Latest Salary Cap Breakdown for the Buffalo Bills

Change has been the norm for the Buffalo Bills in the first two months of 2013. 

A new coaching staff and a slight reshuffling of the front office in January kicked off the new year with a bang. However, the moment the mics were shut off following head coach Doug Marrone's welcoming press conference, a month of silence out of Orchard Park ensued. 

Player evaluations have been taking place during the quick hibernation and news of personnel assessments has slowly trickled out of One Bills Drive, with the departures of Nick Barnett, Terrence McGee and George Wilson.

All three players were expected starters at the beginning of last season and veteran leaders in the locker room, but all have seen their Bills' careers end over the last seven days. 

More cuts are not out of the question, but let us take a look at who still remains and how their salaries effect the Bills' cap number for the upcoming season. 

All figures are closely estimated by the staff of nyjetscap.com.

Quarterbacks

Ryan Fitzpatrick

• 2013 Cap #: $10,450,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $10,000,000

Total QB Salary: $10,450,000

Free Agents:

• Tyler Thigpen, UFA
• Tarvaris Jackson, UFA

Quarterback is the one position on the roster that could easily see the most amount of influx. Tyler Thigpen and Tarvaris Jackson will both walk away from Buffalo in search for backup spots elsewhere after short stints with the Bills. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick's state with the organization is a bit fuzzier. 

Fitzpatrick is guaranteed $10 million of his salary for the 2013 season, which means the Bills would only save about half a million dollars if they cut their starter. The team will assuredly add one or even two quarterbacks via the draft and the likelihood of a rookie (possibly Ryan Nassib) starting in Buffalo next season is a high probability. 

That leaves the with the decision of keeping or cutting Fitzpatrick. Releasing him or relegating him to second-string is mostly irrelevant because of his high dead money number. The team is not cash-strapped by any means, but every bit of extra money will help the team keep higher-priority players, such as Jairus Byrd and Andy Levitre. 

My bet is that Buffalo's roster next season contains the highest paid backup quarterback in the NFL. 

Running Backs

C.J. Spiller

• 2013 Cap #: $5,041,250
• Dead Money (if cut): $7,804,588

Fred Jackson

• 2013 Cap #: 3,643,750
• Dead Money (if cut): $2,000,000

Zach Brown

• 2013 Cap #: $405,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Total RB Salary: $9,135,000

Free Agents:

• Tashard Choice
• Corey McIntyre

It doesn't take much number crunching to come to the assumption that the Bills will cut neither Spiller nor Jackson. Spiller is the unquestioned star of the new-look Bills and Jackson just signed a contract with the team last season to be the other back. 

Jackson dealt with injuries again in 2012, which lessens his value on the open market. Buffalo realizes the need for two healthy backs and they will need Jackson's pass-blocking abilities as a second back next year. Cutting Jackson only saves Buffalo $1.5 million, so they would be better off keeping him on the roster. 

Brown was a practice squad guy from the University of Pittsburgh and will likely remain with the team as a camp body. 

With two veteran backs already on the roster, bringing in another guy of that statue would not make sense. The coaching staff will most likely draft a guy in the late rounds or pick up a key undrafted-free agent at the position to fill the role of the departing Choice. 

Wide Receivers

Stevie Johnson

• 2013 Cap #: $5,650,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $11,300,000

T.J. Graham

• 2013 Cap #: $677,813
• Dead Money (if cut): $503,436

Marcus Easley

• 2013 Cap #: $480,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Brad Smith

• 2013 Cap #: $3,750,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $1,000,000

Chris Hogan

• 2013 Cap #: $480,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Kevin Elliott

• 2013 Cap #: $480,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Total WR Salary: $11,517,813

Free Agents:

• Donald Jones, RFA
• David Nelson, RFA
• Ruvell Martin, UFA

The Bills are down to a bit of a skeleton crew at wide receiver heading into next season with only two guys currently under contract as definite roster finalists: Johnson and Graham. 

Hogan and Elliott were late-year adds, both can be cut without any repercussions in a negative sense. The former Monmouth lacrosse player, Hogan, was an intriguing camp player for the Dolphins last year before ending the season with Buffalo.

Easley has been a hot-cold player in his three seasons in Buffalo. He spent his first two full seasons on the injured reserve and, other than a long kickoff return for a touchdown, did not live up to expectations this season. He could be a cap casualty during the offseason.

Smith is another player in limbo. A favorite of the last coaching staff, he carries a heavy price tag for someone that will most likely be a full-time special teams player. The team could save nearly three million in cash by releasing the return man, but he has survived the first wave of cuts so far.

Buddy Nix has already said that the Bills will not pursue restricted free agent Jones, which is only mildly surprising. Jones put up career numbers this past season in 12 games, which will make him a good candidate to latch on with another team quickly. 

