills stole him from the Colts in exchange for a stiff, overrated LB in Kelvin Sheppard. Hughes had a great first season in Buffalo but with a new defensive coordinator and a potential switch from LB to DE after the Bills are expected to move from a 3-4 to a 4-3, the odds are stacked against him to repeat that production. Having two great DT's and a DE across from him in Mario Williams, he has no excuses if he fails to produce. I enjoy watching him play and look forward to what I think will be another successful year as a Buffalo Bill.

5. Alan Branch - DT

• 2014 Salary - $2,925,000
• Under Contract - 3 Years through 2016-2017
• Comments - A solid rotational player that is signed for a few years backing up Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus at the DT position. A good depth player who has been productive at the NFL level.

6. Corbin Bryant - DT

• 2014 Salary - $495,000
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015 (ERFA)
• Comments - The current 4th DT on the roster behind K. Williams, Dareus and Branch. Not a lock to make the team but stuck last year and could do the same this year. Will compete with Stefan Charles and anyone else the Bills decide to bring in this off-season.

7. Stefan Charles - DT

• 2014 Salary - $495,000
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016 (RFA)
• Comments - Signed to the Bills late last year and got some playing time making a few nice plays and even got some compliments from the coaching staff. Pettine is gone, so it remains to be seen whether the new defensive staff will like him as much as the last one but he has a high motor and will have a chance to compete with Corbin Bryant to be the teams 4th DT.

8. Ikponmwosa Igbinosun - DE/DT

• 2014 Salary - $420,000
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016 (RFA)
• Comments - An analysts nightmare. Good luck pronouncing that name consistently. The good thing is that no one will have to. He'll compete for a practice squad spot.

LINEBACKERS (6) - Critical Condition

1. Kiko Alonso - ILB/OLB

• 2014 Salary - $977,364
• Under Contract - 3 Years through 2016-2017
• Comments - What a stud. Not many people knew who he was when he was drafted but once he hit the field, none of that mattered. The only thing that mattered was that he was a Buffalo Bills and he was a damn productive one at that. He played every snap on defense last year and should have been the leagues DROY. He played ILB last year but could very well move to the outside now that the Bills are transitioning back to the 4-3.

2. Manny Lawson - OLB

• 2014 Salary - $3,100,000
• Under Contract - 3 Years through 2016-2017
• Comments - Signed as a free agent last year, he played well on the outside for the Bills. There are some question marks as to how he will fit in the new scheme as he is an ideal 3-4 LB but with the Bills having minimal depth at the position behind Kiko, they can't be too picky. I expect Lawson to play OLB and maybe even put his hand on the ground and take some snaps out of the DE position. I am a big fan of Lawson's length and think his contract is very reasonable.

3. Nigel Bradham - ILB

• 2014 Salary - $686,065
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016
• Comments - Hasn't quite lived up to the fans expectations. Was battling Arthur Moats for snaps early in the season but seemed to get more snaps as the season went on. I don't think he's a player to build around but he'll help on Special Teams and offers depth at the LB position while playing out his contract at a reasonable price. I have hope that Bradham can continue to get better as his snaps are set to increase with the departure of Arthur Moats to free agency.

4. Jacquies Smith - OLB

• 2014 Salary - $420,000 (RFA)
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016
• Comments - Young LB from Missouri with some potential. Missouri has churned out some good defensive prospects lately so hopefully Smith continues that trend. If nothing is done at this position, he may be asked to step up for the Bills during this upcoming season.

5. Ty Powell - ILB/OLB

• 2014 Salary - $495,000
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016 (RFA)
• Comments - Will try to carve out a Special Teams role.

6. Kourtnei Brown - OLB

• 2014 Salary - $420,000 (RFA)
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016
• Comments - I love his size and he was in camp with the 49ers so hopefully he picked up on an Aldon Smith pass rush technique or two. He'll compete with Jacquies Smith and Ty Powell for LB depth and to churn out a Special Teams role if he wants to make the 53 man roster.

CORNER BACKS (6) - Stable Condition

1. Stephon Gilmore

• 2014 Salary - $3,295,679
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016
• Comments - Stephon Gilmore turned into the shutdown corner in the last 6 games of the NFL season like we expected him to all along. He came back from a wrist injury, played with a cast and did not look himself. After the cast was removed, he looked much more comfortable. Hopefully he can work on his ball skills and create some turnovers going forward as that seems to be one aspect of his game that he is lacking. Hey, no one's perfect. As long as he stays healthy during the off-season, expect him to pick up where he left off last season.

2. Leodis McKelvin

• 2014 Salary: $4,575,000
• Under Contract - 3 Years through 2016-2017
• Comments - I wasn't too thrilled with the contract he was given last off-season as I felt it was given to him mainly because of his punt return ability. He took a step back in that department but he stepped up as a corner back and I'll take that any day of the week. McKelvin looked very good last year opposite of Stephon Gilmore and I look forward to his continued growth as a starter on our defense.

