Here's the Bills news of note for Feb. 24th.
1. Woods prepares for the next chapter
Robert Woods is ready to cash in on four successful seasons in the NFL, now he just hopes that the Bills are the team that gives him that new contract he's earned.
Buffalo's second round draft pick in 2013 is set to hit free agency for the first time in his career, and joined The Murphy Show on Thursday to talk about the factors that are going to go into his decision and his mindset heading into March.
"Coming off the season I was super excited about what team was interested and what would happen," Woods said. "Now as it gets closer, I'm more calm and just patient and able to relax and not think much about it. I know it's coming up in a few weeks, and all of these things are coming up, so I'm slowly getting more excited again."
Woods also talked about the relationship he's developed with Tyrod Taylor the past two seasons. He said that the two have talked in the offseason and that what the Bills do at the quarterback position will have an impact on his future.
"We have to be prepared to go," Woods said. "Hopefully it's with Buffalo, just because we've been there, we've been throwing together and we are ready to be a complete unit with Sammy Watkins coming back, as well. It's hard because we're training and working out, but we haven't heard anything as of yet. Who knows what's going on upstairs in the offices, but we're preparing and working and I know Tyrod is as well to have a better season than he did even over the last two years."
Woods has caught 203 passes for 2,451 yards and 12 in 57 games in Buffalo. His best season in the NFL came in 2014 when Woods hauled in 65 catches for 699 yards and five touchdowns.
Woods has battled injuries over the last two seasons, but has always managed to return from those injuries much sooner than the original prognosis. He attributes that to his love of the game and hopes it sends a message to teams looking his way.
"I'm always going into the games wanting to play, wanting to compete," Woods said. "Some injuries definitely hold you out a little longer than expected, but I want to be available, I want to be on the field. If I can go, I'm going to play. If I feel like I can beat my opponent and help my team and not hurt them, I'm going to play. No matter what"
When asked if he wanted to become a number one receiver on another team, Woods said he has no issues with the role he's had in Buffalo over the last couple of seasons. He knows Watkins will always be that number one target, but he is willing to be unselfish if that means more success for the offense.
"Sammy deserves being the number one, but I have no problem being number two or being 1-A," Woods said. "As long as we are progressing, moving the ball down the field and making plays, I have no problem with that."
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**2. Preston Brown puts on his recruiting hat
**
In addition to getting his body ready for the 2017 season, Preston Brown also admits he has done a little bit of recruiting this offseason.
Brown joined The John Murphy Show to discuss the new coaching staff and his hopes of reuniting with fellow linebacker Zach Brown for another season.
"We always talk about him coming back, and hopefully Zach will be coming back next year and we can build on things from there," Brown said. "He only signed a one-year deal, so it was his prove it year, and he did a great job of proving himself to the whole league, so he might as well go and see what offers they have but we all hope he comes back."
Zach and Preston Brown were a force in the middle of the field, as they each had over 135 tackles in 2016, becoming the first linebacker duo in the NFL to reach that mark since 2003.
Regardless of if the Bills can re-sign Zach Brown, Preston is still eager to get back to work with his other teammates.
"Everybody is excited. I think the only thing people aren't excited about is that we have to be back a couple of weeks early," Brown joked. ""They (coaches) sound excited and they all have good history and good background so I can't wait to get started and see what we're going to have for this upcoming year."
Brown said he's even going to talk to Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly, a fellow Cincinnati native, about what to expect as the defensive signal caller in a Sean McDermott defense.
Brown hasn't missed a game in three seasons with the Bills, and has amassed over 100 tackles in each, but he still knows he has a lot to prove during his contract year in 2017.
"You want to always get better each and every year," Brown said. "I have a lot to improve on, a lot of things to get better on, the fourth year is a big year with the contract, so it's going to be fun. Just go out there and prove people wrong this year and go out there and have some good games as an individual and as a defense."
3. Areas of need the focus in Molnar's mock draft
As the rumors continue to swirl around the Bills and some big decisions they need to make, at least one mock draft lists addresses several areas of need for Buffalo.
Robert Molnar of Fox Sports listed three potential options for the Bills in April's draft, all going in a different direction from the quarterback position.
His top three possibilities are Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams, Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore and Wisconsin offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk.
Of course, all three of these players would fill positions of need for Buffalo, but much of that will be based off of what the team does in free agency beginning March 9th.
As for the first choice on Molanr's list, the Bills could use an upgrade at the right tackle position. Jordan Mills is set to become a free agent after allowing eight sacks and 57 total quarterback pressures in 2016.
Ramczyk was a First Team All-American in 2016 after spending his first two years of college football playing at Wisconsin- Stevens Point.
"In need of some offensive line help especially in the depth department, the Buffalo Bills could be tempted to select offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk," Molnar wrote. "Ramczyk would also serve as an upgrade at the right tackle position for the Bills, something that will only serve to help the offense as a whole next season. "With hip surgery upcoming for Ramczyk, his draft status could drop if any complications are had or if the recovery time takes longer than expected. That said, Ramczyk should be available when the Bills pick. Heck, given his drop in draft stock, the Bills could even trade down a bit and still end up with their man."