Nelson, who missed all of 2012 with an ACL tear, should be back with the team as a big possession receiver. 

Wide receiver remains a top priority heading into the draft, unless the team somehow signs one of the top free agent receivers on the market. That scenario is doubtful, which makes the high selection of a wide receiver probable. 

Tight Ends

Scott Chandler

• 2013 Cap #: $2,975,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $625,000

Lee Smith

• 2013 Cap #: $583,934
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Joe Sawyer

• 2013 Cap #: $405,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Total TE Salary: $3,963,934

Free Agents:

• Dorin Dickerson, ERFA

Chandler is the money maker of the Buffalo tight ends and, barring unforeseen circumstances, will be the starter for the Bills again next season. He had 43 catches for nearly 600 yards in 2012, but tore his ACL in the second-to-last game of the year against Miami. It is a good guess that the Bills at least bring in some other veteran presence at the position. 

Smith is purely a blocking tight end and Sawyer does not offer much, just having signed a a futures contract in January. 

The Bills have exclusive negotiating rights with Dorin Dickerson, who was one of the surprise bubble players to make the final roster out of summer camp this past season. Dickerson is a natural receiver who is more successful lining up on the outside, rather than as an in-line blocker. Bringing him back at a low cost would be beneficial to the cohesiveness of the offense. 

Offensive Line

Eric Wood

• 2013 Cap #: $3,348,750
• Dead Money (if cut): $1,048,750

Erik Pears

• 2013 Cap #: $2,800,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $1,750,000

Kraig Urbik

• 2013 Cap #: $2,750,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $2,800,000

Cordy Glenn

• 2013 Cap #: $1,105,723
• Dead Money (if cut): $2,044,885

Chris Hairston

• 2013 Cap #: $658,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $207,954

Sam Young

• 2013 Cap #: $630,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Thomas Welch

• 2013 Cap #: $630,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Chris Scott

• 2013 Cap #: $630,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

David Snow

• 2013 Cap #: $480,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Keith Williams

• 2013 Cap #: $480,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Zebrie Sanders

• 2013 Cap #: $454,625
• Dead Money (if cut): $148,875

Adam Grant

• 2013 Cap #: $405,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Total OL Salary: $14,372,098

Free Agents:

• Andy Levitre, UFA
• Chad Rinehart, UFA
• Colin Brown, RFA

Eric Wood, Kraig Urbik and Cordy Glenn are all surefire starters next season. Erik Pears and Chris Hairston will battled for the right tackle spot. Pears began the season there, but Hairston made a case for him to be the starter after Pears succumbed to injury. 

The rest of the guys are depth and camp bodies. 

A huge name missing from the salary list is top free agent at guard Andy Levitre. The Bills have cut a bunch of dead weight from the roster already in hopes that they can lure Levitre and Jairus Byrd back to Buffalo for second contracts. 

Keeping Levitre would minimize turnover and keep a run-first focused offense with a new coaching staff. 

Defensive Line

Mario Williams

• 2013 Cap #: $12,400,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $29,700,000

Kyle Williams

• 2013 Cap #: $5,805,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $2,850,000

Marcell Dareus

• 2013 Cap #: $5,565,628
• Dead Money (if cut): $12,058,860

Mark Anderson

• 2013 Cap #: $4,500,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $6,000,000

Alex Carrington

• 2013 Cap #: $1,539,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $216,000

Arthur Moats

• 2013 Cap #: $1,351,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $28,000

Torrell Troup

• 2013 Cap #: $1,026,250
• Dead Money (if cut): $451,250

Jarron Gilbert

• 2013 Cap #: $630,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Jay Ross

• 2013 Cap #: $480,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Corbin Bryant

• 2013 Cap #: $405,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Total DL Salary: $33,701,878

Free Agents:

• Kyle Moore, UFA
• Spencer Johnson, UFA

The front four for Buffalo might not have lived up to their billing last season, but they will be the position group with the least amount of turnover next season. 

Carrington showed plenty of flashes in 2012, which has likely earned him a stay in the final year of his rookie contract. He blocked four kicks and gave the team much-needed depth when injuries started to hit the line. 

Moats and Troup are interesting cases, as neither player has performed much in their time in Buffalo, but are still young enough to get better.

Moats carries a very small amount of dead weight, which could make him a prime cut candidate. Troup has about half a million in guaranteed money and still has yet to really see the field for Buffalo because of injury. The new coaching staff might want to take a hard look at him before a release. 

A few camp bodies might be added during the offseason and the team could potentially re-sign Kyle Moore, but there will not be much fluidity in this group. 