3. Nickell Robey

• 2014 Salary - $497,333
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016
• Comments - It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog. What a steal for the Buffalo Bills during the UDFA period. Robey played in the PAC-12 for a great program at USC so you knew he could play the game. His size kept him from being drafted but he silenced the critics and carved out a nice role for the Buffalo Bills. Robey was a solid slot corner for the Bills in his first professional season.

4. Ron Brooks

• 2014 Salary - $670,719
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016
• Comments - Has the measurables with the size and speed as well as production in the SEC during his time at LSU but he just hasn't been able to put it together. He broke his foot early and had to play catch up since. He plays physical but hasn't learned how to do it without drawing yellow flags. He should really watching some Seahawks game film as that seems to be an art that he's mastered. I like his physicality and he's been solid on Special Teams. Hopefully he can continue to grow as a corner back backing up Gilmore and McKelvin on the outside.

5. Brandon Smith 

• 2014 Salary - $495,000
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016 (ERFA)
• Comments - Good size but nothing more than a bubble player fighting for the final CB spot on the roster. As with every bubble player trying to be that 51st, 52nd or 53rd person to make the team, he'll have to show out on Special Teams. I expect the Bills to add a player at this position in the draft or through free agency that will make Smith's chances of making the team a bit more bleak.

6. Mario Butler

• 2014 Salary - $495,000
• Under Contract - 2 Years through 2015-2016 (RFA)
• Comment - See Brandon Smith. I prefer Mario Butler over Smith as Butler went to Georgia Tech and I watched him play quite a bit in college. Good size but a long shot to make the team.

SAFETIES (4) - Critical Condition

1. Aaron Williams - FS

• 2014 Salary - $4,231,029
• Under Contract - 5 Years through 2018-2019
• Comment - If you told me two years ago that Aaron Williams would be the best S on the roster, I would laugh in your face. Aaron Williams was at CB and was struggling mightily, the Bills had Jairus Byrd and heading into the 2014-2015 season, had an opportunity to keep him under contract with, at the very least, the franchise tag. Williams was moved to S, played admirably, signed long term and Byrd is testing the crystal blue waters of NFL free agency. I was surprised that Williams signed long term. I thought for sure he would bolt as soon as his contract was up. He's a southern boy from Texas, got heckled a ton early in his career but he's turned that around and is focused on holding down the nest that Byrd built (pun very much intended).

2. Da'Norris Searcy - SS

• 2014 Salary - $1,510,106
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015
• Comment - A very compact, boxy safety who has had success blitzing but is not a full time starter at the S position. Is nice for depth but would worry me if he's starting across from Aaron Williams Week 1 of the 2014-2015 NFL season. As of now, he's going to be battling Duke Williams for the SS position and in my opinion, has the early advantage.

3. Duke Williams - SS

• 2014 Salary - $612,563
• Under Contract - 3 Years through 2016-2017
• Comment - I expected more out of Duke Williams in his rookie year. He is a boom-or-bust type of SS. When he gets a piece of you, you could very well be waking up a minute later asking if you were hit by a bus or a train. Duke Williams has a low center of gravity and can really lay the boom. The only issue is that if he misses, he's giving up a big play. I expect him to tone down the big hits, work on his form tackling and really round out his game. He's going to half to since he's a legitimate option to start across from Aaron Williams if he can beat out Da'Norris Searcy. Duke Williams will be a player I watch this off-season as I really enjoyed watching him at Nevada and wow, I can't say it enough, this guy can hit!

4. Johnathan Meeks - SS

• 2014 Salary - $544,500
• Under Contract - 3 Years through 2016-2017
• Comment - I am low on Meeks. I thought the Bills drafted him way too high last year and just don't see him evolving into anything more than Special Teams player. He was on the IR last year, didn't do anything when he came off and I don't see that changing this year even with an open competition at the position. I would love for him to prove me wrong but I wouldn't bet on it.

State of the Buffalo Bills Roster - Special Teams Depth Chart

SPECIAL TEAMS

KICKER (1) - Stable Condition

1. Dustin Hopkins

• 2014 Salary - $523,000
• Under Contract - 3 Years through 2016-2017
• Comments - Hopkins is the only kicker on the roster. He was drafted by the Bills last year but was put on the IR with a lower body injury. Bills signed Dan Carpenter who was excellent last year but he is a currently free agent and may be asking for more money than the Bills are willing spend one year after spending a draft pick on the position. Expect the Bills to bring in some competition for Hopkins but he should be the teams kicker when all is said and done heading into the 2014-2015 season.

PUNTER (1) - Stable Condition

1. Brian Moorman

• 2014 Salary - $570,000
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015
• Comments - I think Brian Moorman is average at this point in his career. He is a great guy and it was nice for the fans of Buffalo to see him come back last year but he was a free agent during the season for a reason. I expect some competition to be brought in but I think Moorman will be punting into the swirling winds of Ralph Wilson Stadium for one more season.

