Top 5 things to know from Bills GM Brandon Beane’s NFL Combine press conference 

With a tight cap situation the Bills don’t believe they’re in a position to utilize the franchise tag even if they wanted to.

“I don’t see us using the franchise tag,” said Beane. “I mean, never rule it out. But with our cap, I just don’t think we’d be able to hold a number like that for either of those positions.”

Beane was referring specifically to the linebacker and safety positions knowing with Edmunds and Poyer being their most prominent free agents they would be the most likely franchise tag candidates.

The franchise tag for a linebacker is $20.9M, while the figure for a safety is $14.4M.

With all the focus from Bills fans on getting more firepower for the offense, sliding under the radar as a need position for Buffalo is safety.

Not only is Jordan Poyer set to become an unrestricted free agent, but so too are Jaquan Johnson and Dean Marlowe. Cam Lewis is set to become a restricted free agent and even though Damar Hamlin is under contract, his playing future is still up in the air.

That leaves just Micah Hyde under contract for the 2023 season.

“I think it’s one of them for sure, depending on whether we can bring Poyer back,” said Beane when asked if safety is a need position. “Micah definitely plans to return this year. I think we’ll just kind of see how the roster construction comes. Who do we have back, who were we able to bring back? Whether it’s Jordan Poyer or whether it’s adding another if you lose Jordan, and you have to add someone else. And who do you add in the draft? I think we’ll just look at our roster and ultimately, we’re going to try to get the best players on the field.”

Another potential option at safety is Christian Benford. He has some experience at the safety position and when he was drafted by Buffalo last spring, Beane did mention that his long-term position with the Bills could be at safety.

“If we feel he’s one of our best 11 and safety is his best spot we wouldn’t…