NFL Notes: Bills, Jets, Ravens

Bills

Bills HC Sean McDermott said recently acquired WR Andre Holmes has “stood out” during practice and has performed well on special teams.

“I’ll tell you the guy that’s really stood out has been Andre,” McDermott said, via Gary Davenport of B/R. “He’s done a phenomenal job, not only on offense, but also special teams. Very solid performer day to day.”

Jets

Darryl Slater of NJ.com takes a look at seven veterans who could either be released by the Jets or allowed to walk after the 2017 season.

• Slater’s list includes CB Buster Skrine, DE Muhammad Wilkerson, DE Sheldon Richardson, LG James Carpenter, RB Matt Forte, RB Bilal Powell, and DT Steve McLendon.
• In order to part ways with Wilkerson, the Jets would incur an $9 million cap hit, but another disappointing season could force them to consider parting ways with him just a few years after they signed him to a big-money deal.
• Richardson has been a popular trade option the past few years. Slater says it’s possible they could franchise him next year or even try to sign him to an extension. However, New York has already paid Wilkerson and will need to eventually sign Leonard Williams, which makes it tough to allocate another big contract to their defensive line, especially with other areas of need.
• The Jets could pick up $3 million of cap room by releasing Forte next year and Slater says “there seems like no way he is back with the Jets for the final year of his contract.”

Ravens

• Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun believes this season will be “pivotal” for the status of HC John Harbaugh and along with several players who are currently in the third- and fourth-years of their contracts.
• Preston mentions WR Michael Campanaro, TE Crockett Gillmore, RB Lorenzo Taliaferro and C John Urschel as a few players to keep an eye on this year, considering that they are entering the final year of their rookie contracts.
• While Campanaro and Gillmore both showed promise earlier in their careers, Preston mentions that neither has been able to stay healthy for a substantial period of time.
• Preston thinks the Ravens are “desperately” in need of a center, but admits a strong showing from Urschel in the preseason could prevent the team from pursuing a veteran free agent like C Nick Mangold.
• Preston expects TE Nick Boyle to contribute more this season than TE Maxx Williams.