Long Snapper (1) - Good Condition

1. Garrison Sanborn

• 2014 Salary - $1,096,667
• Under Contract - 1 Year through 2014-2015
• Comments - Don't hear Garrison Sanborn's name enough? That's a good thing when you're a long snapper. Good long snapper, makes some tackles down field and keeps his name out of the announcers mouth otherwise. He will be back next year snapping the ball to Brian Moorman, hopefully a lot less than he had to this year.

Buffalo Sabres Draft Pick Scenarios 2014-2016

I love professional sports drafts. I think the reason is because between the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres and the Houston Astros, their seasons are usually over halfway through and all I have to look forward to is the draft. Anyways, this article is about the NHL draft specifically, focusing on our beloved Buffalo Sabres and all of the draft picks they have stockpiled for the next three years.

Between the flurry of picks we've received, the picks we've traded and some of the conditions attached to those picks, I wanted to make a  master list of those picks so I had a reference point going into this years draft. I hope you find as much use out of this article as I do because some of these conditional picks are pretty confusing.

The Sabres have acquired two conditional picks from two separate teams in two separate trades. One with the Islanders and one with the Blues. This leads to four possible scenarios on how the Sabres picks will shake up over the next three years. Here goes nothing, bear with me:

Conditional Pick #1 from the New York Islanders - The Islanders can protect their 2014 1st Round Pick if it's in the top 10, which it will be. If they decide to protect their 2014 pick, the Sabres automatically get the Islanders 2015 1st Round Pick regardless of where the pick is in the draft.

Conditional Pick #2 from the St. Louis Blues - The Sabres have acquired a 2016 3rd Round Pick from the Blues in the Miller deal. If the St. Louis Blues make the Western Conference Finals OR (this is not an and, this is an or) sign Ryan Miller before the 2014 NHL draft, the 2016 3rd Round Pick becomes a 2014 1st Round Pick. The kicker here is that if one of the two above happen and the 2016 3rd becomes a 2014 1st, the Sabres have to send the Blues their 2014 2nd and their 2014 3rd.

Wow, that's confusing. To make things easier on us, I'll do a breakdown of all four possible scenarios and how the Sabres draft picks in the first three rounds would look if each were to happen.

SCENARIO ONE - Islanders give the Sabres their 2014 1st Round Pick & St. Louis either makes Western Conference Finals or signs Ryan Miller before the draft.

2014 (5)
1st Round - BUF, NYI, STL (3)
2nd Round - BUF, WPG (2)
3rd Round - (0)

2015 (4)
1st Round - BUF, STL (2)
2nd Round - BUF, NYI (2)
3rd Round - (0)

2016 (4)
1st Round - BUF (1)
2nd Round - BUF, MIN (2)
3rd Round - BUF (1)

SCENARIO TWO - Islanders give the Sabres their 2014 1st Round Pick & St. Louis does not make Western Conference Finals nor do they sign Ryan Miller before the draft.

2014 (6)
1st Round - BUF, NYI (2)
2nd Round - BUF, WPG, MIN (3)
3rd Round - BUF (1)

2015 (4)
1st Round - BUF, STL (2)
2nd Round - BUF, NYI (2)
3rd Round - (0)

2016 (5)
1st Round - BUF (1)
2nd Round - BUF, MIN (2)
3rd Round - BUF, STL (2)

SCENARIO THREE - Islanders protect their 2014 1st Round Pick, give the Sabres their 2015 1st Round Pick & St. Louis either makes Western Conference Finals or signs Ryan Miller before the draft.

2014 (4)
1st Round - BUF, STL (2)
2nd Round - BUF, WPG (2)
3rd Round - (0)

2015 (5)
1st Round - BUF, NYI, STL (3)
2nd Round - BUF, NYI (2)
3rd Round - (0)

2016 (4)
1st Round - BUF (1)
2nd Round - BUF, MIN (2)
3rd Round - BUF (1)

SCENARIO FOUR - Islanders protect their 2014 1st Round Pick, give the Sabres their 2015 1st Round Pick & St. Louis does not make Western Conference Finals nor do they sign Ryan Miller before the draft.

2014 (5)
1st Round - BUF (1)
2nd Round - BUF, WPG, MIN (3)
3rd Round - BUF (1)

2015 (5)
1st Round - BUF, NYI, STL (3)
2nd Round - BUF, NYI (2)
3rd Round - (0)

2016 (5)
1st Round - BUF (1)
2nd Round - BUF, MIN (2)
3rd Round - BUF, STL (2)

With the 2015 NHL draft being the Connor McDavid sweepstakes, I would love as much ammunition as possible and that would be either Scenario 3 or 4 where the Sabres get three first round picks. The common denominator would be the New York Islanders holding on to their draft pick this year and giving us their 2015 draft pick instead. With the Sabres and Islanders set to be pretty bad, this puts the Sabres in a great position to win the Connor McDavid sweepstakes.

