The Buffalo Bills are entering the 2020 offseason with more than $80 million in cap space, positioning the franchise to add more pieces around some of the promising young players general manager Brandon Beane has added the last few seasons.

Priority No. 1 remains positioning quarterback Josh Allen for success by adding weapons and protection along the offensive line so he can continue his development into Year 3.

Beane has structured several contracts in an advantageous way so that he can move on from players without much financial penalty. In fact, several players’ contracts are structured in a way that the Bills add money to their cap if they move on before the season.

Here’s an important quote to remember when thinking about Beane’s approach to the offseason. This is from his season-ending press conference:

“We probably won’t be spending at the deep end of the pool like we did last year (in free agency),” he said. “It’s still up to us to find either pieces to compete with what we have or pieces that can upgrade. You can get guys that are minimum contract guys, guys that are low-tier, sort of middle of the road, those sometimes are as important or more important than those big-ticket items. We’ll ... uncork everything that happened all season long from start to finish with our players. We have to have a real assessment of where we see them, how they finish and our vision for what we see each player is going forward. Is this a guy that’s on the decline? Is this a guy that’s ascending? Is this a guy we can win with, or is this a guy we have to upgrade from? That will kind of lay the groundwork for what our next steps are."

There are six players that fit the cut candidate distinction. Let’s take a look at each and try to figure out what the Bills should do.

1. Trent Murphy, DE

2020 Cap Hit: $9.78 million

2020 Dead Cap: $1.75 million

Potential savings: $8.03 million

Murphy was solid in 2019 and his most significant contributions came in the biggest game of the season when he had two sacks against the Houston Texans in the playoffs. Murphy is a well-rounded edge player that left something to be desired as a consistent pass rusher.

Heading into the final year of a three-year deal, Murphy is a contingency plan at this point. With Shaq Lawson entering free agency the Bills currently have Jerry Hughes, Murphy and 2019 seventh-round draft pick Darryl Johnson on the roster. If Lawson signs elsewhere and the Bills whiff on an edge rusher in free agency or on Day 1/2 of the draft, Murphy’s inclusion on the 2020 roster is basically guaranteed.

If the Bills are able to make a move or two and upgrade at the position (free agent edge rushers like Yannick Ngakoue and Robert Quinn come to mind) then saving the $8 million makes a lot of sense.

Decision: Cut. $8 million dollars is a lot of money. Even if the Bills don’t make a big move it’s hard to envision them not being able to find an upgrade.

2. Tyler Kroft, TE

2020 Cap Hit: $6.4 million

2020 Dead Cap: $1.6 million

Potential savings: $4.8 million

Kroft is an interesting case because he’s entering the second of a three-year deal. The savings increase to more then $6 million in 2021 if the Bills cut him. Reports on Friday are that the Bills are one of three teams negotiating a contract with free agent tight end Greg Olsen.

So Buffalo is in the market for an upgrade at the position to play alongside young tight end Dawson Knox in 2020. Kroft was injured right from the jump after signing with the Bills and when he was healthy he never made a large impact.

Decision: Cut. Olsen would be a home run but even if that doesn’t materialize there are upgrades on the free agent market available.

3. Ty Nsekhe, OT

2020 Cap Hit: $5.2 million

2020 Dead Cap: $1.5 million

Potential savings: $3.7 million

Nsekhe is a valuable commodity because of his versatility as a swing tackle. When healthy he was good in 2019. Rookie right tackle Cody Ford had an up-and-down first season and Nsekhe is insurance in case he doesn’t develop into Year 2.

Decision: Keep. Whether the Bills see Nsekhe as a starter in 2020, he’s a potential depth piece and arguably one of the best depth tackles in the NFL when healthy.

4. Jon Feliciano, OL

2020 Cap Hit: $4.4 million

2020 Dead Cap: $750,000

Potential savings: $3.65 million

Feliciano was an unsung hero for the re-built Bills offensive line in 2019. He started all 16 games at right guard and even moves over to replace an injured center Mitch Morse in two games.

The coaching staff praised Feliciano’s toughness and the physical nature of his game, which rubbed off on teammates.

Decision: Keep. This is a no-brainer.

5. Spencer Long, OL

2020 Cap Hit: $4.13 million

2020 Dead Cap: $700,000 million

Potential savings: $3.43 million

When Long played in 2019 he was good. He may be getting a healthy salary in 2020 to be a back up but it’s the kind of insurance a team with a young quarterback needs. He’s going to want to compete for a starting job in 2020 but wherever he ends up fitting on the roster he is a luxury.

Decision: Keep.

6. Lee Smith, TE

2020 Cap Hit: $3.25 million

2020 Dead Cap: $1 million

Potential savings: $2.25 million

This is a tough one. Smith’s impact on the two rookies in 2019 (Knox and Tommy Sweeney) was significant. But if the Bills sign Olsen or find another veteran tight end on the market, Smith becomes expendable. Working against Smith was his penchant for committing costly penalties.

Decision: Cut. The Bills need to pair Knox with a dependable running mate after his 10 drops as a rookie. Smith is primarily a blocker and the Bills cans save $2.25 million in 2021, too, if they cut the vet.

READ MORE

Why the Buffalo Bills should not pursue CB Josh Norman after he’s released by Washington

Buffalo Bills’ Ed Oliver will make biggest jump among 2019 rookies, says ESPN Insider

NFL rumors: Executives believe Buffalo Bills will use franchise tag on Jordan Phillips