Linebackers

Chris Kelsay

• 2013 Cap #: $4,975,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $800,000

Kelvin Sheppard

• 2013 Cap #: $816,951
• Dead Money (if cut): $345,416

Nigel Bradham

• 2013 Cap #: $596,065
• Dead Money (if cut): $348,195

Chris White

• 2013 Cap #: $585,150
• Dead Money (if cut): $60,300

Greg Lloyd

• 2013 Cap #: $480,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Brian Smith

• 2013 Cap #: $405,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Total LB Salary: $7,858,166

Free Agents: 

• Bryan Scott, UFA
• Shawne Merriman, UFA
• Kirk Morrison, UFA

Unlike the front four, the second layer of defense will see a lot of changeover with the new staff. 

Nick Barnett has already packed his bags and hybrid players Kelsay and Arthur Moats could well be on their way out the door. Kelsay's contract is easy to slip out of, but the team has continuously shown their allegiance to the former Cornhusker. The Bills would save over four million in they cut Kelsay, who turned 33 last season. 

That money could be used more effectively. 

Names like Bart Scott and Calvin Pace have been thrown around because of their familiarity with defensive coordinator Mike Pettine now with the Jets. I am not sure bringing in aging vets to replace aging vets is an approach that a new coaching staff would benefit from, especially from a fan standpoint. 

Unrestricted free agents like Paul Kruger, Connor Barwin and Dannell Ellerbe are toward the top of the short list for replacements on the strong side. 

Cornerbacks

Stephon Gilmore

• 2013 Cap #: $2,746,398
• Dead Money (if cut): $9,887,038

Aaron Williams

• 2013 Cap #: $1,434,314
• Dead Money (if cut): $1,523,530

Ron Brooks

• 2013 Cap #: $580,135
• Dead Money (if cut): $300,405

Justin Rogers

• 2013 Cap #: $571,875
• Dead Money (if cut): $33,750

T.J. Heath

• 2013 Cap #: $555,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Crezdon Butler

• 2013 Cap #: $555,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Total CB Salary: $6,442,722

Free Agents: 

• Leodis McKelvin

Terrence McGee became the third cap casualty on Thursday afternoon, which opened up another $2.5 million in cap room for Buffalo. McGee had been plagued by injuries over the last three seasons and was virtually a non-factor during that same stretch because of them. 

High draft picks Gilmore and Williams headline the group, although there have been rumors that Williams may make a move to safety to replace George Wilson. Take that information with a grain of salt. 

Gilmore improved every week and although his interception numbers were not high, the completion percentage against him fell as the season progressed. He has No. 1 corner potential for sure. 

Rogers was brutal at times last season and could make his way off the roster during summer camp. Brooks, a rookie last season, will have a spot on the roster as a slot corner. 

Corner is not as high a priority as receiver, quarterback and linebacker, but Buffalo will add some defensive backs at some point in the offseason. 

Safeties

Da'Norris Searcy

• 2013 Cap #: $676,106
• Dead Money (if cut): $242,212

Mana Silva

• 2013 Cap #: $555,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Dominique Ellis

• 2013 Cap #: $405,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $0

Total S Salary: $1,636,106

Free Agents:

• Jairus Byrd, UFA

Byrd has to be priority number one for the Buffalo Bills. The play-making safety capped off another Pro Bowl campaign and is headed towards the open market for the first time in his young career. It is a shame that the team allowed him to go this long without re-upping a contract, but it is the nature of the business. 

Losing Byrd would be a huge blow to their defense and deflate a fanbase that is already teetering on the edge. 

Searcy will look to step into the shoes left by George Wilson, who was cut last week. He played well as the team's third safety last season and became a fan favorite because of his knack for being around the ball. 

The team cannot possibly go into the season with their current crop of players so, even if they do not sign Byrd, another veteran will be added. 

Special Teams

Rian Lindell

• 2013 Cap #: $3,000,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $ 2,700,000

Garrison Sanborn

• 2013 Cap #: $1,061,666
• Dead Money (if cut): $ 353,334

Shawn Powell

• 2013 Cap #: $481,000
• Dead Money (if cut): $2,000

Total ST Salary: $4,542,666

Free Agents:

• Leodis McKelvin

The only real thing that this unit could miss in 2013 is the return abilities of Leodis McKelvin. The former first round pick was fairly ineffective as a defender, but his kickoff returns provided breath-taking moments in mostly forgettable seasons. 

Lindell will ride into the sunset as a Buffalo Bills' kicker and Powell shook off a rough start to his rookie season to finish strong. Not sure we will see much change at those spots. 

Sanborn is a long snapper. They have feelings of holding onto him too, so I mentioned him. Talk of long snappers is now over. 

Buffalo will look to find a returner in the late part of the draft or find a UDFA to compete with Justin Rogers and Marcus Easley for the duties should McKelvin sign elsewhere.