With that being said, the Islanders would be crazy to take themselves out of the running for Mr. McDavid so I expect them to give us their 2014 pick and hold on to their 2015 pick. With that being said, it should give the Sabres two picks within the top five of this years draft which should help speed up the rebuilding process as these two players could very much be NHL ready prospects.

I hope you enjoyed this article. Save it for future use and use it as a reference going forward for this years draft and the two that will follow. Hopefully Silver Lining Sports is still going strong in 2016! Go Sabres,

Buffalo Sabres Trade Deadline Report Card

The trade deadline has come and gone and the Sabres further strengthened the notion that they are in full on rebuild mode. We all knew that, but this trade deadline reinforced that. It's refreshing though in my opinion. Some teams try to build a new house on an old foundation and that doesn't always work. The Sabres are blowing everything up, laying down a new foundation and hoping their house is going to be as strong as ever. Time will tell. Let's take a look at some of the bricks that were shipped out and which new ones were brought in to support the future.

Trade One - Buffalo Sabres & St. Louis Blues:

Buffalo Receives: Jaroslav Halak (F), Chris Stewart (F), William Carrier (F), 2015 1st Round Pick - STL, 2016 3rd Round Pick - STL

St. Louis Receives: Ryan Miller (G), Steve Ott (F)

Grade: A-

Comments: People don't understand how tough it is to trade a goaltender in the NHL at the deadline. Teams that are in the playoff hunt usually have good goaltending and don't need any more. Teams that are cellar dwellers are there usually because of bad goaltending but can hardly justify being buyers if they aren't in the running. The best case scenario is if a playoff team lost their starting goalie right before the deadline and needs to replace him to keep their cup hopes alive. That didn't happen but what the Sabres did find in a trade partner, was a team that felt they were a Stanley Cup caliber team but their weakness was between the pipes. Halak is good, he's solid, he's an Olympic goaltender but is he Ryan Miller? The St. Louis Blues didn't think so.

I already broke this trade down in my previous post so I won't spend much time on it but I felt what they got for a goaltender that was going to walk at the end of the season was impressive.

The 2016 3rd Round Pick can become a 2014 1st Round Pick if the Blues make the Western Conference Championship or if they fail to accomplish that but sign Ryan Miller prior to the 2014 NHL Draft. If either of the above happen and the 2016 3rd Round Pick becomes a 2014 1st Round Pick for Buffalo, the Sabres send the Blues a 2nd and 3rd Round Pick in the 2014 draft in return.

Trade Two - Buffalo Sabres & Los Angeles Kings:

Buffalo Receives: Hudson Fasching (F), Nicolas Deslauriers (F)

Los Angeles Receives: Brayden McNabb (D), 2014 2nd Round Pick - LA, 2015 2nd Round Pick - LA

Grade: B-

Comments: I'm torn here. I really like Brayden McNabb and I thought two 2nd round picks were a bit much to give up in addition to McNabb but at the same time, I really like Hudson Fasching. I think he is gong to be a future top six forward for the Sabres. The Kings have some great forward prospects in Toffoli, Vey and Zykov but all that does is make guys like Hudson Fasching available and the Sabres took advantage. Fasching is mature, thick and can score. He has excelled on every level and is even doing so as a freshman with the NCAA powerhouse Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Nicolas Deslauriers is no slouch either. After switching from defense to forward, he lead the Kings AHL affiliate in both shots and goals. I expect Deslauriers to be a guy that bounces between the AHL and NHL quite a bit over the next few years.

So the Sabres gave up McNabb, who I think I liked more than the Sabres did and the two picks they acquired when they shipped Robyn Regehr to Los Angeles last year. So the Sabres traded Robyn Regehr and Brayden McNabb for Hudson Fasching and Nicolas Deslauriers. Not bad for what they're trying to do.

Trade Three - Buffalo Sabres & Minnesota Wild

Buffalo Receives: Torrey Mitchell (F), 2014 2nd Round Pick - WPG, 2016 2nd Round Pick - MIN

Minnesota Receives: Matt Moulson (F), Cody McCormick (F)

Grade: B

Comments: Let's just get it out of the way. Mitchell and McCormick both suck so let's just consider these two players a wash in this deal. With that being said, let's analyze the centerpiece of this trade which is Matt Moulson. Matt Moulson brought back a 2014 2nd Round Pick from Winnipeg which should be in the top 1/3 of the round and also a 2016 2nd Round Pick from Minnesota.

Two 2nd Round Picks for a player acquired earlier in the season that was destined to walk at the end of the season. It's crazy to think that the Sabres once acquired a 1st Round Pick for Paul Gaustad but failed to acquire a similar return for a player much better than him, in Matt Moulson, but that was the market this deadline and the Sabres did what they had to do. I'll miss Moulson. He was a great player, could put the puck in the net and actually seemed happy to be in Buffalo despite being a rental player. It's not an impossible thought that he may return one day if the Sabres are contending and they need a veteran.

Trade Four - Buffalo Sabres & Washington Capitals

Buffalo Receives: Michal Neuvirth (G), Rostislav Klesla (D)

Washington Receives: Jaroslav Halak (G), 2015 3rd Round Pick - BUF

Grade: C+

Comments: Jaroslav Halak was miserable here. He was 100% walking at the end of the season, had a $4+ million cap hit and probably would have been nothing but a cancer if he remained here. The Sabres did the smart thing by flipping him to a team that he knocked out of the playoffs a few years back. The Sabres in return got a younger goalie, hungry for a fresh start who is under control for a season beyond 2014. Michael Neuvirth costs less and can be a 1-2 punch with Jhonas Enroth not only this season but next season as well and for a reasonable price with a cap hit just a shade above $2 million.

I wish we could have just swapped goaltenders but I suppose the Capitals said we were getting a younger, more cost controlled, longer contracted goalie and asked that we threw in something so we exchanged a 3rd for veteran defenseman Rostislav Klesla who will go to AHL, offer some veteran leadership and be available to the Sabres in case of injuries to the big club. I look forward to watching Neuvirth play this season and beyond.

Bonus Trade - Buffalo Sabres & New York Islanders

Buffalo Receives: Matt Moulson (F), 2014 or 2015 1st Round Pick - NYI, 2015 2nd Round Pick - NYI

New York Receives: Thomas Vanek (F)

Grade: A+

Comments: The Sabres traded Vanek to the Islanders, got two great picks and a player that I don't think is too far behind Vanek in terms of talent, in Matt Moulson. The best part of this is that the Sabres got a half of a season out of Moulson and flipped him at the deadline.

If you include everything that the Sabres got for Moulson, when all is said and done, the Sabres traded Thomas Vanek for the following; 2014 or 2015 1st Round Pick - NYI, 2015 2nd Round Pick - NYI, 2014 2nd Round Pick - WPG and 2016 2nd Round Pick - MIN.

That's crazy! One 1st Round Pick & three 2nd Round Picks for Thomas Vanek. What a haul.

The rebuild is upon us in Buffalo, NY. What are your thoughts on what Buffalo did at the deadline and the direction the team is heading? They are flushed with young talent and stacked with draft picks. Keep your eyes peeled for my next article which will breakdown every scenario and every pick that Buffalo has in the first 3 rounds over the next 3 years! The scenarios include what the New York Islanders will do with this years 1st Round Pick and what St. Louis has to do for the Sabres to get an additional 1st Round Pick out of them.

Sabres Trade Deadline Primer & More

I told myself I would get back into blogging and write, at the very least, one article a month, if not more but sometimes life has other plans and next thing you know a few months go by and you haven't written anything since the Buffalo Bills were in the playoff hunt! No seriously, that's not a joke, it's been that long.

What better time to start getting back into the blogging than with the NHL trade deadline one day away, NFL free agency one week away and the MLB regular season less than a month away?

As much as I would love for this to be well written, well researched and edited through once or twice, it won't be. I have a small window of time to get this posted out. I have hockey tonight and my equipment, being in the car since my last skate, last Tuesday, needs a good thawing. Here's a quick write up on what I think will happen/what I want to happen at tomorrow's trade deadline. It will be specifically geared towards the Buffalo Sabres. Here goes:

Matt Moulson - Chances of being traded? 100%

Matt Moulson was acquired earlier in the season from the the New York Islanders along with a conditional  2014 (or 2015) 1st round pick and a 2015 2nd round pick for lazy but talented, Thomas Vanek. Moulson has been a gem since arriving in Buffalo. He has welcomed the city like a true professional and has been productive since his arrival. Everyone knew that he would be flipped at the deadline and that time has finally arrived.

He did get hurt before the Olympic break which put his trade deadline availability in question since you can't trade an injured player but the Olympics was a blessing in disguise as he healed up quite nicely. With the stars aligned as originally planned, the flipping of Matt Moulson, who is an UFA at the end of the season, is set to make the Thomas Vanek deal look even better.

Teams Interested: PIT, LA, ANA, NYR

Predicted Destination: LA

Predicted Haul: Some prospects to keep an eye on include Tyler Toffoli (RW), Valentin Zykov (RW), Linden Vey (C). I think one of these three and a pick get it done.

Jaroslav Halak - Chances of being traded? 50%

Jaroslav Halak was a part of the Ryan Miller deal and may not even play in a game as a Buffalo Sabre. He is an UFA at the end of the season and sounds none too happy to be in Buffalo. Rightfully so, he went from the playoff Blues, to the Olympics where he represented his country at a high level, back to the playoff Blues and now on the hapless and dysfunctional Sabres. I thought he was destined for the Minnesota Wild but the price may have been too high as the Wild acquired the vodka chugging, space loving Ilya Bryzgalov. The goaltending market is thin in the sense that no teams really need one and the ones that do, know that they don't have much competition so they don't have to throw the kitchen sink to acquire someone like Halak. They can sit back and watch the Sabres keep asking for less and less until a team takes him off their hands.

Teams Interested: PIT, WSH, VAN, MTL, PHI

Predicted Desination: WSH - If Halak goes anywhere. I think it's Washington. He knocked them out of the playoffs a few years back and offers a veteran presence to man the pipes along with whichever goalie doesn't get traded back to Buffalo in this deal.

Predicted Haul: Goaltenders Michael Neuvirth or Braden Holtby. If it's Halak for a pick, I expect the pick to be no better than a late 2nd round pick but my most realistic scenario is a 3rd round pick and/or a throw in guy coming back to the Sabres as a salary dump.

Chris Stewart - Chances of being traded? 40%

Chris Stewart is a big, physical forward with a scoring touch which makes me think Buffalo might want to keep him. He isn't the hardest working player as he tends to disappear at times when playing good competition and reappears against the leagues bottom feeders, but he can score and bang the body. He's pretty much Drew Stafford but with a fresh start.

Teams Interested: OTT, EDM, NYR, BOS

Predicted Destination: OTT - They've liked him for quite some time and Murray has the connections and knows their players well.

Predicted Haul: Robin Lehner if Halak is traded and the Sabres don't get a goalie in return since Murray loves bigger goalies and the only one remaining on his roster would be the complete opposite of what he likes, Mark Stone (RW), Shane Prince (LW), Jean-Gabriel Pageau (C), and an honorable mention to local product Cole Schneider (RW) who I played against while he was at St. Joe's in the Federation HS Hockey League. I think Stone or Price and a 2nd/3rd round pick gets Stewart's services.

Christian Ehrhoff - Chances of being traded? 33%

A top notch defenseman should bring back a nice haul for a rebuilding team. A good portion of his contract has been paid since it was front loaded but the kicker is that the team who acquires him has to take on his full contract as the Sabres can't take on any remaining players salary since they are already at 3, which is the CBA rule. I would love for Ehrhoff to be traded. He is good but I think he can bring the most back in a trade and we can replace him with one of our defensemen in the AHL with NHL experience. Will it be a downgrade? Of course, but that's expected in a rebuild. You have to blow everything up before you can lay down a new foundation.

Teams Interested: DET, COL, LA

Predicted Desination: DET - If he gets traded, it's to Detroit. They have been linked to him most frequently and it makes sense. This organization prides itself on its rock solid defense and that's how they like to win, even though they have a ton of talent up front. Their talent up front has been laboring all year with injuries. This trade may be more for their future seasons than it is this season.

Predicted Haul: Some players to keep an eye on include forwards Anthony Mantha, Teemu Pulkkinen, Tomas Jurco, Tomas Tatar, Zach Nastastiuk and Joakim Andersson. You're probably thinking, of course if you name all of these players, you're bound to be right. I just wanted to show off all the talent in their system! They are one of the best teams at drafting and it's times like these where it really pays off. They can send some good prospects over to Buffalo, get one of the league's better defense and still have their cupboards loaded with talent. I think a deal along the lines of Tomas Tatar and Teemu Pulkinnen for Ehrhoff and a pick makes sense for both sides.

Henrik Tallinder - Chances of being traded? 25%

Solid defenseman who was supposed to link back up with Tyler Myers and re-ignite the fireworks that was Tyler Myers rookie year. That didn't happen. There's no room for Henrik Tallinder in a rebuild.

Predicted Destination: DET, COL, Any team that needs a steady veteran defenseman for a playoff push.

Predicted Haul: These players are dime a dozen at the deadline. I think he can bring in a 3rd round pick or be part of a larger package involving one of the players above.

Honorable Mentions - Chances of being traded less than 25%

I guess you can say everybody but Girgensons at this point? I don't think players like Ennis, Myers or Hodsgon are going anywhere but some of the more realistic trade chips, not listed above include:

- Drew Stafford

- Marcus Foligno

- Zenon Konopka

- Jamie McBain

- Alexander Sulzer

Wild Card - Tyler Myers

I could see him going to a team like the Edmonton Oilers who have a plethora of forward depth but struggle mightily on the back-end and have for years. Sam Gagner has been dangled at the deadline for the last few years and Nail Yakupov seems to have worn out his welcome and might need a fresh start somewhere else. Food for thought; with guys like Nugent-Hopkins, Eberle and Hall, they might see a future cap problem and want to be proactive in avoiding that potentially hazardous situation. The only flaw in this is Myer's big contract but at $5.5 million, that's not too bad compared to what these forwards might ask for as the cap continues to rise. Grigorenko and Myers in a block buster deal for one of these three studs? You never know...

Additional Notes (Miller, Ott, St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders Conditional Pick)

In regards to the Miller/Ott trade with St. Louis, I love the deal. I haven't had time to post an opinion on it so it's a bit late but better late than never. If we didn't trade him, he was walking at the end of the season for nothing. He's a top 3 goalie in the league and he will be missed. We were spoiled as fans to have him and we took him for granted. We got a 1st round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft which is supposed to be STACKED, Jaroslav Halak who can be flipped for more, Chris Stewart who can be flipped for even more, a solid prospect in William Carrier (pronounced Carry-eh) , and a conditional 2016 pick.

The key with the 2016 pick, which is currently a 3rd round pick, is that it could become ANOTHER 1st round pick, in this years draft. If the Blues make the Western Conference Championship OR if Miller re-signs with St. Louis before the 2014 draft which isn't unrealistic. If Miller doesn't win a Stanley Cup and genuinely wants to rather than chasing money, re-signing with St. Louis seems like a good career move for him. Heck, both of these things can happen. The kicker is that if one of these two happen and this conditional pick turns into a 1st round pick, the 1st round pick will be between 27th-30th in this draft and in return the Sabres have to send St. Louis two 2014 draft picks. One is Minnesota's 2nd round pick and the other is their own 3rd round so it's like trading a 2nd and 3rd round pick for a late 1st which seems like a normal draft day trade anyway.

So let's do a quick breakdown of this trade again, best case scenario for the Sabres:

Buffalo gets:

2015 1st Round Pick - St. Louis

2014 1st Round Pick - St. Louis

William Carrier

(Insert Picks/Prospects/Players from Halak deal)

(Insert Picks/Prospects/Players from Stewart deal)

St. Louis gets:

Ryan Miller for 1/2 season

Steve Ott for 1/2 season

2014 2nd Round Pick - Minnesota

2014 3rd Round Pick - Buffalo

How cool would it be if Steve Ott came back and signed with the Sabres in the off-season or dare I say it, Ryan Miller after he wins the Stanley Cup with St. Louis!? I can dream right?

One final thing. In regards to the New York Islanders 2014 conditional draft pick from the Moulson/Vanek deal. If they finish with a top 10 pick in this draft, they can protect their pick, hold on to it and give Buffalo their 2015 1st round pick instead but my thing is, their team is bad. Tavares is hurt, they have no goaltending, they traded Moulson, they're trading Vanek. They seem like a virtual lock for a top 10 pick next year too. Next year is a stacked draft compared to this years draft. They could very well be the worst team and be in the running for Connor McDavid. There is no Connor McDavid in this draft, not even close. Why would they stay in the top 3 in a weak draft and give the Buffalo Sabres potentially TWO top 3 picks in the Connor McDavid sweepstakes? I think they would be crazy to protect their pick this year and give Buffalo their 1st pick next year, unprotected. My prediction is the Islander gives the Sabres their 1st round pick this year and Buffalo picks twice in the top 3 in the 2014 NHL draft.

Buffalo Bills - Playoffs? PLAYOFFS!?

The Buffalo Bills are currently 14th in the AFC. They need to finish in the top 6 in the AFC to secure a playoff spot. The top 5 spots seem out of reach for the Buffalo Bills as their division looks destined to go to the Patriots and the 7-4 Bengals occupy the first Wild Card spot which is the 5th playoff spot. Cincinnati is 7-4 while the Buffalo Bills are 4-7 and the Bengals own the head to head tie-breaker.

There are 8 teams ahead of the Buffalo Bills, standing in their way of the playoffs. Is it likely they make the playoffs? No, it's not likely. The odds are stacked against the Bills. Is it possible? Damn right it's possible! The Bills have something working in their favor that no other team in the NFL has the luxury of and that is the easiest remaining schedule. Let's do a breakdown/scenario of all the Wild Card hopeful AFC teams and what needs to happen for the Bills to get a first round matchup against the #3 seed in the AFC (which is currently occupied by a very cold, beatable Indianapolis Colts team).

The final playoff spot is possessed by the 5-6 Tennessee Titans. They are being led by former Buffalo Bills castoff Ryan Fitzpatrick ever since starter Jake Locker went down with a season ending injury. They are far from a threat and I would personally be shocked if they hold on to this spot when the regular season ends. Let's take a look at their schedule and what we want to happen going forward.

Best Case Scenario is what, as Bills fans, we want to happen. Realistic scenario is whether it could happen. For example: it's best case scenario that the Jaguars beat the Titans but it's more realistic that the Titans will beat the Jaguars. Best case scenario is that the Giants beat the Chargers and while it's realistic that the Chargers could beat the Giants, it's also equally realistic that the Giants could beat the Chargers

The realistic predictions aren't so much my predictions as they are slightly more realistic than the best case scenario. These are situations that could very well happen. You can justify either team winning in a lot of these matchups but this article will side with the scenarios that will help the Bills while keeping it realistic, which is pretty much me avoiding any prediction that involves the terrible Jaguars or Texans getting a realistic win vs. any potential AFC team.

6. Tennessee Titans 5-6 / Best Case Scenario: 5-11 / Realistic Scenario: 7-9

at Indianapolis - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
at Denver - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
vs. Arizona - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
at Jacksonville - Best Case: L / Realistic: W
at Houston - Best Case: L / Realistic: W

7. Pittsburgh Steelers 5-6 / Best Case Scenario: 5-11 / Realistic Scenario: 7-9

at Baltimore - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
vs. Miami - Best Case: L / Realistic: W
vs. Cincinnati - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
at Green Bay - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
vs. Cleveland - Best Case: L / Realistic: W

8. Baltimore Ravens 5-6 / Best Case Scenario: 6-10 / Realistic Scenario: 7-9

vs. Pittsburgh - Best Case: W / Realistic: W
vs. Minnesota - Best Case: L / Realistic: W
at Detroit - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
vs. New England - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
at Cincinnati - Best Case: L / Realistic: L

9. San Diego Chargers 5-6 / Best Case Scenaro: 5-11 / Realistic Scenario: 7-9

at Cincinnati - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
vs. New York Giants - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
at Denver - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
vs. Oakland - Best Case: L / Realistic: W
vs. Kansas City - Best Case: L / Realistic: W

10. New York Jets 5-6 / Best Case Scenario: 7-9 / Realistic Scenario: 6-10

vs. Miami - Best Case: W / Realistic: L
vs. Oakland - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
at Carolina - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
vs. Cleveland - Best Case: L / Realistic: W
at Miami - Best Case: W / Realistic: L

11. Miami Dolphins 5-6 / Best Case Scenario: 6-10 / Realistic Scenario: 7-9

at New York Jets - Best Case: L / Realistic: W
at Pittsburgh - Best Case: W / Realistic: L
vs. New England - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
at Buffalo - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
at New York Jets: Best Case: L / Realistic: W

12. Oakland Raiders 4-7 / Best Case Scenario: 6-10 / Realistic 6/10

at Dallas - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
at New York Jets - Best Case: W / Realistic: W
vs. Kansas City - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
at San Diego - Best Case: W / Realistic: W
vs. Denver - Best Case: L / Realistic: L

13. Cleveland Browns 4-7 / Best Case Scenario: 6-10 / Realistic: 6-10

vs. Jacksonville - Best Case: L / Realistic: W
at New England - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
vs. Chicago - Best Case: L / Realistic: L
at New York Jets - Best Case: W / Realistic: W
at Pittsburgh - Best Case: W / Realistic: L

14. Buffalo Bills 4-7 / Best Case Scenario: 9-7  Realistic 8-8

vs. Atlanta - Best Case: W / Realistic: W
at Tampa Bay - Best Case: W / Realistic: W
at Jacksonville - Best Case: W / Realistic: W
vs. Miami - Best Case: W / Realistic: W
at New England - Best Case: W / Realistic: L

UPDATED BEST CASE SCENARIO STANDINGS:

6. Buffalo Bills 9-7
7. New York Jets 7-9
8. Baltimore Ravens 6-10
9. Miami Dolphins 6-10
10. Oakland Raiders 6-10
11. Cleveland Browns 6-10
12. Tennessee Titans 5-11
13. Pittsburgh Steelers 5-11
14. San Diego Chargers 5-11

This gives the Bills the 6th spot by two games in case they slip up or one of the teams below them steals a game that doesn't go the Bills way. Is this realistic? Good gracious no. This is so far fetched but if karma is real and the football Gods feel that the Bills have been through enough over the years and want to make up for the last decade of misery, it could technically happen.

UPDATED REALISTIC SCENARIO STANDINGS:

6. Buffalo Bills 8-8
7. Tennessee Titans 7-9
8. Baltimore Ravens 7-9
9. Pittsburgh Steelers 7-9
10. San Diego Chargers 7-9
11. Miami Dolphins 7-9
12. New York Jets 6-10
13. Oakland Raiders 6-10
14. Cleveland Browns 6-10

This gives the Bills the 6th spot without having to go into tiebreakers. Is this realistic? I mean why, it's titled the "realistic scenario standings" for a reason. But seriously, it's not realistic, but it is more realistic than the best case scenario standings and while I do think the Bills can go 8-8 and maybe even 9-7, I think one of the teams currently ahead of the Bills, like the Steelers, Ravens or Chargers will win a few games and stay ahead of the Bills for that final playoff spot when all is said and done. The Bills are still mathematically alive so don't give up on this team yet.

"So you're saying there's a chance?" Damn right I am. I will attach the NFL Tie-breaking Procedures directly from NFL.com below so you can familiarize yourself with what would happen if the Bills are tied with this team or that team. As the season winds down and the Bills stay in the race, I will update with more in-depth tie-breaking procedures. Fortunately in the above scenarios, the Bills aren't tied with anyone so there's no need to delve into this topic at this point in time.

http://www.nfl.com/standings/tiebreakingprocedures